Why HBO Max's Stream Deal is Not "The Death of Theaters" (Yet)

 

     HBO Max and its parent company, WarnerMedia broke the internet today when they announced that all of Warner Brothers 2021 film slate would be premiering the same day on HBO Max as it does in theaters. This means films such as The Matrix 4, Dune, Godzilla vs. Kong, The Suicide Squad, In The Heights, and Space Jam: A New Legacy will all be available for streaming. Though we are still in a pandemic with no end in sight, the news comes as a shock to many viewers. Many pundits are calling it 'The Death of Cinema. I however, am taking an opposite stance. Allow me to demonstrate why. 

     The big giveaway in the Warner Media/HBO Max announcement is the time period in which you can view films. New films will only be available to stream for 1 month, after which, they will no longer be available till the inevitable home media release. This demonstrates that these streaming releases are a temporary solution. If you believe that theaters will continue to spend large money for at home productions, you are absolutely crazy. Movie studios will never cease to release movies in theaters as it costs too much money to produce them. Christopher Nolan's Tenet was the big first COVID-19 box office release, and it came as a huge loss for the studio. Companies like Disney have already gambled with the early release of Mulan, and lost big time. Then again, I didn't want to watch those lifeless, live-action remakes for free with my Disney+ subscription, let alone $30 extra dollars to the House That Mickey Built!

     The other reason I think this won't kill theaters is because I am in the minority of opinions when I say that movie theaters will never die. There have been countless ploys to end theatrical viewing for the last 75 years. Television was supposed to end the cinematic spectacle, yet here we are. Expensive ticket prices were supposed to end theaters, yet we still see movies. Netflix was supposed to keep families bound to their couches, but how many Christmas Chronicles can we watch? COVID-19 was supposed to end theaters, but some are (stupidly) still allowing people in. Why is this? Believe it or not, people still love movies on a big screen. Sure, you can watch a movie at home for much cheaper, but where is the fun with that. There are some people I'd rather go somewhere with that I wouldn't necessarily want in my home. This is especially true with my favorite strangers who I have enjoyed movie premieres with. (aka the Nerds) The collective cheers during Avengers: Endgame or the groans and sighs during The Rise of Skywalker make the theatrical experience something I will never trade for anything. 

     Though WarnerMedia's deal with HBO Max is foreign, scary, and exciting all at the same time, I find that this too shall in fact pass. Like all fads that have tried to destroy the art of theatrical viewing, it will be a footnote in the history of film. I will continue to enjoy many of these movies from the comfort of my couch if conditions stand the way they are. Then again, who knows? We could be back in theaters safely by then. Regardless of where it is released, Confessions of a Savage Mind will be here for all of your movie opinions!