What a hammer result “Roald Dahl’s Matilda – The Musical” achieved there! Nevertheless, it will not be shown in cinemas in Germany, but directly on Netflix’s streaming service just in time for Christmas. And yet the original has long been a cult film in Germany too.
Netflix is increasingly successful with the release of its films in cinemas, but those responsible for the streaming provider do not see the excursions to the big screen primarily as a way to earn extra money. Instead, the mostly short cinema guest appearances serve primarily as an additional marketing tool for the later release on the company’s own platform.
This is particularly evident in the USA, where “Knives Out 2: Glass Onion”, according to analysts, would have had the potential to bring in between 40 and 50 million dollars in the first weekend alone. But instead of launching the thriller with Daniel Craig in 3,000 to 4,000 cinemas as usual, Netflix deliberately limited the release to just a few hundred cinemas and only one week’s play…
Also the stuff of a big box office hit would certainly have been “Roald Dahl’s Matilda – The Musical”. After all, the film not only beat strong competition like “Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” in the UK last weekend – the musical remake of the Roald Dahl cult classic was even responsible for more than 50 per cent (!) of all ticket sales in the end. An unbelievably strong value that is otherwise only achieved by blockbusters such as “James Bond” films, “Star Wars” adventures and superhero spectacles.
Now, “Willy Wonka” creator Roald Dahl is a different house number in his British homeland than in Germany. But the author is not only quite popular in this country – especially the 1996 “Matilda” film adaptation, in which Danny DeVito not only plays the father but also directed it himself, has long enjoyed cult status here too.
