Denzel Washington’s Highest 2 Lowest is coming out in only a few months, and it sounds like a film that should be a major success on paper, but there’s already one decision that could hurt it. The 2025 movie is the long-awaited reunion between Denzel Washington and Spike Lee. It’s been nearly 20 years since they last made a movie together, 2006’s Inside Man. It’s this reunion that has made Highest 2 Lowest so exciting for a long time. That’s also why studios like A24 and Apple Studios were interested in being involved in the project.

A24 and Apple Studios were announced as being part of Highest 2 Lowest from the moment the project was first confirmed in February 2024. This came with the confirmation that A24 would handle the film’s theatrical release, while a worldwide rollout on Apple TV+ would come later on. Given Denzel Washington’s box office history, Highest 2 Lowest coming out in theaters during the end of the summer season positioned it as a film that could be a strong performer for A24 and Apple. However, the Highest 2 Lowest trailer confirmed a release decision that doesn’t make much sense.

Highest 2 Lowest Is Only Going To Be In Theaters For 2 Weeks Before It Goes To Streaming

The Trailer Confirmed The Release Schedule

When A24 and Apple released the Highest 2 Lowest trailer recently, it also came with confirmation that the movie would come out on August 22, 2025. This is when A24 is releasing the new Denzel Washington and Spike Lee movie in theaters first. The movie should experience a long, exclusive theatrical run from that point on, judging by how the indie-focused studio typically operates. A24 movies normally play exclusively in theaters for well over 100 days before they go to Max as part of a deal between the studio and Warner Bros.

Highest 2 Lowest does not come from that partnership, which is how A24 and Apple both got involved. But that also means a change in the normal release strategy for A24. Highest 2 Lowest is already confirmed to release on Apple TV+ on September 5, 2025. It is making its streaming debut exactly two weeks after it premieres in theaters. In other words, Highest 2 Lowest is only getting a 14-day exclusive theatrical window. That’s unheard of in Hollywood, especially for a movie with this level of genre appeal and star power.

Hollywood has become much more comfortable with shorter theatrical exclusivity in recent years. The pandemic shortened windows industry-wide, especially when it came to digital releases. And while several studios are re-establishing longer theatrical runs that make people wait for a movie to come to streaming, Highest 2 Lowest is going a completely different route. It will have one of the shortest theatrical exclusivity windows for a significant release in years, if not ever. The purpose appears to be to drive interest to Apple TV+.

Highest 2 Lowest’s Release Plan Will Undoubtedly Hurt Its Box Office

Another Viewing Option Is Not A Benefit

Apple is making it no secret that there will be an alternative option to watch Highest 2 Lowest besides in theaters. Most people know that movies come to digital or streaming quicker nowadays, but it is not normal to announce a streaming date this early. It appears that the marketing for the film will continue to make it clear to viewers that Highest 2 Lowest will be streaming just two weeks after it hits theaters. Apple is communicating to everyone that there is no rush to see the film in theaters, as a more convenient option will come soon after.

This raises red flags when it comes to Highest 2 Lowest‘s box office potential. The movie was never going to be a тιтle that contended with the biggest hits of the year, but a strong opening and domestic run was still feasible with a wide release. Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman made $93 million worldwide against a $15 million budget back in 2018. And the last time Spike and Denzel worked together? Inside Man made $186 million worldwide off a $45 million budget in 2006.

Considering how much Highest 2 Lowest feels like Inside Man, there was reason to think the 2025 crime thriller could do well financially. Now, there’s uncertainty about how much people will really prioritize seeing it in theaters when it’ll be on streaming so quickly. It even raises questions about how wide of a release Highest 2 Lowest will get from A24 and if it will remain in theaters beyond the initial two weeks when its not available on streaming. Those details are currently unconfirmed.

Denzel Washington’s Box Office Track Record Indicates Highest 2 Lowest Would Be Successful With A Normal Theatrical Release

He’s A Proven Crime Movie Star

Denzel Washington being at the forefront of Highest 2 Lowest gave the film an undeniable draw for its box office run. He’s no stranger to being part of major productions that find their audience in theaters. Gladiator II broke the record to be his highest-grossing movie of his excellent career, and that was his last movie before Highest 2 Lowest. While his track record spans all genres, crime movies tend to be his strongest and most consistent performers.

The proof is clear by looking at his last 10 crime movies before Highest 2 Lowest. Nine of them made over $100 million worldwide, while five made over $190 million. This doesn’t even account for prior crime hits in Man on Fire ($130 million), John Q ($102 million), and Training Day ($104 million). That’s a pretty terrific history for Highest 2 Lowest to build on.

I feel confident that the movie would do well at the box office if it received a regular theatrical release like these other films. Interest could be proven to be high enough from the get-go that the quick streaming release won’t matter too much, but that’s not what I expect. In an age where blockbusters, horror, and animation are what typically do well at the box office, a lot of adults could decide just to wait to see Highest 2 Lowest until it’s available from the comfort of their own homes.

Apple Could Be Nervous About Highest 2 Lowest’s Box Office Chances

But They Shouldn’t Be

The quick streaming release for Highest 2 Lowest is indefensible when considering Denzel’s history, and even Spike’s to some degree. It doesn’t make sense given the director and star’s history no matter how you cut it. However, their history is not something Apple is comfortable relying on. While Highest 2 Lowest‘s tandem indicates they should have faith in them, the only reasonable way to explain the decision is by looking at Apple’s history with theatrical releases.

Apple Studios has been in the movie business for a few years now, and they’ve spent the last few years putting major releases in theaters and not getting the results desired. Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson’s space race rom-com Fly Me To The Moon made a modest $42 million despite costing $100 million. Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard’s action film managed $96 million after Apple spent over $200 million on it. The studio even pulled plans to put George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s action crime thriller Wolfs in theaters just last year.

Apple has had some performances that could be viewed as victories. Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon made $158 million, and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon made $221 million in theaters. Both productions carried budgets of $200 million. They might not have turned a profit at the box office, but they were never expected to do so. Apple always counted on these films generating additional revenue through digital and streaming sales. Still, Apple has seen its fair share of big-budget productions hit theaters and not generate the box office returns to necessitate that release.

Highest 2 Lowest is a different situation, though. A24’s involvement means Apple’s costs would be shared. There’s also no way the crime thriller cost as much as the aforementioned тιтles. Spike Lee’s movies tend to have small or mid-sized budgets. Apple’s history may help explain why they’d want to limit Highest 2 Lowest‘s theatrical run. But when you factor in Denzel’s track record, there’s no good way to rationalize the film not receiving a longer exclusive theatrical run and maximizing its box office potential.