The film industry continues to experience major changes in the way films are distributed. One of the increasingly heated debates is between theatrical releases and streaming. Acclaimed director Rian Johnson , who has had success with the previous two films in the Knives Out franchise, has now expressed his desire for the third film, Knives Out 3: Wake Up Dead Man , to have a longer theatrical run before being available on streaming services.
Cinema vs. Streaming, Changing Trends in the Film Industry
In recent years, many film studios have begun changing the way they distribute their films by favoring streaming. Netflix, as one of the major players in the industry, has become the home of several major films, including Knives Out 2: Glass Onion . The film only played in theaters for a month before eventually making its way to Netflix. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has even called the concept of releasing films in theaters outdated and inefficient.
But Rian Johnson has a different view. In an interview, he emphasized that the experience of watching a movie in a cinema is still important and cannot be replaced by streaming. For him, cinemas provide a unique experience for the audience, a more immersive atmosphere, better picture and sound quality, and the sensation of watching together that cannot be found when watching at home.
Rian Johnson's Desire for Knives Out 3
Johnson wants Knives Out 3 to have a bigger chance of being seen on the big screen before it eventually goes to streaming services. He believes that the experience of watching in a theater provides a different sensation than watching at home on a small screen.
In an interview, Johnson said, “I want the film to be in theaters as long as possible. We’re going to try to find a way to make it accessible in that format.”
The film will see Daniel Craig return as detective Benoit Blanc , alongside a cast of famous actors including Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Thomas Haden Church . With a strong cast and an interesting mystery story, Johnson hopes the film will draw a lot of audiences to the cinema.
Impact on the Film Industry
Johnson’s decision to push for a longer theatrical release could be an important step in preserving movie theaters in the digital age. Many filmmakers and audiences still consider movie theaters the best place to enjoy films at their best visual and audio quality.
If Knives Out 3 manages to draw a large audience in theaters, it could be proof that the traditional distribution model is still relevant and has a place in the modern film industry. It could also be an encouragement for more filmmakers to consider a more balanced distribution strategy between theaters and streaming.
Johnson isn’t the only director who believes that cinemas still have an important place in the film industry. Directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve have also repeatedly said that the big-screen experience is invaluable and shouldn’t be completely replaced by streaming.
Audience Perspectives and the Future of Cinema
As streaming services have evolved, audience preferences have changed. Many people now prefer the convenience of watching from home without having to go to the cinema. However, there is still a group of viewers who still enjoy the cinema experience and feel that it is part of the culture of watching movies.
Some factors that influence the audience's decision to choose cinema or streaming include:
- Ticket prices – Going to the cinema is often more expensive than a monthly streaming subscription.
- Movie availability – Not all movies get wide theatrical distribution, so some viewers prefer to wait for the movie on streaming services.
- Viewing quality – Some people enjoy the cinema experience with a big screen and booming sound more than watching on a small screen with standard speakers.
But the presence of big films with high appeal can still be the main reason for audiences to come to the cinema. Films such as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water have proven that cinemas can still attract millions of viewers, even in the era of streaming dominance.
Conclusion
Rian Johnson's desire for Knives Out 3 to have a longer theatrical run before going to streaming shows that the big screen experience still has value. With the support of fans and the film industry, this move could be a push for more films to maintain their presence in theaters amid the dominance of streaming.
Of course, there’s still debate as to whether this strategy will work in the long run, given that film industry trends are constantly changing. But for movie fans, having a longer chance to enjoy Knives Out 3 in theaters is a welcome change.
What do you think? Do you think movies should stay in theaters longer before they go to streaming services? Share your thoughts and experiences!
