Netflix has released 10 films in cinemas but few for more than a week before they are uploaded to its streaming platform
The chief executive of Cineworld has accused Netflix of leaving Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman with “meaningless” box office income after releasing the film in cinemas for only a short period before streaming it.
Mooky Greidinger, who heads the world’s second-largest cinema group, said the US streaming service, which financed the Oscar-winning director’s film, had prevented it from becoming a box-office hit. Netflix put The Irishman out in cinemas on November 1st in the US and November 8th in Britain and Ireland, then streamed it from November 27th.
“The Irishman lost a lot of box office. A Scorsese released properly in cinemas would have generated a nice income,” he said.
Mr Greidinger’s accusation highlights a long-running stand-off between cinema owners and Netflix. Since September, Netflix has released 10 films in cinemas but few for more than a week before they are uploaded to its platform. In November, it announced it was buying the Paris Theater in New York and was in negotiations for the Egyptian in Los Angeles, where it plans to hold screenings and special events.
Netflix said all the major cinema companies were offered its films. Many, including Vue, Odeon and Cineworld, declined to show them, deeming the release window too short.
Source: Cineworld chief accuses Netflix of crushing box office revenues