Los Angeles ? The Christmas-themed movie “Noel” most likely won’t be coming to a theater near you — but if you miss it on cable, there’s always the self-destructing DVD.

The movie’s producers hope its “trimultaneous” rollout this month, which starts this weekend with a theater release in just five major cities, will prove the public is willing to “rent” movies that must be tossed in the trash after just a viewing or two.

Disposable DVDs look and play like normal DVDs, but their playable surface is dark red.

Each disc contains a chemical time-bomb that begins ticking once it’s exposed to air. Typically, after 48 hours, the disc turns darker, eventually becoming so opaque that a DVD player’s laser no longer can read it. (Discs can live as little as one hour or as long as 60 hours.)

The format has been around for a few years but hasn’t generated much interest from movie studios, video rental companies or customers, despite experiments to deliver movies direct to consumers and eliminate late fees.

Enter “Noel,” an emotional Christmas story starring Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams. The independent film was shown at this year’s Toronto Film Festival but didn’t attract interest from mainstream distribution companies.

So the Atlanta-based Convex Group bought distribution rights and is releasing the film on a few dozen screens. Then, starting midmonth, the movie will be available in the disposable EZ-D format for $4.99 on Amazon.com. On cable, it will air once, on TNT, during Thanksgiving weekend.

The technology’s backers see it as an alternative for video rental stores and Netflix-type mail-based subscription services. After the movie is watched, the consumer tosses it into the trash, eliminating late fees and the cost of return mail — but creating a potentially large new source of trash.

A DVD of the Christmas-themed movie Noel carries warnings that the movie must be used immediately after opening, because it has been recorded on a disposable disc. Disposable DVDs look and play like normal DVDs. But once the disc is exposed to air, it darkens and eventually becomes opaque so that a DVD player can no longer read it.

Blockbuster Inc. hasn’t embraced disposable DVDs because it says it does not want to confuse customers.

“We really don’t see the idea going anywhere, ultimately,” Blockbuster spokesman Randy Hargrove said of disposable DVDs.