Disney announces exclusive theatrical windows for remaining 2021 slate of films

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution announced the remainder of its 2021 films will be released exclusively in theaters before streaming on Disney+.

The decision by Disney on Friday shows that the company is optimistic about movie theater audiences returning_ despite Covid-19 spikes caused by the Delta variant.
"As confidence in moviegoing continues to improve_ we look forward to entertaining audiences in theaters_ while maintaining the flexibility to give our Disney+ subscribers the gift of Encanto this holiday season_" Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution Chairman Kareem Daniel said in a statement.

"Encanto_" an animated film about a magical family in Colombia with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda_ will be available exclusively in theaters for a month following its November 24 release. It will be on Disney+ on Christmas Eve.

The other scheduled releases for the year will be in theaters exclusively for 45 days. Marvel's "Eternals" will be in theaters November 5 and a remake of "West Side Story" will be in theaters December 10. Other movies hitting theaters this year include "The Last Duel_" "Ron's Gone Wrong" and "The King's Man."

As streaming increasingly became the new normal for movie watching_ theater owners struggled throughout the pandemic to operate as normal.

Marvel's "Shang-Chi_" which opened exclusively in theaters_ broke Labor Day box office records. The first Marvel film starring an Asian American superhero grossed $247.6 million globally since it was released two weeks ago_ staying at the top of the box office during its second week as well. Many viewed its successful opening as an encouraging sign for brick-and-mortar theaters.

Disney released Marvel's "Black Widow" in both theaters and on Disney+ in July. The film's star_ Scarlett Johansson_ sued the company claiming the simultaneous release breached an agreement on her salary_ which was based on the box office haul.