‘Trolls: World Tour,’ ‘Emma’ and other Universal movies available on-demand early amid coronavirus | TheHill – The Hill

Universal Pictures says it will be making films including the upcoming "Trolls: World Tour" available for in-home rentals the same day they're released in theaters amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The latest "Trolls" movie from DreamWorks is poised to hit theaters in the United States on April 10. But in a Monday announcement, NBCUniversal and Universal Pictures said it would also be available on-demand the same day it premieres.

Current circumstances, the companies said in a news release, "have made it more challenging to view our films."

The children's flick, along with other titles, will be available for 48-hour rental periods for $19.99.

Other films that are already out, including "The Hunt," which debuted in theaters last week, "The Invisible Man" and "Emma," will be available on-demand earlier than they traditionally are released, beginning Friday.

"Rather than delaying these films or releasing them into a challenged distribution landscape, we wanted to provide an option for people to view these titles in the home that is both accessible and affordable, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said in a statement.

We hope and believe that people will still go to the movies in theaters where available, but we understand that for people in different areas of the world that is increasingly becoming less possible," Shell said.

The White House on Monday released new guidelines for curbing the spread of the virus, including avoiding gathering in public places or meeting in groups of 10 or more.

Multiple major film releases including the latest flicks in the James Bond and Fast and Furious franchises have been delayed amid the pandemic.

AMC Theatres said last week that it would reduce viewing capacity by 50 percent in order to increase the level of "social distancing" while moviegoers watch films.

Several states, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, among others, announced Monday that they would close all entertainment venues starting that night in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

More than 3,800 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed across the U.S., according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

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'Trolls: World Tour,' 'Emma' and other Universal movies available on-demand early amid coronavirus | TheHill - The Hill