In an unprecedented move, Warner Bros. announced that all of its 2021 releases will stream on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. The announcement affects a diverse array of films, including some of 2021's most high-profile films.
2021 was already expected to be a big year for HBO Max, with the Snyder Cut of Friends reunion coming to the streaming service early next year. Now, HBO Max is primed for an absolutely massive year, arguably at the expense of movie theaters nationwide. While audiences will still be able to see these films in theaters, there is no denying that their availability online will severely hinder these films' performances at the box office.
The future of cinemas will remain a hotly contested topic in the months to come, but in the meantime, viewers might as well get excited about the extensive list of films they will be able to consume from the comfort of their own home. At no extra charge, HBO Max will allow fans to stream films like Denis Villeneuve's The Suicide Squad. Here is the full list of Warner Bros. films coming to HBO Max in 2021.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The third film in The Conjuring series, and the eighth in the franchise overall, The Devil Made Me Do It is one of only two horror films included on Warner Bros' HBO Max slate. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the film follows their involvement with a 1981 murder trial in suburban Connecticut. It is worth noting that director James Wan, who helmed the first two films, will not return as director for this installment. Instead, The Curse of La Llorona director Michael Chaves will take control. The film is currently slated to release on June 4th, 2021.
Cry Macho
Clint Eastwood has been one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood for several decades now, so it's only fitting that his latest film - Cry Macho - is included in this historic decision from Warner Bros. Cry Macho takes place in 1978 and follows a retired rodeo star who agrees to bring his former boss' son home and away from his alcoholic mother. Eastwood, as he so often does, stars in the film as the washed-up horse breeder, who ultimately rediscovers his purpose by protecting the young boy as they travel through rural Mexico. Production on the film seems to be currently underway, but Eastwood is known for his efficient shoots, so the film is still expected to be available by Winter of 2021.
Dune
One of the most anticipated films of 2021, Denis Villeneuve's Dune certainly has a lot riding on it. An adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 sci-fi novel, Dune stars several high profile celebrities, including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Oscar Isaac, and Javier Bardem. Herbert's sprawling sci-fi world has attracted the world of film before, resulting in David Lynch's somewhat underwhelming interpretation of the novel in 1984. If any director can successfully tackle Dune's rich, complex universe, it is Villeneuve, whose previous films cement him as one of the best directors working in sci-fi today. Dune was already delayed from 2020 into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now seems set to stream on HBO Max on October 1st, 2021.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Rumors have been circulating for some time that Godzilla vs. Kong would hit theaters and HBO Max concurrently, just as Warner Bros. is doing with Wonder Woman 1984 later this year. What fans didn't know was that Warner Bros. was planning to release the entirety of its 2021 slate on HBO Max. As the culmination to the MonsterVerse, Godzilla vs. Kong is expected to be one of 2021's most exciting releases. Unfortunately, fans are concerned that the film's impact will be diminished if it is not seen in theaters. The film will hit theaters and HBO Max on May 21st, 2021, so its early release should be a key indicator as to whether or not the Warner Bros. decision pays off.
In The Heights
While the vast majority of this HBO Max slate includes blockbusters and genre films, there are a few others considered to be genuine Oscar contenders, including Jon M. Chu's In The Heights. The film is based on Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical of the same name, and the Hamilton star is expected to appear in the film in a bit role. Hamilton star Anthony Ramos also features in In The Heights as Usnavi, an energetic bodega owner who dreams of a better life for both himself and the other of his vibrant Washington Heights community. It should be fascinating to track how the film's release impacts its Oscar chances, if at all. The film will release on June 18th, 2021.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Judas and the Black Messiah is the rare film that may benefit from a release on HBO Max. The film tells the true story of William O'Neal, who was offered a plea deal from the FBI to infiltrate the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and gather intel on its Chairman, Fred Hampton. The film has obvious resonances with films like The Trial of the Chicago 7, which both found success on streaming services this year. Hampton even appeared as a minor character in the latter film. Produced by Ryan Coogler, Judas and the Black Messiah clearly tells an important, politically urgent story, and hopefully, it reaches a wide audience when it begins streaming next year. The film was originally slated to premiere on August 21st, 2020, but it currently does not have a specific release date in 2021.
King Richard
Will Smith stars in King Richard, a biopic about tennis coach Richard Williams, whose daughters Serena and Venus Williams continue to reign as two of the greatest tennis players of all time. A sports drama brimming with worthwhile social commentary, King Richard is another film that could surely benefit from this hybrid release model. It is expected to hit theaters and begin streaming on November 19th, 2021.
The Little Things
The Little Things has quite an intriguing cast, with Denzel Washington playing a local deputy who clashes with a Los Angeles detective during a murder investigation. Rami Malek plays Detective Baxter, Jared Leto also appears in an undisclosed role. The film comes from director John Lee Hancock, who has quietly developed a solid body of work, which includes films like The Rookie, The Blind Side, and The Founder. The Little Things will be the first film on this slate to release in 2021, with a January 29th release date.
Malignant
James Wan may not be returning to direct The Conjuring 3, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a horror film of his own slated for release in 2021. Malignant is perhaps the most mysterious film on this list. Wan has confirmed that the movie has no connection to his graphic novel Malignant Man, and has instead referred to his latest project as a genre-bending thriller. Audiences will likely learn more in the lead-up to the film's release in 2021, although there is no specific release date at this time.
The Many Saints of Newark
Warner Bros. is bringing several exciting sequels and reboots to HBO Max next year, but The Many Saints of Newark may be the most intriguing among them. The film is a prequel to The Sopranos, set in Newark, NJ in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It specifically follows the increasing tensions between Italian-Americans and African-Americans in the city at the time, which culminated in the city's 1967 riots. In one of the more exciting casting choices of the year, a young Tony Soprano will be played by Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late James Gandolfini. While fans were excited for the small-screen hit to make its way to the big screen, it seems a vast majority of viewers will enjoy The Many Saints of Newark on HBO Max. The film releases on March 12th, 2021.
