After “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” premiered to rave reviews at TIFF last month, there was much speculation if Netflix would wait until December 23 to debut the film. Director Rian Johnson even pressed the streamer to give the film a limited theatrical release before its premiere date. Now it appears Johnson got his wish: Netflix will give “Glass Onion” a one-week theatrical release the week of Thanksgiving before it debuts on streaming one month later.
While it won’t be a wide release, with just 600 theaters screening the film, all three major US theatrical chains are involved here: AMC, Regal, and Cinemark. “Glass Onion” will also play in additional select theaters in the US and internationally, including Canada, parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. So, relax, everybody: if you want to experience the movie like you did with 2019’s “Knives Out,” now you have the chance. Just remember, it’s a one-week-only window from November 23-29.
Rian Johnson couldn’t be happier about this development. “I’m over the moon that Netflix has worked with AMC, Regal, and Cinemark to get Glass Onion in theaters for this one-of-a-kind sneak preview,” said the director. “These movies are made to thrill audiences, and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd as they experience “Glass Onion.” Between this and the release on Netflix in December, I’m excited that audiences around the world will be able to enjoy the film!”
The film sees Daniel Craig return as southern sleuth Benoit Blanc for another mystery, this one taking place on a private Greek island. Here’s a new synopsis for the film, courtesy of Netflix:
Benoit Blanc returns to peel back the layers in a new Rian Johnson whodunit. This fresh adventure finds the intrepid detective at a lavish private estate on a Greek island, but how and why he comes to be there is only the first of many puzzles. Blanc soon meets a distinctly disparate group of friends gathering at the invitation of billionaire Miles Bron for their yearly reunion. Among those on the guest list are Miles’ former business partner Andi Brand, current Connecticut governor Claire Debella, cutting-edge scientist Lionel Toussaint, fashion designer and former model Birdie Jay and her conscientious assistant Peg, and influencer Duke Cody and his sidekick girlfriend Whiskey. As in all the best murder mysteries, each character harbors their own secrets, lies and motivations. When someone turns up dead, everyone is a suspect.
Alongside Craig, “Glass Onion” also stars Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jessica Henwick. Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista round out the main cast.
Critics loved “Glass Onion” at its TIFF premiere (read The Playlist’s review of the film here), with some saying it’s possibly even better than its predecessor. So, of course, Netflix gives this film a theatrical rollout, albeit a very limited one. They shelled out $450 to Rian Johnson for two “Knives Out” sequels, after all, so the streamer must want to make this film and the upcoming one as lucrative as possible.
So, mark your calendars, moviegoers: “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” gets a limited, one-week-only release in theaters from November 23-29. Then it streams exclusively on Netflix on December 23, just in time for Christmas. Watch a trailer for the upcoming movie below.