The refusal of leading U.S. theater chains to show Netflix’s “Beasts of No Nation” this weekend and Paramount’s upcoming “Paranormal Activity” installment exposes a theatrical business fraught with worry and growing pains for the multi-platform release model.
This weekend major chains including AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Carmike declined to show Cary Fukanaga’s African warlord drama due to Netflix simultaneously offering the film over its own service.
That effectively crippled the film’s box office prospects and speculation was high over the effectiveness of the ban.
“Is it long-term solution? No,” Exhibitor Relations senior analyst Jeff Bock told TheWrap of the decision.