The smell of popcorn.
The stroll through the lobby.
Previews. Amped sound systems. Dimming lights. Anticipation.
Going to the movies is an experience for just about every sense, but the pandemic has changed how we watch films as releases have been delayed and theaters have been temporarily closed, or shuttered all together.
And now, Warner Bros. is making a drastic change in how they premiere their movies. All of its 2021 releases will debut both in theaters (where open) and on the HBO Max streaming service. This comes after the company announced Wonder Woman 1984 will release on HBO Max on Christmas Day — we know our producer Jo is drooling for this one. And now next year’s releases like the Space Jam sequel, The Matrix 4, Godzilla vs. Kong, Dune and The Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark, will all release simultaneously in theaters and the streaming app.
It’s a loss for theaters and Warner Bros., but it’s a win for HBO Max and consumers who don’t mind seeing films on smaller screens — or just don’t like dealing with people. Part of the decision was based on disappointing numbers for Tenet, a highly anticipated film that was badly hurt by its theatrical release during the pandemic.
Psst: Tenet will be available for home watching Dec. 15. This is one that much of our Windsong team was anticipating in 2020.
Will other production companies follow Warner Bros.’ lead to get their films in front of eyeballs? Will this continue beyond 2021 and eventually hand movie theaters the same fate as Blockbuster Video-type stores — extinction?
We hope not, because there’s nothing quite like the theater experience.
There is no substitute for seeing a great movie in a packed (and relatively well-behaved) theater, but things are going to be a mess for at least the first half of next year. Still, feels like a genie you can't put back in the bottle once it's out. https://t.co/XMOfpPznh9
— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) December 3, 2020
