EXCLUSIVE: Deadline learned that Warner Bros. has made a number of date changes for the next year. First of all, James Wan’sAquaman and The Lost Kingdomneeds more time in post, so it’s moving from March 17, 2023 to Dec. 25, 2023.
To fill the March 17 space and also to capitalize on an Avatar-less March, David F. Sandberg’s Shazam: Fury for the GodsMoving to be released on Dec. 21, and will continue moving toAquaman 2‘s old date.See, read and see how amazing The BatmanIt was in its legs March, opening at $134M and closing at $369.3M. Another thing:Shazam 2You will have access Imax screens at the new date. This is a premium ticket option that Disney will be taking advantage ofAvatar: The Way of Water
Warner Bros. has also been fulfilled. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s promise to give movies a theatrical window, two titles, originally destined for HBO Max, will be opening on the big screen exclusively. That’s the Calmatic directed, LeBron James-Maverick Carter produced reboot of New Line’s House PartyThis year’s opening was Dec. 9, with the Lee Cronin-directedEvil Dead RiseOpening April 21, 2023. That sequel’s trailer played gangbusters at CineEurope we hear, hence another reason why that sequel will hit cinemas.
Other big release dates: Warners to reignite the post Labor Day box office period again in 2023 with Michael Chaves’The Nun 2Sept. 8, that first pic opened to $53.8M; it was the best domestic debut.The Conjuringfranchise. The feature take of Stephen King’sSalem’s LotThe date is TBD next year, but it will be effective April 21, 2023.
Warners has also placed its flag in Super Bowl weekend, with an untitled event movie, dated Feb. 10, 2023.