Warner Sending Entire 2021 Slate to HBO Max and Theaters.

[hudson4k]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

How can these big budget movies possibly make enough of their money back, if they'll only be available through streaming, and not through the box office?

To be fair, these movies aren't making any money if they're not released, and theatrical releasing isn't an option right now.

[Gretiem]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

How can the bigger budgeted movies possibly make enough of their money back, if they'll only be available through streaming, and not through the box office?

Good question. I have no idea how.

[JayTL]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

How can these big budget movies possibly make enough of their money back, if they'll only be available through streaming, and not through the box office?

AT&T will lose money on production, but (hope) to make it back with HBO Max/Cell phone subs

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

The only reason it's a dying breed is because people aren't going because of the pandemic. Why else would Avengers: Endgame have made $2.7 billion worldwide last year? Does that sound like the result of a dying industry?

Ticker sales are stagnant and have been for awhile. Last year was one of the three lowest in terms of attendance in the last 25 years.

https://m.the-numbers.com/market/

[Hardback247]

If you're all really that upset about this change, why not contact HBO Max about it, and voice your complaints?

[ItsMrBiG]

Originally Posted by mwynn

Not just talking about this year. This has been a many years thing. AMC kept buying and opening multiplexes. Adding in IMAX and Dolby sound theaters, spending more and more money. They took over Odeon Cinemas, UCI Cinemas, and Carmike Cinemas in 2016.

I will just keep using Sears as an example. Expanding and not changing your business model is a fools path.

Spot on. Aside from the megaplexes, who have been demanding that consumers subsidize their terrible business model for far too long, I see this is as win for ALL consumers and independent movie theater owners. Those that want to see movies in a theater will still be able to do so and those who would prefer to see it at home will be able do that; I think it's a little Chicken Little-ish to say that all theaters are going to die. Not to mention, this also might have the bonus effect of bringing back more good writing and storytelling, which is something that has been sorely lacking in the age of $200-300mil CGI extravaganzas.

[JayTL]

Originally Posted by MazeRunner

For the millionth time, I'm not paying for movies that others can see for free at home in 1080p with one click.

If they did a exclusive 3-4 week theatrical window, sure. But absolutely effin-not.

I'm not sure why this news makes you not want to go to the theaters still. I'm glad there are movies I would like to see, but not in theaters (WW is the best example), but others I'll still go see in theaters (Godzilla, etc).

Just because it's also streaming doesn't mean I won't go see it in theaters.

Personally, it's a win-win for me in that case. But I also don't have stock in theaters, nor do I work in them. I feel bad for those who do.

[Hardback247]

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

Ticker sales are stagnant and have been for awhile. Last year was one of the three lowest in terms of attendance in the last 25 years.

https://m.the-numbers.com/market/

Even while Disney made BILLIONS of dollars with their movies?

[hudson4k]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

If you're all really that upset about this change, why not contact HBO Max about it, and voice your complaints?

Yes, because that works

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Deadline: Cinemark Responds To Earth-Shattering Warner Bros-HBO Max 2021 Theatrical Slate Decision

Which means they know everything is just so screwed right now that they can’t even fight it. In the end, if WB does indeed deliver the films to them, they’ll be on board.

I mean, what is anyone going to do about the current situation we find ourselves in?

[Hardback247]

Originally Posted by hudson4k

Yes, because that works

It wouldn't hurt to try.

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by hudson4k

Obviously not going to link anything or name names because I hate piracy (unless the rightsholder refuses to make the film available anywhere), but there are many websites that allow easy HD streaming of films without any viruses, and plenty of YouTube tutorials teaching how to sideload piracy apps onto TVs or phones. It's not a pain anymore, horrible but true.

I mean it was easier when you could trip over guys selling DVDs on blankets stepping outside in NYC, and whereas in that case the common man would pass that stuff on the street and all it would take was knowing how to work a DVD player, most people aren't gonna have the time or patience it would take to learn how to play a pirated copy of a movie on their tv sets.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Cliff

They can’t. This is a short term fix to stop the hemorrhaging. If theaters and attendance are in a stronger position by mid summer, you won’t see this thing go all year despite the announcement. Warner are going to lose at least a billion dollars doing this.

We won’t be back by the summer. I am praying we have some normalcy by Fall 2021. I’m more hopeful for Summer 2022.

[Koller70]

Warner Bros executives today woke up and really said
"Screw it, today we're killing the theatrical experience forever!!"

[Hardback247]

Originally Posted by Koller70

Warner Bros executives today woke up and really said
"Screw it, today we're killing the theatrical experience forever!!"

Not when they're having these movies playing in theaters at the same time. "Killing" would be to not release them in theaters AT ALL.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

But it's a snowball effect. If multiplexes start going under, movies won't be able to play on enough screens to make anywhere close to that amount. And if people get used to instant access(or much shorter theatrical windows) for blockbuster films from home, they're not gonna go back to the few theaters that remain. Add to that fewer big budget movies being greenlit over the next year as studios are uncertain if they'll be able to recoup their investment. Plus there are external economic factors. AT&T is heavily in debt. Disney is losing billions. You think that won't affect the production slate for their respective studios?

It is a problem they should have seen coming even before 2020. The last 10 year wave was not going to be sustainable forever with the audience bleeding off and streaming becoming more relevant.

[hudson4k]

It's starting to heat up: Legendary Pictures, which has Godzilla vs. Kong, was unaware of this decision. It was previously reported that WarnerMedia and Netflix were in a bidding war with Legendary for the film. This indicates that Legendary still hasn't accepted an offer and Warner has made a decision they don't have the power to make on some of these films.

[Hardback247]

If only our government had more responsibility to take care of this virus before it broke out.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

How can these big budget movies possibly make enough of their money back, if they'll only be available through streaming, and not through the box office?

Netflix spent almost $200 million on a three-hour Scorsese drama about 70+ year-old mobsters.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

Even while Disney made BILLIONS of dollars with their movies?

There's this thing called inflation.