Warner Bros. sent a shockwave through the industry recentlywhen they announcedthat all of their 2021 movies would be released in theaters and on their streaming service HBO Max at the same time. Indeed, films big and small will be following an earth-shattering day-and-date release strategy throughout the entirety of 2021, giving audiences the option of staying home and watching something likeDuneon their couch, or going to a movie theater to see it on the big screen.
The decision has rankled many within the industry, including some of WB’smost prized filmmakers, but the studio appears to be forging ahead with the plan. So if you’re wondering just exactly what Warner Bros. movies will be on HBO Max in 2021, we’ve assembled a complete list of the films planned for this unique release strategy.
Something to keep in mind is that these films will only be on HBO Max for a limited time. The day they hit theaters they’ll be available to stream on HBO Max, but after 30 days they will leave the streaming service and will then follow a traditional rollout – meaning a Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release before likely returning to HBO Max well down the road.
Films and dates are subject to change, but as of right now here are the 2021 Warner Bros. movies that will be released on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day.
The Little Things
Release Date: August 25, 2025
Genre: Crime Thriller
Director/Writer:John Lee Hancock
Cast:Denzel Washington,Rami Malek,Jared Leto,Natalie Morales,Terry Kinney,Chris Bauer,Joris Jarsky,Isabel Arraiza, andMichael Hyatt
What’s It About?: InThe Little Things, Denzel Washington plays a Deputy Sheriff who’s sent to Los Angeles on an evidence-gathering assignment, only to become embroiled in the search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing the city.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Genre: True-Story Drama
Director:Shaka King
Writers:Shaka KingandWill Berson
Cast:Daniel Kaluuya,LaKeith Stanfield,Jesse Plemons,Dominique Fishback,Ashton Sanders, andMartin Sheen
What’s It About?:Judas and the Black Messiahchronicles the tragic true story of Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton, who was assassinated by the FBI at the age of 21.
Tom & Jerry
Release Date: August 18, 2025
Genre: Animation/Live-Action Family Film
Director:Tim Story
Writer:Kevin Costello
Cast:Chloe Grace Moretz,Michael Peña,Rob Delaney,Pallavi Sharda,Jordan Bolger,atsy Ferran,Nicky Jam,Bobby Cannavale,Lil Rel Howery, andKen Jeong
What’s It About?: InTom & Jerry, the classic cartoon characters come to life in a story that finds Jerry moving to New York City’s finest hotel on the eve of the “wedding of the century.” The event planner then hires Tom to get rid of him.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Genre: Monster Action Movie
Director:Adam Wingard
Writer:Terry Rossio
Cast:Alexander Skarsgard,Millie Bobby Brown,Rebecca Hall,Brian Tyree Henry,Eiza González,Jessica Henwick,Kyle Chandler, andDemián Bichir.
What’s It About?: This sequel, aptly namedGodzilla vs. Kong,finds humanity’s fight for its future setting Godzilla and Kong on a collision course, as Monarch embarks on a mission to unearth clues to the Titans’ origins.
Mortal Kombat
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Genre: Action/Martial Arts
Director:Simon McQuoid
Writers:Greg RussoandDave Callaham
Cast:Jessica McNamee,Hiroyuki Sanada,Tadanobu Asano,Ludi Lin,Joe Taslim,Josh Lawson,Chin Han,Lewis Tan, andMehcad Brooks
What’s It About?: This new adaptation of the popular video game franchiseMortal Kombatis intended to kick off a new franchise.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Genre: Horror
Director:Michael Chaves
Writer:David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
Cast:Vera Farmiga,Patrick Wilson,Ruairi O’Connor,Sarah Catherine Cook, andJulian Hilliard.
What’s It About?: The third film in the mainConjuringfranchise,The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is a story about demonic possession wrapped up in a courtroom drama as a murder suspect claims possession as his defense.
In the Heights
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Genre: Musical
Director:Jon M. Chu
Writer:Quiara Alegría Hudes
Cast:Anthon Ramos,Corey Hawkins,Leslie Grace,Melissa Barrera,Olga Merediz,Daphne Rubin-Vega,Gregory Diaz IV,Stephanie Beatriz,Dascha Polanco, andJimmy Smits
What’s It About?: Based on the smash-hit Broadway musical byLin-Manuel Miranda,In the Heightstells the story of a bodega owner in Washington Heights who dreams of a better life.
