Like for many industries in 2020, the movies from production to theaters have taken a big hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, WarnerMedia is looking to a new business model to get their films out to the public, even if movie theaters aren’t operating.
This aggressive strategy will see WarnerMedia releasing every single one of its movies in 2021 simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service. This new business model will have the movies only stream on HBO Max for a month before leaving the platform for a period of time. Those wanting the theater experience will be able to do so as, Warner is keeping the relationship with movie theater distributors like AMC and Regal, who have been especially hard during the pandemic.
As of this news, the movies Warner Bros. is planning to release include:**
- The Little Things
- Judas and the Black Messiah
- Tom & Jerry
- Godzilla vs. Kong
- 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
- Malignant
- Dune
- The Many Saints of Newark
- King Richard
- Cry Macho
- Matrix 4
** Titles could change depending on delays.
All films will be released on HBO Max in 4K Ultra HD and HDR.
This move will also likely help WarnerMedia reach an agreement with Roku after months of fighting over a deal.
Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff had this to say about the model:
“We’re living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative for the Warner Bros. Pictures Group. 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 following factors also played a role in this announcement, aside from Covid-19 were the fact that HBO Max is supposed to play into the future of Warner Bros., WarnerMedia, and parent company AT&T. This also stems from what happened when Warner Bros. tried to release the movie Tenet in theaters during the pandemic, and the studio lost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Needless to say that blockbuster films will continue to be in theaters in some manner in the future, but the question remains will this model continue beyond the one-year event, which it is intended to be, or is this a major shift in the film industry.
WarnerMedia is also offering a limited deal, making HBO Max 22 percent cheaper for people who sign up for six months. The $69.99 price works out to just under $12 a month instead of $15