Why are movies released later in the UK and Europe than the US? Especially when translation isn't needed.

Answer 1

Part of the reason is that films get more publicity in the US and this has a knock on effect when released in the UK - it gives word of mouth a chance to spread. A while back I wanted to take a friend to a small film in the UK - he wasn't interested as he had never heard of it. When the film was later released in the US and was a surprise hit, the same friend wanted to know "when is it coming out here, I want to see it" but by then it was long gone from cinemas.

For smaller films especially, only a limited number of prints are struck (they are very expensive) and these are shown in US cinemas and then shipped to the UK when they have played out, to save making more prints.

And actually its not all all unusual for even British films to open in the US first, especially if they are regarded as commercial.

There are an increasing number of films which now run against the trend however. In the last year some examples of US films which opened in the UK first are -

Lucky Number Slevin

Running Scared

An American Haunting

and the current "Smokin' Aces"

Another reason is the other films on release. Studios often don't want to compete with blockbusters or release similar films around the same time, and, conversely, sometimes want to offer an alternative to whatever the current major release is.

In the case of films hoping for awards, companies want to release films they hope will win awards as close to the end of the qualifying period as possible, so they will be fresh in voters minds. To qualify for an Oscar in the US a film has to be released before the end of the year, however in the UK films can still qualify for the UK Academy Awards (BAFTAS) if they are released in January or February, so we tend to get award winning or nominated films later. Also, studios want to release films internationally if they hope the will have garnered publicity from nominations. As schedules are made up months in advance, we in the UK tend to get any films that were ever hoped to be awrds contenders later than the US.

Answer 2

That just happen when they are not sure that the movie will be a smashing hit
Harry Potter, Star Wars, Matrix, etc. were released worldwide at the same time

British movies must be released there first than any other country, aren't they?

The lag between releases is not that long, so, be patient.

In the US, movie theaters change the charts almost every week, so they need a lot of new titles all the time, although they watch a lot of really bad movies, then other countries can enjoy of "filtered" movies.

Answer 3

Because generally the country that films are produced in proves a good testing ground for marketing strategies, overall success etc... It gives them a chance to tweak thier marketing and perhaps cut down on release venues if the film is not well recieved. If they released films worldwide on launch, the studios could stand to lose a lot of money, especially if the film is unsuccessful.

Answer 4

Probably ( AND I SAID PROBABLY) because it depends where the moviemakers were aiming it towards. Like if they wanted it to premiere in the US, the movie would be out l8ter somewhere else.

Answer 5

Because Hollywood is located in the US.

Answer 6

It's always about the timing and the money! Money money money!