US Buyers Stay Conservative at Cannes as Streamer Retreat Squeezes 2027-2028 Pre-Buys
Updated
Updated · Screen International · May 11
US Buyers Stay Conservative at Cannes as Streamer Retreat Squeezes 2027-2028 Pre-Buys
1 articles · Updated · Screen International · May 11
US acquisitions teams entered Cannes cautiously, largely pre-buying for late 2027 and 2028 while leaving late-2026 slots open only for completed films deemed strong enough.
Domestic caution is being driven by streamers’ pullback from the pay-1 window, weak pre-sales and uncertainty over what now secures a US sale, making it harder for packages to win greenlights.
That pressure is shifting financing toward heavier equity, with lawyers and producers expecting more international capital in Cannes to offset softer US commitments.
Sellers still see a better 2026 slate than last year’s bloated market, with active interest from Germany, the UK, the Nordics and Italy and standout packages such as The Housemaid’s Secret, tied to a $399 million franchise.
The broader backdrop remains unsettled: WME Independent is exiting international sales, newer distributors are still finding their footing, and executives describe the US indie market as its softest in years.
With Hollywood jobs fleeing overseas, can the US film industry truly achieve its projected $36 billion growth by 2034?
As investors demand de-risked packages, is the Cannes market trading artistic vision for financial engineering?
Can 'culture plexes' and escapist films save the theatrical experience from the convenience of at-home streaming?