Oct 30, 2023

Netflix to Screen "Leo" in 150 Theaters Ahead of Streaming

Netflix will release Adam Sandler's animated family feature "Leo" on November 21, but prior to its release, the film will be screened in 150 locations across the US on November 11 and 12.

This is an interesting marketing ploy by Netflix: according to Cartoon Brew, 150 theaters is the largest number of locations where a Netflix original animated feature film has been shown. Netflix declined to confirm whether this is true. Additionally, these screenings are free for theatergoers. Each theater will host two screenings over the course of two days.

Interested spectators can visit this website, where they can reserve up to five tickets, but should note that most screenings are already sold out.

Adam Sandler stars in the film, which tells the story of a 74-year-old lizard who has spent his life as a classroom pet. When Leo learns that he has only a year to live, he decides to escape for a great adventure, but instead finds himself in trouble with a group of schoolchildren.

Leo's animation is produced by Australian company Animal Logic ("The Lego Movie," "DC League of Super Pets"), which was acquired by Netflix last year. Directed by Robert Smigel, writer of "Saturday Night Live," Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim. Smigel, who also wrote Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, is the co-writer of Hotel Transylvania and Hotel Transylvania 2, the latter of which Marianetti and Wachtenheim were story directors. In the early 1990s, they worked on segments of Saturday Night Live's popular animated "TV Funhouse."

The screenplay was written by Smigel, Sandler, and Paul Sade. Produced by Sandler's Happy Madison Productions.