Warner Bros.’ highly-anticipated superhero sequel Wonder Woman 1984 was the last major movie waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it’s fate has been sealed, arriving both in theaters AND on HBO Max on Christmas Day.
Wonder Woman 1984 had been scheduled for release in theaters on Christmas Day, but since every other major studio movie has either shifted to a streaming service or pushed their release into 2021, Wonder Woman 1984 was the lone holdout.
A new, unlisted trailer on the Warner Bros. website confirmed the sequel’s simultaneous release in theaters and on HBO Max (via Collider), which has been confirmed to be authentic by other outlets such as Deadline.
Wonder Woman on HBO: Warner Bros.’ highly-anticipated superhero sequel Wonder Woman 1984 was the last major movie waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it’s fate has been sealed, arriving both in theaters AND on HBO Max on Christmas Day
Unlisted: A new, unlisted trailer on the Warner Bros. website confirmed the sequel’s simultaneous release in theaters and on HBO Max (via Collide r), which has been confirmed to be authentic by other outlets such as Deadline
The screenshot added the film will be available, ‘at no extra cost to subscribers’ of HBO Max, which will likely lead to a significant increase in subscribers.
Some had wondered if Warner Bros. may have considered a similar approach to what Disney did with Mulan.
Mulan was slated for release in late March, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters around the world.
No extra cost: The screenshot added the film will be available, ‘at no extra cost to subscribers’ of HBO Max, which will likely lead to a significant increase in subscribers
Approach: Some had wondered if Warner Bros. may have considered a similar approach to what Disney did with Mulan
The studio ultimately released the film on its Disney Plus streaming service, though subscribers still had to pay an additional $29.99 to watch the film.
Warner Bros. execs seemingly decided not to go this route, giving fans who would rather not head to theaters in the midst of the pandemic, or fans whose local theaters are still closed (like in New York and Los Angeles), the opportunity to see the sequel from the comfort of their own home.
Wonder Woman 1984, which was rumored to cost over $200 million to make, will be the biggest movie to head to streaming with a simultaneous theatrical release.
Cost: The studio ultimately released the film on its Disney Plus streaming service, though subscribers still had to pay an additional $29.99 to watch the film
Big budget: Wonder Woman 1984, which was rumored to cost over $200 million to make, will be the biggest movie to head to streaming with a simultaneous theatrical release
Warner Bros. made it official shortly after the initial reports, adding that Wonder Woman 1984 will be released in theaters in international markets starting December 16.
‘As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,’ said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group.
‘This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open,’ Sarnoff added.
International: Warner Bros. made it official shortly after the initial reports, adding that Wonder Woman 1984 will be released in theaters in international markets starting December 16
Amazing: ‘This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open,’ Sarnoff added
‘We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform,’ she concluded.
Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich added, ‘We appreciate how patient audiences have been and given the great anticipation around we are grateful to be able to make this terrifically entertaining movie widely available in these challenging times.’
WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar made the announcement on Wednesday, clarifying that the sequel will be available on HBO Max, ‘for the first month of the film’s release.’
Consumers: ‘We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform,’ she concluded