Janelle Monae's Movie 'Antebellum' to Skip Theaters, Will Debut on Premium VOD

The upcoming movie Antebellum, starring Janelle Monae, will be skipping a theatrical release and it will debut on Premium Video On Demand instead.

The thriller was originally scheduled to be released in theaters in April 2020, but the release date was delayed until August 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Now, the movie is going to be available to rent at home starting on September 18. Select international markets will get to experience the movie in theaters.

In Antebellum, successful author Veronica Henley (Monáe) finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality that forces her to confront the past, present and future – before it’s too late.

Joe Drake, the Chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris’s urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change. Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity – not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world.”

Directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz added, “While we designed Antebellum to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture. As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring Antebellum to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event.”

Disney just announced that one of their most anticipated movies will be going to VOD in September as well.