Apple Sets Theatrical Release Dates for Apple TV+ Movies 'The Banker,' 'Hala,' and 'The Elephant Queen'

[MacRumors]

Just hours after The Wall Street Journal said that Apple was perhaps planning to release some of its upcoming Apple TV+ movies in theaters, Apple has set release dates for several of the films.

According to Variety, "The Banker," "Hala," and "The Elephant Queen" will all be released in theaters before coming to Apple TV+.

"The Banker," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Mackie as real estate and finance moguls in the Jim Crow era, will be in theaters on December 6, coming to Apple TV+ later in January.

"The Elephant Queen," which premiered in New York this week, will be in theaters on October 18 and will be available on Apple TV+ in November.

"Hala," a movie about a Muslim girl reconciling her family traditions with modern life will be in theaters on November 22, coming to Apple TV+ at some point in December.

Apple TV+ is set to launch on Friday, November 1. It will be available for $4.99 per month, but Apple is offering a free subscription to customers who purchase an Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Along with the above listed movies, Apple TV+ will also feature quite a few TV shows at launch, including "Dickinson," "For All Mankind," "Helpsters," "Ghostwriter," and "The Morning Show."

Article Link: Apple Sets Theatrical Release Dates for Apple TV+ Movies 'The Banker,' 'Hala,' and 'The Elephant Queen'

 

[masterleep]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

 

[uk1ee]

I don’t see very many people going to see the above in a theatre. Why would anyone pAy go see programmes/film which only appeal to a limited few. There just general IK programmes nothing special. Apple it’s wonderful you do all this arty farty stuff - but it won’t bring in revenue

 

[Arndroid]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

They have already spent 6 billion plus dollars on it.

personally I am looking forward to it. News requires a lot of actions from third parties who supply all the content. This is very different.

I don’t see very many people going to see the above in a theatre. Why would anyone pAy go see programmes/film which only appeal to a limited few. There just general IK programmes nothing special. Apple it’s wonderful you do all this arty farty stuff - but it won’t bring in revenue

The main reason they will be in theaters is for awards consideration. Both Netflix and Amazon release some of their films in theaters first. Amazon has had a couple pretty good financial successes.

 

[kirk.vino]

I don’t see very many people going to see the above in a theatre. Why would anyone pAy go see programmes/film which only appeal to a limited few. There just general IK programmes nothing special. Apple it’s wonderful you do all this arty farty stuff - but it won’t bring in revenue

They don't care if you go or don't go. It's mostly done, so their movies will be eligible for the main awards at the beginning of next year. Theatrical run is a must for most of them. Also, there are plenty of movie subscription services now, such as AMC A-List Stubs. I already pay for that monthly, so I would not be paying anything extra for seeing these Apple-produced movies.

 

[tjleonard]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

Apple News+ was mostly established and they already make a little on add revenue for non +...I think the comparison doesn’t exist.

I don’t see very many people going to see the above in a theatre. Why would anyone pAy go see programmes/film which only appeal to a limited few. There just general IK programmes nothing special. Apple it’s wonderful you do all this arty farty stuff - but it won’t bring in revenue

Have to disagree here too...people said the same thing when they started pushing iTunes, the App Store, etc. I think sending them to theaters will slightly offset an investment. Will they be blockbusters and record setting? No...but people that go to the movies often could pick one of the movies to watch. Apple has invested quite a bit in this, so, I doubt it will fail.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

I don’t see very many people going to see the above in a theatre. Why would anyone pAy go see programmes/film which only appeal to a limited few. There just general IK programmes nothing special. Apple it’s wonderful you do all this arty farty stuff - but it won’t bring in revenue

Wth are you on about now????

Soooooo..... indie films only appeal to some, quit making them! Horror genre? Only appeals to some- axe them too! Not everyone likes romcoms- they’re cut! Spy films? Murder mysteries? Sci-fi? Stop making all those!
If your film doesn’t have the potential of reaching the same mass as Marvel films, why bother making them in the 1st place?

Does that fairly accurately sum up your opinion of this service & the industry, at large?

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

I still don’t get this service. Is this just exclusively Apple original movies and tv shows? Or will it be like Netflix with a ton over stuff also? I dont seem them talking about any of that.

 

[HiRez]

I still don’t get this service. Is this just exclusively Apple original movies and tv shows? Or will it be like Netflix with a ton over stuff also? I dont seem them talking about any of that.

At least for now, it looks like it will be exclusively Apple content. Which...yeah...looks a bit thin (and if they're trying to be all things to all people then probably at least 50%+ of the content is not of interest to any individual). I'll probably avoid for now and wait a while until more content comes in. But $5 is pretty reasonable if that stays and they get more content.

 

[Cold_Beaver]

At least for now, it looks like it will be exclusively Apple content. Which...yeah...looks a bit thin (and if they're trying to be all things to all people then probably at least 50%+ of the content is not of interest to any individual). I'll probably avoid for now and wait a while until more content comes in. But $5 is pretty reasonable if that stays and they get more content.

But if they add non Apple shows won’t they have to pay royalties and increase the price like Netflix. I think we all know this like Disney + will increase in price after the first year or two

 

[calstanford]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

Especially in 'theatres' Hahaha

 

[Freida]

That is one stunning picture. If the baby elephants were not photoshoped in than this is one amazing shot. Well done to the photographer who took it. Stunning piece

 

[HiRez]

But if they add non Apple shows won’t they have to pay royalties and increase the price like Netflix. I think we all know this like Disney + will increase in price after the first year or two

Yes, but I don't think they are planning on carrying non-Apple content at all. That could change, but I think Apple wants to be different and have only its own content on the service. I'm speculating here, but I think they might feel third-party content cheapens and dilutes their own (not saying it's right, but...). But yeah, the price could certainly increase, because even providing their own content is going to get more expensive.

On the other hand, I could see Apple maybe looking at this like a "loss leader", or at least something that doesn't have to be super profitable on its own. They like the prestige of working with Oprah etc. and winning awards. And it further cements customers into the Apple ecosystem. At some point I think we may see all the now separate Apple services (iCloud Drive, ATV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple News) combined into one or more bundles, maybe at a slightly discounted price, but that again would make it more difficult to drop one or more of those services.

 

[Rogifan]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

These are the kind of ads I’m seeing in Apple News now. I refuse to pay for News+ because the service and app aren’t very good.

 

[DEXTERITY]

Cant go wrong with a Sam Jackson movie

 

[Aditya rathee]

Will i also get free apple plus su subscription as i purchased my ipad air 3 in april this year or is this scheme only valid for products bought after these new iphone launches ?

 

[FreeState]

The Elephant Queen has already won an award and has a trailer from May here:

Cinema for Peace Gala 2019

BERLIN - The Cinema for Peace Gala 2019 was celebrated once again as the highlight of the Berlin Film Festival and the most valuable humanitarian Gala in Europe. It was attended by three heads of states, various Academy Award winners and dedicated filmmakers with the most valuable

www.cinemaforpeace-foundation.org

https://player.vimeo.com/video/302239047

 

[Waxhead138]

I'm admittedly lacking in the research part of what Apple has planned for it's TV, and supposedly Theatrical releases, and I do track Apple, and own a ton of their products. Via this site, I'm gaining some valuable insight as to their future plans for in house production. As a pop culture / lover of currently well produced shows, on whatever platform you want to envision here....I have some legit concerns for what they have planned.

At first glance:

Pro:

They aren't afraid to pump the cash in. They want to compete obviously. That's a plus. Obviously puts them in the league of your HBO, Netflix, Amazon….etc. Other companies full of cash that are producing quality content.

Con:

They already backed out of one series based on current politics. It might have been a sensitive topic, with timing issues. What they have to realize is that bold = staying power in this realm. Politics need not apply.
Timing, I agree, can be a problem. That doesn't mean kill the project. It means delay. The current perception is that is was killed permanently. Yeah yeah yeah, hit me on the fact that its temporary. But this is Apple, still getting their feet wet in the broadcast world. One of their first moves should not have been to back down. Timing is everything. They should have pressed forward.

Con:

Its starting to feel, at least IMO, that Apple might end up being the "Nintendo" of the self produced product realm when it comes to television. This comparison, imo = entertaining with no grit. Family only content. "Full House" via Apple. This is something they better overcome quickly, if they want to compete in the television world. You can be engaging temporarily, or you can break ground and lead. You can be HBO, or you can be a watered down version of HBO via network television. I really want Apple to break ground.

Alright. Shields Up. Fire Away lol.

 

[EightyTwenty]

Their TV shows look absolutely dreadful. I can’t imagine the movies being much better.

This whole thing is shaping up to be a giant boondoggle.

 

[Kurri]

Given the complete and total neglect of Apple News+ after the launch, really struggling to believe in Apple TV+.

I have a feeling Arcade will be the same. We should hear some news of how many new games every month, future titles, etc.

 

[rafark]

The elephant queen and the banker both sound like great movies. Looking forward to watch them!

 

[DevNull0]

They have already spent 6 billion plus dollars on it.

personally I am looking forward to it. News requires a lot of actions from third parties who supply all the content. This is very different.

They paid "at least" $485 million to acquire texture and then did a year of R&D on it to convert it into News+. That's got to put them not too far off $1 billion. And they basically abandoned it the day after it launched.

They spent $6 billion plus on TV+ and then guaranteed minimal revenue from it. With multiple people in a household owning iPhones, just stagger your upgrades (as many people already do to not take a multi-phone hit all at once), buy an occasional Apple TV or iPad/Mac. Most people in the ecosystem will not be paying the $5/month.

 

[nexusrule]

They paid "at least" $485 million to acquire texture and then did a year of R&D on it to convert it into News+. That's got to put them not too far off $1 billion. And they basically abandoned it the day after it launched.

They spent $6 billion plus on TV+ and then guaranteed minimal revenue from it. With multiple people in a household owning iPhones, just stagger your upgrades (as many people already do to not take a multi-phone hit all at once), buy an occasional Apple TV or iPad/Mac. Most people in the ecosystem will not be paying the $5/month.

As with ALL these type of promotions (1st year free with purchase) it obviously won’t allow you to keep having more free years on the same account, I mean, I never saw one of these promotions working like that in my entire life, why people think this one should be different?

 

[mw360]

The main reason they will be in theaters is for awards consideration. Both Netflix and Amazon release some of their films in theaters first. Amazon has had a couple pretty good financial successes.

Exactly this, so we’ll have the pleasure of seeing a headline article here about how small the theatrical run is, followed by a headline article, about how small the box office takings were. And all the well informed commentary that flows from both.

 

[Alex502]

I dont know why people have the belief that all apple tv+ content will be “family friendly” i mean, have you seen the ratings of their shows?! Almost all are rated TV-MA or R(6 shows) only one TV-14,G AND TV-Y(4 shows, 3 if you remove Dickinson which is the TV-14 one) so this should be proof that they are into more mature audiences which should make for good shows!