Viacom18 asks certain single and two-screen theatres to DITCH Final Destination Bloodlines and play only Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

May 13, 2025 - 11:35 AM IST

With normalcy returning, the trade, industry and exhibitors are looking forward to the coming week when two exciting films will be up for release – Final Destination Bloodlines on Thursday, May 15 and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning on Saturday, May 17. A minor trouble arose between them when Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s makers took away all IMAX shows. This meant that Final Destination Bloodlines will have to make do with normal 2D and 4DX shows only in India. And now, round two of conflict has begun between the two, as per industry insiders.

Viacom18 asks certain single and two-screen theatres to DITCH Final Destination Bloodlines and play only Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Certain single-screen and two-screen theatres have been asked to only show Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and thereby not allot any show to Final Destination Bloodlines. Feelers were also given that in case their diktat is not followed, then the studio might not showcase their forthcoming films in their cinemas.”

The source continued, “Not everyone has got the directive. In some cases, only single-screen cinemas have been asked to give all shows to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, while in the case of certain two-screen theatres, the studio has asked for one full audi for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”

The development has led to shockwaves among exhibitors, especially the ones who have been asked to play only the Tom Cruise-starrer and ignore the supernatural thriller. An exhibitor said, “Now, Paramount-Viacom18, Disney and 20th Century Studios are all together. A lot of significant films are up for release from these studios like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Tron: Ares, The Naked Gun, Zootopia 2 and the biggest film of the year, Avatar: Fire And Ash. Nobody wants to be on their bad books. But some of us also want to show Final Destination Bloodlines. Hence, we hope that this situation can be resolved amicably.”

The trade source added, “Warner Bros gave up on IMAX shows. They have been asking for reasonable showcasing as they are aware that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a bigger release than Final Destination Bloodlines. Therefore, it was unexpected that such an issue would crop up.”

As of now, very limited one and two-screen cinemas have opened bookings for Saturday. Some theatres have commenced advance booking for Final Destination Bloodlines for Thursday and Friday, but are yet to open bookings for Saturday for that film and also Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The bookings are expected to open in a full-fledged manner once the deadlock resolves.

Meanwhile, some cinegoers are also taken aback by the Pushpa 2 – The Rule style ticket rates for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Gaiety-Galaxy aka G7 multiplex has hiked the stall rates to Rs. 180 and balcony to Rs. 200, just like they did for the Allu Arjun-starrer. Exhibition sources confirmed that they have been asked to go for blockbuster rates.

Also Read: Tom Cruise scales BFI IMAX rooftop in stunt for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning