Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
11-29-19, 05:51 PM
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
It seems that Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime don't really add blockbusters anymore like they used to. I see nothing newish and big in any of them. Not counting the Irishman because that was meant to be released through Netflix from the get-go and didn't have a general theatrical release.
11-29-19, 06:25 PM
#2
Banned by request
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Any titles come to mind? I see the three releasing new blockbuster stuff all the time.
11-29-19, 06:29 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Let's just take Netflix. The last big 2 were Black Panther and Mary Poppins from recent memory.
11-29-19, 07:33 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Wasn't Infinity War after BP?
Anyway, all the Disney stuff obviously went to Disney Plus, and that's where Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney will be going. I think Netflix still gets the Dreamworks animated stuff. Hulu got Missing Link. So at least for kids fare it's getting distributed. HBO Max is going to get all the DC movies and WB stuff.
It's been a long while since Netflix and the like regularly got big theatrical releases, besides the blockbuster deals they signed with some studios. For the most part, they're spending a ton of money on their original content and it's been like that for a while.
Anyway, all the Disney stuff obviously went to Disney Plus, and that's where Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney will be going. I think Netflix still gets the Dreamworks animated stuff. Hulu got Missing Link. So at least for kids fare it's getting distributed. HBO Max is going to get all the DC movies and WB stuff.
It's been a long while since Netflix and the like regularly got big theatrical releases, besides the blockbuster deals they signed with some studios. For the most part, they're spending a ton of money on their original content and it's been like that for a while.
11-29-19, 07:33 PM
#5
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Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Netflix in particular has determined it is a better business model to produce their own content rather than continuing to pay licensing to somebody else.
It really is the same evolution that cable channels (HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.) went through. Eventually they came back to a balance.
But yes, I agree. Finding theatrical movies on streaming is not as easy as it once was.
It really is the same evolution that cable channels (HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.) went through. Eventually they came back to a balance.
But yes, I agree. Finding theatrical movies on streaming is not as easy as it once was.
11-29-19, 07:52 PM
#6
DVD Talk God
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "Blockbuster"
Movie or show?
Netflix has The Irishman right now.
Amazon has the new season of Jack Ryan and The Report with Adam Driver.
Hulu and Amazon are sharing the rights to Creed II and Instant Family
and Hulu has the new season of Castle Rock, which no one is watching here.
So there's plenty of new and notable things out. I just don't what your definition of "Blockbuster" is? A budget Hollywood movie?
Movie or show?
Netflix has The Irishman right now.
Amazon has the new season of Jack Ryan and The Report with Adam Driver.
Hulu and Amazon are sharing the rights to Creed II and Instant Family
and Hulu has the new season of Castle Rock, which no one is watching here.
So there's plenty of new and notable things out. I just don't what your definition of "Blockbuster" is? A budget Hollywood movie?
11-29-19, 07:58 PM
#7
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Because many of the studios are making their own services and not licensing the streaming rights to outside services.
11-29-19, 08:08 PM
#8
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Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Has streaming really affected people so much that they don’t understand the term “blockbuster” anymore? 
Made for streaming = not a blockbuster. Series = not a blockbuster.
Although, as dex14 said, even that is going to be skewed since studios are all trying to do their own streaming. Add to that the fact that most “blockbusters” are owned by Disney ...
Made for streaming = not a blockbuster. Series = not a blockbuster.Although, as dex14 said, even that is going to be skewed since studios are all trying to do their own streaming. Add to that the fact that most “blockbusters” are owned by Disney ...
11-29-19, 09:23 PM
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
One thing I'm curious about is what happens when HBO Max debuts. Like do studios still license their content to HBO, and does that automatically get put up on Max, or only the HBO originals? Does HBO need to pay out a lot more for the rights since they would basically be using these studio's blockbusters to sell their service?
11-29-19, 10:05 PM
#10
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
I remember what a big deal it was when Netflix got The Hunger Games.
11-29-19, 11:27 PM
#11
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
11-30-19, 10:13 AM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
One thing I'm curious about is what happens when HBO Max debuts. Like do studios still license their content to HBO, and does that automatically get put up on Max, or only the HBO originals? Does HBO need to pay out a lot more for the rights since they would basically be using these studio's blockbusters to sell their service?
Also, HBO is part of WarnerMedia, which includes Warner Bros studios, so even if all the other studios stop licensing, HBO will still likely get WB movies and shows.
Part of what happened with Netflix was when HBO and all the other premium channels started offering streaming, those channels wanted exclusive streaming rights, so instead of a movie being on both HBO and Netflix, it's only on Netflix now. I remember when Neftlix used to get a lot of major movies via its streaming agreement with EPIX, but when EPIX launched their own streaming app, Netflix lost those movies. Same thing is happening now with Disney moving content from Netflix to Disney+.
I also think many movies are staying rent/buy on digital for longer before being offered on a subscription service. Looking at a May weekend, most of the movies in the top 10 are still rent/buy only.
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2019W20/
https://www.justwatch.com/us
But let's go further back, to March.
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekly...o_wly_table_39
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World - Hulu
A Madea Family Funeral - EPIX
Alita: Battle Angel - rent/buy
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part - HBO GO/Now
Green Book - rent/buy
Fighting with My Family - EPIX
Greta - HBO GO/Now
Isn't It Romantic - HBO GO/Now
What Men Want - EPIX
Happy Death Day 2U - HBO GO/Now
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Netflix
A Star Is Born- HBO GO/Now
Netflix has only one movie of the top 12 that week in its lineup currently. Surprisingly, two of those movies are just rent/buy. I'm not sure if they already came and went on a streaming service or cable channel, or just haven't premiered on one yet.
11-30-19, 10:30 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Basically all the studios have their own streaming services now so it's all super fragmented.
12-01-19, 12:28 AM
#14
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12-05-19, 06:54 AM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Correct. All these apps are going to be about original programming in the future (if they're not already). Licensing will play less and less of a role as all these various studios launch their own streaming apps. Any licensing deals will likely be for older stuff that the studios can afford to let go for a period and/or that the service they're licensing to will be okay with it not being "exclusive" to their platform.
12-05-19, 07:59 AM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
It seems that Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime don't really add blockbusters anymore like they used to. I see nothing newish and big in any of them. Not counting the Irishman because that was meant to be released through Netflix from the get-go and didn't have a general theatrical release.
12-05-19, 08:27 AM
#17
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
I'm with you on this sentiment... while there is plenty of great original content, why in the world isn't a movie like Hobbs & Shaw streaming on Netflix right away? I know they can't secure every single new movie --- but a "good" hit on Netflix would go a long way in my book.
Last edited by dex14; 12-05-19 at 08:37 AM.
12-05-19, 08:27 AM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
I'm with you on this sentiment... while there is plenty of great original content, why in the world isn't a movie like Hobbs & Shaw streaming on Netflix right away? I know they can't secure every single new movie --- but a "good" hit on Netflix would go a long way in my book.
Even so, if you weren't a Netflix subscriber, would you subscribe just for Hobbs and Shaw? Or maybe a better question, how many people subscribe to HBO mainly for the movies that they get rights to as opposed to their original content? Though like I said before, if Max gets whatever HBO is getting in terms of movies we might come full circle and that will be a big draw.
12-05-19, 12:57 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
Yeah, also Netflix wants to be a replacement for Cable, not a replacement for HBO.
And that's fine, but it definitely prevents them from getting big hits most of the time.
I actually think Hulu may start getting some newer movies due to how much influence FX/FXX seems to be getting to have on it (and if ads are to be believed, FX has the movies.)
And that's fine, but it definitely prevents them from getting big hits most of the time.
I actually think Hulu may start getting some newer movies due to how much influence FX/FXX seems to be getting to have on it (and if ads are to be believed, FX has the movies.)
12-05-19, 01:00 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
And rightfully so.
12-05-19, 01:06 PM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why does it seem like the big 3 have almost no blockbusters added on a regular basis?
