Issues based drama, lamed brained comedy, arthouse martial arts, and nostalgia fuelled sequel—Netflix’s upcoming slate of original programming has something for everyone, and the streaming company has now set hard release dates for their upcoming feature efforts.
With a TIFF premiere already being eyed, Netflix is going hard into the awards season with Cary Fukunaga‘s "Beasts Of No Nation" starring Idris Elba, opening the movie in limited release via Bleecker Street and on their service, on October 16th. The adaptation of the novel by Uzodinma Iweala follows Agu, a young boy forced to become a child soldier, with Elba playing The Commander who initiates Agu into his army. The interesting thing here will be seeing which cinemas actually agree to show the film, as many major chains have been vocal that Netflix’s strategy is detrimental to their business model.
From there, the company will swing way over in the other direction, dropping Adam Sandler‘s already controversial and probably terrible comedy "The Ridiculous Six" on December 11th, just in time to make Worst Of 2015 lists. This is part where I’d tell you the plot, but basically it’s Sandler and his buddies making tee-pee pee-pee jokes.
Then, Netflix will kick off 2016 by releasing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Dragon" in early 2016. Directed by renowned martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, the film has Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien, with Donnie Yen as Silent Wolf, and tells the story of one of lost love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption, set against breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World. And this only will only be getting a theatrical release in China.
Lastly, in March 2016, the Judd Apatow produced "Pee-Wee’s Holiday" will arrive just in time for spring break.
It’s a diverse slate, with Netflix wise trying to grab as wide a swath of viewers as possible. What will you be tuning in for? Let us know below.