Ron Howard’s ‘Thirteen Lives’ Thai Cave Rescue Drama To Skip Wide Theatrical Release For Amazon Prime Joint Release

In a move that may foretell the future of movie releases, Amazon has switched up its release for Ron Howard‘s latest film, “Thirteen Lives.” Initially set for a November 18 wide release later this year through MGM, those plans switched up after Amazon finalized its purchase of the Hollywood studio for $8.5 billion this March. 

READ MORE: Amazon Secures $8.45 Billion Deal To Acquire MGM

Now, instead of a wide fall release, “Thirteen Lives” gets a limited theatrical release this summer before it quickly debuts on Amazon Prime Video.  The switch-up is part of Prime Video’s new summer event movie strategy and signals an early shift in how Amazon will handle its new MGM properties differently.

“Thirteen Lives” is based on the real-life rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooding cave system in Thailand for over two weeks in 2018.  Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen lead the cast as two men part of the rescue mission 2.5 miles underground. The film also stars Paul Gleeson, Tom Bateman, Joel Edgerton, and Craig Challen. Howard directs a script by Hollywood veteran William Nicholson.

The disrupted theatrical plans for “Thirteen Lives” signal MGM’s transition from a standalone studio to a part of Amazon’s corporate behemoth. It begs the question: what does this mean for other MGM movie releases in the future? Will they also go the route of limited theatrical releases to focus instead on films becoming Prime Video exclusives? With other studios like 20th Century Studios opting to make movies like “Prey” exclusive to Hulu and other streaming channels, this could be the way of the future.

It’s too early to tell how Amazon will utilize MGM’s many properties, like James Bond and modern classics like “The Silence Of The Lambs.” However, with the shift in the release of “Thirteen Lives,” one thing is sure: Amazon prioritizes Prime Video and wants a leg up on their streaming competition. But what does that mean for the future of theatrical releases? We’ll have to wait and see.