The first 20 James Bond films are heading to streaming service Prime Video in the US, and in 4K too – but it looks like there’s a UK hold-up.
Thus far, one of the few big movie franchises not to have made its ways to streaming services is the sizeable collection of James Bond movies. The line of 24 official 007 adventures is surely a prized acquisition for any of the major streamers, and so they’ve proven. The rights have been snapped up by Amazon Prime Video, with the sting that for the moment, that’s in the US only.
From April, 20 James Bond films – basically, all of the official line of 007 outings, excluding those starring Daniel Craig – are heading to Prime Video in the US. Furthermore, there’s confirmation that they’ll be available in 4K for the first time. Thus far, we’ve only seen 4K disc releases of the Craig movies, but not the earlier films.
For the minute, then, it’s promising that streaming rights have been granted and that the films are getting the 4K treatment, but the caveat that we await news on a UK roll-out for them. In the UK, the home entertainment rights were held by 20th Century Fox, which of course is now part of the Disney empire. Amazon in America meanwhile lists MGM, and that may be at the heart of the delay.
It’s hard to see the Bond films appearing on Disney+, not least because Disney – under its nothing strong than PG-13/12A policy – wouldn’t be able to add Licence To Kill, which retains a 15 certificate in the UK. But that’s if it has the rights still as part of the Fox purchase package. This will presumably all clear up at some point.
We’ll keep digging. It’s inevitable that the 4K versions of the Bond films will make it to the UK in due course. Just not yet…
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