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Netflix Box Office Debut: "La Bola Negra" Shocks Industry
18 Oct
Summary
- Netflix reported box office grosses for the first time with "La Bola Negra."
- The film earned $277,500 from four theaters, achieving a high screen average.
- This marks Netflix's longest theatrical release window to date at 45 days.
In a significant shift, Netflix has begun reporting box office figures, starting with its awards contender "La Bola Negra." The film garnered $277,500 from a limited four-theater release, achieving a notable screen average of $69,375. This performance places it second only to "Parasite" for non-English language films and establishes a new benchmark for Spanish-language cinema.
The streamer plans an extended 45-day theatrical run for "La Bola Negra" before its December 2nd debut on the platform. This marks Netflix's most extensive theatrical rollout ever. Directed by Los Javis, the film is an epic queer narrative that has already garnered accolades, including a Cannes best director prize and a Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award.
This move signals a change for Netflix, a company previously critical of traditional theatrical models. Previously, theatrical releases were seen more as marketing tools than revenue streams. By reporting box office numbers, Netflix gains access to uniformly reported metrics, offering a clear indicator of a film's success, which could be particularly beneficial as the company navigates stock fluctuations and recent organizational changes.
