Movie ID needed - released on video before hitting theaters

[AuntiePam]

It was set in a factory and I think the factory made dolls, and I think there was a murder. The movie came out on DVD before it was released to theaters. Direct-to-video isn’t unusual but this wasn’t a schlocky movie, and it got some additional attention because it went straight to DVD, then later to theaters.

I want to think the title had “bubbles” in it, but I’m not sure, and searching for “bubbles” didn’t bring results.

Ring any bells? I want to see it again.

[voltaire]

I was curious, so I Googled “doll factory murder bubble” and the first result was:

Bubble

Bubble is a movie directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was shot on high-definition video and was made for a relatively small budget of $1.6 million. It also featured some unusual production aspects.

<snip>
*
Bubble* was released simultaneously in movie theaters and on the cable/satellite TV network HDNet Movies on January 27, 2006. The DVD was released a few days later on January 31.

[AuntiePam]

Thank you! and :smack: me for not being able to find it.

[gaffa]

Actually, it was shown on HD-Net and in theaters simultaneously - not sure when the DVD came out. The theater owners did what they always did when this is tried - run no ads and show it for the minimum amount of time permitted under their contract. This is what happened to The Pirates of Penzance back in 1983.