Warner Bros. and New Line’s long-brewing Mortal Kombat movie reboot has been slowly inching towards a theatrical release since completing filming last year. While pandemic-related delays have put any specific date in question, the big-screen adaptation has nonetheless cultivated immense excitement for its capable cast and stated aim to stay faithful to the source material. Whenever the Mortal Kombat 2021 film finally arrives, it appears moviegoers will also be given the unprecedented option to stream the movie from home.

As per THR, Warner Bros. has announced all of its scheduled 2021 releases will now premiere on streaming service HBO Max, with each release becoming available on the same day as theaters and lasting for only one month before being removed. Beginning next month, this new streaming deal will currently see 17 movies arrive on the services over the next year, including Mortal Kombat as well as big-budget blockbusters like James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Matrix 4. As it stands, WB’s 2021 lineup looks like so:

• The Little Things — January 29th
• Judas and the Black Messiah — February 12th
• Tom & Jerry — February 26th
• Godzilla vs. Kong — March 31st
• Mortal Kombat — April 23rd
• Those Who Wish Me Dead — May 14th
• The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It — June 4th
• In The Heights — June 11th
• Space Jam: A New Legacy — July 16th
• The Suicide Squad — August 6th
• Reminiscence — September 3rd
• Malignant — September 10th
• The Many Saints of Newark — September 24th
• Dune — October 1st
• Cry Macho — October 22nd
• King Richard — November 19th
• The Matrix 4 — December 22nd

WB’s new plans are a true game-changer for the movie industry as it sets aside decades of theater-first precedent, a move that the studio insists will only stay in place for 2021 alone. Regarding the unprecedented plans, Ann Sarnoff, CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group said, “With this unique one-year plan, we can support our partners in exhibition with a steady pipeline of world-class films, while also giving moviegoers who may not have access to theaters or aren’t quite ready to go back to the movies the chance to see our amazing 2021 films.”

We see it as a win-win for film lovers and exhibitors, and we’re extremely grateful to our filmmaking partners for working with us on this innovative response to these circumstances.”

This wide-reaching decision is said to have been a swift response to COVID-19, as traditional indoor theaters continue to see poor turnout and present an increasingly unsafe avenue to consume movies. Warner Bros. has been seemingly at the forefront of this year’s pandemic woes, having initially bet on Christopher Nolan’s time-bending thriller Tenet to lure movie fans back into theaters back in July. However, the release only did tepid numbers, likely convincing WB to alternatively embrace its premier streamer HBO Max beginning with this month’s dual theater-VOD release of Wonder Woman 1984. Only time will tell if theaters will bounce back after the pandemic or if fans will be forced to welcome their new streaming service overlords.

What do you think? Are you glad that Mortal Kombat 2021 will be available to watch safely from home, or are you massively bummed to see theaters glossed over like this? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:

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