Netflix will reportedly give films only a 17-day theatrical run after Warner Bros. acquisition

In early December 2025, the entertainment industry was reshaped by the announcement of a landmark deal in which Netflix agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s film and television studios for approximately $82.7 billion.

This acquisition aims to merge the storied, century-long legacy of Warner Bros. with the streamer's global dominance, effectively bringing iconic franchises under a single digital roof.

As the two companies work toward a final merger in 2026, the focus has shifted from the price tag to the future of cinema distribution. Recent reports indicate that Netflix is advocating for a 17-day exclusive run in theaters before moving major blockbusters directly to its streaming platform.

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Streaming giant Netflix reportedly proposes a 17-day cinema run for future releases after the merger with Warner Bros.

In the past, most movies stayed in theaters for at least 45 days. If the new plan happens, a movie could move to Netflix after only three weekends in theaters. While this would allow people to watch new movies at home sooner, theater owners are concerned that it might hurt their business because fewer people would pay to go to the cinema.

The announcement has caused panic throughout Hollywood with the groups representing movie theaters, such as Cinema United, stating that this deal could be a threat to the global theater business. When the deal was first announced, some members of the U.S. government and groups like the Writers Guild of America have raised concerns about a "monopoly."

Despite the tension, leaders from both companies have released statements to explain their goals. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated:

"We are 100% committed to releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters... over time the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are, quicker."

Meanwhile Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav stated:

"By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come."

However, the acquisition is a complex process that will not happen overnight. According to official announcements from both companies, the deal is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to fully complete. This means that while the agreement was signed in December 2025, the official merger likely won't take effect until at least late 2026 or early 2027.

Large deals like this are usually checked by government groups, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ). These regulators look at the deal to make sure it does not create a monopoly or hurt competition. This legal review is very detailed and often takes a year or more to finish.

Because of these steps, the streaming giant will only have control over Warner Bros. films or the HBO library when these legal and business requirements are met later this year.

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Stay tuned for more updates.

Edited by Suchita Patnaha