Hollywood unions and theatre owners have raised concerns over Netflix’s proposed $72 billion (€61 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, warning that the merger could cut jobs, concentrate industry power, and limit theatrical movie releases.
The deal would bring HBO and Warner Bros under Netflix’s control, adding iconic films such as Batman and Casablanca to the streaming giant’s portfolio. Netflix, known for hits like Stranger Things and Squid Game, has already reshaped the industry by accelerating the move from cinema releases to home streaming.
“This merger must be blocked,” the Writers Guild of America East and West said in a joint statement. The guild, representing writers in film, television, broadcast news, podcasts, and online media, cited antitrust concerns and warned the deal could lead to job cuts, lower wages, higher consumer prices, and deteriorating conditions for entertainment workers.
Netflix has projected annual cost savings of $2 billion to $3 billion by the third year after the deal closes. However, Cinema United, representing 30,000 screens in the United States and 26,000 internationally, said the acquisition could eliminate up to 25% of the annual domestic box office.
Netflix has pledged to maintain theatrical releases for Warner Bros films, but Cinema United President Michael O’Leary questioned whether the company would uphold the current level of distribution. “Sporadic and truncated theatrical releases to meet awards criteria in a handful of theatres is not a commitment to exhibition,” he said.
The Hollywood Teamsters, representing drivers, casting professionals, mechanics, and other entertainment workers, also voiced opposition. The union called for action across all levels of government, emphasizing that corporate consolidation threatens union jobs, member livelihoods, and the industry itself.
Other Hollywood organizations expressed cautious concern. The Directors Guild of America said it would meet with Netflix to discuss its vision for the merged company but did not offer further comment. Similarly, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) stated the merger “raises many serious questions” and would provide further analysis on its impact on members after reviewing the deal.
The acquisition faces antitrust reviews in the United States and Europe, with politicians already voicing skepticism over the scale of the merger. The deal highlights the ongoing tension in Hollywood between streaming platforms and traditional cinema, as unions and industry groups push to safeguard theatrical exhibition and workers’ rights.
The Netflix-Warner Bros transaction could mark one of the largest consolidations in entertainment history, raising questions about the future of Hollywood filmmaking, distribution practices, and the balance of power in a market increasingly dominated by streaming platforms.
