‘Halloween Kills’ will be released in theatres and on streaming services on the same day

LOS ANGELES- The horror film “Halloween Kills” will be available on Comcast Corp’s Peacock streaming service next month, beginning on the same day it is released in theatres, Universal Pictures said in a statement on Thursday.

The strategy differs from Comcast’s previous plan to release the film exclusively in theatres beginning Oct. 15.

As cinemas work to recover from COVID-19 closures and media companies try to boost interest in their streaming offerings, Hollywood studios have been experimenting with release patterns.

AMC Entertainment, Cineworld Plc, and Cinemark Holdings Inc have all stated that the streaming option is hurting their business and have urged studios to stick with theater-only debuts.

“Halloween Kills,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis, is the sequel to the 2018 reboot of the classic horror franchise. People who want to watch the new film at home will need a subscription to Peacock Premium, which costs $5 per month, or Peacock Premium Plus, which costs $10 per month. The film will not be available on Peacock’s free version.

In July, Universal used the same strategy for the animated family sequel to “The Boss Baby.” That film grossed $105.8 million at the global box office, according to Comcast executives, and it also helped increase Peacock subscribers.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has slowed a hoped-for comeback in theatres. This year’s film releases include the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” the sci-fi epic “Dune,” and the Marvel film “Eternals.”

Some films, such as Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” have been postponed until next year.

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