Last week, we learned that Universal had chosen to take some movies set to be released in theaters and make them available for digital rental at the same time.
“Given the rapidly evolving and unprecedented changes to consumers’ daily lives during this difficult time, the company felt that now was the right time to provide this option in the home as well as in theaters. NBCUniversal will continue to evaluate the environment as conditions evolve and will determine the best distribution strategy in each market when the current unique situation changes,” the company said in a statement Monday.
Since then, with many theaters shutting down for the time being, more studios are breaking the traditional theatrical window and making videos available on-demand early.
Here’s the list of movies with an early digital release, when you can start watching, and where to find them.
Bloodshot
U.S. theatrical release: March 13
Digital release date: March 24
Price: $20 to buy on Vudu, FandangoNow, and Amazon
Based on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, he’s an unstoppable force –stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories, too. Now, Ray doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not – but he’s on a mission to find out.
Birds of Prey
U.S. theatrical release date: February 7
Digital release date: March 24
Price: $20 to buy on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
Emma
U.S. theatrical release date: February 21, 2020
Digital release date: March 20, 2020
Price: $20 to rent on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of Emma. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse (Thoroughbreds’ Anya Taylor-Joy) is a restless “queen bee” without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along.
Frozen II
U.S. theatrical release: November 22, 2019
Digital release date: Available now on Disney+
Price: Included with a Disney+ subscription
Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, Elsa faces a dangerous but remarkable journey into the unknown – to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle, in search of truths about the past.
The Hunt
U.S. theatrical release date: March 13, 2020
Digital release date: March 20, 2020
Price: $20 to rent on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
In this subversive satire, a group of elites gather for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt ordinary Americans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of The Hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin, GLOW), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off one by one as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank) at the center of it all.
The Invisible Man
U.S. theatrical release date: February 28, 2020
Digital release date: March 20, 2020
Price: $20 to rent on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
What you can’t see can hurt you. Trapped in a violent, controlling relationship with a wealthy scientist, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding. But when her abusive ex suddenly dies, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences turns lethal, threatening the lives of those she loves, Cecilia’s sanity begins to unravel while she desperate
Onward
U.S. theatrical release date: March 6, 2020
Digital release date: March 20, 2020 and on Disney+ April 3, 2020
Price: $20 to buy on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon – included with a Disney+ subscription on April 6
In Disney and Pixar’s ONWARD, two teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad and embark on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, and unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys’ fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes that her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer) – and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed.
Sonic the Hedgehog
U.S. theatrical release date: February 14, 2020
Digital release date: Expected March 31, 2020
Price: $20 to pre-order on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
Based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG tells the story of the world’s speediest hedgehog as he embraces his new home on Earth. In this live-action adventure comedy, Sonic and his new best friend Tom (James Marsden) team up to defend the planet from the evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his plans for world domination. The family-friendly film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
U.S. theatrical release date: December 20, 2019
Digital release date: March 13, 2020
Price: $20 to buy on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once more to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. Experience the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, in which new legends will be born—and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Trolls World Tour
U.S. theatrical date: Originally scheduled for April 10
Digital release date: April 10
Price: Not yet announced
Poppy and Branch discover that there are six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands. Each tribe is also devoted to six different kinds of music — funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock. When rockers Queen Barb and King Thrash set out to destroy the other music, Poppy and Branch embark on a daring mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from becoming extinct.
The Way Back
U.S. theatrical date: March 6, 2020
Digital release date: Expected March 24, 2020
Price: $20 to preorder on Vudu, Fandango Now, Amazon
ack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) once had a life filled with promise. In high school, he was a basketball phenom with a full ride to college, when suddenly, for reasons unknown, he walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Now years later, Jack is stuck in a meaningless job and drowning in the alcoholism that cost him his marriage and any hope for a better life. When he is asked to coach the basketball team at his alma mater, which has fallen far since his glory days, he reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself. As the boy starts to come together as a team and win, Jack may have finally found a reason to confront the demons that have derailed him. But will it be enough to fill the void, heal the deep wounds of his past, and set him on the road to redemption?
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