Ready for a Barbie party on Max? You’ve got a long wait on your hands
“We really believe in the motion picture window”
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Rejoice,Barbiefans, for we have a better idea of when the movie phenomenon will be available to stream at home.
Unfortunately, fans wanting to re-watch the fantasy-comedy from their couch – or bed, we’re not judging you – have got a bit of a wait on their hands. Speaking during Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) Q2 2023 investors call (as reported byDeadline), WBD CEO David Zaslav confirmedBarbiewill make its streaming debut on Maxin the fall. That’s autumn for any non-US northern hemisphere fans, and spring for those of you in southern climes (September, October or November).
In less surprising news, Zaslav also explained thatBarbiewould launch onMax– WBD’s primary streaming service – when its theatrical run ends. For anyone who isn’t subscribed to one of the world’sbest streaming services, or non-US viewers who don’t have access to Max, Zaslav confirmed that the Margot Robbie-starring film would be available to rent and/or buy via Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) services at the same time, too.
Asked whyBarbiewouldn’t be fast-tracked onto Max (where it would surely join ourbest Max movieslist), Zaslav replied: “We really believe in the motion picture window. Let this movie go to the motion picture window, play it up, build up that brand, then have it go into PVOD. Take it through these windows of economics that have worked forever, and we think work extremely well. And then put it on Max. And when it goes on Max, we think it’ll have a very good impact and that’ll be in the fall.”
Come on Barbie, let’s go party (at home)
News ofBarbie’s streaming release window will come as a disappointment to some. From a business perspective, however, WBD would be crazy to pull the hugely successful movie from theaters earlier than anticipated. That’s in spite of the entertainment behemothlosing two million subscribers due to Max’s confusing launch, too.
Barbie, which is part of the massive July 21 double-bill known as ‘Barbenheimer’ (Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerbeing the other half of that dynamic), recently crossed the $800 million mark globally.The Super Mario Bros. MovieandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3– which are now available to stream onPeacockandDisney Plusrespectively – are the only films standing betweenBarbieand the coveted ‘highest-grossing movie of 2023’ title.
As the Greta Gerwig-directed movie sensation edges ever closer to the $1 billion milestone, it’s in WBD’s best interests to keep it in multiplexes worldwide. And, with relatively few but similarly highly anticipatednew moviesset to arrive between now and third quarter of 2023,Barbieis set to dominate the box office for many more weeks to come.
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For moreBarbie-based coverage, find outhow Netflix went full Barbenheimer earlier this month when a long forgottenBarbieTV show stormed its TV charts. Alternatively, learnwhy Barbenheimer was one writer’s favorite movie dayof 2023.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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