Sony Releases "The Interview" Online

(CBS) -- It's the movie North Korea doesn't want you to see, but starting today you can watch "The Interview" without even leaving your home.

CBS 2's Chris Martinez reports the release was immediate and sudden. Just 24 hours after Sony said "The Interview" would be shown in some theaters, the film was released online.

Film critic Richard Roeper believes the release, on a variety of digital platforms, will likely pay off.

"Six bucks to rent it, that's less than it would cost to go to the movies," Roeper said.

That's not to say theaters are losing out.

Mike Moore's Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodrige is one of about 300 theaters nationwide moving forward with a full schedule. His pre-sales are already at a record for him.

"As of right now we have over 800 tickets sold alone for tomorrow," Moore said.

"I think there's gonna be some people who are going to rent it just to show support to freedom of speech and kinda wave their nose at whoever was behind these threats and everything," Roeper said.

You can rent the movie on Youtube and Google Play. Sony set up a website, seetheinterview.com.

Buffalo Grove Theatres offers the first showing of the movie tonight at midnight.