The streaming giant purchased The Cloverfield Paradox from Paramount and announced the shock release in an advert that aired during the game

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Netflix will launch the third Cloverfield movie as a surprise after this year’s Super Bowl.

The film, called The Cloverfield Paradox, was sold by Paramount to the streaming network after the studio decided against the planned theatrical release in April. It follows on from 2008’s Cloverfield and 2016’s 10 Cloverfield Lane.

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Set in space, the thriller stars David Oyelowo, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Daniel Bruhl and Chris O’Dowd. Unlike 10 Cloverfield Lane, the film is believed to have a connection to the first film with the trailer suggesting it might explain why New York was invaded in the first place. It’s rumored to have a $40m-plus budget.

An early plot description teased a group of astronauts stuck on a space station after earth vanishes. They then make a “horrible discovery”.

The release is one of the many high-profile purchases by Netflix this year that sees a shift in strategy. The company also picked up international rights to the Natalie Portman-starring thriller Annihilation and will launch it weeks after the US release later this month. A similar release is also planned for New Line’s Shaft reboot later this year.

Online rumors also suggest that a fourth Cloverfield movie has already finished production and its working title is Overload. It’s set during the second world war and is based around a supernatural Nazi experiment. Its release is allegedly set for October.