The strategy is a shift from Comcast’s earlier plan to send the film exclusively to cinemas from Oct 15.

Hollywood studios have been experimenting with release patterns as cinemas work to recover from Covid closures and media companies try to boost interest in their streaming offerings.

Cinema operators say the streaming option eats into their business and have urged studios to stick with theatre-only debuts.

“Halloween Kills” stars Jamie Lee Curtis in a follow-up to the 2018 revival of the classic horror franchise. Those who want to stream the new movie at home will need a subscription to Peacock Premium or to Peacock Premium Plus.

The film will not be available on the free version of Peacock.

Universal employed the same strategy for “The Boss Baby” animated sequel in July. That movie generated US$105.8 million in global box office sales, and Comcast executives said it also helped boost subscribers to Peacock.

The Delta variant has slowed a hoped-for comeback in moviegoing. Upcoming films scheduled for this year include the latest in the James Bond franchise, “No Time to Die”; sci-fi epic “Dune”; and Marvel movie “Eternals”.

Some movies, including Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick”, have been delayed until next year.