When James Cameron made “The Terminator” in 1984 he probably didn’t think the movie would still be spinning off sequels 35 years later, no matter how big a hit it became. Given the disappointing box office brought in by the sixth and latest Terminator film during its opening weekend it’s not hard to wonder whether the franchise might have run its course or if it should have been a franchise at all.
One film we know for sure isn’t a franchise is Martin Scorsese’s most recent film, “The Irishman.” Made for Netflix, the movie will only be in theatres for 26 days before appearing on the streaming platform. Big movie theater chains have expressed their frustration with Netflix for not adhering to a traditional theatrical release window of 90 days, though were rumored to have offered up a shortened 60-day term instead. If true, was Netflix foolish for not accepting it?

‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Tops Weekend With Soft $29M Debut; ‘Harriet’ Strong wtih $11.6M Opening
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3815769092/
‘Terminator: Dark Fate’: What makes a franchise live or die?
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2019-11-07/terminator-dark-fate-what-makes-a-franchise-live-or-die
Inside the Debate Between Netflix and Big Theater Chains Over ‘The Irishman’
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/01/business/irishman-netflix-theaters.html