Warner Bros. Makes Strategic Move To Prioritize Theatrical Releases

Warner Bros. Makes Strategic Move To Prioritize Theatrical Releases


June 2, 2021 | Eul Basa

Warner Bros. Makes Strategic Move To Prioritize Theatrical Releases


After skipping theatrical releases in favor of a straight-to-streaming option led to subpar box office performances, WarnerMedia has decided to play its biggest films exclusively in theatres in 2022, no matter what state the cinema industry will be in that time.

Jason Kilar, the CEO of WarnerMedia, confirmed this decision on the Vox podcast "Recode Media with Peter Kafka," where he explained the studio will only show its films in theatres and will no longer release them on HBO Max on the same day. Of course, the films can still make their way onto the streaming service eventually, but only after they've had a full run at the cinemas.

"I think it’s very fair to say that a big, you know, let’s say a big DC movie ... it’s very fair to say that that would go exclusively to theaters first and then go to somewhere like an HBO Max after it’s in theaters,” Kilar stated during the interview.

Warner Bros. has signed deals with several theater chains allowing their blockbuster hits to be sent to streaming within 45 days, which cuts the theatrical run time in half. Such an arrangement is expected to take effect as soon as next year.

In a previous interview with CNBC, Kilar expanded on this update, saying that the films which are "big and epic in scope" will have an exclusive theatrical period:

"When you think about, you know, the world of DC and Harry Potter and things like that, big, epic scope movies, I think deserve and will have an exclusive theatrical run," he said. "But there will be other movies; a large number of movies that will go to HBO Max [on] the same day that those same movies were made available to exhibitors and cinemas around the world."

Warner Bros. had recent success with one of its latest offerings, Godzilla vs. Kong, which managed to gross $32.2 million domestically on its opening weekend, plus $48.5 million for the five-day Easter weekend. Once it opened in foreign markets, it earned a whopping total of $285.4 million. Clearly, people still appreciate the novelty of going to the theatres to see a film; it's just a matter of whether we can get to a point where it feels comfortable and safe to watch films in public again.

With vaccinations currently underway across the globe, we can expect to see a lot more people in cinemas by 2022. Should the industry make a comeback, WarnerMedia's strategy will surely prove to be worthwhile.

READ MORE

Tax Deduction For Seniors - Fb
SMART SAVING

Seniors who file their 2025 tax returns this season could walk away with an extra $6,000

Not every tax season brings good news for retirees. This one does. A new deduction landed in the 2025 tax code that puts real money back into seniors' pockets. It's claimable right now.
February 23, 2026 Marlon Wright
Scammed by StubHub
THE WORLD OF WEALTH

I bought concert tickets on StubHub that turned out to be fake. The seller ghosted, and they refuse to refund me. What are my options?

You're staring at your email confirmation, concert date circled on your calendar, adrenaline pumping for the show you've waited months to see. Then comes the gut-punch: The expensive tickets that you finally decided to pull the trigger on...are fake. And Stubhub won't do a thing.
February 23, 2026 Marlon Wright
Elon Musk
FINANCE TIPS

If every billionaire gave back just 5% of their wealth each year, could we end poverty in America?

There are fewer than a thousand people in America who control an almost unimaginable amount of wealth. What if each of them gave up just a tiny slice of it every year? Actually, not even a slice—a sliver of that massive wealth. Would that be enough to wipe out poverty entirely?
February 23, 2026 Jesse Singer
Person at a cryptocurrency mining farm
FINANCE TIPS

I finally started mining crypto in my apartment. Now my electric bill is $1,200. How do I explain this to my landlord?

Mining rigs consume electricity at rates that rival small industrial operations, turning residential apartments into power-hungry data centers that weren't designed for continuous high-wattage loads. A single mid-range mining setup with six graphics cards pulls roughly 1,500 watts continuously. That constant draw adds up fast when electricity costs average seventeen to eighteen cents per kilowatt-hour in most American cities. What seemed like passive income generation through blockchain validation suddenly becomes a financial liability when monthly utility bills quintuple without warning. Landlords notice these spikes immediately, especially in buildings where they cover utilities or monitor consumption patterns across multiple units for budgeting purposes.
February 23, 2026 Miles Brucker
Woman with a smart phone
FINANCE TIPS

I deposited a check, and the funds still aren’t available. I need that money. How long can the bank legally do this?

Banks can't hold your check forever, no matter how much that waiting period stings right now. Maximum timeframes exist, though exceptions apply under certain circumstances.
February 23, 2026 Miles Brucker
INVESTING

We were told our offer on a house was the only one active. The next day the seller accepted a last-minute offer from someone else. What happened?

A competitive housing market means there's always a chance you can get outbid at the last minute.
February 23, 2026 Penelope Singh

Disclaimer

The information on MoneyMade.com is intended to support financial literacy and should not be considered tax or legal advice. It is not meant to serve as a forecast, research report, or investment recommendation, nor should it be taken as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or adopt any particular investment strategy. All financial, tax, and legal decisions should be made with the help of a qualified professional. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or outcomes associated with the use of this content.




Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team




✕

Want to read more?

If you like humaverse you may also consider subscribing to these newsletters:

Healthcare AI News
5 minutes or less is all it takes to elevate your Healthcare knowledge with our expert-curated weekly AI newsletter. The Sweaty Startup
Join 46,000+ people who read my weekly newsletter about real-estate, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to succeed long-term. The Yellowbrick Road
Want to make more money in the stock market? Our AI tool reads and summarizes 100s of stock articles every day and sends the best in our free, daily email. Join 10,000+ smart investors.