After the subdued opening weekend for Universal Pictures' recently released horror sequelHalloween Ends, filmmaker Christopher Landon has voiced his concerns regarding day-and-date movie releases. Landon, who directed the 2020 horror filmFreaky, took to social media to lash out at studios for not supporting films and filmmakers.
On Saturday, Landon penned a lengthy social media thread criticizing day-and-date releases after the recent release ofHalloween Ends, which premiered on Friday in theaters and onNBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock. The thread came amid lower-than-expected box office earnings for the purported conclusion to the Michae Myers saga.
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In the thread, Landon pleaded with studios to “stop gambling with filmmakers and their movies to try and prop up your fledgling streaming services.” He continued, by saying, “This happened to me onFreaky, andit destroyed us. We worked SO HARD to make a fun movie. Blood sweat and tears. Months away from our families. And for what?“Halloween Endsopened Friday, earning $43.4 Million at the box office over the weekend, and while the film debuted at no.1, its current earnings are significantly less than the previously projected $50 million. The film starsactress Jamie Lee Curtis, reprising her role as “final girl” Laurie Strode, and marks the dramatic conclusion to director David Gordon Green’s trilogy, and possibly the entire franchise.
Landon, whose other credits includeHappy Death Dayand thetheParanormal Activityfranchise, is no stranger to the day-and-date release strategy. The director’s 2020 body-switching horror filmFreaky, was released on video on-demand less than a month after premiering in theaters. In the Twitter thread, Landon went on to explain that big-name studios are using films to experiment with at-home viewing and to prop up fledging streaming services. “Either circle the wagons and protect it for theatrical or just go all in on streaming,” said Landon “Don’t split hairs. At least theHalloweenfolks were made whole. We got hosed. So yeah…bitter subject. PTSD.” Finally, Landon finished off the thread by telling studios to “stop trying to suck two dicks at the same time. Honor the sanctity of the theatrical experience.”
Landon is not the first filmmaker to lash out at studios for their day-and-date releases. Recently,Oppenheimerdirector Christopher Nolanhad a very public falling out with Warner Bros. over their decision to release all of their 2020 films simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. While Warner Bros. claimed this decision was made in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of transparency with filmmakers and the obvious ploy to advertise their new streaming service rubbed some creatives the wrong way.
In recent months audiences have made a triumphant return to movie theaters across the globe, but the pandemic’s effect on the film industry is continuing to be felt. With the increasing normalization of day-and-date releases, some films will likely continue to suffer at the box office, as was the case withHalloween Ends.
Halloween Endsis now playing in theaters and streaming on Peacock.
