Director Zach Cregger's anticipated sci-fi film, "The Flood," is stuck in development limbo as Netflix stands firm against a theatrical release, sparking a major debate about creative control in the streaming era.
TL;DR: Quick Bites of the Latest Movie Buzz
- Zach Cregger's sci-fi film, The Flood, is stalled due to Netflix's firm refusal to grant it a theatrical release.
- Cregger, fresh off Weapons' astounding $267 million box office success, is adamant about his films debuting on the big screen.
- Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos reaffirms a streaming-first strategy, despite a few high-profile exceptions like Stranger Things and Narnia.
Imagine penning a script for an ambitious sci-fi film, watching your last original horror movie explode at the box office with an incredible $267 million worldwide, and then hitting a brick wall with your next project – not over budget, but over where people can actually watch it. That's the frustrating situation acclaimed director Zach Cregger finds himself in with Netflix regarding his upcoming sci-fi film, The Flood.
Cregger isn't just another director; he's swiftly become one of contemporary horror's most bankable new voices. After terrifying audiences with 2022's Barbarian, which raked in $45.4 million on a $4 million budget, his latest horror epic, Weapons, truly blew up this summer. It wasn't just a hit; it became a sensation, pulling in an astounding $267 million worldwide against a modest $38 million budget. This success is particularly notable because Weapons was an original concept, proving Cregger's ability to draw massive audiences to fresh stories. (Source: ScreenRant, "Weapons Director’s Sci-Fi Movie at Netflix Receives Disappointing Update," November 7, 2025).
Cregger initially wrote The Flood under Amblin's deal with Netflix. Following the massive success of Weapons, Netflix was eager to secure Cregger's commitment to direct the sci-fi project for their platform. Reportedly, Netflix Films chairman Dan Lin even flew to Prague in summer 2025, where Cregger was prepping Sony’s Resident Evil, specifically to convince him to take the helm and "dangled a theatrical commitment" to sweeten the deal. (Source: TheWrap, "Zach Cregger’s New Sci-Fi Film Has Hit a Wall at Netflix," November 7, 2025).
However, that crucial theatrical promise seemingly evaporated. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos reportedly "shot down" the prospect of The Flood receiving a theatrical release. This has left the project "in limbo," as Cregger is "adamant" that he wants his films to debut in theaters. Sarandos made his company's position unequivocally clear during a recent third-quarter earnings call: "There’s no change in the strategy. Our strategy is to give our members exclusive first-run Movies on Netflix." (Source: TheWrap, "Zach Cregger’s New Sci-Fi Film Has Hit a Wall at Netflix," November 7, 2025).
Discover why Zach Cregger's sci-fi film 'The Flood' is in limbo as Netflix stands firm on its streaming-first strategy, despite the director's box office success with 'Weapons.'
Netflix's Theatrical Tug-of-War: Exceptions to the Rule
Despite Sarandos's firm stance, Netflix hasn't been entirely rigid in practice. They do release approximately 30 films annually in theaters, though these runs are primarily for awards qualification or as strategic promotional efforts for the streaming launch. For example, we saw KPop Demon Hunters get a wide release, generating $19 million theatrically. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein also played in over 400 theaters before its streaming debut.
Looking ahead, Netflix has even more significant theatrical plans for certain prestige titles. The highly anticipated Stranger Things Season 5 finale is slated to hit theaters and Netflix simultaneously on New Year's Day 2026. Moreover, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film is set to become Netflix's first-ever IMAX release, playing across 1,000 screens for two weeks starting Thanksgiving Day 2026 before its Christmas streaming debut. These are all bespoke, high-profile releases, hinting at a selective flexibility rather than a broad strategy shift.
Cregger's significant box office successes provide him with substantial leverage in this situation. His proven ability to draw massive audiences to original concepts with Weapons makes his demand for a theatrical run a powerful bargaining chip. He's currently directing Resident Evil for Sony (due September 18, 2026) and has other exciting projects brewing, including a "Weapons" prequel centered on the "Aunt Gladys" character, and a DCU movie titled Henchman.
This isn't an isolated incident. The struggle over The Flood highlights a broader pattern in Hollywood. Joseph Kosinski, for example, reportedly turned down Netflix's offer for his film F1 specifically because of the lack of a theatrical plan. Greta Gerwig herself reportedly "threatened to walk away from Narnia unless it played in theaters." Even Rian Johnson, after his Knives Out success, "practically begged – and later fought – for a wide release" of his sequel. (Source: Dark Horizons, "Cregger’s “Flood” Stalled At Netflix," November 7, 2025). It’s clear that for many top creatives, the communal big-screen experience is non-negotiable, a fundamental part of their artistic vision and a key driver of cultural impact.
"There’s no change in the strategy. Our strategy is to give our members exclusive first-run movies on Netflix."
— Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO (Source: TheWrap)While it seems Netflix is unyielding in its overarching "streaming-first" philosophy, their selective theatrical releases for big names or established franchises suggest some tactical flexibility. The debate isn't whether any Netflix film can go to theaters, but whether The Flood, despite Cregger's rising star power, qualifies for such "special treatment." This nuance demonstrates a limitation: while Netflix might make exceptions, it rarely signals a fundamental shift in its core strategy.
Example: Imagine a movie buff, Sarah, who saw Weapons in a packed cinema this summer, buzzing with shared gasps and cheers. She heard Cregger had The Flood coming to Netflix, maybe even theaters. Now, hearing about the standoff, she feels a pang of disappointment. She loves streaming, but some movies, especially big sci-fi spectacles, just feel right for the communal big-screen experience. The choice of where a film lands fundamentally impacts how audiences perceive and engage with it, affecting everything from its critical reception to its pop culture footprint.
Director Zach Cregger's sci-fi film 'The Flood' is stalled at Netflix over theatrical release disputes, highlighting the ongoing tension between filmmakers and streamers. Learn what this means for the future of movies.
Beyond the Big Screen Battle: Other Exciting Updates in the Movie World
Meanwhile, the movie world keeps spinning with other cool announcements. The animated sci-fi film Slime is adding some serious talent, with Winston Duke and LaKeith Stanfield joining Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi, Willow Smith, Teyana Taylor, Anna Sawai, John Cho, and John Boyega. Willow Smith plays Muna, an optimistic young woman injected with a mysterious creature's slime, unleashing destructive powers she can't control, leading her on a perilous odyssey through a crumbling dystopian world in search of refuge and a cure.
NEON also dropped a new trailer for their animated epic, Arco. This film follows a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally time-travels back to a perilous 2075. It looks like a visually stunning adventure!
Over in TV land, Mayfair Witches is bulking up its third season cast, welcoming James Frain as Solomon and Eliza Scanlen as "Scanlen." We're eager to learn more about their mysterious roles and how they'll fit into the unfolding supernatural drama.
Doctor Who fans will be intrigued to hear that in the spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, the iconic Sea Devils now prefer to be referred to as "Aqua Sapiens," according to showrunner Russell T. Davies. It's a subtle but interesting character detail for these classic aquatic villains.
And if you're counting down to the final season of Stranger Things, Netflix released a slew of character posters ahead of its November 26 premiere. The excitement is certainly building for this highly anticipated conclusion, especially with news that the finale will also hit theaters.
Finally, Disney+ has gifted Percy Jackson and the Olympians fans a trailer for its second season, set to premiere on December 10. More mythological adventures await for our favorite demigods!
Get the first look at Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil movie! Set photos reveal a snow-covered Raccoon City and an original, game-faithful story. Discover cast, release date, and director's vision.
Answering Your Burning Questions About These New Movie Developments
Get the scoop on Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil film! New set photos from Prague reveal a snowy Raccoon City, an original story, and a September 2026 release. Find out what to expect.
What This Means For You: Key Takeaways From Latest Movie News
- Creative Power Shifts: The ongoing debate over theatrical releases highlights how successful filmmakers like Zach Cregger are increasingly asserting creative control, challenging traditional streaming-only models.
- Netflix's Evolving Strategy: While Netflix maintains its core streaming-first approach, expect them to continue making strategic, limited theatrical exceptions for major franchises, awards contenders, or projects tied to highly sought-after talent.
- The Future of The Flood is TBD: Keep an eye on news about Zach Cregger's The Flood; its resolution could signal important shifts in how original films from top directors are released by streamers.
- Loads of New Content to Anticipate: Beyond the behind-the-scenes drama, there's a fantastic slate of new animated sci-fi films like Slime and Arco, plus highly anticipated returning TV series such as Stranger Things and Percy Jackson, all offering fresh viewing experiences.
Sources:
- TheWrap, "Zach Cregger’s New Sci-Fi Film Has Hit a Wall at Netflix," November 7, 2025.
- ScreenRant, "Weapons Director’s Sci-Fi Movie at Netflix Receives Disappointing Update," November 7, 2025.
- Dark Horizons, "Cregger’s “Flood” Stalled At Netflix," November 7, 2025.
- io9, "Zach Cregger’s New Sci-Fi Film Has Hit a Wall at Netflix," November 7, 2025.