The coronavirus pandemic has hit the movie-theater industry hard as people around the country have largely avoided (or been prohibited from) gathering in indoor crowds.
But even the optimism over a vaccine’s arrival may not be enough to save the theater industry, especially with the Thursday announcement from Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Pictures Group announced that it will release its entire 2021 film slate for streaming on HBO Max to run concurrent with the theatrical release. And by “entire film slate,” Warner Bros. means EVERYTHING. The Matrix, Dune, Space Jam, Suicide Squad will all be on HBO Max in addition to theaters.
Warner Bros. will release its entire 2021 film slate on HBO Max concurrent with domestic theatrical runs for one month, similar to the 'Wonder Woman' plan. pic.twitter.com/7AYbWjnlKu
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 3, 2020
In terms of the movie industry, it’s difficult to overstate how consequential this announcement will be for theaters.
Most blockbusters set for a 2020 release were delayed in order to have its full theatrical release (huge for revenue) in 2021. But this announcement could very well change how the movie theater industry functions in the future.
Twitter was already seeing it as the end for theaters.
RIP movie theaters 1905-2020.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 3, 2020
HBO Max: “We’re releasing all our 2021 films on streaming so you can watch them at home!”
Movie theaters: pic.twitter.com/p9WmUuQ8sS
— The Big Picture (@TheBigPic) December 3, 2020
Movie theaters are in deep, deep, deep trouble. https://t.co/EuncVMVtH7
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 3, 2020
Theaters are the new vinyl. There will always ne a place for people who want to see a great film (or a classic) on a big screen. But the multiplex model is dead. https://t.co/lkX31uJMBO
— John Walters (@jdubs1966) December 3, 2020
This big WB news is potentially crippling for theaters and may well change the industry forever, but it probably was inevitable after the way this year has gone. The question is, how many other studios will follow along with something similar?
— Joey Magidson (@JoeyMagidson) December 3, 2020
Wow. This is huge. Possibly the beginning of the end for movie theaters? https://t.co/6op5L4WPrh
— Dave 'Stay At Home' Smith (@redletterdave) December 3, 2020
I can't tell if this is an acknowledgement that theaters are doomed or an acknowledgement that HBO Max fudged their launch and are desperate for market share. https://t.co/kbTPk5rFuK
— Brandon Bird (@Brandon_Bird) December 3, 2020
this is absolutely horrible for theaters but realistically if most people aren't getting vaccinated until next fall…i dunno. https://t.co/UTy8eCsZxx
— Alex Yablon (@AlexYablon) December 3, 2020
We’ll have to see if the other studios — NBC Universal, Viacom, Disney — make similar moves with their streaming services. But for now, it doesn’t look good for theaters in 2021.
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