Ryan Reynolds’ action-comedy Free Guy is currently in an exclusive theatrical release, but when and where will it be available to watch online? Free Guy’s cast and characters simultaneously bring a video game simulation and real-life players into a combined goal of saving the game before its creator can wipe the servers. Guy (Reynolds), a Non-Player Character in Free City goes from a background figure to the hero of the game, saving his friends from deletion and helping a real-world player find proof of her stolen algorithm.
Free Guy is one of the only new blockbuster films, especially under Disney’s ownership, to have a theatrical release without simultaneously being available via streaming. Movies like Black Widow, The Suicide Squad, and Space Jam 2 have all been released in movie theaters while also being available on streaming services the same day. Free Guy’s opening box office earnings have also exceeded its forecasts, which may be due to a strict theatrical debut, though the pandemic has still kept its numbers below typical numbers.
The unprecedented success of Free Guy, a new IP franchise, at the box office may deter Disney from wanting it to quickly go to streaming, but that won’t stop its current schedule. Here’s a breakdown of what day and through which streaming service Free Guy will be available online.
When Free Guy Releases Online
Free Guy, along with the MCU’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is one of Disney’s first exclusive theatrical releases since the pandemic. In testing out sole theatrical debuts after Disney's controversies over Black Widow and Cruella, Free Guy will have a shortened 45-day window of exclusivity in theaters before being released online or through VOD. There hasn’t yet been a release date set by Disney or 20th Century Fox for being available online for streaming, but it will definitely be available in one form or another after the 45-day embargo. Since Free Guy premiered in theaters on August 13th, 2021, the movie is expected to hit online VOD and/or streaming sometime on or around September 27, 2021.
Where & How To Watch Free Guy Online
Although Free Guy is now owned by Disney, the first streaming service it will hit exclusively is HBO Max. Free Guy was still a part of Fox’s slate of IP during their deal with WarnerMedia, which (via Variety) extends until 2022 for exclusive releases on HBO. Since WarnerMedia’s deal still goes through 2022, certain projects in Fox’s acquisition by Disney won’t be allowed streaming freedom on Disney+ until later than expected. Free Guy, like X-Men: Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants, was greenlit before Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, so their release schedules are still partially bound to the original contractual agreement with WarnerMedia through HBO Max.
As such, if Disney decides to immediately release Free Guy on streaming after the 45-day embargo, the movie will go straight to HBO Max for a certain amount of time. Although, it's still unclear if Disney will decide to release Free Guy via VOD for a period before putting it on HBO. If Disney opts to release Free Guy after 45 days through rentals on services like Amazon Prime Video and iTunes to make more profit, HBO Max won’t see the streaming benefits as quickly but the studio will also have to wait longer for Free Guy to be available on Disney+. Either way, the first place to watch Free Guy online for no additional fees will be through an HBO Max subscription.