Martin Scorsese’s epic film Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone, will become available for purchase or rental on video-on-demand services including Apple TV in more than 100 countries Tuesday.
So as of Tuesday, you can buy or rent it on Apple TV and other VOD services, but Apple TV+ subscribers can’t watch it for free yet (date pending).
Killers of the Flower Moon available to buy or rent Dec. 5, with Apple TV+ streaming date still pending
Killers of the Flower Moon marks the first time an Apple Original Film is rolled out in a traditional studio manner, via the iPhone-maker’s deal with Paramount — with an exclusive theatrical release, then availability to rent or buy digitally, then streaming for subscribers on Apple TV+. So far, the Apple TV+ streaming date remains unknown.
The much-anticipated, $250 million film hit theaters worldwide in October. Despite its 3.5-hour runtime and heavy subject matter — the “Reign of Terror” in which Osage Nation people were murdered for their oil wealth starting in the 1920s — it proved to be a box-office hit, though not a blockbuster. It brought in about $44 million worldwide its opening weekend, and has earned about $154 million so far.
The film received the Gotham Historical Icon and Creator Tribute at the Gotham Awards — at which Robert De Niro railed at Apple for deleting anti-Trump commentary from his speech — as well as Best Score-Feature Film from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The film will also receive the Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in January, Apple said.
Could be an Oscar magnet
Photo: Apple
The movie is based on Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, the 2017 nonfiction book by journalist David Grann. Cult of Mac‘s critic gave the movie five stars, calling it “grueling but important.”
Next Killers of the Flower Moon will come out for digital purchase or rental by anyone using VOD services, according to Variety and others. That will further increase the high-profile film’s visibility and make more money even before it enters its Apple TV+ streaming run.
All of this will lead up to awards season, where the film is seen as a contender for plenty of nominations at the next Academy Awards. Those could include a Best Actress Oscar nod for Lily Gladstone in addition to Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and Best Director for Martin Scorsese.
Watch movies on Apple TV+
After its theatrical run, which began October 20, and its digital purchase and rental period, Killers of the Flower Moon will join the film lineup on Apple TV+. It’s available by subscription for $6.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After first airing in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 299 wins and 1,451 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
Those include multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy Ted Lasso and historic Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.
Source: Apple TV+
