Christopher Nolan Blasts Netflix for Not Innovating Cinema: “That’s all irrelevant”

Christopher Nolan Criticizes Netflix for Lacking Innovation in Cinema

Renowned director Christopher Nolan criticized Netflix for not bringing real innovation to movies and TV shows. Known for his serious stance on streaming, Nolan expressed strong opinions on what cinema should represent.

Nolan's Comparison of Cinema to Heinz Ketchup

On X, Nolan compared the cinema industry to Heinz, stating that Netflix didn’t introduce anything new. Instead, they repackaged the old concept of direct-to-video distribution. He emphasized that true innovation lies in what filmmakers create and show on the screen, highlighting the industry's infinite potential.

“We work in a mature business. I like to say we’re Heinz, we make ketchup. The innovation in our industry has always been and should always be what goes on the screen, not…”

Later Comments and Apology

Although Nolan's initial critique was harsh, he softened his tone in later interviews. In a 2017 Variety interview, he admitted that his choice of words about Netflix was poor while acknowledging the platform's impact on changing the industry's image.

“My choice of words was quite poor,” Nolan said, giving Netflix credit for altering the perception of the industry.

Author’s summary: Christopher Nolan criticized Netflix for lacking true innovation in cinema, emphasizing that real creativity lies in content, but later acknowledged Netflix's role in transforming industry perceptions.

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FandomWire FandomWire — 2025-11-04