The Batman Starts Streaming on HBO Max Slightly Sooner than Expected

Within both Marvel and DC, streaming services have grown to become a key piece of the puzzle for their future plans. Not only are both debuting popular high-budget original content on their respective services, but recent big-screen blockbusters are making the jump from theaters to streaming quicker than ever, and The Batman is next up.

After years of director, actor, and universe changes, The Batman finally glided into theaters on March 4 and quickly proved to be a hit with audiences. Over a month after release, Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's DC debut is still raking in the millions at the box office, having just crossed $735 million.

The recent blockbuster was the first since 2020's Wonder Woman 1984 to abandon the simultaneous streaming and theatrical release. But as the theatrical run begins to wind down, Warner Bros. is preparing to drop The Batman on HBO Max.

HBO Max Announces The Batman Streaming Date

HBO Max recently began promoting the upcoming streaming release of The Batman, confirming the acclaimed blockbuster will arrive on the service on Monday, April 18.

WarnerMedia previously stated all Warner Bros. movies for 2022, and until further notice, will begin streaming on HBO Max 45 days after theatrical release. The April 18 streaming date follows this pattern closely, despite prior reports it would arrive a day late on April 19.

The official Inside HBO Max Twitter account later shared an announcement of the release, confirming the April 18 streaming release will be followed by The Batman airing on HBO on Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET:

"@wbpictures' global blockbuster #TheBatman, from filmmaker @mattreevesLA and starring Robert Pattinson & Zoë Kravitz, will be available to stream on @HBOMax on Monday, April 18: https://hbom.ax/TheBatman The Batman will also air on @HBO on Saturday, April 23 at 8PM ET."

Only the Beginning for The Batman on HBO Max

The Batman departing theaters and making the jump to HBO Max is a big step for both director Matt Reeves' new universe and DC as a whole. Every DC release since the pandemic began has had a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release, with The Batman being the first since 2020's Wonder Woman 1984 to spend time exclusively in theaters.

Meanwhile, this is only the beginning for Robert Pattinson's Gotham on the streaming service, with two original spin-off series already on the way. Colin Farrell's Penguin will lead his own spin-off exploring his rise in the Gotham crime world, as a second horror-inspired series takes place in Arkham Asylum.

With two spin-offs already on the way, there will almost certainly be plenty more in the years to come. Zoë Kravitz's Catwoman is an obvious candidate to star in her own series, marking Selina Kyle's first solo outing since Halle Berry's widely panned 2004 movie.

Since The Batman proved to be a critical and financial hit, Matt Reeves' Gotham has a bright future ahead with sequels and more streaming spin-offs to come. But for now, Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight debut is playing in theaters, with its HBO Max streaming release set for April 18.