When Rurouni Kenshin, Tokyo Ghoul and Attack On Titan got their own live-action Japanese feature films, Funimation gave them the theatrical North American (U.S/Canadian) releases we fans wanted. Since the announcement of the live-action Japanese Fullmetal Alchemist movie was announced, fans were aching for Funimation Films (former North American distributor for the anime series and films before Aniplex USA took over) would give the film a limited theatrical U.S/Canadian release. But now it looks like Netflix is streaming the film exclusively on their site. Yes, they have Now, it’s true that Netflix has a deal with iPic Entertainment's theaters in New York, LA and 13 other locations to have limited distribution for some of its films so as to qualify for Oscar consideration (Mudbound seems to have most benefited from this, or at least, Mary J. Blige’s chances for a Best Supporting Actress nomination have), but that’s hardly a nationwide opportunity to catch the company’s fare on the big screen. I was hoping they would've given Fullmetal one so it's visual effects, production design or other aspects could've gotten one and for a Japanese film, they're not half bad. One down side, iPic so far has no locations in Canada, thus denying us Canadian from the theatrical experience.

As many new subscribers might have signed up for Netflix to catch Beasts Of No Nation, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), First They Killed My Father, Adam Wingaurd's Death Note or even David Ayer's Bright (despite the shortcomings of the last two) and who might now stick around and become paying customers (simple math: one million new subscribers X $8-11/month = $144 million in annual fees), more money would be made by putting said films into theaters either as part of a day-and-date, or simultaneous release (on Netflix and in select theatres), or by giving the theatres a head start of, say, one-three weeks, before premiering on the service. Choice B is what Netflix needs to do for Fullmetal. Partner with iPic Entertainment and Funimation Films (if not, Fathom Events) to give the film a 2-8 day, or at the very least one-night-only, limited theatrical release in 30-300 theatres (including all 15 of iPic's locations) in select U.S and Canadian (including Toronto) cities before its premiere on Netflix. Like, posters would read "Netflix presents with Funimation Films/iPic Entertainment/Warner Bros. Pictures Japan/Square Enix a Netflix Original Film". Shout! Factory and Lionsgate went to Funi for In This Corner Of The World and the 2017 theatrical re-release of Ghost In The Shell (anime movie) respectively. Funi seems like the right place to go for these films. If not, Netflix should at least licence (or sub-licence, depending on whether Netflix owns the U.S/Canadian distribution rights to the film or licence them from Warner Bros. Japan) the home video (DVD/Blu-ray) distribution rights to Funimation and have the DVDs/Blu-rays available exclusively at one chain of stores (i.e. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, etc.) so Netflix could maintain subscribers. Fullmetal started with Funimation. They deserve something out of this.