Remember the days of waiting for months, sometimes even a year, to watch a blockbuster movie at home? Well, that tradition seems to be fading fast.
Take Kung Fu Panda 4, for example. The film just came out in theaters this month, but guess what? It’s already going to be available for streaming in April (a mere month after its theatrical debut)!
This rapid turnaround reminds of what Christopher Nolan talked about when he was promoting his movie Tenet. He emphasized why theatrical release for a longer run is important.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is up for Early Streaming
On March 8th, the iconic actor and comedian Jack Black reprised his role as Po — the lovable yet unexpected kung fu master — in the fourth installment of the Kung Fu Panda series.
According to an article published on March 13th by Forbes, “Kung Fu Panda 4 will eventually stream on Peacock approximately 120 days (four months) after its theatrical release — or sometime around July 6, 2024.”
But now, WhenToStream reported Kung Fu Panda 4 is set to be officially released online on Tuesday, April 9th. On this day, fans will have the opportunity to buy or rent the animated sequel digitally through various video-on-demand platforms such as Apple, Amazon Prime Video, and Google. But looks like some fans are not happy with the decision.
Who do movies not stay in theatres for almost 3 months at a time like they used to years ago? You literally have to put everything else in your life on the back burner and go see movies right when they come out just to see it on the big screen. This is ridiculous.
— 💀CuteSkeleton93💀 (@SkullishaDemon) March 30, 2024
April 9 is too early. Let the film cook more since there are no other options for family audiences until May.
— skullohmania 💀 (@skullohmania) March 30, 2024
Shame it’s not getting a longer theatrical run, because even though it’s absolutely the worst of the franchise, I want it to do well so we can get a fifth one that would hopefully be a return to the storytelling of 1-3
— Tom | The Outatime Film Podcast (@outatimefilmpod) March 31, 2024
Though, according to the website itself, “Universal has neither announced nor confirmed the release date.” Whether it’s confirmed or not, it already raises questions about the shrinking of the theatrical window because of online streaming. This concern was already highlighted by Christopher Nolan earlier in 2020.
Christopher Nolan Addressed the Importance of Longer Theatrical Run in 2020
Christopher Nolan is a big advocate for the big screen. His movie, Tenet, was showcased with an impressive sequence in IMAX theaters, emphasizing the importance of the big screen experience.
At that time, the director argued that theaters aren’t just about watching movies together but also supporting many people’s jobs. He penned down an article on the Washington Post, writing:
“I hope that people are seeing our exhibition community for what it really is: a vital part of social life, providing jobs for many and entertainment for all. These are places of joyful mingling where workers serve up stories and treats to the crowds that come to enjoy an evening out with friends and family. As a filmmaker, my work can never be complete without those workers and the audiences they welcome.”
In the past, it was common for studios to have a special time frame (usually around 70 to 90 days), during which a movie would only be shown in theaters before it could be watched at home.
This waiting period was important because it gave the movies a chance to make enough money to cover all the costs. Plus, it built up excitement for when the movie would finally be available to watch at home. However, the rise of streaming services has disrupted this model.
Shorter theatrical windows could lead to decreased ticket sales. This could be a big problem, especially for smaller, independent cinemas, and it might make it harder for them to stay open.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is still available to watch in theatres, Meanwhile watch Tenet on Prime Video.
