Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
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Netflix Wants Fewer, Better Movies, But Theaters Won't Accept It
Netflix's new head of film is making his priorities clear. He wants to make fewer, better movies with actors who get roles based on merit, not fame.
The streaming giant recently granted its first movie a 45-day exclusive theatrical window and agreed to delay the release of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" as a concession to theaters. The film is now scheduled for release in February 2027.
However, according to Dan Lin, the new head of Netflix's film division, "Narnia" is an exception. Lin, who produced films like "The Lego Movie" and "Sherlock Holmes," took over Netflix in April 2024 after Scott Stuber, who had roots in the traditional studio system through Universal, stepped down.
Netflix's New Film Strategy
Dan Lin is looking to make a change. In an interview with The New York Times, he emphasized that Netflix's new strategy is to make fewer, better movies for less money.
That doesn't mean Netflix is transforming into a traditional movie studio. In his first two years, Lin approved the production of 88 films, which is still unusually high but lower than under his predecessor. For comparison, traditional studios like Warner Bros. and Universal typically release 12 to 15 films per year.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, told The New York Times, "The goal was to really deliver great movies at Netflix and maintain consistency in quality, and Dan has achieved that."
Some of these works include "Apex," "The Lip," and "People We Meet on Vacation."
No Theatrical Release Plans
Besides "Narnia," Netflix has also delayed the release of "The Adventures of Cliff Booth" (working title), starring Brad Pitt, written by Quentin Tarantino, and directed by David Fincher, to allow for an IMAX exclusive release. However, this is not a wide theatrical release.
The decision to allow these two high-profile films to have theatrical releases while keeping paying subscribers waiting has been welcomed in Hollywood but met with lukewarm response from Netflix users.
Perhaps that's why Dan Lin felt the need to clarify things in his interview with The New York Times.
Lin said, "There are still groups of filmmakers who want theatrical releases. They are filmmakers we have chosen not to work with."
The New York Times added that colleagues describe Lin as a straightforward leader who doesn't pander to big stars. Actors get cast based on their abilities, not their reputations.
Another major Netflix production in the pipeline is "Here Comes the Flood," starring Denzel Washington and Robert Pattinson. Like the other two films that have shifted to a theatrical release strategy, the release date for this film remains uncertain. Only time will tell if it will be another exception or if Netflix will release it first.
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