In seismic shift, Warner Bros. to stream all 2021 films

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JAKE COYLE

NEW YORK (AP) — In the most seismic shift by a Hollywood studio yet during the pandemic, Warner Bros. Pictures on Thursday announced that all of its 2021 film slate — including a new “Matrix” movie, “Godzilla vs. Kong” and the Lin-Manuel Miranda adaptation “In the Heights” — will stream on HBO Max at the same time the films play in theaters.

Among the myriad release plan changes wrought by the pandemic, no studio has so fully embraced streaming as a lifeline. But after disappointing domestic ticket sales for “Tenet,” and with the majority of U.S. theaters currently closed, the AT&T-owned Warner Bros. will turn to a hybrid distribution model next year. Films will debut simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in the U.S. After one month, they will stop streaming and continue to play only in theaters.

The move follows Warner Bros.′ decision to put “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max in December, along with a concurrent theatrical run. If that pivot sent shockwaves through the industry, Thursday’s announcement rattled Hollywood to the core.

“Given the unprecedented time that we’re in, we needed a creative solution to address our fans, our filmmakers and our exhibitors, said Ann Sarnoff, chief executive of WarnerMedia Studios, in an interview. “Big and bold is a necessity right now.”



This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Timothee Chalamet, left, and Rebecca Ferguson in a scene from the upcoming 2021 film "Dune." Warner Bos. Pictures on Thursday announced that all of its 2021 film slate will stream on HBO Max at the same time they play in theaters. (Chia Bella James/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/warner-bros-stream-all-2021-films-92b80a6304dda71db50a84aa064a4378

[Stuart G]

1. In a way...very sad...Death to many movie theaters..Hope this ends when the pandemic leaves...

...If it ever leaves...

[PSPS]

6. The movie theater business model has been failing for decades

The pandemic just sped up the arrival of its total collapse. The same thing goes for many other businesses like shopping malls. They were dying before the pandemic and were on the path to oblivion anyway. Covid just sped it up.

[underpants]

2. Warner Bros. confirmed the films will be available to subscribers with no further charge.

My wife asked about if we would have to pay. Seems to me they could charge something but hey I’m not the head of a movie studio.

[LSparkle]

3. Long overdue

We were promised simultaneous streaming and theatrical releases at least 5 years ago but it took COVID to get it done! Hallelujah from those of us who love films but no longer enjoy the theater experience and would prefer to see movies from home.

[exboyfil]

5. I never expected it to happen

And it breaks the large budget movie economic model. It might be that great movies with great looking special effects and sets can still be made especially seeing some of the technology being used on The Mandolorian.

[Arne]

4. Every town has a movie house of some kind,

they could make homeless shelters, as sad as that sounds.

[pstokely]

7. will they force you to watch a 1/2hr of previews like the theaters do?

if you got kids, it will be cheaper and more coinvent to stream them, and you can pause them for bathroom breaks

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. I'm "old school" when it comes to certain movies. I like to

watch them on the big screen. I also love our neighborhood theater. Especially after the Art Deco renovation from 5 yrs ago.