British actor Hugh Grant has expressed strong frustration with the rise of the streaming era, following Netflix's massive takeover of Warner Bros Discovery. 

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 in Delhi on Saturday, the 65-year-old told actor Rahul Khanna that the $82.7 billion acquisition — valuing Warner Bros Discovery at around $72 billion in equity — marks a worrying move away from the shared experience of moviegoing and toward the isolated world of watching films on a phone.

"I woke up and saw in the wonderful Hindustan Times that Netflix has purchased Warner Bros. For those who cherish the big-screen experience, that feels like yet another bit of bad news," Hugh added with a wry smile.

He went on to say that the idea of "dreaming" inside a cinema now feels unfamiliar to him. "I struggle to watch films on streaming platforms — honestly, I can't stand it. I love movies created for the big screen, shot on celluloid, meant to be experienced with an audience. It's disheartening to see everyone watching films on their phones," he said.

"A lot of the roles I'm offered now are for streaming platforms, and I just feel worn out by it — I can't muster any enthusiasm," Hugh added.

Announced on Friday, the deal places Netflix in control of Warner Bros, including its film and TV studios, as well as HBO Max and HBO, through a cash-and-stock agreement priced at $27.75 per Warner Bros Discovery share. The merger carries an enterprise value of roughly $82.7 billion, with about $72 billion accounted for in equity.

Hugh, who celebrated his 65th birthday this year, attributed his irritation to age and nostalgia, expressing hope that the classic charm of movie theatres will return. "I hope people eventually tire of the digital experience and find their way back to traditional cinema," he said.

"I was chatting with Shabana Azmi, and we were discussing how newspapers are increasingly shifting to digital formats to make money. I told her we need to return to print — if the content is strong, audiences will still buy it. The same goes for books and films. Go to a theatre and experience a movie with others. Watch people laugh, cry, or gasp, instead of sitting miserably at home streaming something that's just been dropped off by Deliveroo," he said.