Quentin Tarantino may have sworn off directing after ten films, but his stories clearly have a life of their own. The next chapter in the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood universe, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, is gearing up for a theatrical push that Netflix hoped would be its biggest yet. But the road to the big screen just got a lot bumpier.
According to new reports, the David Fincher-directed sequel has lost access to roughly 43% of the IMAX screens operated by America's three largest cinema chains. Both Regal and Cinemark have opted out of screening the film, leaving AMC to carry the bulk of the domestic IMAX load. That means the movie will now debut on about 200 IMAX screens in the U.S. and around 550 worldwide when it opens on November 25.
The snag? Netflix's plan to give the film a two-week exclusive IMAX run before it hits streaming on December 23. That short theatrical window has proven to be a dealbreaker for Regal and Cinemark, who are instead reserving their premium screens for other holiday heavyweights, including The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. It's a classic tug-of-war between traditional exhibition and the streaming giant's evolving strategy.
For fans eager to see Brad Pitt reprise his Oscar-winning role as the laid-back stuntman, the news is a mixed bag. On one hand, the film is still getting a theatrical release—something Netflix has increasingly embraced for its biggest titles. On the other, the reduced IMAX footprint means fewer chances to experience Cliff Booth's latest adventure on the largest possible canvas. If you're hoping to catch it in premium format, you might want to check your local AMC listings early.
What's Next for Cliff Booth?
Set in 1977, the sequel picks up with Cliff Booth navigating a Hollywood that no longer needs a hippie-slaying stuntman. Instead, he's become a fixer—a guy who solves problems for the industry's elite, often with methods that skirt the law. When he's not tending bar or working as a projectionist, Cliff gets pulled into a case involving TV star Charlie Peters, a man famous for doing his own stunts. Along the way, he crosses paths with a colorful cast, including a pro football champ turned actor and a pair of gangster brothers causing chaos across the city.
The ensemble is stacked: Elizabeth Debicki plays talent agent Karen Crosby, Scott Caan is Charlie Peters, Carla Gugino appears as Toni Peters, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II takes on Roderick “Hot Rod” Harrison, and Peter Weller adds his signature gravitas. With Fincher at the helm and Pitt back in the driver's seat, this is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year—even if it won't be playing everywhere.
For those who prefer to stay home, the film will land on Netflix on December 23, just in time for the holidays. But if you're a purist who believes Cliff Booth belongs on the biggest screen possible, you may want to plan a trip to an AMC theater. And while you're at it, check out our earlier coverage of the film's IMAX plans for more context on how this release came together.
This isn't the first time Netflix has faced pushback from exhibitors over theatrical windows. The streaming service has been experimenting with limited releases for years, and the results have been mixed. But with a filmmaker like Fincher and a character as beloved as Cliff Booth, the stakes are higher than ever. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: the conversation around how we watch movies is far from over.
In the meantime, if you're looking for something to tide you over until November, our top Netflix picks for November might help. And for those who can't get enough of the streaming giant's original films, we've also rounded up some hidden gems worth your time.
