Glass Onion gets wide cinema release in UK
David Farnor | On 11, Oct 2022
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will become the first Netflix film to play in all the major UK cinema chains when it gets a wide theatrical release in November.
Rian Johnson’s follow-up to his 2019 hit Knives Out sees the writer/reteam reteam with Daniel Craig as detective Benoir Blanc, once again faced with a mystery to solve. This time, it sees Benoit Blanc in the Mediterranean, as tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites some of his nearest and dearest for a getaway on his private Greek island, where they will investigate his murder. The only catch? They have to solve an intricate puzzle box first.
The cast includes Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn (Private Life), Leslie Odom Jr, Jessica Henwick (The Gray Man), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista (Army of the Dead).
The film will be released on Netflix worldwide on 23rd December, but before then will be getting a big screen release in what could prove to be the future model for the streamer’s titles. Glass Onion will be the closing night film at the London Film Festival on Sunday 16th October, playing at partnering cinemas across the UK for one night only. That debut, though, will not include major cinema chains, such as Vue, Cineworld and Odeon.
However, a new deal with the three companies will see Glass Onion get a full run in UK and Irish cinemas from 23rd November – for one week, until 29th November. This seven-day theatrical window will also include Picturehouse sites, Everyman Cinemas and other independent theatres.
This agreement will also see the film play in approximately 600 cinemas in the USA, thanks to a deal with AMC, Regal and Cinemark. After its one-week run, the film will then depart cinemas ahead of its Netflix release.
Johnson said: “I’m over the moon that Netflix has worked with AMC, Regal and Cinemark to get Glass Onion in theaters for this one of a kind sneak preview. These movies are made to thrill audiences, and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd as they experience Glass Onion. Between this and the release on Netflix in December, I’m excited that audiences around the world will be able to enjoy the film!”
Scott Stuber, Head of Global Film at Netflix, added: “We’re excited to offer fans an exclusive sneak preview of Rian’s incredible film. Given the excitement surrounding the premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, we hope fans will enjoy this special theatrical event in celebration of the film’s global debut on Netflix in December.”
The deal marks a major breakthrough for audiences, after cinemas have previously refused to play films without a significant theatrical window ahead of a home entertainment release – Netflix’s titles have previously been given a window of one week in smaller cinemas willing to play them, but only in the week immediately preceding their availability on Netflix. Over the past two years, though, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to the introduction of a Premium VOD window, with a large number of films available to rent online within a month of their theatrical debut. The introduction a larger gap between a theatrical run and streaming release may have been the step needed to ensure that viewers can have a choice between the big and small screen.
“This is an exciting moment in our relationship with streaming platforms and for the wider ecosystem as a whole,” said Tim Richards, CEO of Vue International, in a statement. “Studios have recognised the value of the theatrical window and now we’re seeing Netflix embracing the big-screen theatrical release, too. The Knives Out franchise has a huge following and it’s fantastic that fans of the first movie will be able to experience Glass Onion on our big screens – where all great films deserve to be seen.”
Watch the trailer for Glass Onion here.