Amazon Cinema: Watch In-theater Movies at Home

You may notice a new section under Prime Video starting today: Amazon Prime Video Cinema. In response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, one movie studio, Universal, is making it possible for us movie lovers to stream movies at home.

I first became aware of Amazon Cinema when I realized The Hunt and The Invisible Man would be available to stream on Amazon starting today. (Other streaming services are also doing this, like iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.)

The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was to check Amazon and see if the movies were there. Yep. How exciting!

Now Showing

The Universal in-theater rentals available on Prime Video Cinema this week are:

1. The Invisible Man
2. Emma
3. The Hunt

Technically all three were already released in theaters before they were made available to stream. Emma‘s theatrical release was February 21. The Invisible Man‘s was February 28. The Hunt was released March 13.

But now we can watch them at home.

Cost

Whether via Amazon Cinema or one of the other streaming services, all movies are available at the same premium price: $19.99.

Initially I incorrectly reported they’d be available to purchase for $19.99, but I wasn’t sure how much they’d cost to rent. They’re actually only available to rent for $19.99 for 48 hours.

$20 for 48 hours may seem steep, but if you’re watching with at least one other person, it’s about the same as a trip to the theater. (It’s even cheaper than if my husband and I went during a matinee when ticket prices are lower.)

Plus,  you can watch when you want, sit where you want and you have 48 hours to watch it as many times as you want in case you really like it. (Or, if like me, you sometimes nod off during movies.)

New Trend?

In light of the world’s current state of affairs, Universal decided to part from the industry’s decades-long model of granting movie theaters exclusive first showing rights for new releases.

Universal will release Trolls World Tour to whatever theaters might remain open on April 10 as well as make it available to stream in-home that same day.

According to The New York Times, other studios are likely to follow suit, depending on how this weekend goes. At least on a limited basis. (I’ll get to that.)

This of course isn’t going to make theater owners happy. However, they’re already unhappy. Also according to the Times, the stock market isn’t the only thing falling –tickets sales fell to an all-time low last weekend.

Although, I’m shocked all movie theaters aren’t closed already anyway. Seeing as how concerts, sporting events and more have all cancelled or postponed their events and performances.

All New Releases?

It might work out that all movies slated to be released in 2020 won’t be released either this year at all or via in-home streaming.

For instance, Universal is delaying the release of Fast and Furious 9 until 2021.

Like everything else right now, we just sort of have to hang tight, see what happens and go with the flow.

Death to Theaters?

I really don’t want to see this be the nail in the theater industry’s coffin. I’m one of the weird ones who still enjoys going to sit in a dark theater with a bunch of strangers to enjoy whatever movie grabbed our interest and made us come together.

However, I don’t know how long it’s going to take for coronavirus to run its course. I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be just a couple of months. After all, history is repeating itself. The Spanish Flu of 1918 lasted at least ten months, with major disruptions to everyday life then too.

Anyway, until life returns to normal, I’m taking advantage of opportunities like this. I’ll be renting both The Invisible Man and The Hunt this weekend as thanks to Universal for making two movies I’ve been looking forward to available, and to signal them that this model could work.

At least for now. Others may demand it works forever and crush the theater experience. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen, but only time will tell at this point.

Check-In

Are there any new releases coming this year you’ve been anticipating? (Whether from Universal or another studio.) Would you like to see them made available for in-home viewing too?

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