Anticipating the Wake Up Dead Man Trailer at Netflix Tudum Event; However, Here's What I'm Really Curious About Unraveling
Netflix Set to Unveil Upcoming Releases at Tudum Event
Streaming giant Netflix is gearing up for the Netflix Tudum event, scheduled to stream live on the platform at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on Saturday, May 31. The event promises live performances, star appearances, and exclusive glimpses of some of Netflix's most anticipated TV shows and movies in the coming months.
One of the much-awaited titles on the lineup is "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," a third installment of Rian Johnson's acclaimed detective series, set for release in 2025. Albeit confirming the film's inclusion in the Netflix Tudum lineup, the platform has kept mum on what specific details they will reveal about the movie. It's plausible that spectators can expect their first look at the "Wake Up Dead Man" trailer.
While the thought of catching a glimpse of the third movie in the Knives Out franchise excites viewers, the most intriguing aspect remains the film's release details. Apart from the release date, pertinent questions circulate about whether, when, where, and for how long the film might appear in movie theaters, as Netflix historically shows little interest in the movie theater business.
Netflix usually opts for premiering movies directly on the platform instead of launching them in theaters, although exceptions are made when the platform seeks to position a movie for possible Academy Award nominations. Theaters in Los Angeles, New York, and a few major cities must host these movies for at least seven days to qualify for the Academy Awards.
Previous films, such as "Glass Onion," the previous Knives Out movie, followed this pattern - featuring a limited release in movie theaters for a week before making it available on the streaming platform. "Glass Onion" was nominated for one Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, reflecting the minimal efforts Netflix typically makes to ensure theatrical eligibility.
The hope is that Netflix may finally grasp the potential of a theatrical release, as multiple studies over the last five years show that movies with a theatrical release perform better on streaming platforms. For instance, following the release of "One of Them Days," one of the best-reviewed movies of 2025 and a solid box office performer, on Netflix in late March, it consistently ranked in the platform's top 10 most-watched movies for three consecutive weeks. Conversely, another Netflix original movie, "Havoc," only spent two weeks in the top 10.
Other streamers and studios, such as Apple TV Plus, Prime Video, and Warner Bros., have embraced the theatrical release model before streaming their biggest movies. Netflix has shown signs of compromise by announcing earlier this year that Greta Gerwig's "Chronicles of Narnia" movie will be released in IMAX movie theaters globally for two weeks in 2026. However, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized at the time that the platform's theatrical strategy remains unchanged.
Here's to hoping that Sarandos and Netflix ultimately realize the potential of a wider theatrical release for star-studded movies like "Wake Up Dead Man," which features an ensemble cast that includes Daniel Craig, Jeremy Renner, Josh O'Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Thomas Haden Church, and Glenn Close. A theatrical release could ensure a wider audience and potentially elevate the movie's popularity upon its streaming debut.
Aside from the release details, fans are also eagerly awaiting the debut of the "Wake Up Dead Man" trailer at the Netflix Tudum event.
[References][1] "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" available on Netflix after limited theatrical release. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/movies/streaming-glass-onion-netflix.html[2] Netflix's theatrical strategy: What it means for 'Glass Onion' and the future of streaming. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/netflix-theatrical-strategy-glass-onion-1235118224/[3] The case for a wider theatrical release for streaming movies. https://www.vox.com/culture/23681725/netflix-streaming-movies-theater-release-benefits
- The Netflix Tudum event is set to stream live on Saturday, May 31, showcasing upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix.
- "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," a film in the detective series, is one of the anticipated titles on the lineup, with a release date scheduled for 2025.
- The trailer for "Wake Up Dead Man" might be unveiled at the Netflix Tudum event, presenting the first look at the third movie in the Knives Out franchise.
- Netflix has not yet revealed specific details about "Wake Up Dead Man," including its release date and whether it will be available in movie theaters.
- Traditionally, Netflix premieres its movies directly on the platform, but exceptions are made when a film is positioned for possible Academy Award nominations.
- Studies over the last five years have shown that movies with a theatrical release perform better on streaming platforms, such as "One of Them Days," which ranked in Netflix's top 10 most-watched movies for three consecutive weeks after its theatrical release.
- Streaming services like Apple TV Plus, Prime Video, and Warner Bros. have embraced the theatrical release model, with Netflix set to release Greta Gerwig's "Chronicles of Narnia" movie in IMAX theaters in 2026.
- A wider theatrical release for movies like "Wake Up Dead Man," featuring an ensemble cast of stars such as Daniel Craig, Mila Kunis, and Glenn Close, could ensure a wider audience and potentially elevate the film's popularity upon its streaming debut.
