Idris Elba's 'Beasts of No Nation,' Adam Sandler's 'Ridiculous Six' get Netflix release dates

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., July 8 (UPI) -- Netflix has announced the release dates of its upcoming, high-profile films Beasts of No Nation and The Ridiculous Six.

Written and directed by Cary Fukunaga, Beasts of No Nation is an adaptation of Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala's story about a child soldier forced to fight in a civil war in Africa. Starring Idris Elba, the film will debut Oct. 16 worldwide on Netflix, on the same day it opens in select U.S. theaters.

Helmed by Frank Coraci, The Ridiculous Six will be the first of four Adam Sandler comedies that will be available exclusively on Netflix. The western stars Sandler, Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Luke Wilson and Nick Nolte. It will premiere Dec. 11.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend -- the sequel to the 2000 mythical, martial-arts adventure Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- will be released theatrically in China, and on IMAX and Netflix globally, in early 2016.

The family comedy Pee-wee's Big Holiday, with Paul Reubens returning to his iconic role of the fun-loving, child-like Pee-wee Herman, will premiere via the online streaming service in March.