Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Universal releasing new movies to stream early including ‘Trolls World Tour,’ ‘The Invisible Man,’ ‘Emma,’ ‘The Hunt’

Betty Gilpin stars in "The Hunt," which Universal Pictures will release in March, seven months after shelving the film. (Universal Pictures)

Credit: Universal Pictures

Credit: Universal Pictures

Betty Gilpin stars in "The Hunt," which Universal Pictures will release in March, seven months after shelving the film. (Universal Pictures)
By
March 16, 2020

Originally posted Monday, March 16, 2020 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Along with bars and restaurants, movie theaters are another endangered gathering space for the time bing. Last weekend, box office grosses were the lowest in two decades.

Now Universal Pictures is taking an unprecedented move by offering up movies that would otherwise be limited to movie theaters as on-demand streaming options such as “Trolls World Tour” on April 10 and films such as “The Invisible Man,” “Emma” and “The Hunt” that were recently released.

Those latter three films will be available as early as this Friday for $19.99 apiece for a 48-hour window.

“NBCUniversal will continue to evaluate the environment as conditions evolve and will determine the best distribution strategy in each market when the current unique situation changes,” read a statement this morning.

Standard scheduling gives movie theaters a 90-day window to show films exclusively. But Universal is breaking that exclusivity window and other studios may quickly follow suit.

This does not bode well for the future of movie theaters. This New York Times story reflects the angst. 

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

Follow Rodney Ho on facebookFollow Rodney Ho on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Pamela Warner spoke about grief and the details behind her son Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" that aired on ABC Sept. 16, 2025. (ABC Screengrab)

Credit: ABC SCREENGRAB

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s mother provides more details of his death

Nearly two months after Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s drowning death in Costa Rica, his mother, Pamela, sat with Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America” Tuesday to talk about him.

55m ago

Greg Street stays hip in the world of hip-hop after 30 years on air

Greg Street, a radio host on V-103, recently celebrated 30 years at the station, a hardworking, caring individual who still loves the music and the culture.

‘Kevin & Taylor’ launches on Star 94: ‘First day of school jitters’

The first day of the new "Kevin & Taylor" morning show on the dance pop radio station Star 94 Monday featured the pairing’s signature “feel good” vibe and technical glitches.

The Latest

ajc.com

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

Cobb County agency green lights tax break for Home Depot’s $140M project

The Development Authority of Cobb County voted 6-0 to give initial approval for Home Depot's request Tuesday but didn't disclose the property tax savings the company sought.

2h ago