Birds Of Prey & The Gentlemen getting early VOD releases

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Warner Bros. & STX Entertainment are following the lead of other entertainment companies by trying to do their part to get their content to movie fans as the coronavirus pandemic has begun to shutter movie theaters nationwide. 

Warner Bros. announced that BIRDS OF PREY will hit VOD earlier than originally intended while STX announced the same move for THE GENTLEMEN. The two titles will be available for purchase on March 24 which is a few weeks earlier than a typical VOD release. Typically a film becomes available to buy digitally about 74 days after they first arrive in theaters, followed by digital rental and the regular home entertainment window two weeks later at 88 days. BIRDS OF PREY is getting the release just 46 days after its initial theatrical run while THE GENTLEMEN sees its release 60 days after it first hit theaters. 

The decision by Warner Bros. to make their decision in regards to BIRDS OF PREY was helped by the film's director, Cathy Yan, tweeting about NBCUniversal's choice to put its current slate of film on demand at the same time those films arrive in theaters not shut down by coronavirus. Yan clearly supported the decision and stated that she "would not be opposed to putting BIRDS OF PREY on VOD earlier." News of AMC & Regal deciding to close in the wake of the coronavirus has also made these various efforts by studios to get some kind of content out there for moviegoers a necessary move. The Walt Disney Company made a similar decision by announcing on Friday that it would make FROZEN 2 available three months early on their streaming platform Disney+. The streamer also made STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER available for viewing after its digital release was pushed up a few days for fans.  

While the move by Warner Bros. & STX Entertainment to do this isn't as drastic as the decision by NBCUniversal, it's still a step in the right direction for an industry that is essentially dark right now due to the coronavirus pandemic. In several locations, bars, restaurants & gyms have also been ordered to close so while we all self-isolate, at least we'll have a few things to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if other studios make their own moves to adjust to what will be the new normal for at least a few weeks. 

Do YOU think other studios should follow this lead?