Clea DuVall’s holiday romantic-comedy Happiest Season has become the latest Hollywood studio film to bypass a theatrical release in the U.S. and premiere in the home amid the ongoing pandemic.
Sony’s TriStar, Entertaintment One and Hulu announced Tuesday that Hulu has acquired U.S. rights to the rom-com.
Hulu has set a Nov. 25 release. That’s the same date that Happiest Season was set to hit the screen.
Sony Pictures and eOne co-financed the movie, and will retain distribution rights in Canada and the rest of the world. Overseas plans, including potential theatrical releases, will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Happiest Season follows a woman (Kristen Stewart) whose plan to propose to her girlfriend (McKenzie Davis) while at her family’s annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner hasn’t yet come out to her conservative parents (Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber).
“I’m hopeful that this universal story, told through a unique lens, will join the long list of holiday classics that continue to bring all of us so much joy and happiness,” DuVall said in a statement.
Hulu director of content Brian Kendig said the streamer was honored to be the home of the “fresh and funny romantic comedy that explores love, family and acceptance this holiday.
DuVall directed from a script she co-wrote with Mary Holland based on DuVall’s original story. Marty Bowen and Isaac Klausner produced, with Wyck Godfrey and Jonathan McCoy serving as executive producers.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter