NEW YORK (AP) β Paramount Pictures has agreed with two leading theater chains to trim the length of time a handful of movies are restricted to playing only in theaters. The deal could signal a cracking of the closely guarded theatrical window.
Paramount said Wednesday that AMC Theaters and Cineplex Entertainment have agreed to a shorter rollout for two low-budget horror films, “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” and “Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.” Once each film drops below 300 screens domestically, Paramount can distribute them to home entertainment destinations such as video-on-demand.
The traditional theatrical window is 90 days, with films limited to theater showings during that time. Top exhibitors have held fast to it, refusing to play movies that don’t abide by it.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the deal.
