Warner Bros. will release all their upcoming 2021 movies on HBO Max the same day as theaters. After shutting down back in March as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic took a turn for the worse, many theaters reopened in late August and early September in the hopes of drumming up business. Unfortunately, things didn't go as intended (particularly in the U.S.), as COVID-19 was never contained. With new cases continuing to spike, theatrical releases such as Tenet and New Mutants struggled commercially, forcing studios to alter their release slates even more. Several highly-anticipated projects planned for fall and winter debuts were pushed back to 2021.
For the longest time, studios were hesitant to release their massive blockbusters on streaming services and premium VOD, but that has changed as 2020's gone on. The live-action Mulan remake released on Disney+ as their first Premier Access title, and Wonder Woman 1984 will hit HBO Max on Christmas Day. Recently, there's been talk of other WB movies going to HBO Max, including Godzilla vs. Kong and Tom & Jerry. As it turns out, the studio's full lineup is going to streaming.
Today, HBO Max announced all 17 of WB's movies in 2021 will be released on the streaming service the same day as theaters. The movies will be available to all HBO Max subscribers at no additional cost. They'll be exclusively on the service for a month, similar to Wonder Woman 1984. Check out their announcement Tweet and a full list of titles in the space below:
- The Little Things
- Judas and the Black Messiah
- Tom & Jerry
- Godzilla vs. King
- Mortal Kombat
- Those Who Wish Me Dead
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
- In the Heights
- Space Jam: A New Legacy
- The Suicide Squad
- Reminiscence
- Maligant
- Dune
- The Many Saints of Newark
- King Richard
- Cry Macho
- The Matrix 4
This is clearly the most drastic shakeup to the traditional release model since the pandemic began and illustrates WB isn't convinced audiences will be ready to return to the multiplex in full force in 2021. Medical experts have said theaters won't be safe until a year after a COVID-19 vaccine is distributed. The studio is adjusting to the new normal by actively moving forward with an alternative mean of distributing their films, ensuring they can be seen safely by the widest audience possible. In all likelihood, HBO Max will see a massive rise in subscriptions, as this is a boon of top tier content that will give them an edge over competitors in the streaming wars. That should help make up some of the difference in box office grosses, since WB's tentpoles clearly won't earn as much as they would in a typical year.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact the development has on the entertainment industry. Disney may feel pressured to respond by doing the same thing for their 2021 slate, which includes blockbusters like Black Widow, Eternals, and more. With the exception of rare hits like The Mandalorian and Hamilton, Disney+ doesn't have much to offer in terms of appealing original content. Even if this strategy only lasts for a year (as WB is currently saying), HBO Max has a clear advantage in that crucial area. And while it's great for viewers these anticipated WB films are going straight to their living rooms, it's also hard to not feel bad for theater owners, who could have even more trouble getting back on their feet next year. In many ways, WB changed the business.
Source: HBO Max