Amazon Prime streaming: Which films can I watch at home? Universal announces COVID-19 plan

Film studios are being forced to get creative about their new movie releases. With cinemas closing left, right and centre, and governments warning their inhabitants to stay at home, things are getting tricky for film fans. But Universal, one of the studios, is taking some extraordinary steps to make sure their movies are seen.

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On Monday, March 16, the studio Universal announced it would make movies available at home on the same day as their global theatrical releases.

As a result, fans will be able to stream or download their movies online, which could be the perfect antidote to isolation.

The movie which will first get the online and home treatment is DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour, the second part of the Trolls movie.

This will open on April 10 in the USA and the UK, and be available to watch at home on the same day.

Which films can I watch at home? Universal announces COVID-19 plan

Which films can I watch at home? Universal announces COVID-19 plan (Image: Universal/Warner Bros)

As well as this, some films which have already had their UK cinematic releases will be available to watch online as early as Friday.

In the USA, movies such as The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Emma are looking to be released in for a 48-hour rental, which could cost viewers around $19.99 a film (£16.31.)

A statement from the studio read: “NBCUniversal will continue to evaluate the environment as conditions evolve and will determine the best distribution strategy in each market when the current unique situation changes.”

According to movie site Deadline, the theatrical window at present is 90 days, meaning it seems likely those movies which are part of the window will be forced to open despite potential cinemas closing due to coronavirus.

Therefore, it seems movie studios are likely trying hard to ensure their films are still enjoyed by audiences, even if cinemas become tough places to see them.

Here are some of the movies which will see an earlier home release thanks to coronavirus.

Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey, which is being released by Warner Bros, will join the Universal titles in having an early release date.

After Universal announced their intentions, Cathy Yan, the movie’s director, tweeted: “I would not be opposed to putting Birds of Prey on VOD earlier.”

Elisabeth Moss in The Invisible Man

Elisabeth Moss in The Invisible Man (Image: Universal)

Clearly this made a difference, and it has since been announced by Deadline the film will be released on March 24 for home viewing.

The film saw the continuation of the story of Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) as she and a group of female fighters get caught up in tricky, life-threatening business in Gotham.

Emma

The Jane Austen adaptation was only in UK cinemas at the beginning of 2020, but is already set for digital download.

The film, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn, sees the rich, spoiled Emma Woodhouse (Taylor-Joy) try and be the matchmaker of her town, at the chagrin of her neighbour Mr Knightley (Flynn.)

Emma

Emma (Image: Universal)

The Invisible Man

Elisabeth Moss is the main star of the HG Well adaptation, which sees an abused wife haunted by her dead husband.

In this version, Moss’ character is dealing with a rich, nasty businessman who continues haunt her after he takes his own life, torturing her as well as her close friends.

The Hunt

The Hunt is currently in cinemas, and is a thriller/horror film from the Blumhouse production house.

The film follows 12 strangers who wake up in the middle of a clearing who have no idea how they got there, only to discover they are being chosen by a group of wealth elites for sport.

Margot Robbie in Birds of Prey

Margot Robbie in Birds of Prey (Image: Warner Bros)

Trolls World Tour

Trolls World Tour, the second movie from the Trolls universe, has not ret been release, but will be simultaneously released in cinemas and online.

The movie will see the main two trolls, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) discover there are different Trolls tribes, all devoted to different musical genres.

As they go to find them, they realise some of the Trolls are trying to upstage them all with their devotion to heavy metal.

At the moment, all of these films will be released on iTunes and Amazon Prime.

Trolls World Tour is out online and in cinemas on April 10

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