Regal and Cinemark Won’t Play Netflix’s ‘Cliff Booth’ on Imax Screens

Netflix’s latest big-screen push has hit a snag as two major theater chains, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark, are declining to book the streaming platform’s upcoming film “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth” on their Imax screens, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision underscores ongoing friction between Netflix and traditional exhibitors over release windows and revenue sharing, even as the company increasingly seeks theatrical runs for high-profile titles. While Netflix has partnered with some chains for limited releases, the refusal by Regal and Cinemark to show “Cliff Booth” in premium large-format venues could limit the film’s box office potential and visibility. The movie, a spin-off of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” is expected to draw fans of the original, but its absence from Imax auditoriums at two of the largest U.S. circuits may dampen the theatrical experience Netflix aims to offer. This development highlights the challenges Netflix faces in balancing its streaming-first model with the demands of traditional exhibition. As the industry watches how this standoff evolves, the outcome could influence future negotiations between streamers and theater owners over premium formats.