Warner films will open in 2021 simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max

An image from 'Godzilla vs.

Kong ', which opens in 2021.

With the majority of theaters closed in the United States, Warner Bros. announced this Thursday that all films scheduled for release in 2021 will be released at the same time on its

HBO Max

platform

- only available in the United States - and theaters. cinema open nationally and internationally.

The desperate measure in "unprecedented times" that "demand creative solutions" tries to face the social restrictions that the coronavirus pandemic has forced and that do not seem to find a way out for the film industry in the short term with the cases triggered in the North American territory.

The radical decision affects at least 17 titles next year, representing more than a billion dollars in production costs (823 million euros).

The movies include some big-budget ones, like

, and a prequel inspired by the Sopranos series.

The productions can be seen on HBO Max during the first month of release.

They will then be removed from the

service

and will continue in theaters until they complete the normal screening period.

Afterwards, they can be seen again from the house.

It is not clear how this measure will affect the rooms and the possible agreements that reach the study in the middle of the crisis they are going through.

"We know that new content is the lifeblood of theatrical display, but we have to balance this with the reality that the majority of theaters in the US will likely operate at reduced capacity during the year 2021," the CEO reported. Warner Bros. Ann Sarnoff in a statement.

Company executives have clarified that this plan is only for one year and due to the pandemic, in an attempt to clear up doubts about whether they will change their business model from now on.

"Our content is extremely valuable, unless it's sitting on a shelf without anyone seeing it," added Jason Kilar, CEO of WarnerMedia.

"We believe this approach serves our fans, supports exhibitors and filmmakers, and enhances the HBO Max experience, creating value for all."

In a year of closed movie theaters, studios are trying to figure out how to get through fall without

adult

.

Heading into winter, Warner Bros has already delayed Wonder Woman 1984, which will open in theaters and HBO Max on December 25.

With the blockbuster Dune they did not take the same risk and after several delays in its premiere, it went from being released on December 18 to October 1, 2021.

Warner Bros is not the only one that has changed its focus on the dark landscape of the film industry.

Earlier this year, Disney launched

on its Disney + streaming platform, but did not include it as part of the subscription.

To see the tape, the user had to pay $ 30 (24.7 euros).

The company set the cost considering that it was likely that a family, who previously would have paid several tickets to the cinema, would now see it gathered in their living room.

Universal made a similar decision in April, releasing

online and in theaters at the same time.

It also required the movie to be purchased directly, as it was not available within a subscription package to any platform.

In July, Universal reached an agreement with AMC Theaters to reduce the number of days movies had to be shown in theaters before being available online.

Before the pandemic, studios used to wait 90 days to release their top films on platforms after theatrical release.