The new movie experience may never be the same again after a big move by Warner Bros. who just announced that they will simultaneously be launching their entire 2021 film slate both theatrically and on their HBO Max streaming service.
When it was first announced that Warner Bros. would be releasing Wonder Woman 1984 both theatrically and on the HBO Max streaming service this Christmas, it was expected to be a one-off kind of release as a way to get this particular film to audiences after a full year of delays brought on by post-production changes and the current Coronavirus pandemic. The studio has now revealed that while this will be the first film they release this way, it will certainly not be the last. They are now preparing to launch their entire lineup of films for 2021 this way on their planned respective release dates.
This is a huge shake-up of the film industry’s standard practices that really shows just how drastically the global pandemic has affected the bottom line for movie studios and theaters alike. This move also highlights the drastically increasing importance being placed on streaming services right now in response to the current global health crisis.
While they will likely take a few hits financially by releasing these films this way, it also will likely bring some much-needed attention to their self-owned streaming service, HBO Max. The service launched earlier this year and has since generated little buzz in the industry. HBO Max could definitely use a boost to its subscription numbers and good word of mouth, especially when compared to the massive success of other recently launched rival services like Disney+. It will also help that they still plan on releasing these films theatrically for those who want to see them this way and are able to do so safely.
Films released with this approach will be available for streaming on HBO Max for 31 days. Once these films hit the one-month mark on the service, they will be pulled while they finish out their normal theatrical runs. Eventually, these will be available for rental and purchase through online streaming retail platforms like Fandango, Amazon, and iTunes, in addition to the standard physical media release. Warner Bros. has currently not said if or when any of these films will be heading back to the HBO Max platform once they are removed.
Films that are currently on Warner Bros. 2021 release slate include but are not limited to:
- Dune
- Godzilla vs KongÂ
- In the Heights
- Judas And The Black MessiahÂ
- King Richard
- Malignant
- Mortal KombatÂ
- Reminiscence
- Space Jam: A New LegacyÂ
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
- The Little ThingsÂ
- The Many Saints of Newark
- The Matrix 4
- The Suicide Squad
- Those Who Wish Me Dead
- Tom And JerryÂ
Warner Bros. Executives have said they are not currently planning to continue this release strategy past 2021, and that it is being viewed as a temporary solution due to the ongoing health crisis that the world is facing.
What are your thoughts on this massive change in how Warner Bros. films will be released next year? Do you think this will make things better or worse financially for the company? Let us know in the comments section below! Be sure to stick around here at Geek Anything for all of the latest Warner Bros. News!
Source: Variety
