A new report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple is planning to spend $1 billion a year on theatrical film releases. It aims to screen significant films in thousands of theaters, for at least one month.
The move would be a major shift for Apple, which has so far largely focused on streaming original content rather than releasing them in theaters. But it could also be a win for movie exhibitors.
Theatrical Releases Are a Way to Market Apple TV+
Theatrical releases are a crucial part of the movie-going experience. They help build buzz for a film and can give it a sense of exclusivity.
They also allow the film to be seen by a much wider audience than might otherwise be possible. This can be important for a film if it’s an independent release or if it hasn’t made back its cost to the studio.
However, with the shift in the modern theatrical to home release timeline, many people don’t feel the need to make the trip to the theater anymore. This can cause a major impact on the bottom line of theaters as well as on their selection of films.
Theatrical Releases Are a Way to Please Talent
Apple will invest $1 Billion a year on Theatrical Film Releases, as part of its effort to increase its profile in Hollywood and lure subscribers to its streaming service. The commitment is a way to please talent, who want their projects to be seen on the big screen and to drum up awareness for Apple TV+.
It also allows filmmakers to take advantage of one of the most effective promotional tools available: the word of mouth. In a crowded marketplace, it’s often difficult for an independent movie to establish its own unique voice and make an impression on audiences.
A theatrical release can help you do just that. It can allow you to create buzz and interest about your film before it even arrives on digital platforms, and this can be a powerful marketing tool for a new indie feature.
Theatrical Releases Are a Way to Raise Awareness
Apple plans to invest $1 billion a year on theatrical film releases that will run in thousands of cinemas for months. It hopes to attract big-name directors and producers, a move that should increase the popularity of its streaming service, reports Bloomberg.
For example, Apple has a partnership with Paramount for Martin Scorsese’s next thriller, Killers of the Flower Moon, which is expected to make its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Other titles on Apple’s slate — including Matthew Vaughn’s action-thriller Argylle with Henry Cavill, and Ridley Scott’s historical epic Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix — could also get major theatrical plays.
But getting a movie in theaters can be a tricky business. It involves creating trailers, sending stars to different locations to promote the title, and holding press junkets. Marketing campaigns are a huge chunk of movie production, and can cost nearly as much as the actual budget for a title.
Theatrical Releases Are a Way to Avoid Streaming Competition
Theatrical release is a marketing strategy that allows movies to get their feet wet in the big world of theaters. This is a great way to generate buzz about your movie and increase your audience.
A film’s theatrical release can happen in one of several ways, depending on its theme and audience. Some examples include limited theatrical releases, platform releases and simultaneous releases.
Limited theatrical releases are often used by arthouse and independent films that have a niche audience. They are usually released in a small number of theaters for a short period, but the goal is to increase word-of-mouth to encourage wider distribution.
Simultaneous releases allow a movie to be distributed across multiple platforms, like cinema, DVD, and VOD, at the same time. They also reduce the amount of marketing work for production studios, who only have to run one campaign for all releases. This is especially beneficial for smaller companies and distributors, who do not have the resources to spend on advertising campaigns.