COVID-19 has led to movie theater closures around the world, which has forced studios to delay all upcoming releases indefinitely. But not every new film is waiting for a theater to re-open. They’re moving to streaming sites or video on demand, so audiences don’t have to wait for fresh content during quarantine. That includes Paramounts’ The Lovebirds. The action-comedy starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae was originally set to premiere in theaters on April 3. Instead, it will debut on Netflix. And now thanks to the film’s stars we finally know it’s coming to the streaming site in May.
A hungry Nanjiani posted a video on Twitter where he called Rae to tell her their film will come to Netflix on Friday, May 22. It’s not the theatrical release either was imagining for the comedy just a few months ago. But considering the insane numbers streaming sites are banking and the public’s need for new content, it’s likely even more people will see it on opening weekend now.
“A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme—and hilarious—circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.”
Other delayed releases also moved to video on demand. Trolls World Tour went to VOD on April 10. That was the same day it was meant to arrive in theaters. Not that the change hurt: it set a new on demand record. Endings, Beginnings, starring Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, and Sebastian Stan, came to VOD on April 17, two weeks before its originally scheduled May 1 theatrical release. Beanie Feldstein’s How to Build a Girl is also forgoing a normal release, instead coming to VOD on May 8. As will Disney’s Artemis Fowl—it was scheduled to (finally) debut on May 29, but will instead premiere on Disney+ on June 12.
We would love to see any of these on a big screen, opening night, with a big audience. But we’ll be happy to see any new films anyway—and anywhere—we can.
Featured Image: Netflix