With the impending whodunit sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark Theaters will debut one of Netflix’s films for the first time, and the streaming service is poised to have a contentious Thanksgiving weekend. Knives Out, Rian Johnson’s first star-studded adaptation of the traditional murder mystery, was a huge commercial and critical success in 2019. In charge of the sequel, Johnson presents a brand-new mystery for charismatic investigator Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, to solve with the help of an equally acclaimed cast of co-stars.
Knives Out’s popularity reportedly inspired Netflix to spend over $450 million to acquire the rights to the movie’s direct sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and a third installment of the franchise that has yet to be given a name. The movie, which already had a successful premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, will be available as a Netflix original on the streaming service on December 23. If the popularity of the first movie and Netflix’s confidence in building an entire world around Blanc are any indications, the year 2022 is likely to end with a massive smash for the streaming service.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’s debut is, however, clouded in controversy since, for the first time in the platform’s history, three of the major theatre chains in the nation are supporting the Netflix original sequel for a week-long theatrical run. THR has learned that there is disagreement among insiders about whether Netflix would disclose the movie’s box office results, where the service’s fan loyalty lies, and how the theatrical run may affect other releases during the already crowded holiday movie season.
Will Netflix Share the Box Office Amount for Knives Out 2?
Even a modest week-long run for a high-profile sequel like Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, during such a crowded release season, is a risky decision, even if Netflix co-CEO Ted Sandaros has made it plain that the service has no desire of being theatrically based. The move has not only sparked debate among Netflix customers, whom Sandaros argues should continue to be the site’s primary audience, but it also highlights the long-running rivalry between the streaming and theatrical industries. Even though there is the argument that a week-long release does not constitute a “true” theatrical run, the film’s expected 600 U.S. locations and a few venues abroad will give it a good start and probably make it competitive with other high-profile Thanksgiving films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
In the past, blocking opening day grosses resulted in resentment for Warner Bros. and Sony, and if Netflix used the same tactic, they may come under intense scrutiny. There is a suggestion that perhaps some studio executives are becoming anxious to see the outcomes of the streaming service taking up space throughout the busy season given remarks suggesting the number of fans the movie is receiving is not something Netflix can “brag” about. Whether or not Netflix can boast about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’s strong start, the numbers will speak for themselves. The industry will feel the effects if the box office results are even remotely as successful as the previous movie.
Below is the trailer for Knives Out 2:
