The recent announcement that Cruella will debut simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ received a divisive response. Some think it's the right way to go considering the current and ongoing Covid-19 situation. Others feel like it's yet another blow to the theater business, who by this point is barely holding on.
Cruella is another of Disney's live-action takes on classic movie villains, this time centered around the fur-wearing, miserable-as-usual, perfectly-wretched Cruella de Vil. With Cruella, Disney will try a day-and-date release again, after Raya and the Last Dragon's mixed results. And while there are several reasons why they should, numerous complications could derail the film's chances.
10 It's A Bad Idea: Lessens Its Impact
Since its announcement, Cruella has been one of Disney's most hotly anticipated films. The combination of mega-star and Oscar winner Emma Stone with the infamously popular character of Cruella de Vil made the movie instantly interesting and fans can't wait to see what the film will ultimately deliver.
Like it or not, streaming is still seen as less of a spectacle than a theatrical release and having it both ways could lessen the film's outing.
9 It's A Good Idea: No Unnecessary Delays
Movies like Wonder Woman 1984 and New Mutants had numerous delays, occupying date after date only for them to ultimately forsake them. Their reputations suffered considerable blows and some people even lost interest in them. This same fate could potentially await other releases who underwent similar delays, like Jungle Cruise, The King's Man, and Marvel's own Black Widow.
So far, Cruella has suffered none of these punishing setbacks, and its status remains clear. If it actually manages to premiere on the date it's supposed to, it would certainly be a good thing.
8 It's A Bad Idea: Unclear Numbers
Because streaming is still a somewhat new powerhouse in Hollywood, there's still no clear way to measure the performance of its main players. With the box-office, audiences got a clear number and could declare with certainty if a film was a winner or a loser the Sunday after its release. But with streaming, the game changes.
Furthermore, the division between theaters and streaming can only dilute the final number. So even if Cruella is a hit out of the gate, its actual performance will be murky.
7 It's A Good Idea: Audiences Are Expecting It
The trailer for Cruella received a decidedly divisive response from fans, while some love it, some thought it was trying too hard. Even though not everyone is on board with this particular version of the character, it's undeniable that the trailer provoked a strong response on social media.
Delaying the film could mean losing this element of relevance. By releasing it right now, Disney can take advantage of the conversation the film's sparking. And the best part is, said conversation can continue, no matter if the film is seen in a theater or on Disney+.
6 It's A Bad Idea: $30 Might Be Too Much
Disney tried the $30 price point twice before to ambiguous results. First, Mulan received a moderate response when it finally premiered in September of last year. Next, Raya and the Last Dragon tried the same price point, and there too, the price seemed steep.
Many people believe that $30 is just too expensive to rent a movie, and considering it will probably be released for free in a couple of months, they might not be interested in going to theaters either. In other words, Cruella might seem like it's just not worth the price.
5 It's A Good Idea: Empowers The Audience
Disney is, first and foremost, a family-friendly, consumer-driven business. It has a brand to protect, the "Disney magic" to uphold. Their reputation is just as important as the content they create and release because it's basically a 97-year-old guarantee.
If Disney chose to make Cruella a theater exclusive, it might seem as though they care more about money than the safety of their audiences. Instead, by releasing it day-and-date in both theaters and Disney+, they give their audiences complete power of decision while still providing quality entertainment.
4 It's A Bad Idea: Not At The Same Level As Other Live-Action Films
Before Cruella, numerous other live-action adaptations hit the silver screen. Not all of them were critically acclaimed, but all of them were commercial hits. Indeed, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King all made quite a bit of money.
The current situation has been hard on movies, that much is true. However, releasing Cruella in Disney+ and theaters simultaneously could also affect the audience's perception of the movie, making them think it is somehow not as powerful as the adaptations that came before.
3 It's A Good Idea: It Can Set A Precedent
If Cruella is a big hit, then it will surely set a precedent that movies can be successful in a day-and-date release model. Recent disruption will absolutely change everything going forward, it already has, and the way audiences consume movies is no exception.
With the theatrical window shrinking and streaming services becoming more dominant, studios will try to find the right balance. Cruella's success could be the first step into the future of Hollywood.
2 It's A Bad Idea: It Endangers The Theater Experience
That being said, some films are meant to be experienced on the big screen. Nothing beats the energy that takes over a movie theater when a major event premieres. Movies like Avengers: Endgame are enhanced by seeing them with an audience who cheers and enjoys every second of it.
If audiences get used to seeing a movie in their homes, they might not want to return to the movie theaters, even after it becomes safe to do so--it's certainly something to consider.
1 It's A Good Idea: It Might Actually Do Better
As it was previously said, Cruella is both highly anticipated. If it's available to people with just one click, they might just end up watching it, where they may have not otherwise done so.
Movies like Cruella had healthy runs on movie theaters, but they can have even longer lives on streaming services. Strong word of mouth from those who see it in theaters or on Disney+ can only help improve its performance. In the end, this release model might not be what Cruella wanted, but it might just be what Cruella needs.
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