Exclusive: Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies aren’t leaving HBO Max after all
The Dark Knight Rises again
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Update:TechRadar can exclusively confirm Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies willnotbe leaving HBO Max in February.
Yesterday (January 26), we revealed thatThe Dark Knight trilogywould be removed fromHBO Maxon Saturday, February 11. That meant subscribers only had two more weeks to streamBatman Begins,The Dark Knight, andThe Dark Knight Rises.
However, an HBO Max representative exclusively told TechRadar that the Batman movies, which are some of thebest superhero moviesof all-time, aren’t leaving Warner Bros. Discovery’s main streaming service after all.
Essentially, Nolan’s iconic movies were in danger of being removed from HBO Max’s back catalog because their licensing deal was due to expire. However, the film series' contract has been extended, ensuring Nolan’s trio of Batman movies will no longer be leaving one of thebest streaming servicesaround.
Original story follows.
HBO Max is gearing up to removeThe Dark Knight trilogyfrom its back catalog.
In a surprising move, HBO Max will no longer carry Christopher Nolan’s iconic Batman film series on its service from Saturday, February 11. That means – at the time of writing – viewers in HBO Max-supported territories have 16 days left to stream them.
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In the UK, the film franchise will still be available to watch onNow TV. In Australia, they’re available onBinge, the home for HBO Max Down Under.
The Dark Knight trilogy –Batman Begins,The Dark Knight, andThe Dark Knight Rises– revived Batman’s big-screen fortunes after two critically panned mid-90s offerings. The trio amassed $2.46 billion cumulatively between 2005 and 2012, winning multiple awards along the way. Surprising no one, Nolan’s films subsequently feature high up in ourbest Batman movies rankedarticle.
Nolan’s critically-acclaimed works also helped to usher in the current era of gritter, neo-noir detective-style Batman movies. That includes Ben Affleck’s turn as the Caped Crusader inZack Snyder’s Justice League(among others) and 2022’sThe Batman, which starred Robert Pattinson, while in ourreview ofThe Batman, we called it a “stunningly meticulous and tension-filled DCEU movie that doesn’t lose sight of the iconic vigilante’s comic book roots.”
The Dark Knight trilogy’s forthcoming removal from HBO Max is a strange decision. The films aren’t available to stream on HBO Max’s rivals, such asNetflixorPrime Video. Additionally, no other streamer will become the new home for Nolan’s movies after February 11. The reason for the trio’s impending departure, then, is unclear, as is when they could return to the streaming service.
A not-so-super(hero) back catalog
The Dark Knight trilogyisn’t the only superhero project whose time on HBO Max is coming to an end.
On January 25, it was confirmed that two of thebest HBO Max shows–TitansandDoom Patrol– would end after their fourth seasons have aired. The comic book entities made the jump to HBO Max after their original home, aka DC Universe, was shuttered in January 2021. However, despite their popularity,The Hollywood Reporter(THR) revealed that neither show would be moving forward once their fourth seasons conclude.
In a statement, an HBO Max spokesperson told THR: “While these will be the final seasons ofTitansandDoom Patrol, we are very proud of these series and excited for fans to see their climactic endings.
“We are grateful to Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television for making such thrilling, action-packed, heartfelt series. We thankTitansshowrunner Greg Walker, executive producers Greg Berlanti, Akiva Goldsman, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns, Richard Hatem, and the team at Weed Road Pictures. ForDoom Patrol, we celebrate showrunner Jeremy Carver and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns, Chris Dingess and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson.
“For four seasons, fans have fallen in love with theTitansandDoom Patrol, investing in their trials and tribulations, and in their legendary battles saving the world time and time again.”
In the aftermath of WBD’s announcement, online rumors suggested that the pair were being canned as a result of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new plan for the DC cinematic universe (DCU). However, Gunn took to Twitter to confirm this wasn’t the case, adding that the decision to end the shows “precedes us [myself and Safran]”.
The decision to end the series precedes us. But I certainly wish the best for the talented group of creators, actors, and the rest of the crew that produced both shows. https://t.co/jdqDc9TqU1January 26, 2023
Regardless,The Dark Knight trilogy’s forthcoming departure, plus the end ofTitansandDoom Patrol, means HBO Max’s superhero back catalog won’t be as strong as it’s previously been.
Sure, there are still plenty of superhero movies and shows to stream on the platform, such asJoker,Wonder Woman, andTeen Titans. But, considering that Nolan’s films and the aforementioned shows are incredibly popular, it seems like a misstep to remove them from, and bring their to an end, on HBO Max respectively.But, given that Nolan’s films and the aforementioned shows are incredibly popular, it seems like a misstep on the part of HBO Max to remove the former entirely, and bring the latter’s runs to an end.
For more Batman, HBO Max, and DCEU coverage, find outhow to watch the Batman movies in order. Additionally, read up on thebest HBO Max movies, or get the lowdown on what you might have missed from Shazam’s next DCEU outing in ourShazam! Fury of the Godstrailer breakdown.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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