Netflix isn’t one to shy away from a big production. The streamer was one of the main drivers of real blockbuster TV, blurring the lines between prestige small-screen affairs and event spectacle. That it shells out so much dough for shows you can usually consume in one sitting — and from the comfort of your home — has long been part of its appeal. Now that the streaming bubble as we knew it has burst, however, Netflix has been getting cozy with more traditional (and financially concrete) release models. Its KPop Demon Hunters made a small fortune after just one weekend in theaters, while the Stranger Things finale earned around $20 million by premiering in 600 theaters.
Despite its reputation for being theater-averse, Netflix is slowly changing its tune where it suits. Stranger Things might have opened the door for a brand-new practice where the streamer’s biggest shows are concerned, and its live-action adaptation of One Piece will be the next property to test out this new strategy.
