Why The Fall Guy Just Flopped
3. Universal's PVOD Strategy
It's often said that, since the pandemic massively reduced the theatrical window before new movies hit streaming, audiences have effectively been conditioned to wait for most films to land at home rather than heading out to see them.
And this is definitely the case with movies that don't have a hugely invigorating hook or simply look "just OK" - why roll the dice on a bad night out at the movies when you can watch it for considerably cheaper in the comfort of your own home mere weeks later?
And Universal has been leading the charge in this regard with their aggressive premium VOD strategy, where most of their movies which gross less than $50 million domestically in their opening weekend are sent to PVOD in just 18 days, while even those which go north of $50 million will typically get there in a mere 31 days.
And so, knowing that Universal will likely be sending The Fall Guy to streaming barely two weeks after it lands in cinemas, why deal with the hassle of splashing out on tickets, driving to the cinema, buying food and drink there, and perhaps having to hire a babysitter for the night, when you can just... do none of that and watch it at home 18 days later?