Film Production
Lionsgate Play to bring Hollywood blockbusters to Indian cinemas before streaming
The American studio bets that Indian audiences will pay for the big screen before settling for the sofa
CALIFORNIA: Hollywood is coming to Indian multiplexes. Lionsgate Play announced it will release 10 to 12 major Hollywood films in Indian cinemas every year starting September 2026, before moving them to its streaming platform. The message is simple: see it on the big screen first, or wait.
The opening theatrical slate is starry. Russell Crowe leads Billion Dollar Spy, Gerard Butler fronts Empire City, Robert Pattinson stars in Primetime, and Mark Wahlberg leads By Any Means. A creature feature, Titan (Snake), rounds out the early titles. None are small bets.
The platform is also bringing back one of its signature series. Heated Rivalry, which built a strong following after its debut, returns in 2027. The show, noted for its character-driven storytelling, will continue exploring its central relationships in a second season drawn from Reid’s follow-up novel.
Rohit Jain, founder of Lionsgate Play Asia, said the theatrical-first approach gives films the cinematic scale they deserve while creating a cleaner transition to streaming. “We’re embracing a more integrated approach across theatrical and digital windows,” he said. “From big screen experiences to premium streaming, this is our most ambitious chapter yet.”
The ambitions stretch well beyond a dozen titles. Jain says more than 100 premieres are lined up for 2026 on the platform. The broader catalogue already carries crowd-pleasers including John Wick, Den of Thieves 2 and The Beekeeper, alongside series such as Normal People and Paris Has Fallen. Regional content also features, with titles including Dakshina, Eleven, Soothravakyam and Racharikam.
The upcoming pipeline is equally loaded. Greenland 2: Migration brings Butler back, Jason Statham leads Mutiny, Angelina Jolie stars in Couture, Zac Efron fronts Famous, and Matthew McConaughey heads The Rivals of Amziah King. The Has Fallen franchise is also expanding, with new instalments and returning series adding bulk to the slate.
For Indian audiences weaned on Bollywood spectacle, Lionsgate is making a straightforward pitch: Hollywood blockbusters deserve a darkened hall, a large screen and overpriced popcorn. With a roster this deep, it is hard to argue otherwise.
