New Film Releases Streaming Online Early
The coronavirus pandemic has had a drastic effect on the film industry. Just last month AMC Theaters, one of the largest movie chains in the United States, closed its doors nationwide in order to comply with federal social distancing orders. The company, which brought in just over 1.4 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of last year, is now reportedly 4.9 billion dollars in debt and facing bankruptcy.
Arts and entertainment companies all over the world are being faced with challenges during this time. Broadway shut down last month after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned public gatherings of 500 or more. Numerous concerts, music festivals, and other large-scale events have also been cancelled. But, with movie outings being a main pastime of many Americans, the movie industry is definitely one of the hardest hit.
It usually takes about two or three months for new film releases to be released on streaming services. But now, because of the coronavirus pandemic and multiple movie theater closures, many films are being released on streaming services early. Some films are completely skipping their theatrical releases altogether and going straight to streaming services.
Here is a list of new films that you can stream much earlier than expected!
Artemis Fowl
The new film adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s bestselling kiddie fantasy series is headed to Disney + in June!
Original release date: May 29
Digital release date: June 12
Streaming service: Disney +
Fantasy Island
A 2020 horror re-imagining of the campy 1970s drama series is now streaming!
Original release date: February 14
Digital release date: April 14
Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
Trolls World Tour
This children’s jukebox musical will be released digitally on the same day it was planned to be released theatrically, and features the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Cordon, and Mary J. Blige.
Original release date: April 10
Digital release date: April 10
Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
This teen abortion drama indie was a Sundance and Berlin Film festival favorite, and is now available for digital rental.
Original release date: March 13
Digital release date: April 3
Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
Onward
Pixar’s latest fantasy tells the story of a pair of elf brothers on a journey to bring their father back from the dead. It features the voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, and had its streaming release date fast-tracked.
Original release date: March 6
Digital release date: March 20 (On Demand), April 3 (Disney +)
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, Disney +
The Lovebirds
This action/romance/comedy starring the hilarious Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani was released on Netflix on the date it was supposed to be released theatrically, making it the first movie to completely forego a theatrical release due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Original release date: April 3
Digital release date: April 3
Streaming service: Netflix
Bad Boys For Life
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up for the third installment in their Bad Boys franchise. This buddy action/comedy finds the crime-fighting “bad boy” cops taking on a Miami drug cartel.
Original release date: January 17
Digital release date: March 31
Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu
Sonic the Hedgehog
This kid-friendly comedy was originally pushed back after fans reacted negatively to the first design of the classic video game character. Now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the film is being released digitally after a very successful six week theatrical run.
Original release date: February 14
Digital release date: March 31
Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
The Call of the Wild
Harrison Ford stars in this film adaptation of Jack London’s classic 1903 novel, which was released to streaming services just weeks after its theatrical release.
Original release date: February 21
Digital release date: March 27
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
Downhill
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell star in this remake of the acclaimed 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure as a married couple forced to reassess their lives after a close call with an avalanche during a family ski trip.
Original release date: February 21
Digital release date: March 27
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
The Gentlemen
This Guy Ritchie crime comedy stars Matthew McConaughey as an American kingpin operating in the United Kingdom whose efforts to sell his marijuana empire become ensnared in a web of deceit.
Original release date: January 24
Digital release date: March 24
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
Birds of Prey
This follow-up to 2016’s Suicide Squad stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn– newly single and ready to join up with a team of kick-as ladies to save a teen from the clutches of a sinister crime lord.
Original release date: February 7
Digital release date: March 24
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
The Way Back
This critically acclaimed drama stars Ben Affleck as a construction worker turned high school basketball coach who is also struggling with alcoholism. It’s being released digitally just weeks after its theatrical release.
Original release date: March 6
Digital release date: March 24
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Tubi (Free)
Bloodshot
This action flick stars Vin Diesel as the titular Variant Comics superhero, and is available On Demand just weeks after its theatrical release.
Original release date: March 13
Digital release date: March 24
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube
The Hunt
This horror satire was original supposed to be released in September of 2019, but was rescheduled due to the controversy surrounding its premise: A cabal of champagne-swilling liberal elites kidnap a bunch of working-class red staters and hunt them for sport.
Original release date: March 13
Digital release date: march 20
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
The Invisible Man
This critically-acclaimed sci-fi horror film starring Elisabeth Moss is the spin take on H.G. Wells’ classic story. A woman who suspects she’s being stalked by her wealthy abusive ex-boyfriend—even though he’s supposed to be dead.
Original release date: February 28
Digital release date: March 20
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
Emma
This latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel starring Anya Taylor-Joy hit theaters only a few weeks before the coronavirus shutdowns began, and its digital release date was quickly moved forward.
Original release date: February 21
Digital release date: March 20
Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
