The moviegoing experience has obviously been a little different this year with the ongoing pandemic. With everyone staying home, a lot of major movies have gone directly to streaming services.
Well, things just got even more interesting in the world of cinema. Warner Bros. just announced it will release all of its 2021 films on HBO Max the same day as they hit theaters.
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The films will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max at no additional cost to subscribers. However, the movies will only be available to stream for the first 30 days, then will leave HBO Max.
This will include highly anticipated 2021 releases like The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Suicide Squad, Dune, In the Heights, and Godzilla vs. Kong.
Ann Sarnoff, the chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, emphasized in a press release that the model is only intended to last through 2021, not as a permanent plan.
“We’re living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions," Sarnoff said. “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 has sparked mixed reactions online. Some moviegoers are excited to have the option to stream, while others worry about the impact this could have on the future of movie theaters:
W for HBO Max L for movie theaters
Warner Bros and HBO Max:
I'll always like theaters more. I know people bring up ppl texting or talking. And sure, that happens sometimes. But to me it's nothing compared to what the distraction of my own phone, or my neighbor's barking dog, or pausing bc I got a work email, etc, do to a film experience.
You’re laughing. Movie theaters are dying and you’re laughing?
i dont want theaters to disappear completely but being able to watch a new movie from my house is more appealing to me than the theater experience. i have a nice enough TV, movies look pretty good on it https://t.co/y5y6F7BDZ8
Movie Theaters really are about to become a thing of the past.........