Warner Bros. to Share 2021 Theatrical Releases With HBO Max

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty for movie studios. With most of 2020’s major film releases either moved to 2021 or sent to video on demand or streaming platforms, there are still questions about next year.

Warner Bros. is the first studio to come up with an answer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it will bypass the normal window and have its major releases stream on HBO Max for 31 days, the same time they are in theaters.

Among the films now coming to HBO Max are The Matrix 4, The Suicide Squad, Dune, Godzilla vs Kong, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and In the Heights.

This is a huge change from how things normally work between studios and exhibitors, but the pandemic has forced everyone to think differently.

Executives are quick to stress that this is a pandemic specific situation. Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the change.

“We’re living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative for the Warner Bros. Pictures Group,” Sarnoff said. 

“No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do,” she continued. “We know new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021.”

HBO Max is currently only in the U.S., so films will still have regular theatrical releases internationally.

“With this unique one-year plan, we can support our partners in exhibition with a steady pipeline of world-class films, while also giving moviegoers who may not have access to theaters or aren’t quite ready to go back to the movies the chance to see our amazing 2021 films,” Sarnoff said.

“We see it as a win-win for film lovers and exhibitors, and we’re extremely grateful to our filmmaking partners for working with us on this innovative response to these circumstances,” she continued.

In November, Warner Bros. announced it was releasing Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max and in theaters on Christmas Day.

Universal previously announced a shorter window, pushing films to video on demand sooner.

For its part, Disney has put films like Hamilton, Mulan, and Soul, which is set for Christmas Day, on Disney+. As of the time this article was published, the House of Mouse still plans theatrical releases for most of its 2021 slate.

Which 2021 Warner Bros. movie will make you subscribe to HBO Max? Let us know in the comments. 

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