Universal Pictures gave director Elizabeth Banks’ “character-driven thriller” Cocaine Bear (read our review HERE) a theatrical release on February 24th, and now, just two and a half weeks later, the movie has already received a digital release! The digital release of Cocaine Bear can be purchased at THIS LINK for $24.99, or rented for $19.99.
As of this writing, Cocaine Bear – which was reportedly made on a budget in the 30 to 35 million range – has earned almost $66 million at the global box office.
Cocaine Bear is based on true events that took place in Kentucky in 1985. As our own Kevin Fraser reported last year, the true story goes like this: “In 1985, convicted drug smuggler Andrew Thornton was on a smuggling run from Columbia and had dumped several packages full of cocaine before bailing from the plane himself. Unfortunately, he hit his head on the tail of the aircraft and wound up in a freefall to the ground where he was found dead in someone’s driveway. Several months later, a 175-pound black bear was found dead after devouring approximately $15 million worth of cocaine that had been dropped by Thornton. “Its stomach was literally packed to the brim with cocaine,” the medical examiner who’d performed the bear’s necropsy said. “There isn’t a mammal on the planet that could survive that. Cerebral hemorrhaging, respiratory failure, hyperthermia, renal failure, heart failure, stroke. You name it, that bear had it.”
Scripted by Jimmy Warden, the cinematic take on the concept finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow… and blood.
The film stars Keri Russell (Antlers), Margo Martindale (The Americans), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones), Kahyun Kim (American Gods), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth), Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project), and newcomer Scott Seiss.
Cocaine Bear was produced by Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood of Lord Miller, Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman of Brownstone Productions, and Brian Duffield. Robin Fisichella and Nikki Baida serve as executive producers.
Will you be watching Cocaine Bear in the comfort of your own home now that it has been given a digital release? Let us know by leaving a comment below. I’m going to be watching it ASAP.