Zach Cregger’s ‘The Flood’ Hits Theatrical Standoff With Netflix
Sources disagree on the film’s status after Netflix stuck to a streaming‑first stance.
Overview
- TheWrap reports the sci‑fi project is in limbo over the lack of a theatrical commitment, though other insiders say talks continue and describe it as in active development.
- Netflix Films chairman Dan Lin flew to Prague this summer and, according to insiders, dangled a theatrical release to court Cregger for the film.
- Co‑CEO Ted Sarandos later rejected a theatrical plan for The Flood, aligning with his recent statement that Netflix prioritizes exclusive first‑run streaming.
- An individual familiar with the negotiations says Cregger remains committed to a big‑screen rollout and could take the movie to another studio if Netflix will not agree.
- Netflix has made selective theatrical exceptions recently, including KPop Demon Hunters and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, even as it plans specialty theatrical events in 2026.