The exhibition just took a big step forward with a deal to put a Netflix zombie thriller in cinemas for one-week pre-streaming.
Cinemark & Marcus Theatres will play the R-rated ARMY OF THE DEAD for the week starting 5/14. Directed by Zack Snyder (JUSTICE LEAGUE), DEAD (pictured) streams on Netflix starting 5/21.
We’re just talking about a small horror film, but it’s a big step forward at a time when the exhibition’s finally coming back to life. A one-week theatrical window for a zombie tale makes sense because if ever there was a frontloaded sub-genre, zombie/horror is it. Everybody who wants to see it will be there opening weekend.
No matter how great word of mouth is, there are only just so many zombie movie fans alive. If you’re not one, you won’t go to see DEAD no matter how good you hear it is. But if you’re into zombies, you know the best way to see them is in a dark theatre with everyone screaming at the life-size living dead.
It’s a win-win for exhibitors & distributors that could lead to bigger deals. Zombie fans will fill seats & buy popcorn. Netflix subscribers will have a greater awareness of DEAD because of its theatrical marketing & publicity.