Apple has announced that Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, will have its wide theatrical release on October 20, following a limited run beginning on October 6. This is Apple’s first movie to receive a widescale big-screen debut prior to its online release. Killers of the Flower Moon is an adaptation of David Grann’s book, which documents the early 1920s FBI investigation of murders of Osage Nation members who had won rights to oil profits on their land. Scorsese directed and co-wrote the film with Eric Roth, and it features Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lily Gladstone. Scorsese signed a multi-year deal with Apple in 2020 that covered both movie and television projects, with Killers reportedly having a budget exceeding $180 million.
The strategy of releasing a movie in theaters first is not new, as it is often necessary for films to be eligible for industry awards such as the Oscars. Streaming giants such as Apple, Amazon, and Netflix frequently chase after these awards for the publicity they bring. Apple’s CODA was the first streaming film to win a Best Picture Oscar. However, this premiere is significant to Apple, and it is apparent that the company is willing to invest in A-list talent to potentially secure some awards and enhance its reputation in Hollywood.
Martin Scorsese’s Apple movie releases in October, prior to its TV+ debut. Get ready for an epic cinematic experience on the big screen.
