Blue Beetle’s Streaming Journey: What’s Next?
Warner Bros.’ latest DC film, “Blue Beetle,” which premiered in theaters on August 18, 2023, unfortunately, didn’t make the splash it was expected to. With a worldwide gross of only $129.2 million, it’s safe to say that the film didn’t meet box office expectations. Given the lukewarm response to Jaime Reyes’ cinematic debut, the 39-day window between its theatrical release and availability for online purchase didn’t come as a shock. However, what has left fans and viewers puzzled is the uncertainty surrounding its streaming debut.
Current Streaming Status:
Max’s November streaming schedule was recently unveiled, and to the surprise of many, “Blue Beetle” was conspicuously absent. While the streaming platform’s lineup for November boasts notable films such as “Fantastic Four” (2015), “Pitch Perfect 2,” “The Polar Express” (2004), and the entire “Rocky” series, “Blue Beetle” was nowhere to be found. However, this omission doesn’t necessarily mean that the film won’t make its way to Max in November. It’s worth noting that another 2023 DC film, “The Flash,” was also missing from its respective Max release month updates. Warner Bros. has recently shown a pattern of making special announcements for their big-budget titles, so there’s still hope.
When Can We Expect “Blue Beetle” on Max?
Despite the recent updates, there’s still anticipation that “Blue Beetle” will start streaming on Max in November 2023. Based on Warner Bros.’ past trends, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the film had already made its streaming debut in October. The film has already surpassed the 70-day theater-to-streaming window, raising questions about how much longer fans will have to wait. Warner Bros. and DC’s previous releases, such as “Black Adam” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” took 56 and 67 days, respectively, to transition from theaters to Max. Given the current trajectory, it seems plausible that “Blue Beetle” could have a 90-day theater-to-streaming window, potentially making its Max debut on Thursday, November 16.
Another film, “Barbie,” was also left out of the November streaming announcement on Max but could potentially be available for streaming in the same month. Given the underwhelming theater performance of “Blue Beetle” (especially when compared to other summer blockbusters), it’s likely that the superhero film will be available for streaming sooner rather than later.
For those who can’t wait, “Blue Beetle” is currently available for online purchase, and physical copies in formats such as DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD will soon hit the shelves.
