Netflix Won’t Take Over the Big Box Office
In a straight‑up answer at Vox Media’s Code Conference, Chief Executive Ted Sarandos called out the hot gossip that Netflix is about to buy a whole cinema chain. “No, we’re not buying a theatre chain,” he said, wiping the mystery clean.
What Netflix Already Owns
- One cinema in New York – grabbed in 2019 for blockbuster premieres.
- One in Los Angeles – another addition in 2020, used for showcasing some of Netflix’s original movies.
These few screens are the company’s “front desk” – a place to host events and tease new releases. There’s no plan to expand that front by buying hundreds of theaters worldwide.
Will Movie‑Theaters Still Exist?
Sarandos admitted that the rise of at‑home streaming will reduce how often people hit the local cinema. “People will go out less often, and the tickets might get pricier,” he explained. “But the cinema experience is still a fun escape from the daily grind.”
How It Works Today
“When we look at the future, I think movie‑going will grow slow, maybe cheaper, but it’s still an event that people crave.” – Ted Sarandos
Netflix’s Global Blockbuster Becomes a Sing‑along
While the world hails Squid Game as one of the most watchable non‑English shows ever, the company’s current top‑watching gem is the dazzling drama Bridgerton. And for the big‑screen crowd, BIRD BOX starring Sandra Bullock leads the film charts.
Netflix won’t be buying a chain of theaters, but watch this space: you might find future releases debuting in the few halls it already owns – because, let’s be honest, a cinema still feels like a “live‑event” that keeps the audience buzzing, even as binge‑watching grows sky‑high.
