Timothée Chalamet Praises Theatrical Releases, Calls Them 'More of a Moment'

The actor discusses his past projects with Netflix and his preference for the traditional theatrical experience.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a Q&A at the Los Angeles Theatre, actor Timothée Chalamet discussed his past projects with Netflix and his feelings about skipping the traditional theatrical window. Chalamet, who has starred in two films distributed by the streaming giant, expressed his preference for theatrical releases, stating that they create 'more of a moment' and are 'more ceremonial' compared to direct-to-streaming releases.

Why it matters

Chalamet's comments come at a time when the film industry is grappling with the shift towards streaming and the potential impact on the traditional theatrical experience. As a prominent actor, Chalamet's perspective on the matter carries weight and reflects the ongoing debate within the industry.

The details

During the Q&A, Chalamet told DJ and Apple Music podcast host Zane Lowe that if you 'put out a movie theatrically, what I've felt — based on my experience with The King or Don't Look Up — is that it's just more of a moment. It sounds like cheesy marketing talk, but it's more ceremonial. It's more drumroll.' Chalamet acknowledged that it can be 'hard when something goes straight to streaming,' suggesting that the theatrical experience creates a more impactful and memorable event for audiences.

  • The Q&A took place on Friday, February 14, 2026, at the Los Angeles Theatre.

The players

Timothée Chalamet

A 30-year-old actor who has starred in films distributed by Netflix, such as The King and Don't Look Up.

Zane Lowe

A DJ and host of an Apple Music podcast who interviewed Chalamet during the Q&A.

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What they’re saying

“If you put out a movie theatrically, what I've felt — based on my experience with The King or Don't Look Up — is that it's just more of a moment. It sounds like cheesy marketing talk, but it's more ceremonial. It's more drumroll.”

— Timothée Chalamet (IMDb)

The takeaway

Chalamet's comments highlight the ongoing debate within the film industry about the value of the traditional theatrical experience versus the convenience and accessibility of streaming. As a prominent actor, his perspective reflects the industry's struggle to balance these competing priorities and find the right balance between the two.