Netflix’s first original films: release dates and details
Full details of the first batch of Netflix original movies and their release dates
Netflix has announced the release dates for its first set of original films. Netflix is renowned for the quality of its exclusive television series, including House of Cards, Orange is the new Black and Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul. Now the company is making its first foray into full-length movies.
The company’s debut movie will be Beasts of No Nation, the story of a child soldier in an African country, starring Luther actor Idris Elba. The film is written and directed by Cary Fukunaga, who is probably best known for his work as executive producer on the HBO series True Detective. The movie will be released on October 16, including on Netflix UK. The film will be released in US cinemas on the same day.
Netflix will also be showing the first of four Adam Sandler movies this side of Christmas. The Ridiculous Six is described as a “comedic, western ensemble” and will be released exclusively on the streaming service on December 11.
The new year will see the release of a sequel to the Oscar-winning martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The new film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend is based on the fifth book of Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron Pentalogy and includes members of the original cast, including Michelle Yeoh. Ang Lee hasn’t been tempted back to direct the film, however, which will be released in the first quarter of 2016.
Also coming to Netflix next year is Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which see Pee-wee Herman “take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny”. That’s scheduled for release on Netflix in March 2016.
Netflix isn’t the only streaming company producing its own feature films. Amazon now has its own movie production studio to serve its Prime Instant Video customers, as the companies vie to attract customers with their own exclusives, rather than bidding for exclusive rights to third-party releases.