Matt Reeves' The Batman hasn't even released worldwide in theatres yet fans are still eager to know when the film will be available to watch online (legally, of course). With the rave reviews it's been receiving from critics and audiences alike, many are hoping for the chance to watch it at home as soon as possible. Luckily, the date has already been revealed, and fans won't be waiting too much longer.
Although Warner Bros. Pictures has yet to give an official statement, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar already provided The Batman's streaming date and location on the popular Recode Podcast. He claims that The Batman will release on HBO Max 46 days after its March 4 theatrical release. While the answer is oddly unspecific, it brings the release date to April 19, 2022.
With recent HBO Max movies such as The Matrix Resurrections and The Suicide Squad finding success, it's no surprise that WarnerMedia is continuing to release exclusively on HBO Max. However, each of these films received a release simultaneously with their theatrical one, so it seems WarnerMedia is easing back to the timed gap between releases. But still, just over a month's wait for a huge new movie release is much better than what the usual time was pre-COVID.
And that's not all Kilar revealed. He also stated that The Flash, Black Adam and more will be releasing on HBO Max 46 days after their theatrical debut. There doesn't seem like any reasoning behind the precise 46 day-wait, but it appears that Warner Bros. will be sticking with it for the foreseeable future. However, it's unknown if they will be returning to the same release strategy as Dune, which left HBO Max 31 days after release and is set to return on March 11.
With the severity and length of the COVID pandemic, many have wondered if theatres will be gone for good. However, with the recent success of movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, it's safe to say theatres aren't going anywhere any time soon. Movie-goers still value the unique and epic experience only a large cinema screen can provide, and the social aspect is still a big draw for many.
But still, fans welcome the new short release window between theatrical and streaming, as not everyone is fortunate enough to go to the theatre. While the theatre restrictions have relaxed in most areas of the world, many people are still cautious about large public gatherings. And with the usually-high prices of tickets, fans will often wait for a home release before a second viewing.
The Batman is currently sitting at a 86 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and 9.1 on IMDb, bringing it to one of the highest-rated Batman movies to date. This is only making people all the more desperate to watch, and with the upcoming HBO Max release, fans will undoubtedly be combing through for any hidden details and Easter eggs.