AT&T’s Warner Bros. announced Thursday that all of its films scheduled to launch in 2021 would be released on HBO Max at the same time they are available in theaters. This is currently a one year plan.
What We Know:
- According to CNBC, this is an example of how AT&T is adapting to the coronavirus pandemic, allowing people to safely watch new movies at home without having to venture out to a movie theater. Due to COVID-19, movie theaters were closed all around the world, and because of this, the shares for AMC were down 16%. The movie Wonder Woman 1984 was originally supposed to be released in the summer but was pushed back a number of times. This prompted Warner Media to release the movie on HBO Max on Christmas Day, as well as in some theaters.
- HBO Max is AT&T’s online video service that was released back in May. It costs $14.99 per month and also includes access to movies and television shows. The studio’s 2021 slate includes hotly anticipated sequels and would-be blockbusters such as Dune, The Suicide Squad, Matrix 4, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Godzilla vs. Kong, Mortal Kombat, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Other movies that are being released are Tom and Jerry, The Little Things, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Cry Macho.
- In April, Universal took a similar route when it came to releasing Trolls: World Tour. It was released online and in theaters at the same time. It wasn’t apart of the subscription package yet, so those who wanted to watch had to purchase it.
- In July, Universal shortened the number of days films needed to run in theaters before they were available online through an agreement with AMC Theaters. Before that accord, theaters had exclusive rights to Universal films for 90 days.
- Scott Mendelson, a box office analyst for Forbes, made a statement on USA Today. “This could be the gamechanger, theaters are doomed, and so on. But this just might be a stop-gap measure due to the pandemic. Studios need theater releases to make back their $200 million for tentpole movies.”
The subscription for HBO Max is always available to purchase. If you want to try it out before you buy, they have a 7-day free trial available.
