Pandemic boosts ‘home’ movies
The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered theaters across the nation, but there’s a silver lining for movie fans.
Films that had their theatrical runs abruptly shortened are being rushed to streaming, providing new viewing options in this time of crisis and extended living-room sitting. (Many movies not yet released will also hit streaming early.)
From “Bloodshot” to “Birds of Prey,” here’s a list of movies prematurely pulled from theaters but fast-tracked for home viewing on Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Vudu, Google, YouTube, Fandango, DirecTV, Charter, Dish, Cox, Altice, Verizon, Sony and Frontier TV.
‘The Way Back’
Warner Bros. announced Thursday that “The Way Back,” featuring Ben Affleck in a starring role as a former basketball star who turns to coaching a struggling high school team, would be available on digital March 24. The critically praised drama had been released in theaters March 6.
‘Birds of Prey’
“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” marked the return of the DC Comics villain Harley Quinn (Margo Robbie). The R-rated drama earned $84 million in theaters before Warner Bros. announced it would be available March 24 for digital purchase and video on demand.
‘Bloodshot’
Vin Diesel’s “Bloodshot” had one weekend of theatrical release, earning $10 million before theaters closed. Like the story of slain soldier Ray Garrison, who is resurrected with superpowers, Sony has announced “Bloodshot” will rise for digital purchase on March 24, just 12 days after it premiered in theaters.
‘Emma’
Director Autumn de Wilde’s critically praised remake of the beloved Jane Austen comedy, starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse and Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse, had just hit wide release March 6. Universal made the film available Friday.
‘The Hunt’
Producer Jason Blum’s controversial horror-thriller flick “The Hunt” was killed by theater closures after just a weekend in theaters. The tale of a dozen strangers (including Betty Gilpin, Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts and Hilary Swank) who wake in a clearing and discover they’re being hunted by liberal elites was released digitally Friday.
‘The Invisible Man’
Elisabeth Moss plays a woman pursued by the abusive ex she can’t see in