Apple Pays $25+ Million for Worldwide Rights to Upcoming Film 'CODA'

Apple has paid over $25 million for the rights to upcoming movie "CODA," setting a new Sundance Film Festival acquisition record, reports Deadline.

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Directed and written by Siân Heder, "CODA" stars actress Emilia Jones as Ruby, the only hearing individual in her deaf family. As her high school years come to an end, Ruby is torn between staying at home to help family or heading off to college to pursue her dreams.

Deadline reports that a "pitched battle" between Apple and Amazon took place for the film's worldwide rights. The $25+ million deal set a new record for a film acquisition at this year's virtual Sundance Film Festival, beating last year's $22.5 million acquisition from Hulu/Neon for the film "Palm Springs."

Apple TV+‌‌ has been available for free since November 2019 for those who purchased an eligible Apple device in September 2019 or later. Apple recently announced plans to extend all ‌‌‌Apple TV‌+‌‌ free trials until July 2021, giving the company more time to present original content to viewers.

‌Apple TV‌+ is priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year in the United States, but Apple is currently crediting paid subscribers as well.

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Top Rated Comments

MrTechAdvice Avatar
66 months ago
This is a good step in the right direction. Apple TV+ is amazing. But the library is weak. Apple TV+ should release 24 NEW shows per year. Apple TV+ should release 24 movies per year with 10 being big box office films. Apple should continue to snag up these cheaper and indie movies to help build its library. If this can happen they'll eventually gain interest.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago
CODA = Child of Deaf Adult
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
-DMN- Avatar
66 months ago
Apple doesn’t have a problem with people signing up, they can get 1 year of service for free. It’s keeping people that’s the problem. Apple TV+ is doomed if they can’t keep it apolitical and just make content no one can politically pick apart.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Johnny907 Avatar
66 months ago
Maybe it’s just me but you would think they would focus on buying movies people actually want to see.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
66 months ago
Or about the equivalent of 417,000 yearly (monthly payments) paying subscriptions (without considering extra costs).
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGPL Avatar
66 months ago
Apple definitely has niche programming. After my free trial is over in July, it's a goner. The best movie they had was the Tom Hanks not WWII movie that was pretty good for covid standards. Netflix has had much better programming, but I'm probably just a square.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)