Brad Pitt’s return as Cliff Booth is facing a theatrical distribution dispute before the film even reaches cinemas. Cinemark and Regal have both declined to screen The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth in their IMAX locations, objecting to Netflix’s decision to give the movie just two weeks in theaters before moving it to streaming.
The decision became clearer on November 3, when Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble addressed the situation during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. He explained that the proposed release arrangement could establish an unfavorable precedent for future negotiations between theater chains and streaming services.
Directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, the film continues the story of the stuntman Pitt played in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Its limited theatrical availability makes the disagreement another significant test of Netflix’s efforts to expand its presence on the big screen.
Why Cinemark Is Refusing to Screen Cliff Booth
During Cinemark’s third-quarter earnings call, CEO Sean Gamble explained that the company evaluates movie bookings individually but also considers their long-term impact on the theatrical business.
“The proposed release model is not constructive for the broader theatrical ecosystem,” Gamble said, adding that it was not aligned with what would serve the interests of Cinemark’s theaters.
The decision is partly about the precedent a short theatrical window could establish. If major exhibitors accept limited cinema exclusivity for streaming releases, it could weaken their position when negotiating future distribution agreements.
Regal has also declined to show the film on its IMAX screens. According to TheWrap, Regal executive Brooks LeBoeuf said the chain considers distributors’ commitment to theatrical releases when allocating its premium screens.
Cliff Booth’s Limited IMAX Release Leaves AMC With the Major-Chain Screening
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth will begin its exclusive two-week IMAX theatrical engagement on November 25, 2026, before arriving on Netflix on December 23. With Cinemark and Regal opting out, AMC will be the primary major theater chain carrying the film, alongside participating independent cinemas.
Netflix confirmed the release schedule through its official announcement. The film marks the streaming company’s first IMAX release and follows Cliff Booth eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Set in 1977, it sees the former stuntman working as a Hollywood fixer.
The disagreement also comes during a busy Thanksgiving release period. Cinemark plans to retain its IMAX screens for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, citing strong advance sales.
Gamble also suggested that theatrical windows could become longer in 2027 as more studios commit to extended cinema exclusivity. He said the average window had already increased from approximately 34 days to 42 days.
The dispute highlights the continuing tension between streaming platforms and cinema exhibitors over how long films should remain exclusive to theaters before becoming available at home.
