Warners to simultaneously release 2021 films on HBO Max

Warner Brothers have revealed plans to simultaneously release their 2021 slate of movies on HBO Max as well as in cinemas.

The news comes as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to batter cinema release schedules and threaten the future of several major cinema chains. Even with vaccination programmes now starting, it appears that some studios have doubts over the long-term viability of cinemas and want to make sure that they have alternate release plans in place for their films.

The following films will air on HBO Max simultaneously in 4K and HD with their cinema release, where HBO Max is available. The films will be available for one month after their initial release date:

• Mortal Kombat (15 January 2021)
• The Little Things (29 January 2021)
• Tom & Jerry (5 March 2021)
• The Many Saints of Newark (12 March 2021)
• Reminiscence (16 April 2021)
• Godzilla vs. Kong (21 May 2021)
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (4 June 2021)
• In the Heights (18 June 2021)
• Space Jam: A New Legacy (16 July 2021)
• The Suicide Squad (7 August 2021)
• Dune (1 October 2021)
• King Richard (19 November 2021)
• The Matrix 4 (22 December 2021)
• Cry Macho (unconfirmed)
• Judas and the Black Messiah (unconfirmed)
• Malignant (unconfirmed)
• Those Who Wish Me Dead (unconfirmed)

In territories where HBO Max is not available, the situation is less clear. In the UK HBO has an exclusive release contract with Sky Television until 2024, leading to the possibility of the films being released over Sky streaming services instead. This is already the plan with Wonder Woman 1984, which is being released on Sky one month after its US cinema release on Christmas Day.