Netflix Will Report Box Office for La Bola Negra

Netflix is changing how it handles one of its big awards movies, “La Bola Negra.” The Spanish war and LGBTQ epic will open in a very limited theatrical release on four screens in Los Angeles and New York before moving to streaming.

What stands out is that Netflix will publicly report the film’s box office for the first time. It is also giving the movie a 47-day theatrical exclusive window, which is longer than it has offered before for one of its films.

Netflix says the plan is meant to support movie fans who want to see it in theaters while still protecting the film’s value on streaming. The company is also treating this release differently from its bigger commercial titles, like “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” and “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,” which will follow more traditional box office reporting.

The move comes as Netflix looks for new ways to grow, since subscriber growth in the U.S. has slowed. The company also appears to be using theatrical releases to attract filmmakers, build buzz, and give its movies a bigger cultural reach.