Apple Movies Could Premiere in Cinemas Weeks Before Being Released on Apple TV+ - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Movies Could Premiere in Cinemas Weeks Before Being Released on Apple TV+

Apple plans to make an impact in Hollywood by premiering feature-length movies to theaters before releasing them on its upcoming Apple TV+ streaming service.

apple tv plus promo image
According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has "made overtures to cinema chains and consulted with an entertainment executive" as it considers following a traditional theatrical release plan.

If Apple follows through with the plan of observing a significant period of theatrical exclusivity, it would be adopting a longstanding business model in the commercial cinema industry that's also a proven route to awards eligibility, since film awards typically require a theatrical run for their candidates.

Theater chains want to attract audiences for as long as possible before they have the option to stream movies at home, with some requiring a 90-day period of exclusivity before movies go to home streaming services.

Netflix often releases its films in theaters before streaming them. However, adopting the plan could be perceived as risky for a new venture like ‌Apple TV‌+, as Apple will likely want to use new content to attract and retain subscribers to its $4.99 per month streaming platform, due to arrive on iOS, Mac, and ‌Apple TV‌ in November.

Popular Stories

Apple Friday Night Baseball 2026

Apple TV and MLB Release July Schedule for 'Friday Night Baseball'

Thursday June 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Apple and MLB today released the July schedule for Apple TV's weekly Friday Night Baseball doubleheader. Friday Night Baseball games are included with an Apple TV streaming subscription at no additional cost. Now through July 5, new and qualified returning subscribers in the U.S. and Canada can receive a one-month free trial of Apple TV. ...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Monday June 15, 2026 12:07 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced new perks for its Sapphire Preferred credit card, and one of them is a complimentary one-year Apple TV streaming subscription. To get the free year of Apple TV, which typically costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., you must activate the card by December 31, 2026. If you are already subscribed to Apple TV directly through Apple, the complimentary subscription from...
New Apple TV Logo

Apple TV Time-Limited Deal: $5.99/Month for Amazon Prime Members

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:04 am PDT by
Apple has partnered up with Amazon to make Apple TV available at $5.99 per month for Prime members for a limited time. Apple TV is available as an add-on subscription through Prime Video in the U.S. This promotional deal lets Prime members sign up to the streaming platform for over 50% off the usual $12.99/month price for up to two months, after which the standard price applies. The promo...

Top Rated Comments

88 months ago
I like going to the movie, but mostly just because of my kids. However with the cost of going to the movie as a family I think I’d rather just wait a few weeks till the movie came out on Apple TV+. The money I save would pay for an entire year of the service.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DoctorTech Avatar
88 months ago
I rarely go to the movies but I like the option for "big movies" such as Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. It is nice to get away from distractions and interruptions for 2 hours and just concentrate on the big screen. However this is definitely the exception instead of the rule. The vast majority of movies I watch are through Apple TV / Netflix.

Regarding Apple debuting their movies at the theater, I think it makes sense for them to do so since it will make their content eligible for Oscars.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
88 months ago
I haven't been to a movie theater in probably 20 years. LOL.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
88 months ago

I haven't been to a movie theater in probably 20 years. LOL.
Too many idiots ruining what is now, quite an expensive experience. Phone screens dazzling, chatting away. Why pay lots of money to be irritated? I miss the impact of seeing movies on the big screen, that's why the first chance I get, I'll have a dedicated cinema room in my house.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
randyj Avatar
88 months ago
I wish Apple would set up a separate company for this stuff.
Apple studios or whatever.

Apple doesn’t make music for their streaming service.
So why do they need to make movies and TV shows for Apple TV+?

I think it is an unnecessary distraction from their core business.
Better effort would be to license the best shows from ever other provider and package that together as 1 offering.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
88 months ago

I haven't been to a movie theater in probably 20 years. LOL.
Same here.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)