Regal and Cinemark Pass on Netflix Movie 'Cliff Booth' for IMAX

Major theater exhibitors Regal and Cinemark have decided against playing Netflix's upcoming film "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth" on their IMAX screens. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, the movie is scheduled to open globally on November 25 just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, but the decision by two of the country's largest cinema chains highlights ongoing friction regarding streaming release windows.

Because IMAX joined the project relatively late, the premium screen company allowed theater operators to opt out of the film if they preferred to retain other titles. Consequently, Regal and Cinemark chose to keep Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" on their IMAX screens for a second weekend rather than accommodate a Netflix release that will debut on the streaming platform less than a month later on December 23.

Brooks LeBoeuf, Senior Vice President of U.S. Content for Regal Global Entertainment, explained the reasoning behind the chain's scheduling choice in a statement. "Regal's premium screens are among our most valuable assets, and one of the factors we consider in how we allocate them is the level of commitment distributors make to the theatrical marketplace," LeBoeuf said. "Shortened theatrical windows have a direct impact on those decisions, as they limit the opportunity for audiences to experience films on the big screen. We will continue to prioritize releases that recognize the value of theatrical exclusivity, including 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,' which will have our full support in IMAX."

Despite the pushback from Regal and Cinemark, the film will still secure a meaningful theatrical footprint. It is slated to play on AMC's IMAX screens globally, along with select smaller circuit locations, bringing its total screen count to approximately 550 worldwide. AMC operates roughly 200 IMAX screens in the United States, representing the vast majority of the domestic run, while Regal controls about 100 and Cinemark maintains approximately 20.

The standoff underscores the delicate balance Netflix continues to navigate as it attempts to expand its theatrical presence. While the streamer has committed to longer windows for certain upcoming projects—such as Greta Gerwig's "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" and future holiday features—shorter windows continue to alienate major exhibition partners. Last year, a 17-day window for Rian Johnson's "Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man" resulted in top circuits balking at the release and a disappointing domestic box office take.

The situation with "Cliff Booth" is part of a broader industry trend involving streamer-backed films and traditional exhibition spaces. Reports indicate that multiple major theater chains, including Regal, Alamo Drafthouse, and AMC, have also chosen not to participate in an extended release for Amazon's comedy "Ali G: Who Iz I?" starring Sacha Baron Cohen, which similarly moved rapidly from a limited theatrical debut to streaming.

Industry analysts note that "Cliff Booth" serves as a continuation of Quentin Tarantino's Academy Award-winning 2019 feature "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," which originally grossed over $400 million worldwide and earned Brad Pitt an Oscar for supporting actor. Despite the high-profile pedigree and a bustling holiday box office window that includes Universal's comedy sequel "Focker-in-Law," the debate over theatrical exclusivity windows continues to shape how and where audiences will experience major studio releases.