'Nope' Won't Be Streaming for Weeks (and It's $3 in Theaters Today Only)

Nope, director Jordan Peele's latest movie, hit US theaters in July. But any fans who want to watch it at home should prepare to wait a while before it's available online to stream on a subscription service.

Last year, an unprecedented number of new theatrical movies streamed online the same day they hit cinemas. But this year, as COVID-19 restrictions have eased and audiences have flocked back to cinemas, the practice has nearly vanished -- especially for flicks with summer blockbuster ambitions. Pretty much all movies now get at least a month and a half in theaters exclusively, but these timeframes are all over the map. 

How can I watch Nope in theaters for $3 on National Cinema Day? 

The only two ways to see Nope for now are either to go to a theater or rent it online for $20.

But on Saturday, theaters across the US are observing a so-called National Cinema Day for the first time, pricing tickets at just $3 (plus taxes and fees) regardless of the film or showtime. The $3 price applies even to premium formats like Imax, 3D and Dolby Cinemas, and some theaters are discounting concessions like popcorn and soda as well. 

More than 3,000 theaters representing more than 30,000 screens are participating, from the country's biggest chains, like AMC and Regal, down to some mom-and-pop art house theaters too. 

The participating theaters are locally specific, so the best way to find a discounted screening of Nope is to check listings in your area. 

What service will stream Nope first?

Nope is expected to stream on Peacock first. Peele's Monkeypaw production company has a deal with Universal Pictures, and the film is being distributed in the US by Universal. Peacock and Universal are owned by the same parent company, and Peacock's arrangement is to be the first place to stream Universal-distributed movies. 

When is Nope's streaming release date? 

Peacock and Universal haven't confirmed the streaming release date for the movie Nope yet, but here's what to know: 

• Theoretically, the film should start streaming on Peacock sometime between Monday and Nov. 18. Peacock can start streaming theatrical movies like Nope 45 days after theatrical release but no later than 120 days. So if Nope were to hit Peacock exactly after that 45-day period, then it would become available to stream there on Monday. If the movie waits until its 120th day of release, it'll be on Peacock on Nov. 18. 
• Universal's other big summer movies don't provide much precedent to go on, unfortunately. Jurassic World Dominion is Universal's biggest blockbuster so far this year, and the company is keeping it in theaters 84 days before it reaches Peacock. If Nope followed the same timeline, it wouldn't reach Peacock until Oct. 14. 
• But streaming release dates are unpredictable! The next movie from Peele's Monkeypaw production company (called Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul) started streaming on Peacock the same day it hits theaters, Friday. Since Nope got an exclusive theatrical release to start, that same-day streaming option was never in the cards. But predicting streaming release dates is difficult with such a dramatic difference between the likes of Jurassic World Dominion and Honk for Jesus.

Will Nope be free to stream on Peacock? 

Highly unlikely. Peacock routinely puts movies like Nope behind its paywall. 

If you don't already have a premium Peacock subscription, you'll need to sign up for a $5-a-month or a $10-a-month premium tier if you want to watch the film or any of Peacock's other paywalled programming (like Yellowstone, Premier League matches, WWE, The Office and other popular stuff.)

Peacock has some deals that could reduce -- or even eliminate -- your cost of being a premium member.  

But the movie is expected to be available to paying Peacock premium subscribers without any additional fee. So if you're already a premium subscriber to Peacock, then you'll be able to stream it just like anything else on the service.