Disney is ready to experience the release of a film that is available simultaneously in theaters and on one of its streaming services. The guinea pig movie? Nomadland, a modern drama starring Frances McDormand (Fargo), David Strathairn (Lincoln) and three real-life nomads in the USA. Like The Hollywood Reporter explains, the film – which is being distributed by Disney-owned Searchlight Pictures – will premiere at selected IMAX theaters on January 29 before reaching traditional theaters and Hulu on February 19. He has already been successful with criticism, winning awards at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
The strategy must sound familiar. It’s the same as Warner Bros. adopted for its entire list of 2021 films. The only difference, of course, is that Warner Bros. is focusing its streaming efforts on HBO Max. It’s no surprise that Disney chose Hulu over Disney + for Nomadlandlaunch of streaming. Both are owned by the mouse house, but Hulu has a slightly more adult brand. According Variety, Searchlight Pictures plans to launch Nomadland internationally later will not be released internationally during the spring. It is unclear whether the film will be available for broadcast in markets where Hulu is currently unavailable.