Warner Bros. To Concurrently Release All Of Their 2021 Movies On HBO Max And In Theaters

Warner Bros. dropped bombshell news earlier today, announcing that they would concurrently release all of their 2021 films on their respective release dates on HBO Max and movie theaters. This means movies such as Space Jam: A New Legacy, Dune, Matrix 4 and others will be available to everyone with an HBO Max subscription for one month before the movie leaves the streaming platform and returns to a more traditional theatrical distribution method.

The strategy is a bold solution on Warner Bros.' part to the havoc the COVID-19 pandemic has wracked on the movie industry in 2020, which delayed the release of several of the studio's hotly-anticipated titles.

"We’re living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative for the Warner Bros. Pictures Group," said WarnerMedia Chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff. "No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. 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."

The announcement certainly caused a stir on social media, as people wrestled with the implications such a strategy might have on the film industry in the post-pandemic times

This is a big deal. Warner Bros. insists it's temporary, in response to the pandemic.

But at this point, is there anyone who believes we're ever going back to the old way?

— Ryan Faughnder (@RFaughnder) December 3, 2020

That loud noise in Beverly Hills is every agent’s phone ringing off the hook. Now comes the big talent scramble to get paid when theaters crumble and box office bonuses become a relic of the past.

— Matthew Belloni (@MattBelloni) December 3, 2020

This is truly mind-boggling. A huge game changer. HBO Max needed a big ticket draw and this is fucking it. Will other streamers follow suit? Will Warner Bros. extend this method beyond 2021? pic.twitter.com/xJ90kZdTFJ

— Anna Klassen (@AnnaJKlassen) December 3, 2020

Many were particularly concerned about movie theaters potentially going the way of Blockbuster if the model proves successful.

ugh I love movie theaters so much & this announcement doesn't bode well for their survival. Ordering popcorn that doesn't even taste great w/ a coke while watching an ok film in perfect AC while it's 90 degrees out? Don't take that perf experience away!!https://t.co/o3ayghcXuj

— Erin Strecker (@ErinStrecker) December 3, 2020

I truly hate this. I am saving so much money not going to the theaters like several times a month, but I'd gladly throw it away, like, yesterday to see a movie in theaters today. https://t.co/iRXap87Lzg

— Chris Quintana (@CQuintanaDC) December 3, 2020

Also, the wording of the announcement is a bit confusing. To be clear, the films will release on HBO Max and in theaters on their individual release day. They are not all releasing at the same time.

Raise your hand if you thought this meant "Warner Bros. will release all 2021 movies on HBO Max on the same day." https://t.co/kMNSm2IvAU

— Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) December 3, 2020

The first film to use this distribution will be Wonder Woman 1984, which will release on HBO Max and in theaters on December 25th. Suddenly, it's become one of the most important movie releases for the future of cinema in history.