ICYMI, AMC Theaters and Universal Studios are in a bit of a spat right now. The whole thing started over, of all things, Trolls World Tour, which Universal opted to release directly to paid video on demand (PVOD) due to the current global health crisis, instead of delaying its theatrical release.
According to Variety, Trolls World Tour raked in more than $100 million for Universal in its first three weeks of PVOD. This success prompted NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell to say that the studio will continue releasing movies on PVOD and in theaters, even once movie theaters are able to reopen.
AMC Theaters did not take this news well, responding with a sweeping declaration: The theater chain will no longer show Universal Studios movies. Full stop.
It’s unclear what AMC hopes to accomplish with this, because choosing not to screen Universal’s movie slate — which includes major titles such as F9, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Jurassic World: Dominion — could cause major revenue loss for the already struggling chain of theaters.
The internet was quick to point out how confusing this protest is, and the tweets did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorites.
Universal: we got some big movies coming your way when you reopen
AMC Theaters: pic.twitter.com/FOPFGSui6T
— Cryptocoatl (@_Cryptocoatl_) April 29, 2020
Regal Cinemas when AMC Theaters says they’re boycotting Universal Pictures pic.twitter.com/WjsMBSDMDN
— Trey Louthan (@Tampa_Trey) April 29, 2020
AMC theaters when they realize they made a mistake boycotting universal films pic.twitter.com/tgr9BYoSuc
— kim (@kimacoste) April 29, 2020
amc theatres ceo looking at all the other theatre chains making money from fast and furious 9. pic.twitter.com/nkzfGc9rFd
— jeremy (@jeremylovesyall) April 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/robbiereviews/status/1255419994231488512
“That new troll movie was such a success, AMC theaters is big mad” is an actual headline I just saw
— Boy Without Batteries (@texas_scum) April 29, 2020
AMC Theaters: “Oh well if Trolls did so well in VOD then I guess you don’t need us playing your movies anymore?!”
Universal: pic.twitter.com/1D68LMKiH2
— Michael Cook (@MichaelCookFilm) April 29, 2020
Photo: Universal
