Netflix’s decision to release the original motion picture Roma exclusively in theaters paid off as The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Dec. 9 named director Alfonso Cuarón’s semi-autobiographical black-and-white movie best picture of 2018.
The news follows the SVOD pioneer’s decision to expand exclusive theatrical distribution of the movie in more than 100 theaters in the United States to more than 500 theaters internationally in over 40 countries.
Netflix will stream the movie globally beginning Dec. 14.
Domestic theatrical access (including in Mexico) began Nov. 21, reportedly already selling out theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, London and Toronto, among others.
The passion and pride from viewers in Mexico created a reported “Roma fever,” leading to an increasing number of theaters reaching out to exhibit the film. Roma will be in nearly 100 theaters throughout the country this weekend.
This weekend the film will continue its expansion, hitting nearly 50 theaters in the US and over 200 theaters internationally. The innovative roll-out allows consumers worldwide the opportunity to experience the film theatrically, both before and during the film’s global streaming release, where it will be available to over 130 million people.
The film premiered earlier this year at the Venice Film Festival where it took home the Golden Lion for best film and has played in nearly 70 film festivals to great acclaim worldwide. The film has received numerous accolades, including recently being named Best Picture of the year by the New York Film Critics Circle, a prestigious award from the American Film Institute and 3 Golden Globe Award nominations. All of this further affirming that this timely story about human condition demands to be seen.
“We love this film and our goal is to bring this cinematic experience to audiences everywhere, and our theatrical plan, combined with the reach of our service, has made Roma an event film and cultural moment,” Scott Stuber, head of Netflix’s film group, said in a statement. “We’re expanding our theatrical engagements, not only in major markets, but also in places like Honduras, South Africa, and Iceland. When the film premieres on December 14, we will be in 600 theaters worldwide.”
The global release campaign includes theatrical engagements in:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan (2019)
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- The Netherlands
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela