Filmmaker Rian Johnson is pushing back against Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ recent statement that traditional movie theaters are a thing of the past. In a conversation with Business Insider, the Knives Out director made his position clear: theaters still matter deeply to both filmmakers and audiences.
“Obviously, I don’t [agree], because I love movies. I love going to see movies,” Johnson said, highlighting his belief in the irreplaceable value of the shared cinematic experience.
Johnson, known for his work on the Star Wars universe and the Knives Out mystery franchise starring Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc, underscored the importance of keeping the theatrical experience alive. “The theatrical experience isn’t going anywhere,” he said. “We’ve seen that when you put something people want to see on the big screen, they show up. That energy of a packed audience—it’s special. I want more of that in the world.”
Even as Johnson continues to collaborate with Netflix on his Benoit Blanc mystery films, he’s not giving up on theaters. He’s especially determined to bring the next installment, Wake Up Dead Man, to cinemas. “I want this film in as many theaters as possible, for as long as we can keep it there,” he said. “We’re going to fight for a strong theatrical run because that’s how I believe this story should be experienced.”
Johnson’s remarks were a direct response to Sarandos’ comments at the Time100 Summit in April, where the Netflix executive described theatrical releases as “an outdated concept.” Sarandos pointed to changing viewing habits and accessibility as reasons for the shift. “We’re in a transition,” he said. “People grew up dreaming of making movies for the big screen, packed houses, shared tears—that’s not today’s reality. If you’re lucky enough to live near a multiplex, that’s great. But most people don’t.”
Despite Sarandos’ pragmatic view, Johnson remains optimistic about the future of theaters—and committed to giving audiences that big-screen magic, one mystery at a time.
