Going to the movies used to be the only way to see new releases upon their unveiling, but 2020 changed that. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, movie ticket sales drastically declined from $11.3 billion in 2019 to $2.1 billion in 2020, according to Box Office Mojo.
Related: Biggest-Budget Movies Directed by Women
Read: The Richest of the Rich: See How Much Tom Hanks and More A-List Movie Stars Are Worth
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has continued well into 2021, studios such as Warner Bros. and Disney have responded by releasing movies directly onto streaming platforms. In fact, Warner Bros. sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry in December by announcing that all of its 2021 films will debut simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters.
The latest among them is “The Suicide Squad,” which hits theaters and HBO Max on Aug. 6.
More: The Biggest Box Office Bombs of the Past Decade
While releasing films directly to streaming platforms is new to traditional studios, Netflix has been experimenting with big-budget films for a few years now. For example, the streaming giant spent $90 million to make its 2017 film “Bright,” starring Will Smith, according to Deadline. In the case of “The Suicide Squad,” Variety said Warner Bros. is hoping the film will have a splashy opening weekend at the box office and drive movie fans to subscribe to HBO Max.
Only time will tell if audiences prefer heading to theaters to see new releases or want to watch them in the comfort of their homes. From the films already released in 2021, we have some indication, based on box office returns. However, plenty of big-budget films headed straight to streaming platforms remain to be released in 2021, while some of the year’s anticipated offerings have been shuffled to 2022. Here’s a preview of the most expensive films on the lineup.
Last updated: Aug. 6, 2021
