The news that Warner Bros. will simultaneously release its 2021 slate of movies to both theaters and HBO Max has been a shock, to say the least. After a year of uncertainty over the future of the traditional cinema experience, and tensions between studios and theater chains, WB’s move could set an industry-changing precedent. Although new releases will only get a month of streaming at the same time as they open on the big screen, it’s likely that many viewers will choose to stay at home. What major titles, then, will be coming to HBO Max next year?
Well, following on from Wonder Woman 1984‘s Christmas Day launch, the first on-demand picture will be January 15th’s Mortal Kombat reboot. With James Wan as one of the producers, we’re looking forward to seeing if it can justify another adaptation, especially now that fatalities are apparently allowed.
Next up will be the Denzel Washington-starring thriller The Little Things, and the new Tom & Jerry film, while The Sopranos fans will finally get a chance to see Alan Taylor and David Chase’s prequel The Many Saints of Newark in March, with the sci-fi flick Reminiscence coming in April. Moving into the prospective summer blockbuster season, and the long-delayed Godzilla vs. Kong will stream in parallel with its May 21st traditional premiere, while The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights arrive in June.
We’ll also be getting Space Jam: A New Legacy in July, as well as James Gunn’s awesome-looking The Suicide Squad in August, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in October. For the typical awards and holiday season blockbusters, meanwhile, HBO Max will show Will Smith’s tennis biopic King Richard and The Matrix 4.
Here’s what to expect from the 2021 schedule:
January 15th –Â Mortal Kombat
January 29th – The Little Things
March 9th – Tom & Jerry
March 12th – The Many Saints of Newark
April 16th – 2021 – Reminiscence
May 21st – Godzilla vs. Kong
June 4th – The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
June 18th – In the Heights
July 16th – Space Jam: A New Legacy
August 6th – The Suicide Squad
October 1st – Dune
November 19th – King Richard
December 22nd – The Matrix 4
TBC – Those Who Wish Me Dead
TBC – Malignant
TBC – Judas and the Black Messiah
TBC – Cry Macho
A pretty great list, then, even if there will be presumably be a backlash from a beleaguered exhibition industry that’s already been hit very hard this year. Which of these films are you most looking forward to, though? As per usual, let us know in the comments section down below.
