For movie fans in some international markets, a popular new movie has hit their Disney+ streams before it does in the United States. Ryan Reynold’s action-comedy Free Guy opened in theaters less than two months ago but is now streaming on Disney+ in select international markets. For viewers in the United States, the film is available on digital and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray later this month, but is not yet available on streaming. So, how does Free Guy end up on Disney+ abroad before it hits streaming in the U.S.? That comes down to various deals between 20th Century Fox, Disney, and HBO. Fox and HBO, per Variety, have a home video release deal that goes back four decades. That deal was extended in 2012, but while 20th Fox was acquired by Disney, the previous distribution deals remain in place. That may mean that Free Guy will go to WarnerMedia’s HBO Max domestically and Disney+ internationally as the international home release may not be under the same agreement.
To our @disneyplus subscribers outside the US, we come bearing gifts for the first weekend of October: @FreeGuyMovie and @AlitaMovie . Enjoy!😀🎃👻🍂 pic.twitter.com/LMHLXIYxpB
