Apple Looking to Increase Acquisition of Blockbuster Movies for Apple TV+ Following Success of 'Greyhound'

Tom Hanks' World War II drama "Greyhound" has boosted Apple's ambitions in launching feature films on Apple TV+, with plans now said to have increased to "Netflix-like levels" (via Fast Company). While plans are still being ironed out, this could mean that Apple releases a dozen new movies a year on ‌Apple TV+‌, at a pace of roughly one per month.

greyhoundappletvplus
Two to four of these films are projected to be blockbuster-style movies like "Greyhound" or the upcoming Will Smith-starring "Emancipation." As of now, Apple is still purchasing films from various Hollywood studios, and the company has reportedly told people in the industry that it is in the market for "more tentpole-like feature films."

Although Apple doesn't divulge specific numbers, sources speaking with Deadline stated that "Greyhound" saw a launch weekend viewing audience "commensurate with a summer theatrical box office big hit." Thirty percent of the people who watched the film on its debut weekend were also new ‌Apple TV+‌ subscribers, further incentivizing Apple to look into launching more tentpole films.

Despite this growing interest in launching more movies, one source specified that Apple still wants to be "very curated" and avoid Netflix's glut of films across a number of genres, which can be very difficult to navigate. Due to the global pandemic, Apple is also seeing an opportunity to bid for films that won't be shown in theaters, although specifics for which movies weren't mentioned.

Coming soon, we do know that ‌Apple TV+‌ will premiere the Sofia Coppola film "On the Rocks." This is part of Apple's deal with A24, so there will also be more films coming from that studio to debut on ‌Apple TV+‌ as well. Additionally, the company is purchasing older movies in hopes of building its back catalog and encouraging people to remain subscribed to the service for longer, but again it's unclear which exact older films it has acquired.

Top Rated Comments

Cosmosent Avatar
42 months ago
Greyhound is NOT a blockbuster movie !

Far from it !

It is a good war movie that tells a certain, important story !

It got ALOT of eyeballs on it because many have Apple TV + for FREE right now (me included), & because of the 100-year virus pandemic !

If AAPL makes decisions based-upon Greyhound, they are Fools, BIG time !
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JimmyBanks6 Avatar
42 months ago

Greyhound is NOT a blockbuster movie !

Far from it !

It is a good war movie that tells a certain, important story !

It got ALOT of eyeballs on it because many have Apple TV + for FREE right now (me included), & because of the 100-year virus pandemic !

If AAPL makes decisions based-upon Greyhound, they are Fools, BIG time !
Yeah those damn war movies are never box office blockbusters!

Dunkirk making $525M, 1917 making $375M, Saving Private Ryan making $480M 20 years ago, those earnings, all lies!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGPL Avatar
42 months ago
Dear movie theaters,

It was a good run. We'll miss you.

Your friend always,
Streaming VOD
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mlody Avatar
42 months ago
My goal after my free subscription expires is to renew Apple TV+ once a year for a month to catch up on 2 shows that I like and see couple movies. ATV+ has nothing to keep me subscribing on a monthly basis.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
42 months ago
Good movie ... Apple picked a winner with this one.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrapShack Avatar
42 months ago
Dune. Dune. Dune. Dune. Apple... It's staring you in the face. DUNE.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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