I'd like to start making minor monthly updates regarding possible US Peacock drops. This will be less detailed compared to the Disney+ thread. Mainly because legacy content goes in and out constantly, while NBC and similarly owned networks get episodes up next day. However, there will be some exceptions that I'll make a note about. But this will mainly focus on Universal's recently released theatrical films and Lionsgate films released two years prior. Let's get started:
- Let's get to the exceptions I mentioned first. Most of the pre-existing contracts on live action Universal films prior to the 2020/2021 launch of the service has expired. FuboTV had dibs for many films prior to 2020. The last notable example being Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The only thing of note is that US Starz has begun getting the 2022 theatrical line-up of Live Action films (US Netflix and US Prime Video are starting to share the animated 2022 line-up in it's Pay 2 Window), but it is getting much easier to watch Universal films on major streaming services these days. Especially not too long after theaters during the streaming launch.
We really only have three films in question that are not easily accessible to the general public on any of the major services, including Starz. And all three are 2019 animated films: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Secret Life of Pets 2, and Abominable. Abominable is currently under pre-existing contract with DirectTV and FXNow (the hold up is most likely DirectTV). But the weird thing is How To Train Your Dragon 3 has recently left FuboTV at the beginning of this year... and it's nowhere to be found. Same with Secret Life of Pets 2. They're both not on any major services. Not FuboTV. Not DirectTV or anyone similar that can be tracked. They're completely MIA. This is particularly odd for HTTYD3 when next year a live action movie is coming out, and a theme park area is going to live next year as well. You would think Universal would want the entire trilogy available on some major service, bringing in that licensing money Universal really wants. Hopefully when the April 2024 schedule comes in, we can see one of these two films show up.
- With Trolls Band Together arriving on US Peacock on March 15th, I am not anticipating Migration coming to the service any time soon. After all, why would they have two animated films of there's compete with each other when they can spread them out? I am currently predicting a May 2024 drop for the film. Could they technically do April so it's a four month wait time like Trolls 3 did from theaters to streaming? Yes. And I'd love to be wrong about this. But I'm getting a funny feeling they'll withhold so they'll have a two month stretch similar to Mario and Ruby Gilman last year. Not to mention they can then do another two months to Kung Fu Panda 4. But we'll talk about that film more next month.
- I actually think Night Swim will be our April 2024 film drop. Lower performing film, but an easy film to use as your big pitch for streaming while you milk Migration's theatrical and home digital sales a little longer.
- I'm also anticpating that Lisa Frankenstien will be our other April 2024 drop and that those two will be good enough for Universal for that month.
- Drive-Away Dolls could also a April 2024 drop, but due to it being a late February theatrical film, it could be saved for May 2024 alongside Migration.
- We will discuss American Society next month.
- A reminder that Argylle will be going to AppleTV+ despite the theatrical distribution being Universal Pictures.
- As I stated in another thread, US Peacock will begin getting Lionsgate theatrical films from 2022 this year. The first will be The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. We are currently waiting for it's Pay 1 window with US Starz to conclude. We'll get a warning on the monthly US Starz list when that happens via it's "Leaving This Month" section. I have reason to believe the upcoming April 2024 list will confirm it's leaving then, as we approach the two year anniversary of the film and the 18 month Pay 1 window winds down. If that happens, then we will need to wait for the May 2024 Peacock list to confirm the arrival date. But we'll discuss that once we have confirmation from US Starz that the film is leaving the service. Stay tuned!
- Fall, Clerks III, and Prey for the Devil will come later this year to the service. Alice, Darling was released in theaters on December 30th, 2022, so that may not be until next year. Regardless, it will be a little while longer until all those films come to US Peacock. So we'll talk about those more later.
That's all for this month. I'll do another update post at the end of March after we get the Peacock April 2024 list so we can asses potential next steps for films. Including Kung Fu Panda 4 and American Society. See you then!