1 Year Later, The Godfather Director’s Misunderstood Masterpiece Deserves a Second Life on Streaming

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Francis Ford Coppola’s newest film is surprisingly difficult to find. After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and having a brief run in theaters, it was only available to rent digitally for a limited time. This is strange, especially now when almost any movie you can think of is easily accessible on streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, or available to rent or buy on platforms like Apple TV and YouTube. It really needs to be made more widely available.

Francis Ford Coppola is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers ever, and his first two Godfather films are his most famous successes. However, his entire career is filled with remarkable work. Films like Apocalypse Now and The Conversation demonstrate his skill as a storyteller and his technical expertise. He’s also explored different genres, with movies like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the 2011 horror film Twixt, continually evolving as a director. This long history of talent and varied interests culminated in one of the most unusual films of 2024.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis Is Better Than Anyone Gives It Credit

Despite being divisive, the film Megalopolis offers plenty to appreciate. Featuring wonderfully bizarre performances from actors like Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito, the story centers on Cesar Catalina, a gifted architect with a vision for a futuristic utopia within the city of New Rome. His ambitious plans are met with opposition from those in power, who prefer to maintain the status quo. The corrupt mayor, Franklyn Cicero, serves as the main obstacle to Cesar’s innovative ideas and hopeful vision.

This film is definitely different, and its poor box office performance proves the marketing didn’t connect with viewers. While presented as a fable, its surreal style wasn’t well-received when it was first released. Today’s movies tend to explain everything, which makes the unexplained ability of the main character, Cesar, to stop time even more puzzling. The film prioritizes atmosphere and thematic exploration over a straightforward plot, meaning elements like Cesar’s power aren’t explained directly, but instead serve to highlight the ideas Coppola wanted to convey.

At the heart of Megalopolis is a bold creative vision that challenges conventional thinking. This extends to how the film is made; Coppola initially experimented with a live actor appearing alongside the film during screenings, though this was later adjusted for wider release. Ultimately, Megalopolis is a deeply personal project, drawing on Coppola’s extensive career and exploring themes that are meaningful to him. While some aspects of the film may not appeal to everyone, it’s undeniable that Megalopolis is a remarkably original and ambitious work of cinema.

Making movies is a huge undertaking, and incredibly expensive – even smaller films can cost millions. It takes a lot of people working together to create a film that can reach a wide audience. Because of this, it’s unusual to see a movie that truly reflects the unique vision of a single artist. However, Megalopolis is exactly that. It’s a passionate, though sometimes confusing, film – flawed, yet beautiful – and a true reflection of Francis Ford Coppola’s long and impressive career. There’s never been anything quite like it. Megalopolis showcases both Coppola’s strengths and weaknesses, making it a remarkable achievement that deserves to be re-released for home viewing.

Explaining Megalopolis’ Strange Release

The making of Megalopolis was anything but typical. Francis Ford Coppola first conceived of the film in the 1970s, while completing Apocalypse Now. He imagined it as a story drawing parallels between the decline of Rome and what he saw as problems in modern America. For decades, Coppola worked on different versions of the script, getting close to making the film several times. Securing funding proved difficult throughout the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, as the movie was incredibly ambitious and expensive. Ultimately, it was the financial success of Coppola’s winery that allowed him to finally bring Megalopolis to life.

After finally premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, the independently produced film struggled to find a distributor. Critics were sharply divided, and most studios didn’t believe it would appeal to a wide audience, despite acknowledging the director’s ambitious vision. Lionsgate ultimately agreed to distribute the film, but in a unique arrangement, the director had to cover a significant portion of the marketing expenses. The film opened on 1800 screens in the US in September, but its box office run was disappointing, earning just $14.3 million worldwide.

The release of Megalopolis was a major letdown. Critics weren’t impressed, giving it a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences disliked it even more, with a score of just 34%. While the film became available digitally in November, it could only be rented, and that rental option disappeared quickly. In 2025, Coppola organized a special six-city tour with screenings in cities like Red Bank, New Jersey, and Denver, Colorado, hoping to emphasize the importance of seeing films in theaters.

I deliberately didn’t release the movie for purchase on DVD or streaming platforms because I wanted people to be able to see it in theaters. Many have asked why it’s not available in the usual ways, and I explained that I wanted to start with public screenings and discussions. This led to the idea of a tour where I could talk about the film and explore its themes with audiences afterward. Plus, showing it in theaters allowed it to be seen as originally intended, and ticket sales help support the film’s continued existence.

Do Megadoc And The Graphic Novel Suggest Another Release Soon?

Fans are hoping Megalopolis will be available to watch at home soon. Since the end of Francis Ford Coppola’s special theatrical run in early August, more *Megalopolisrelated content has been released. A new art book came out earlier this month and has been praised, with some believing it offers a more approachable way to experience the story. Plus, a graphic novel adaptation of the film has been paired with a companion film, which has actually been better received than Coppola’s original movie.

Mike Figgis’ documentary, Megadoc, is currently showing in select theaters. The film offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of Megalopolis, shedding light on Francis Ford Coppola’s vision and creative process. As a companion piece to Megalopolis, Megadoc has been praised by critics, currently holding a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It provides valuable insight into the film’s production, highlighting Coppola’s dedication and passion, as well as the work that went into the performances and special effects. While a digital release date hasn’t been announced yet, fans are hoping it will become available soon.

Fans are eagerly awaiting a home video and digital release of Megalopolis. While it’s best experienced on the big screen, the film still offers plenty to enjoy in any format. With related projects like Megadoc and a new graphic novel, interest in Megalopolis remains strong. A domestic release would give more people the opportunity to discover and appreciate Coppola’s unique and often misunderstood film.

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2025-10-24 17:40