Three Apple original films to hit theaters this fall ahead of Apple TV+ debut
Theatrical release dates for Apple original films "The Banker," "Hala" and "The Elephant Queen" have been set ahead of their respective debuts on subscription video service Apple TV+, the first of which will hit cinemas in October.
Apple's "The Elephant Queen" debuts in theaters in October.
Citing sources familiar with Apple's original content plans, Variety reports the tech giant has enlisted the help of small distribution houses in an effort to stage theatrical showings of its content across the U.S.
Wildlife documentary "The Elephant Queen" will be the first of Apple's films to go curtains-up at theaters on Oct. 18, the report said. Apple's first major property purchase, the documentary by British filmmakers Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble tracks a small elephant herd, and particularly a mother nicknamed Athena, through a perilous drought-stricken journey of survival.
Indie stalwart A24 is assisting with distribution for "The Elephant Queen," which is expected to stream on Apple TV+ on Nov. 1. The studio inked a five-film, multi-year deal with Apple that includes Sofia Coppola's "On the Rocks."
Jada Pinkett Smith-produced drama "Hala" will reach theaters on Nov. 22 ahead of a streaming release in December. Picked up at the Sundance Film Festival, "Hala" focuses on a teenage Muslim girl who navigates the discordant worlds of a traditional household and a modern high school in Chicago. Greenwich Entertainment is assisting Apple on release.
Finally, period piece "The Banker" will make its theatrical debut on Dec. 6. The film, which stars Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson as real estate and finance moguls in the Jim Crow era, is being pushed to market with consultation from Bleecker Street and should arrive on Apple TV+ in January, the report said.
Details from Variety follow an earlier Wall Street Journal report that noted Apple was in talks to bring a selection of its original films to cinemas around the country.
Following their theatrical runs, Apple's films will be made available to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac owners via Apple TV+, the company's upcoming subscription video service. Announced at a special event in March, Apple TV+ will provide access to original content purchased or produced by Apple starting Nov. 1 for a $4.99 monthly fee. As the service is currently in its early stages with only a handful of shows and movies expected at launch, Apple is offering a year of free service with qualifying iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and iPod purchases.
Apple's "The Elephant Queen" debuts in theaters in October.
Citing sources familiar with Apple's original content plans, Variety reports the tech giant has enlisted the help of small distribution houses in an effort to stage theatrical showings of its content across the U.S.
Wildlife documentary "The Elephant Queen" will be the first of Apple's films to go curtains-up at theaters on Oct. 18, the report said. Apple's first major property purchase, the documentary by British filmmakers Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble tracks a small elephant herd, and particularly a mother nicknamed Athena, through a perilous drought-stricken journey of survival.
Indie stalwart A24 is assisting with distribution for "The Elephant Queen," which is expected to stream on Apple TV+ on Nov. 1. The studio inked a five-film, multi-year deal with Apple that includes Sofia Coppola's "On the Rocks."
Jada Pinkett Smith-produced drama "Hala" will reach theaters on Nov. 22 ahead of a streaming release in December. Picked up at the Sundance Film Festival, "Hala" focuses on a teenage Muslim girl who navigates the discordant worlds of a traditional household and a modern high school in Chicago. Greenwich Entertainment is assisting Apple on release.
Finally, period piece "The Banker" will make its theatrical debut on Dec. 6. The film, which stars Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson as real estate and finance moguls in the Jim Crow era, is being pushed to market with consultation from Bleecker Street and should arrive on Apple TV+ in January, the report said.
Details from Variety follow an earlier Wall Street Journal report that noted Apple was in talks to bring a selection of its original films to cinemas around the country.
Following their theatrical runs, Apple's films will be made available to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac owners via Apple TV+, the company's upcoming subscription video service. Announced at a special event in March, Apple TV+ will provide access to original content purchased or produced by Apple starting Nov. 1 for a $4.99 monthly fee. As the service is currently in its early stages with only a handful of shows and movies expected at launch, Apple is offering a year of free service with qualifying iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and iPod purchases.
Comments
Strange they're taking this long to announce the theatrical releases. Usually movies get trailers and theatrical dates 6 months to a year in advance.
Also, this Friday reveal means bearish analysts will have to rush to get their detailed takedown articles written for Sunday publication and to schedule Monday morning seats in front of CNBC’s cameras for knowledgeable commentary on why Apple chose the wrong movies to debut.
Last, I’m wondering if there will be an augmented reality app and/or book that ties into The Elephant Queen movie.
Some studios do the opposite with smaller films. They will release them in theaters and on-demand for cable packages.
Still a "theatrical release".
Gotcha but these details aren't official yet. Either way hope they do well.
What? Why is Apple(and only Apple) wrong for releasing a movie in theaters? Typical case of anti-Apple bias.
"Do millennials really want to watch the progression of an elephant?"
So? Apple shouldn't only care about millennials.
Millennials, like all humans, enjoy a really good story. They are also, like all decent human beings, interested in stories about the environment and world we live in. The Elephant Queen looks very much like a film that will do well with all age groups, especially among empathetic moviegoers -- which I gather is a demographic you're not a part of.
And while Oscar ratings do drop every year, you really have no idea whether the rest of the real working world cares about it or not. And by the way, do you know what (good) artists do? They make statements about the world. That includes politics. You might not like their politics, but that's really your problem.
It's also quite strange to me that you seem to hate Hollywood when your name is "disneylandman" because if anything personifies Hollywood today, it's Disney, with ownership of everything Disney, ABC, 20th Century Fox (including Fox2000 and Fox Searchlight), Marvel, Lucasfilm, the Muppets, Pixar, most of Hulu, 20CFox Television, FX Networks, Freeform, Blue Sky, ESPN, 73% of National Geographic, Star India and a bunch of other stuff.
People are so terrified of women nowadays it's depressing.
If I ran the content department I'd cover both sides.
As for the rest of your curious tirade...sounds like you’re the one who is political but just don’t like it when other people are too. Tough toothpicks. I bet you have a DVD collection despite all your rage at hollywood, huh?
Also, if you’re not interested in documentaries that’s your choice. Millions and millions of people enjoy them. Have fun at Transformers.
OMG, the snowflake syndrome with you people is absurd. You absolutely cannot stand it that non-white-straight-males are reaching social and civil equality, can you? I’m not an Oprah fan but there is no sane reason on earth for me not to want to see her communicate her message to her audience.
So what is “entertainment for everyone” to you? War movies?
Trash, man, indeed..
Er, Apple+ was a thing before Disney+.