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A few years ago, Netflix was almost entirely focused on online premieres and heavily avoided traditional theatrical distribution. However, the situation is starting to look quite different now. The platform is increasingly giving its biggest productions full theatrical releases before their debut in streaming. A recent example is the film The Adventures of Cliff Booth, which will first hit IMAX cinemas before appearing in Netflix's library. This is another signal suggesting that the streaming giant wants to compete more vigorously for cinema audiences and the prestige associated with major premieres on the big screen. There is also a growing discussion that Netflix is trying to change its image and start operating more like a traditional Hollywood film studio.
Netflix delays Tarantino and Fincher's big film to show it in IMAX first
The Adventures of Cliff Booth was originally slated to debut on Netflix in August 2026. However, the platform has completely changed its release plan and has decided to show the film exclusively in IMAX cinemas first. The production will hit the big screen on 25 November 2026, and only a month later will it be available for streaming. This marks a significant shift from Netflix's previous approach to its own productions. The film is particularly interesting as it involves two massive figures from Hollywood. The script was penned by Quentin Tarantino, and David Fincher is directing. The production will be a prequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and will once again feature the character Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. Details of the plot are still being kept under wraps, but the mere return to this world is already generating enormous interest from viewers. Netflix clearly believes that such a large project deserves a full cinematic release instead of simply dropping the film onto the app. It is also possible that the platform is counting on better chances during the film awards season. Cinematic releases are still viewed much more favourably by parts of the industry compared to productions released solely online. Interestingly, a similar decision was made earlier by Netflix regarding the film Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, which was also postponed to initially hit cinemas. Everything indicates that this is not a one-off experiment but the beginning of a broader change in the platform's strategy. Netflix seems to be beginning to recognise that big spectacles can earn and build hype much more effectively through cinematic premieres, especially when it comes to productions created by such renowned names as Fincher or Tarantino.
Quentin Tarantino increasingly closer to streaming, and Netflix increasingly closer to old school Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino's involvement in the Netflix project is a huge surprise for many film fans. The director has openly criticised streaming for years and has repeatedly emphasised that films should primarily be watched in cinemas. This time Tarantino is not directing a film, but is responsible for the script and is actively collaborating with Netflix on the entire project. For many, this is a symbolic moment showing how much Hollywood is changing today. More and more legendary filmmakers are beginning to collaborate with streaming services, even though they previously had a very sceptical attitude towards them. David Fincher has been creating for Netflix for years and has produced works such as Mindhunter and The Killer. The platform has also collaborated with Martin Scorsese, Guillermo del Toro, and Alfonso Cuarón. However, there is still a group of great directors avoiding streaming, among them Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, and Steven Spielberg. Netflix, however, increasingly wants to prove that it can function simultaneously as a streaming platform and a full-fledged film studio. This is particularly evident in its investment in big names and more frequent theatrical releases. The platform clearly seems to be understanding that some films simply work better as cinematic events rather than a quick online premiere. It is very likely that in the coming years we will see even more similar decisions regarding Netflix's biggest productions, especially since IMAX cinema and traditional premieres can still generate huge buzz around a film before it enters streaming.
Netflix is increasingly moving away from the model of online-only premieres and is focusing on proper theatrical debuts for its biggest productions. The Adventures of Cliff Booth by Tarantino and Fincher will first be released in IMAX, and only later will it appear on streaming, which clearly shows a shift in the platform's strategy.
source: flatpanelshd
