Roma will instead play New York at Manhattan’s IFC Center and in other select theaters in cities across the U.S. Two other Netflix films will be available in theaters for just one week before they hit the streaming site, the Coen Brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Bird Box starring Sandra Bullock.
Netflix has been turning to indie theaters chains because major ones expect a 90-day exclusivity window.
Netflix wants to put these films in theaters to give them a shot at awards recognition and garner the attention of more Hollywood royalty to collaborate with.
The company won’t agree to this, but has compromised on a one to three-week theatrical exclusivity.