Netflix Sets Record-Theater Run for Oscar Contender 'La Bola Negra'

Netflix will launch the Spanish epic 'La Bola Negra' in U.S. cinemas on Oct. 16, giving it a 47-day theatrical window before streaming on Dec. 2, the longest for any Netflix film.

Netflix disclosed that its newly acquired Spanish-language film 'La Bola Negra' will begin a U.S. theatrical rollout on Oct. 16, followed by a streaming debut on Dec. 2, creating a 47-day exclusivity period that tops the platform’s previous record. The movie, which premiered at Cannes and earned a shared best director prize for its creators Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, tells the intertwined lives of three queer men across generations.

Its ensemble includes newcomer Guitarricadelafuente, Elite star Miguel Bernardeau, and supporting roles for Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Duenas, Julio Torres, as well as brief but notable appearances by Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. After its U.S. run, the film will also have its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Cruz will be honored at the TIFF Tribute Awards. Netflix hopes the extended cinema window will enhance the film’s Oscar campaign and attract broader audiences. A future record is slated for 2027 with Greta Gerwig’s 'Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew' slated for a 49-day run.