Starting Feb. 4, Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to stream Chi-Raq, the latest movie from acclaimed director Spike Lee, for free. Yes, the same Chi-Raq that only just released in theaters this December.

The film, which is a modern adaptation of the play "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes, stars Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson and more. While considered uneven by some critics, the swift turnaround to streaming actually comes thanks to the fact that Amazon Studios helped produce the thing. So, coming to Amazon Video as the “first-ever Amazon original movie” is kind of an obvious move.

Additionally, Chi-Raq is now available to rent and purchase digitally ahead of the February streaming release. The digital rental and purchase isn’t limited to Amazon, despite the fact that it’s the first-ever Amazon original movie, as it can also be found on iTunes and more. It’s expected to release on DVD and Blu-ray in early 2016.

For Amazon, the prestige of having a Spike Lee film as the first one it has produced as an original movie is likely worth whatever shortfall might have come from the limited theatrical release. On the other hand, knowing that it’s going to be up to stream so soon — and available for free to those customers that already have Amazon Prime — might be a considerable factor in whether folks went to see it in theaters, and whether they rent or purchase it digitally now. Why rush?

Whether it ever makes it to other platforms to stream at some point remains to be seen, though prospects seem doubtful. It’s not like Netflix is looking to get, say, Orange is the New Black, up on Amazon Video to stream — though it is available to purchase there — and Transparent hitting Netflix seems about as likely as the former. It’s no longer about which channel to watch, but what service to subscribe to.

Source: The Verge