HBO Max has quietly removed six Warner Bros. films over the past few weeks, that were exclusively streaming on the service, in what appears to be an effort to cut costs.
The titles removed include: Superintelligence, starring Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale; Moonshoot starring Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse; The 2020 remake of Witches starring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Chris Rock; An American Pickle starring Seth Rogen; Charm City Kings by director Angel Manuel Soto; and Locked Down starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anne Hathaway. All of these films were labeled “Max Originals.”
The reboot of the 1990 comedy House Party, from LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company, was set to premiere on HBO Max July 28 but was also removed from the release calendar.
Variety first reported the news.
Typically HBO Max releases monthly updates about titles being removed, but none of the Warner Bros. original films removed were included in recent announcements.
This latest development follows the recent announcement of Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to cancel the Batgirl movie starring Leslie Grace in the title role, Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. According to industry insiders, Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav has committed to releasing their big budget films in theaters first before they stream on HBO Max, and opted to shelve the project for a tax write-off.