Hate waiting for movies on disc? New Paramount deal sends flicks to DVD faster

By Stephanie Topacio Long Published July 9, 2015

At least two new movies are going to be released in home-viewing formats much sooner than usual — with more hopefully on the way — thanks to a new deal Paramount has reached with AMC Theaters and Cineplex. Though limited in scope so far, the deal seeks to shorten the time from cinema to home theater, and if the trial takes off, it could change movie distribution timelines for good.

Time reports that the two upcoming movies in question, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, will be released on DVD and digital formats just two weeks their theatrical run shrinks to 300 theaters or less. Although theaters have traditionally pushed to have a longer window to maximize ticket sales, movie studios are trying to remain competitive as the entertainment industry becomes extremely saturated with various forms of content. According to Time, Paramount hopes to increase the number of films for which it can have an abbreviated release window and has even conceded some of the revenue from digital views, including iTunes downloads, to theater owners as an incentive.

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With our binge-watching culture, we seem to be growing increasingly impatient when it comes to our entertainment, so Paramount’s move is understandable. On top of that, Netflix now doubles as a film studio, and the company plans to make certain movies available online on the same day that they open. The standard 90-day minimum release window that theaters have traditionally enjoyed may become a thing of the past.

Don’t expect the change to come easily, though. TIME previously reported that theater chains, including AMC, Regal, and Cinemark, are boycotting Netflix’s much-anticipated sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in light of the release format. A Regal spokesman announced in a statement that “at Regal we will not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to [three inches] wide on a smart phone. We believe the choice for truly enjoying a magnificent movie is clear.”

For now, we’ll be happy with shorter release times. Best get your home theater ready!

Stephanie Topacio Long

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Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…

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Don’t let these 3 hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows fly under your radar

A group of well-dressed people crowd by a doorway, looking shocked in The Residence.

Every month, there's always one, maybe two, new shows that get all the attention. Sometimes, it's a popular show returning with a new season. This March, many less high-profile shows are flying under the radar. You might have heard of these shows but weren't quite sure what they were about or even if they're worth watching.
We suspect that you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give any of these shows your time. Check out an episode or two, and it will likely lead to binging the whole thing. Two of the three series release all season one episodes at once, while the third will tease you with the first two episodes this month. What are these three hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows you shouldn't let fly under your radar? Have a look.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.
Deli Boys (March 6)
Deli Boys | Official Trailer | Hulu
Already receiving rave reviews, Deli Boys is a hilarious comedy about two Pakistani American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), who discover that their father was much more than a convenience store owner. When he suddenly passes, the brothers discover that dear Dad was actually embroiled in a life of crime.
If they don’t want to lose everything their family has worked for, they need to take over as the new crime bosses. But this is not a life they know anything about. As one of the most anticipated Hulu shows of 2025, Deli Boys’ first season delights thanks to its clever one-liners, talented cast, and bizarre storylines.
Stream Deli Boys on Hulu.
The Residence (March 20)
The Residence | Official Trailer | Netflix
The best way to describe The Residence is that it's like Knives Out in the White House with a gender-swapped Benoit Blanc-like character. The lead is Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an equally eccentric yet brilliant detective who consults with the local police. When the White House chief usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito in a role that was originally supposed to be played by the late Andre Braugher), winds up dead, she’s called in to investigate. A state dinner is going on downstairs with officials from Australia, and Cupp orders that no one leave until she questions all 140+ people present.
The Residence is plenty of fun, mixing the usual whodunit formula with Shonda Rhimes' unique creative flair that will keep you guessing from one episode, even a moment, to the next. Aduba is perfect as Cupp, who combines an oddball personality — including repeatedly birdwatching in the middle of a murder case — with a subtle sarcasm. Through it all, however, she throws down astute observations that teach everyone she knows exactly what she’s doing, even if it doesn’t look like it. If you love the whodunit genre, The Residence won’t disappoint.

Stream The Residence on Netflix.
The Studio (March 26)
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
One of Apple TV+’s quieter new show releases is The Studio, which has gotten overwhelmingly positive reception in early reviews. Seth Rogen created and stars in this comedy as Matt Remick, a man who longs to run a Hollywood studio. When he finally realizes this dream, however, the reality of the complicated balancing act of managing budgets, changing economic and societal times, corporate demands, and eccentric actors sinks in.
The Studio has an incredible cast that includes Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kathryn Hahn. There's also a rotating selection of guest stars playing exaggerated versions of themselves to add to the Hollywood feel, from Zac Efron to Martin Scorsese. Early reviews already give The Studio a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with Slant Magazine’s Ross McIndoe singling out the dark and “more than a little pointed” comedy as the highlight.

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3 PBS shows you should watch in March 2025

three pbs shows you should watch in march 2025 call the midwife season 14 tv hero 2

PBS may not be able to boast a lineup of original shows like Netflix and the other streamers, but it's been America's gateway for British dramas for decades. Granted, some of these shows will show up on the streamers as well. The key difference is that PBS won't charge you to watch them, and you can even stream them online if you don't want to support your local station.

This month's picks include two returning British dramas, one of which had almost a full decade between seasons. Our other pick is a returning murder mystery show from Sweden, which proves just how universally popular that genre has turned out to be.

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If you have to watch one Peacock movie this March 2025, stream this one

Saoirse Ronana in Brooklyn

If you're looking for stuff to watch on Peacock, you're probably going to have to sort through a lot of stuff. That's not to say that there aren't things worth watching on Peacock, just that finding them can feel more difficult than it should.
We've done the hard work for you and found a perfect movie for your March watchlist. Brooklyn tells the story of a young woman who immigrates from Ireland to America in the 1950s and finds herself torn between her old life and the new one she's built. Here are three reasons you should check it out:
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and best shows on Disney+.

It features a star-making performance from Saoirse Ronan
Brooklyn Official International Trailer #1 (2015) - Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson Movie HD