Don’t expect Netflix to push for more theatrical releases anytime soon, as film boss Dan Lin has said the streamer “just won’t work with” filmmakers who push to bring their films to the big screen.
Lin, who replaced Scott Stuber in the role in early 2024, spoke about the streaming giant’s movie strategy during an interview with The New York Times. As Netflix heads into the back half of 2026 and plans for 2027, one topic is on many subscribers’ minds: movie theaters.
With David Fincher’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood follow-up, unofficially titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth, recently landing Imax screens, and Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew set with a full theatrical release in February 2027, some have hoped Netflix may be turning a new leaf. Lin has now stepped in to set expectations early.
“There is a group of filmmakers who still want theatrical,” he said. “Those are filmmakers that we’ve accepted we just won’t work with.”
Theatrical releases are far from what the company is known for, but it’s still something viewers have grown increasingly concerned with in recent months. While some of Netflix’s exclusive films, such as Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein and Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, have received limited releases, it’s typically been something it’s strayed from. According to Lin, that won’t change anytime soon.
Lin’s blunt delivery is another topic he touched on during the interview. It’s something he said he was working on as he passed his second year in charge of Netflix’s film ambitions.
“One mistake I made when I first joined the company was that filmmakers always said to me, ‘Please tell me the truth,’ Lin said. “And when I told them the truth, they might not have wanted to hear it. So now I’m learning how to better read people. And if someone tells me they want to hear the truth, I tell it in a way that can be as productive as possible.”
A conversation shared between the Netflix executive and Forrest Gump actress Sally Field earlier this year feels relevant. As relayed in the interview, the meeting saw Field ask Lin about why he chose to release her Remarkably Bright Creatures project in May instead of vying for Oscar consideration with a fall premiere. Lin said its position ahead of Mother’s Day was the better call.
It’s hard to say if the call played out well for all involved. As the interview notes, Remarkably Bright Creatures has remained in Netflix’s Top 10 for the month since its May 8 premiere.
Gerwig’s Narnia movie looks to be an exception to the rule when it comes to wide releases for Netflix movies – whether fans like it or not. While we wait to see if the streamer will alter its strategy again or stick to at-home releases, you can see why CEO Ted Sarandos believes his company is “saving Hollywood.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
