As Netflix prepares for one of the largest acquisitions in entertainment history, the streamer is making it clear: theaters aren’t going anywhere, they’re just changing.
On Friday, during a conference call with press and investors, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed that the company “expects” to continue releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters if the proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery becomes official.
The deal, which would integrate Warner Bros. studio operations and HBO Max into Netflix’s ecosystem, has raised questions across Hollywood about strategy, access, and the future of theatrical releases.
Sarandos says Netflix isn’t anti-theater, it’s anti-outdated theatrical windows.
“It’s not like we have this opposition to movies in theaters,” he said. “My pushback has been mostly in the fact of the long exclusive windows, which we don’t really think are that consumer-friendly.”
There has been a long-standing debate between traditional Hollywood timelines and the increasingly fast-paced, digital-first viewing habits of audiences. Netflix has released 30 films in theaters this year, but with runs far shorter than typical studio releases.
Still, Sarandos emphasized that the Warner Bros. ecosystem would remain intact, at least structurally.
“When we talk about keeping HBO operating, largely as it is, that also includes their output movie deal with Warner Bros., which includes a life cycle that starts in the movie theater, which we’re going to continue to support.”
But even with that clarity, Sarandos admitted a future adjustment is coming.
“I wouldn’t look at this as a change in approach for Netflix movies or for Warner movies,” he explained. “I think, over time, the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are quicker.”
The strategy signals that theater-first films won’t disappear, but they won’t remain off streaming platforms for months either. Instead, expect an increasingly flexible system, blending limited theatrical engagements with fast digital access.
Sarandos also made it clear that Netflix won’t depart from its core identity.
“Our primary goal is to bring first-run movies to our members, because that’s what they’re looking for.”
In short, Warner Bros. releases will go to theaters. Netflix originals will continue to use theaters selectively. But the old model, long exclusive runs, delayed streaming premieres, extended blackout windows, is reaching its expiration date.
