Why do filmmakers choose to sell to Netflix instead of theaters?

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Movie Forums Squirrel Jumper
So when it comes to Martin Scorsese turning to Netflix cause they are the only ones who would fund his movie, why is that? I mean back in the 90s for example, there is no way a straight to video movie company would finance a 3 hour plus historical drama like that. So why are the straight to video studios more open minded now?



Because the economics are completely different, obviously. Theater tickets used to be a bigger chunk of a movie's revenue.

Before asking why something isn't the same, it helps to ask if there's any reason to expect it to be, if there are all sorts of glaring circumstancial differences.



Movie Forums Squirrel Jumper
Oh okay, well wouldn't Scorsese be able to fund the movie himself, with all the money he has made over the decades from his past successes, or does he not have the money to fund one if his own movies if he wanted to?