Warner Bros. isn't risking next year's movie slate on another COVID-19 shutdown.
The studio announced Thursday that all 2021 movies will debut in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously, a one-year distribution deal that make all films available in areas where the pandemic has still shut down theaters.
"We're living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative for the Warner Bros. Pictures Group," Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios, said in a statement.
"No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. We know new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021."
The 2021 slate includes "The Matrix 4," the "Dune" remake, Lin-Manuel Miranda's film adaptation of "In the Heights," "Tom & Jerry," "Godzilla vs. Kong," the "Sopranos" prequel "The Many Saints of Newark" and "The Suicide Squad."
The movies will be available on HBO Max for a one-month window, then continue their run only in theaters through the normal distribution window.
It's unclear when they will return to the streaming service.
"This hybrid exhibition model enables us to best support our films, creative partners and moviegoing in general throughout 2021," Toby Emmerich, Chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said in a statement.
"We have a fantastic, wide-ranging slate of titles from talented and visionary filmmakers next year, and we're excited to be able get these movies in front of audiences around the world."
The seemingly unprecedented decision follows a year of turmoil for the movie industry, which has been forced to shift almost all releases to VOD or delayed them.
