Ted Sarandos Signals Shift Toward Theatrical Releases at CinemaCon

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos attended CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 12, 2026, meeting with prominent domestic and international theater owners to discuss the possibility of expanding the theatrical presence of Netflix films.

The appearance marks a potential shift in the streaming giant’s strategy regarding theatrical exhibition. Sarandos, who has historically championed a streaming-first ethos, held separate meetings with international exhibitors and key members of Cinema United, the lobby group representing U.S. Exhibitors.

Among the executives Sarandos met were AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron, Regal CEO Eduardo Acuna and Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble. According to reports from TheWrap, the tone of these discussions was described as hopeful, though Sarandos maintained that certain films perform better on streaming platforms than in cinemas.

Shifting Stances on Theatrical Windows

For years, Sarandos remained staunchly opposed to expanding the theatrical windows for Netflix productions. To secure wide releases from exhibitors, films typically require a longer window of exclusivity in theaters; however, Netflix previously opted for windows of no more than three weeks, and often only two.

These short windows generally limited Netflix films to smaller, awards-qualifying runs in key markets rather than broad theatrical releases. One individual with knowledge of the CinemaCon meetings stated that Sarandos is now dipping his toe in the water regarding a more significant theatrical presence.

Industry Context and the Warner Bros. Discovery Bid

The pivot toward theatrical collaboration coincides with Netflix’s pursuit of an $83 billion bid to acquire a significant portion of Warner Bros. Discovery’s business, including the Warner Bros. Movie studio and HBO.

Industry reports indicate that Sarandos was forced to publicly champion theatrical films as Netflix began courting Warner Bros. During a fourth-quarter earnings call earlier in 2026, Sarandos addressed his previous observations regarding the theatrical business.

This shift in approach follows years of tension between Netflix and the cinema industry. The streamer’s historical hostility toward traditional releases has been a point of contention for theater owners and some filmmakers. For example, filmmaker Emerald Fennell reportedly turned down a more lucrative offer from Netflix for her film Wuthering Heights, choosing Warner Bros. Instead because of the studio’s strong support for theatrical releases.

Past Collaborations and Future Outlook

During the CinemaCon meetings, Sarandos highlighted previous collaborations that generated additional revenue for theater owners. These included:

• The release of KPop Demon Hunters as a singalong experience.
• A special New Year’s Eve screening of the Stranger Things finale, which resulted in $25 million in concession sales.

Despite these discussions, no firm plans or deals were established during the event. The meetings were characterized as an effort to build goodwill rather than finalize specific agreements.

As Netflix continues its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the company’s willingness to work with exhibitors may signal a new era of collaboration between the streaming industry and traditional movie theaters.