Knives Out 3 Director Takes Aim at Wake Up Dead Man's Limited Release
Knives Out 3 director Rian Johnson is frustrated that Wake Up Dead Man will largely bypass theaters, premiering at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival before a limited November 26 rollout and a quick shift to streaming.
Rian Johnson is doing what most directors tiptoe around: telling fans he is bummed about the rollout for his own movie. 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' is getting a small theatrical run before it hits Netflix, and the biggest chain in the country is sitting this one out.
The plan, in plain English
- World premiere: 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
- In select theaters: November 26, 2025.
- Streaming on Netflix: December 12, 2025.
- AMC is not booking it; Johnson says it will play at Landmark, Alamo Drafthouse, and other chains.
- If crowds show up, theaters can keep it on screens even after the 12/12 Netflix launch.
What Johnson actually said
Answering fan questions on social media on Nov 20, Johnson confirmed that AMC will not be showing the film and spelled out where you can catch it instead. He also clarified something a lot of people wonder with Netflix releases: yes, theaters can keep playing the movie after it drops on streaming if they want to.
'For those asking, sadly AMC would not play the movie, it's going to be Landmark, Alamo, and other chains. And it can absolutely stay in theaters after the 12/12 Netflix drop if there's demand - it's up to the theaters to decide.'
He added that more locations are coming and, if you are striking out locally, you should politely ask your theater manager about booking it. His vibe overall: he is as frustrated as fans that it is not everywhere, but he is trying to widen the footprint.
Why AMC is out of the mix
This lines up with recent reporting around Netflix and AMC testing limited runs for certain titles. Even with that broader thaw, this particular release did not come together for a wider rollout. Translation: talks happened, a larger plan did not lock, so the movie is going out with smaller and specialty chains for now. A very behind-the-scenes distribution wrinkle for a franchise that otherwise plays like a mainstream crowd-pleaser.
So where can you see it?
Landmark and Alamo Drafthouse are the big names Johnson mentioned, with other regional chains picking it up too. If your usual multiplex is AMC, that is the snag. The good news: theaters have the option to keep it beyond the Netflix date if there is an audience, so strong word of mouth could actually matter here.
The movie itself
Johnson wrote and directed again, with Daniel Craig back as Benoit Blanc. The cast is stacked: Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Johnson also produces with Ram Bergman.
Early reception is strong: since its TIFF world premiere, the film sits at 95% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 95 reviews. So yes, the rollout is messy, but the movie is landing.