Channing Tatum Blames Streaming For Hollywood's "Confused" State

Channing Tatum has shared his thoughts on how streaming has affected Hollywood, arguing it has confused the industry and the filmmaking process. According to Tatum, the constant pressure to produce content that performs algorithmically rather than artistically has left many filmmakers unsure of what kind of stories the industry truly values anymore.

In a recent appearance on Hot Ones, Tatum explained that the shift toward streaming has blurred the traditional development process, creating what he calls a “confused pipeline” for both talent and studios.

He suggested that as productions are being greenlit faster and supplied directly to streamers, the urgency to monetize content overshadows the ambition to make quality films, saying that at times, “it really feels like, at times, that you’re incentivized to make bad things to get paid, rather than make something really, really good.” Read his full comments below:

I think, now, when you get asked to do a movie, or you’re trying to get a movie made, it’s a very confused pipeline of possibilities, and it really feels like, at times, that you’re incentivized to make bad things to get paid, rather than make something really, really good, for the fucking people that actually get to see these things and people that I want to see these movies, the person that I was when I was a kid. And I want good movies.

Despite his criticism of the current system, Tatum made it clear that he is not entirely pessimistic about the future of Hollywood in the streaming era. The Jump Street franchise star acknowledged that while the streaming boom has been chaotic for the industry, it’s also forced necessary change and could lead to “something good.” In his own words:

“I’m like, ‘Man, I want to give my money to the good movies.’ It’s such an upside-down moment, but I do believe that the disruption is going to lead to something good. I do believe that. I do believe the streamers came in for a reason, and it had to change, it had to morph.”

The Hot Ones discussion came while Tatum was promoting his newest film, Roofman, an action-dramedy inspired by true events. The film follows Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger who becomes infamous for robbing McDonald’s restaurants by breaking in through their roofs. After escaping prison, Manchester hides and lives undetected in a Toys “R” Us until his plan is threatened when he begins a romance with a divorced mother.

Directed by Adam McKay, Roofman has received critical acclaim, holding an 85% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and marking Tatum’s return to high-concept comedy. Check the trailer out below:

Aside from Roofman, Tatum has multiple upcoming projects, including an Amazon MGM film with Brad Pitt about the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race, Dance Partners with Charlize Theron, thriller Josephine with Gemma Chan, alien invasion comedy Alpha Gang, Kokroach starring Zazie Beetz and Oscar Isaac, and Calamity Hustle, a Warner Bros. action-comedy co-starring Ryan Reynolds.

Tatum’s comments also reflect broader frustrations among artists and industry veterans. Gladiator director Ridley Scott once complained about the popularity of “mediocre” movies lately. The difference, however, is that Tatum presents this as a systemic issue rather than a lack of taste.

Roofman ​​​​​​is playing in theaters now.