From Collider · Makuochi Echebiri · · 2m
Netflix Removes 'The Mosquito Bowl' From 40 Theaters
Netflix pulls war film from theaters after weak critic reviews.
In brief
Netflix pulls war film from theaters after weak critic reviews. Netflix removed 'The Mosquito Bowl' from 40 theaters following poor critic reviews and a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score. Originally reported by Collider.
Netflix's New War Film
Netflix is aiming for Oscar nominations with a war film set in World War II.
The Mosquito Bowl Details
The Mosquito Bowl follows four college football stars enlisting in the Marines after Pearl Harbor.
Box Office Performance
The film grossed $455,000 in its box office debut and $756,400 total after two weeks.
Critical Reception
The Mosquito Bowl received a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, dropping to 33% before rebounding to 45%.
Theater Removal
Netflix removed The Mosquito Bowl from 40 theaters in its second week of release.
Oscar Nominations
The film is positioned for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, International Film, and Best Song nominations.
Director and Cast
Peter Berg directed The Mosquito Bowl with a screenplay co-written by Mark L. Smith.
Source Material
The film is based on Buzz Bissinger's Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II.
Release Timeline
The Mosquito Bowl opened in theaters on October 30, 2026, and will stream on Netflix November 25, 2026.
Theater Performance
The film debuted in 349 theaters and was removed from 40 theaters in its second week.
Critical Response
Collider's Maggie Lovitt described The Mosquito Bowl as 'an exceedingly by-the-books film that adds very little new to the canon of war epics.'
“an exceedingly by-the-books film that adds very little new to the canon of war epics”
Oscar Campaign
Netflix is positioning The Mosquito Bowl for Oscar nominations in Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, International Film, and Best Song.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Mosquito Bowl has a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, dropping to 33% before rebounding to 45%.
Theater Removal Impact
The film was removed from 40 theaters after a poor critical reception and low box office performance.
Release Strategy
Netflix plans to release films theatrically before streaming to qualify for Oscar nominations.
Theater Numbers
The Mosquito Bowl debuted in 349 theaters and was removed from 40 theaters in its second week.
The bottom line
Netflix removed 'The Mosquito Bowl' from 40 theaters following poor critic reviews and a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score.
