2021’s New ‘CONJURING’, ‘MATRIX 4’, ‘DUNE’, ‘GODZILLA VS. KONG’ And More Will Be Available on HBOMax The Exact Same Day As Their Theatrical Release

Warner Brothers seems to be ready to not take any chances with 2021 by implementing a back-up plan in response to COVID-19. They will be releasing their 17-film 2021 motion picture slate simultaneously on HBOMax – a move that is driven off the experiment of Wonder Woman 1984 later this month.

I haven’t been to the theater in 10 months and I miss it. I also miss hosting Late Nite Grindhouse, our theatrical retrospective program. However, during these times, I feel safety is more important than experiencing a film on the big screen, as magical as that may be. In addition, I have tons of Blu-Rays I need to crack the seal on (cough, Vinegar Syndrome, cough).

Warners decision here is pretty bold. By making this announcement some could say that they are starting what was feared by NATO (National Association of Theater Owners) and theater chains across the nation. I feel that movies should be seen on the biggest screen possible but with the availability coming into households, this is going to be tough for theatres. If you have an HBOMax subscription, your family of five or just you can watch one of next year’s films right in your own home on the same day of its theatrical release. The fear is that if other studios do this, the only attendees of theaters, regardless of COVID-19, will be hardcore enthusiasts and lovers of film that would rather watch films on the biggest screen possible.

Genre offerings in the WB 2021 slate (that are also advertised) are:

• Godzilla vs. Kong
• Mortal Kombat
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
• Dune
• The Matrix 4
• The Suicide Squad