Netflix reaches deal to keep Midtown’s Paris Theatre open for special events and screenings
Photo courtesy of Netflix, by Marion Curtis
In a press release yesterday, Netflix announced that it reached a lease agreement to preserve Midtown’s iconic Paris Theatre and keep it open for “special events, screenings, and theatrical releases of its films.” Last month, Netflix premiered its new movie “Marriage Story” in the Paris, and with talks of the 58th Street site potentially getting redeveloped, many hoped the company would find a longer-term residency in the 71-year-old theater, which was NYC’s last single-screen movie house.
When the Paris Theatre first opened in 1948, right across from the Plaza Hotel, actress Marlene Dietrich was there to cut the inaugural ribbon. The 581-seat theatre was known for showing foreign language, especially French, films, and in later years, indie films as well. This past August, the theatre closed its doors when its lease expired after a run of Ron Howard’s “Pavarotti.” The building is owned by developer Sheldon Solow, who is currently developing an adjacent 19-story condo at 7 West 57th Street. Though Netflix did not release details of its deal with Solow, they will be leasing the space for the foreseeable future.
The agreement is a big win for the streaming entertainment service, as theatrical releases are a mandate for potential Oscar nominees, and, as 6sqft previously explained, “the company has had to get creative in its screening options, as major theater chains will not allow movies to play for only a month (the standard for Netflix before titles start streaming).”
To that end, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, said in a statement: “After 71 years, the Paris Theatre has an enduring legacy, and remains the destination for a one-of-a-kind movie-going experience. We are incredibly proud to preserve this historic New York institution so it can continue to be a cinematic home for film lovers.”
“Marriage Story” is running at the Paris Theatre through Thursday. Tickets can be purchased here.
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