19 Netflix releases that should have made it to the big screens

Modified Jan 29, 2025 03:44 ET

1. The Irishman (2019)

Scorsese’s The Irishman was made for a theater. The three-and-a-half-hour runtime alone demanded the kind of focus a theatrical setting provides. The de-aging technology used on Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci was ambitious, but it looked different depending on screen quality. In theaters, the detail would have been clearer and more immersive. The film’s slow-burn pacing and historical depth would have benefitted from a captive audience. Watching on a laptop, mobile phone or TV weakens the impact of its performances and cinematography.