Netflix Announces Release Dates for Idris Elba’s ‘Beasts of No Nation,’ Adam Sandler Comedy
Netflix will roll out a batch of new movies this year, including Cary Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation” and “The Ridiculous Six” with Adam Sandler, as it tries to establish itself as a force in the feature film business.
With a ripped-from-the-headlines plot about child soldiers, “Beasts of No Nation” is looking to generate awards heat, scoring a key Oscar contender berth on October 16, 2015. It will go head to head with other awards hopeful “Bridge of Spies,” a Cold War thriller from Steven Spielberg; the horror film “Crimson Peak”; and the family film “Goosebumps.” Idris Elba stars “Beasts of No Nation,” directed by Fukunaga, hot off “True Detective.” It set off a bidding war that saw Netflix shell out $12 million for the rights.
The film debuts worldwide on Netflix, in all territories where the Internet platform is available, and on the same day in whichever U.S. theaters will play it. U.S. film distribution company Bleecker Street will partner with Netflix to distribute the film to theaters, but most major exhibitors will not play the film because it is being released simultaneously on the streaming service.
“The Ridiculous Six,” which kicks off a four-film deal Sandler made with Netflix, will premiere solely on Netflix on December 11, 2015. The film’s cast includes Terry Crews, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Luke Wilson and Nick Nolte (“Parker,” “Warrior,” “Tropic Thunder”).
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” will be released theatrically in China, on select Imax screens, and on Netflix in the first quarter of 2016. The film was originally slated to debut on August 28, 2015. Major exhibitors were irate when news leaked that Imax had partnered on a project, with a spokesperson for Regal dismissing the film as a “homevideo release.”
“Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” which marks the return of Pee-wee Herman, will premiere on Netflix in March.
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