Disney bringing big movies to streaming

And Netflix goes weekly with 2 shows

What to know

Disney to release Black Widow and Cruella in theaters and Disney+ | Deadline

So much for Black Widow being a “last-minute” call. Disney is pushing Scarlett Johansson’s standalone Marvel pic to July 9, but the good news is you’ll be able to also watch it at home for $30. Same with Cruella now on May 28. Meanwhile, Pixar’s Luca will skip theaters for Disney+, at no extra charge, on June 18. I’m glad Disney finally made a decision on Black Widow, but kind of bummed I won’t be able to see Luca in theaters.

Regal Cinemas will finally reopen in April | TheWrap

After six months down, Regal Cinemas will open up its doors once again on April 2. The company appears optimistic that it can operate profitably in areas allowing at least 50% movie theater attendance. Also of note, the exhibitor has struck a 45-day release window deal with Warner Bros starting in 2022. While this guarantees a shorter window than before the pandemic, it kills hopes of simultaneous HBO Max drops continuing after this year.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier becomes Disney+’s most watched premiere | Uproxx

The next Marvel show has begun and it’s already racking up records. The series topped WandaVision and The Mandalorian in premiere numbers, but that definitely makes sense as this show is more down-the-middle than Wanda and there are more D+ subscribers than there were when Mando debuted. I enjoyed the Falcon and Winter Soldier premiere but wasn’t as gripped as I was with Wanda.

Netflix goes weekly with 2 reality shows | THR

The Circle and Too Hate to Handle are coming back to Netflix — but this time they’ll have weekly release schedules. One Netflix exec says the move is so audiences have “time to dissect and dish on every step of the competition as it unfolds.” Seems like they’re realizing what Disney and Amazon already have: Weekly releases build hype. Unfortunately, Netflix has gotten its users used to full-season drops. Cn they go ever back at scale? Probably not.

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Also...

• Seth Rogen will play Spielberg’s favorite uncle in autobiographical film … I wish Seth Rogen was my uncle 🌵

• Jimmy Fallon brings back the live audience … thank you, live audience 👏

• Jimmi Simpson to star in Showtime’s Man Who Fell to Earth series … the man loves his premium cable sci-fi shows 🌍

• Peter Farrelly casts Zac Efron and Russell Crowe in new movie … I guess this is what you do after making Green Book 🍺

• Halle Berry joins Mark Wahlberg in Netflix’s Our Man From Jersey … neither of whom are from Jersey 🤔

• Netflix has 11 Oscar-nominated movies, but none in its top 10 most-watched this week … there’s no Academy bump on the ‘flix 🍿

• The New Mutants will hit HBO Max April 10 … did you know this movie actually came out in theaters last year?! 😲

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What to watch

Trailer: Four Good Days — Apr 30 (Theaters) & May 21 (VOD)

Directed by Rodrigo García, co-written by García and Eli Saslow, starring Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, and Stephen Root.

I’m feeling lukewarm on this addiction drama based on its treacly trailer, but wanted to highlight Mila Kunis for really going for it. She’s nearly unrecognizable behind the hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Not since Black Swan have we seen her bite off something like this and it makes me want to see her try even more challenging and differing work.

For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!

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New notables this week:

• Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (Mar 23) — YouTube Premium doc series | 82% RT

• Invincible (Mar 26) — Amazon animated series from Robert Kirkman | 100% RT

• Bad Trip (Mar 26) — Netflix prank movie from Eric Andre | No RT yet

• The Irregulars (Mar 26) — Netflix sci-fi series spun off Sherlock Holmes | No RT yet

• The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (Mar 26) — Disney+ sequel series | No RT yet

• Tina (Mar 27) — HBO Max music doc about Tina Turner | 94% RT

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Before you go… Colbert Cut > Snyder Cut

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About the author: Alex Rabinowitz has led the way on social media and story packaging at media outlets big and small. With his acclaimed Tumblr site PopCultureBrain.com, Alex became a leading figure in emerging social networks and entertainment news. Sourced by many top destinations, including New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, and Videogum, Pop Culture Brain was featured by BuzzFeed and TIME as the best pop culture blog on Tumblr. Alex's writing has appeared on The Huffington Post, GQ.com, Mic, and Time Warner Cable.