While the pandemic didn't quite obliterate the theatrical window as many expected, it definitely shortened it. In the case of Disney-owned movies, such as those from Marvel Studios, we've grown accustomed to a mere 45-day wait for the latest MCU blockbusters to go from theaters to Disney+.
However, that looks set to change with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The movie, which has just passed $200 million at the domestic box office, will not hit the streaming service around the holidays as we initially expected. A 45-day window would have seen the Black Panther sequel hit Disney+ on December 26, but Deadline reports that there are currently no plans for it to premiere before the end of 2022.
"While exhibition has received word that Disney's animated Thanksgiving release Strange World will hit Disney+ in time for the year-end holidays," the trade explains, "there’s a robust theatrical window ahead for Wakanda Forever, definitely more than 45 days, I understand, with no plans for a holiday drop on the studio’s OTT service."
Even though it didn't open quite as strongly as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (there was only around $6 million in it), the expectation is that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will have considerably longer legs. As a result, it's eyeing an eventual domestic haul of around $500 million.
With that in mind, Marvel Studios will be looking to keep the movie in theaters for as long as possible, and this may well become the norm as theaters continue recovering from the pandemic.
It also doesn't make a lot of sense for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to hit Disney+ over the holidays when people are spending time with their families; while there will be those who would jump at the chance to watch it again, Disney would no doubt rather they head to theaters to watch Avatar: The Way of Water.
Also, DIsney+ will benefit greatly from getting a movie like this at the start of the year, boosting subscribers in the process.
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ranks among Marvel Studios' best movies, and is an emotional, uplifting, tour de force of a blockbuster," we said in our review of the movie. "Letitia Wright delivers a powerhouse performance, while Angela Bassett’s majestic work will leave you reeling."
How many times will you watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on the big screen?