Universal Extending Theatrical Release Windows

Universal Pictures is committing to a five-weekend theatrical window for all of its films starting immediately in 2026 with the release of Reminders of Him, and plans to extend that window to seven weekends in 2027. The studio said its windowing strategy will evolve with the marketplace but emphasized "the primacy of theatrical exclusivity and working closely with our exhibition partners to support a healthy, sustainable theatrical ecosystem." The new policy does not apply to Focus Features.

Universal's 2026 slate includes The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, Minions and Mayhem, Fockers-in-Law, and Violent Night 2. The move reverses the pandemic-era approach that shortened windows and sometimes sent films to PVOD after as little as 17 days, a strategy that began with Trolls World Tour and triggered a dispute with AMC.

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