It’s almost 40 years since the release of Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking horror The Shining, and we’re finally receiving a sequel, Doctor Sleep. But is Doctor Sleep coming to Netflix? While it’s highly unlikely, there’s still a chance, and here’s why.
Doctor Sleep is a fantasy horror film based on the novel of the same name by author Stephen King. The film is a sequel to King’s popular novel The Shining but takes place several decades later. Starring as the adult Danny is Ewan, and directing the film is The Haunting of Hill House creator Mike Flanagan.
Decades after his time spent in the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrence is still haunted by his time spent in the haunted resort. Finally able to settle into a New Hampshire home, Dan finds a job working at a nursing home and uses his gift, “the Shining”, to help ease the passing of the elderly. When Dan meets Abra Stone, a tween with the power of the Shining, he must help her combat a group of quasi-immortal beings, known as The True Knot, from stealing the Shining from other children to fuel their life force.
Will Doctor Sleep be coming to Netflix US?
At the time of writing, there is no confirmation that Doctor Sleep will be coming to Netflix. There is, however, only a small chance that Doctor Sleep will come to Netflix.
Director and screenplay writer of Doctor Sleep, Mike Flanagan, has an output deal with Netflix which has been very lucrative. Flanagan and the production studio Intrepid Pictures have been behind the production of popular Netflix Originals such as The Haunting of Hill House, Before I Wake and Gerald’s Game.
The output deal Netflix has with Mike Flanagan and Intrepid Pictures is for Netflix to have exclusive rights to any series. As for films, Intrepid Pictures can continue to produce films outside of Netflix.
The only suggestion that Doctor Sleep will come to Netflix is the relationship between Intrepid Pictures and Netflix. While it may arrive in the future, it’s first home is likely to be elsewhere.
Where will I stream Doctor Sleep then?
Warner Bros. is the owner of the distribution rights, therefore, Doctor Sleep will more than likely go to the streaming service, HBO Max.
It must be noted that Vertigo Films, the producers of IT, co-produced the movie alongside Intrepid Pictures. Ironically, in 2020 Vertigo is releasing a film, The Turning, based on the novel The Turning of the Screw. The irony of this being that in 2020, Intrepid Pictures will release The Haunting of Bly Manor, a series that is also based on The Turning of the Screw.
What about other regions?
Subscribers will be disappointed to learn that Sky renewed their output deal with Warner Bros. This means that the latest Warner titles will be available to stream on Sky and Now TV before any other service.
In Canada, Doctor Sleep will be available to stream through Crave. Warner recently signed an output deal with Bell Media and CTV, which includes the release of feature films, network television, and HBO Max content.
Netflix Australia receives some of the latest titles from Warner, typically nine months after its release in cinemas. Expect to see it on Netflix sometime in the future.
Would you like to see Doctor Sleep streaming on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
