The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film “The Flash” is gearing up to make history, not for its theatrical run, but for its delayed arrival on streaming platforms. A recent trend in the film industry has seen a shift from simultaneous theater and streaming releases to longer windows between theatrical premieres and streaming debuts. “The Flash” is now poised to break a record set by “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which made its way to Universal’s streaming platform Peacock 120 days after hitting theaters, a milestone that “The Flash” is predicted to surpass.
Despite its disappointing box office performance, which positioned it as one of the biggest box office failures in cinematic history, “The Flash” has generated increased anticipation for its release on the streaming service Max. However, Warner Bros. took an unconventional route by delaying the film’s streaming release. The absence of “The Flash” from the August lineup on Max has sparked speculation about its extended waiting period.
As of now, a significant 54 days will have elapsed since “The Flash” premiered in theaters. By the time September arrives, this delay will have extended to 77 days, solidifying the film’s status as a contender for the longest waiting period on Max since the platform’s inception. This delay stands in contrast to other recent DC releases, such as “Wonder Woman 1984” and “The Suicide Squad,” which enjoyed simultaneous theater and streaming releases.
Warner Bros.’ original plan was to release “The Flash” on Max during the fall, specifically on September 23. If this timeline remains intact, the window between its theatrical and streaming release will span at least 99 days.
The decision to prolong the streaming release of “The Flash” might be attributed to the film’s lackluster box office performance. With a global earnings total of only $268 million, leaving Warner Bros. facing potential losses of around $200 million, the studio likely aimed to recoup some of these losses through streaming revenue. Thankfully, “The Flash” managed to climb the Video-On-Demand (VOD) charts, helping to recover a portion of its lost profits.
Fans can anticipate “The Flash” to hit Max’s streaming library in late September or early October, putting it ahead of the final DC film of the year and the last installment in the DCEU, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” slated for release in December.
While fans wait for its streaming release, “The Flash” is available for digital purchase or rental. Additionally, physical copies on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD will be released on August 29.
