'Laxxmi Bomb' to 'Lovebirds': Skipping a theatrical release, movies on their way to digital platforms

Across the globe, film releases have been stopped due to COVID-19 pandemic and filmmakers across the world are now considering a direct-to-OTT release. Many of them have signed their deal with streaming giants while others are still contemplating about the new experiment.

Here is a list of the movies which have been released directly on digital and the ones which are on their way to an OTT platform soon.

Releasing on: Disney+ 

Disney’s live-action 'Pinocchio' remake will be directly releasing on OTT. The Robert Zemeckis directorial will also see Tom Hanks, who is being courted to play old Italian puppet-maker Geppetto.

Releasing on: 22nd May

'Lovebirds' mark the first movie to jump directly to Netflix because of COVID-19. The film is a story of a couple who get mixed up in a murder mystery. 

Streaming platform: Netflix

Trolls was a huge hit in theatres back in 2016, so expectations were high when its sequel, Trolls World Tour, was scheduled for April 10, 2020. But due to virus outbreak, filmmakers decided to drop it directly on the streaming platform. 

In the sequel Poppy and Branch discover that there are six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands. Each tribe is also devoted to six different kinds of music. 
 

Streaming platform: Disney+ Hotstar

The movie was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on June 19, 2020, the film is now scheduled to be released through streaming platform on June 12, 2020. The movie is semi-autobiographical comedy-drama about Pete Davidson growing up in Staten Island, including losing his father during 9/11 and entering the world of stand up comedy.

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Jyothika Saravanan's 'Ponmagal Vanthal' Tamil-language legal drama announced a direct release on OTT instead of theatres due to the lockdown. The movie was earlier scheduled to hit the big screen on March 27.

Streaming platform: Zee5

Telugu movie 'Amrutha Ramam' is a heartfelt love story based on a series of true experiences. The film depicts the lives of Amrutha and Ram, and how together they find the meaning of selfless love.

Streaming platform: Netflix

The upcoming Al Capone biopic starring Tom Hardy released digitally on May 12. The distributor is still hoping for a theatrical release later in the summer as things return to normalcy.

Releasing on: Disney+

The David Lowery-directed Live-action film is skipping theatre release. The movie also stars Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell. 

 

Streaming platform: Disney+Hotstar

Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani starrer 'Laxxmi Bomb' might witness a digital release forgoing the theatrical release altogether, but the producers are yet to announce their plans. Streaming platform Disney+Hotstar has reportedly acquired the digital rights of the movie. 

Releasing on: Disney+

Craig Gillespie directorial 'Cruella' is a crime comedy film. The story is based on the character Cruella de Vil introduced in Dodie Smith's 1956 novel 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians'. The film will star Emma Stone as the titular character, with Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Mark Strong in supporting roles.

Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime

Shoojit Sircar’s upcoming film 'Gulabo Sitabo' is done with its post-production, and might directly land on the streaming site. According to the reports, the filmmaker has finalised a deal with Amazon Prime for digital release. The film features Ayushmann Khurrana and Amitabh Bachchan.

Streaming platform: Amazon prime

'Coolie No 1' post-production work is still pending. But reports suggest that the film by David Dhawan will soon be releasing on OTT. Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan starrer was earlier scheduled to release on May 1. 

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime has acquired the digital right of Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Jhund', which will now directly release on OTT. The film has been directed by Nagraj Manjule. 

Streaming platform: Netflix

The much-awaited film 'Gunjan Sexena: The Kargil Girl' starring Janhvi Kapoor was earlier scheduled to release on March 20 but owing to the lockdown may have a web release soon.
 

Streaming platform: not announced

Anurag Basu's star-studded project 'Ludo' is opting for digital release. The film features a huge ensemble of actors like Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra and others.