Warner Bros have been dropping their entire theatrical slate on HBO Max day-and-date in 2021, so now its time to look at some of the movies we can expect to enjoy from the comfort of our own homes. The entire movie industry (and audiences alike) are crossing their fingers that movie theaters nationwide are going to be safe to visit later in 2021, but for the moment it looks like home viewing is the only option for many places.
Whether a COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out in time effectively or not, there will still be movie-goers who might not feel safe visiting their local multiplex (which is fair). For them, Warner Bros HBO Max day-and-date rollout plan will be perfect; why risk their safety when they can enjoy the best, latest blockbuster releases from the imprint in their favorite sofa or armchair? Here are some of the movies they can look forward to seeing. To note – some of the bigger films due out in the second half of the year have been left out in the hope that theaters are once again up and running, so that a movie like Dune can be enjoyed on the biggest screen you can find.
Locked Down – January 14, 2021
2021 kicked off with the first HBO Max Original of the year. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anne Hathaway are a couple who break up right as they go into lockdown; that's right, Locked Down is one of those dreaded 'of-the-moment' movies that will be set during the early days of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Where most new movies will be looking to pretend like COVID never happened, Locked Down is doing the opposite.
Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), Locked Down sees its charismatic leads somehow coming to the conclusion of escaping the lockdown doldrums by robbing world-famous fancy-pants London department store, Harrod's. Liman is usually reliable for being a dab-hand at easily-digestible action flicks (see also: Mr. and Mrs. Smith), so at the very least folks stuck at home will be able to hopefully enjoy this slick caper comedy on HBO Max. Our own critic, Alex Maidy, for the most part, enjoyed it.
The Little Things – January 29, 2021
The Little Things has Denzel Washington pulling out the old potboiler playbook to play a small town sheriff who steps outside of the law to take down obvious serial killer Jared Leto. Leto's clearly having fun, judging from the trailer alone, where he appears to be meshing his past performance as the Joker and his future performance as Morbius. Throw in Rami Malek as a young, slick, hotshot detective and we might have a 21st century Se7en on our hands. Our critic, Chris Bumbray, had mixed feelings.
Judas and the Black Messiah – February 12, 2021
Most likely, Judas and the Black Messiah won't just be one of the best movies to stream on HBO Max in 2021, but one of the best movies of the year. Already tipped for Academy acknowledgement, the film follows the story of Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and his fateful betrayal by FBI informant William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield). Kaluuya and Stanfield both came out of nowhere a few years ago to become two of the best young actors in the business, and letting them share a creative space like this is sure to reveal a masterclass in charisma and dramatic acting talent. Judas and the Black Messiah can arguably be enjoyed just as well and as safely at home as at your local multiplex, making it one of the best HBO Max movies to stream in 2021. Chris Bumbray caught this as part of the online Sundance Film Festival and really loved it.
Tom & Jerry – February 26, 2021
If you've got kids and you're facing a lockdown in your area come February 26th, you can do worse than plonking them down in front of live action/animation hybrid reboot/revival Tom & Jerry. Led by Chloe Grace Moretz in the anchoring human role, the iconic cat and mouse duo's first foray onto the big screen finds the best frienemies engaged in battle once again; Tom is employed by Moretz at the posh hotel she works at, due to – you guessed it – a mouse problem. Tom & Jerry might end up being the kind of family film that's just as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids – in which case, it'll make it worth your while for a stream on HBO Max in 2021.
Zack Snyder's Justice League – March 18th, 2021
The moment Zack Snyder's many fans have been waiting for will be upon us soon; the infamous Snyder Cut is dropping in all its four-hour theatrical cut glory, right on HBO Max in March 2021. One of the streaming platform's initial premium 'look-at-me' offerings, Zack Snyder's Justice League (as it's officially known) was once touted as a four-part miniseries but is now being presented as a one-and-done super-duper director's cut.
While many are honest about the shortcomings of Joss Whedon's tonally mismatched finish of the project Snyder sadly had to leave a few years ago, Zack Snyder is yet to have his initial version realized. If nothing else, the fact that a director has received another $70 million to finish an unfinished (in their eyes) blockbuster is monumental and sets an intriguing precedent. Decide for yourself if it's $70 mil well spent in March 2021, when Zack Snyder's Justice League is available to stream on HBO Max – and only HBO Max.
Godzilla Vs. Kong – March 31, 2021
As much as we'd all like to go see these behemoths of popular culture go head-to-head on the majesty of the big screen, it's unlikely that movie theaters are going to be safe to visit in March of 2021. That makes HBO Max the destination of choice for this event-worthy blockbuster, and the movie to stream at home this year. Tune in March 25th to see exactly who Warner Bros. decided should lose between Godzilla and King Kong in Godzilla Vs. Kong.
Mortal Kombat – April 16, 2021
As bombastic and exciting as a Mortal Kombat reboot could and should be, it doesn't necessarily require the big screen to be enjoyed. The story of violent video game franchise Mortal Kombat on-screen is that of the little B-movie that could; an entire generation of movie fans grew up watching copies of Mortal Kombat (1995) and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) on ratty old DVDs and VHS tapes. Surely a reboot can be enjoyed in the same way, especially coming from B-movie master (turned blockbuster factory) James Wan? Find out for yourself if Mortal Kombat is one of the best chop-socky movies of the year when it streams on HBO Max in 2021.
No Sudden Move – 2021
What do you get when you cast Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, Brendan Fraser, David Harbour, Benicio del Toro, Don Cheadle and Ray Liotta in a 50s-set heist movie directed by Ocean's 11 helmer Steven Soderbergh? Probably one of the coolest movies of 2021, and it's available for streaming on HBO Max… at some point. Release date currently unknown; hopefully No Sudden Move is set to debut this year, and when it does, should make for a solid way to spend an evening at home with your mates and a crate of beer.
Reminiscence – 2021
Lisa Joy, of Westworld reboot fame, is undertaking her directing debut for this sci-fi starring Hugh Jackman. The plot follows a scientist who discovers a way to relive the past, and his efforts to use the tech in order to locate his long-lost love – presumably played by Rebecca Ferguson, considering her billing. Reminiscence is set in a flood-battered Miami of the future, and considering how captivating Joy was able to make future Los Angeles (with co-conspirator Jonathan Nolan) in Westworld, the same should probably go here. Considering Westworld is so engrossing and engaging on the small screen, the same will likely go for her feature directorial debut. Check back on HBO Max later in the year to see if Reminiscence is one of the best movies to stream this year or not.
Those Who Wish Me Dead – 2021
The Many Saints of Newark – September 24, 2021
Long-awaited The Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark, has been pushed back a few times now, but can likely be expected September of 2021. Starring James Gandolfini's son Michael as a young Tony Soprano, what better program to watch on the new HBO Max service than a prequel to the show that catapulted HBO into the stratosphere all those years ago? The Many Saints of Newark is widely expected to be one of the best HBO Max movies to stream in 2021, and you don't even need to brave a global pandemic to go and see it.