Netflix Takes Theatrical U-Turn With 'La Bola Negra' — SkimNews
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- Netflix opens 'La Bola Negra' — Javier Calvó and Javier Ambrossi's $17 million Cannes Best Director-winning period gay epic — in NY and LA theaters Oct. 16 with full box office reporting, expanding to 75+ markets by Nov. 6 before its Dec. 2 streaming debut.
- Ted Sarandos made a 'decisive U-turn' to back traditional theatrical runs for likely Oscar contenders after Netflix lost the Warner Bros. merger and reviewed Warners' numbers, the source reports.
- 'La Bola Negra' is considered a frontrunner in the International Feature race with shots at 9-10 Oscar nominations across Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Score, Song, Supporting Actor and Actress, and craft categories.
- Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' — Korea's Oscar entry and Venice Silver Bear winner — joins 'La Bola Negra' as Netflix's other major awards contender, with Jeon Do-yeon in the Best Actress conversation.
- 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth' — directed by David Fincher from a Quentin Tarantino script, starring Brad Pitt — gets an exclusive two-week IMAX run starting Nov. 25, 2026, before its Dec. 23 streaming date.
- Since 2019, Netflix has lost nine Best Picture bids including 'The Irishman,' 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Emilia Pérez,' 'Train Dreams,' and 'Frankenstein.'
Why it matters: Netflix has lost nine Best Picture races since 2019 while Hollywood figures like Steven Spielberg actively campaigned against it — now the streamer is betting a traditional theatrical release for a Cannes-winning title can break through. The pivot signals Sarandos is willing to compromise the all-streaming model to win Oscars and court filmmakers, with the Warner Bros. merger rejection apparently serving as the catalyst for the change.
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