EntertainmentMovies

New Film Releases Streaming Online Early

The coronavirus pandemic has had a drastic effect on the film industry. Just last month AMC Theaters, one of the largest movie chains in the United States, closed its doors nationwide in order to comply with federal social distancing orders. The company, which brought in just over 1.4 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of last year, is now reportedly 4.9 billion dollars in debt and facing bankruptcy

Arts and entertainment companies all over the world are being faced with challenges during this time. Broadway shut down last month after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned public gatherings of 500 or more. Numerous concerts, music festivals, and other large-scale events have also been cancelled. But, with movie outings being a main pastime of many Americans, the movie industry is definitely one of the hardest hit. 

It usually takes about two or three months for new film releases to be released on streaming services. But now, because of the coronavirus pandemic and multiple movie theater closures, many films are being released on streaming services early. Some films are completely skipping their theatrical releases altogether and going straight to streaming services. 

Here is a list of new films that you can stream much earlier than expected!

Artemis Fowl

The new film adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s bestselling kiddie fantasy series is headed to Disney + in June!

Original release date: May 29

Digital release date: June 12

Streaming service: Disney +


Fantasy Island

A 2020 horror re-imagining of the campy 1970s drama series is now streaming!

Original release date: February 14

Digital release date: April 14

Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


Trolls World Tour

This children’s jukebox musical will be released digitally on the same day it was planned to be released theatrically, and features the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Cordon, and Mary J. Blige. 

Original release date: April 10

Digital release date: April 10

Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


Never Rarely Sometimes Always

This teen abortion drama indie was a Sundance and Berlin Film festival favorite, and is now available for digital rental. 

Original release date: March 13

Digital release date: April 3

Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube


Onward

Pixar’s latest fantasy tells the story of a pair of elf brothers on a journey to bring their father back from the dead. It features the voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, and had its streaming release date fast-tracked.

Original release date: March 6

Digital release date: March 20 (On Demand), April 3 (Disney +)

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, Disney +


The Lovebirds

This action/romance/comedy starring the hilarious Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani was released on Netflix on the date it was supposed to be released theatrically, making it the first movie to completely forego a theatrical release due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Original release date: April 3

Digital release date: April 3

Streaming service: Netflix


Bad Boys For Life

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up for the third installment in their Bad Boys franchise. This buddy action/comedy finds the crime-fighting “bad boy” cops taking on a Miami drug cartel.  

Original release date: January 17

Digital release date: March 31

Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu


Sonic the Hedgehog

This kid-friendly comedy was originally pushed back after fans reacted negatively to the first design of the classic video game character. Now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the film is being released digitally after a very successful six week theatrical run. 

Original release date: February 14

Digital release date: March 31

Streaming service: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


The Call of the Wild

Harrison Ford stars in this film adaptation of Jack London’s classic 1903 novel, which was released to streaming services just weeks after its theatrical release.

Original release date: February 21

Digital release date: March 27

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


Downhill

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell star in this remake of the acclaimed 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure as a married couple forced to reassess their lives after a close call with an avalanche during a family ski trip.

Original release date: February 21

Digital release date: March 27

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


The Gentlemen

This Guy Ritchie crime comedy stars Matthew McConaughey as an American kingpin operating in the United Kingdom whose efforts to sell his marijuana empire become ensnared in a web of deceit. 

Original release date: January 24

Digital release date: March 24

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


Birds of Prey

This follow-up to 2016’s Suicide Squad stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn– newly single and ready to join up with a team of kick-as ladies to save a teen from the clutches of a sinister crime lord. 

Original release date: February 7

Digital release date: March 24

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


The Way Back

This critically acclaimed drama stars Ben Affleck as a construction worker turned high school basketball coach who is also struggling with alcoholism. It’s being released digitally just weeks after its theatrical release. 

Original release date: March 6

Digital release date: March 24

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Tubi (Free)


Bloodshot

This action flick stars Vin Diesel as the titular Variant Comics superhero, and is available On Demand just weeks after its theatrical release.

Original release date: March 13

Digital release date: March 24

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube


The Hunt

This horror satire was original supposed to be released in September of 2019, but was rescheduled due to the controversy surrounding its premise: A cabal of champagne-swilling liberal elites kidnap a bunch of working-class red staters and hunt them for sport. 

Original release date: March 13

Digital release date: march 20

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube


The Invisible Man

This critically-acclaimed sci-fi horror film starring Elisabeth Moss is the spin take on H.G. Wells’ classic story. A woman who suspects she’s being stalked by her wealthy abusive ex-boyfriend—even though he’s supposed to be dead.

Original release date: February 28

Digital release date: March 20

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube


Emma

This latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel starring Anya Taylor-Joy hit theaters only a few weeks before the coronavirus shutdowns began, and its digital release date was quickly moved forward.

Original release date: February 21

Digital release date: March 20

Streaming services: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube

BWM Staff

Our Staff Writing Team works hard to bring you great content and share news & events from the bear community and beyond.

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