Weapons is the unexpected horror hit of the year. In the movie, 17 children from the same class vanish one night, leaving no clues or notice for their parents. The town is distraught, confused, and angry, but no one knows what to do as the police have no leads. The film, starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, is shrouded in mystery, combining elements of both horror and comedy.
With Weapons having been in theaters for almost two months, it’s nearly time for the film to start streaming on HBO Max. Based on HBO Max’s release dates for other Warner Bros. films this year, it appears that Weapons will be released on or near October 24. However, HBO Max hasn’t actually confirmed a date for Weapons, and plans could change in the coming weeks. Here’s what we know so far.
‘Weapons’ Should Arrive Just in Time for Halloween
Warner Bros. has a short window between the theatrical and streaming releases of its films, and this year’s films prove that. A Minecraft Movie debuted in cinemas on April 4, before being released on streaming on June 20. Sinners was released in theaters on April 18 and then joined HBO Max on July 4. Final Destination Bloodlines arrived in theaters on May 16 and on HBO Max on August 1. That’s a 77-day window for all three of those Warner Bros. 2025 releases.
If Warner Bros. continues this trend with Weapons, the horror film is expected to be available to stream on HBO Max on October 24. That’s perfect timing, as viewers will be able to watch the movie the week leading up to Halloween. That might seem like a fast release date, but HBO Max is known for bringing films to audiences quickly. Superman, the Warner Bros. film that released right before Weapons, came out in theaters on July 11 and joined HBO Max only 70 days later on September 19. Granted, that helped prepare Peacemaker viewers for an upcoming episode, but it also shows just how quickly Warner Bros. brings films to HBO Max.
Although October 24 seems like a fast release for Weapons on HBO Max, it might feel late to some viewers. Weapons was available to rent or purchase on digital retailers like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video on September 9, just one month after the film hit theaters. The film will have been available to rent or buy for almost two months by October 24. The Blu-ray, which releases on October 14, will also be nearly two weeks old. The Blu-rays for A Minecraft Movie and Sinners even came out after their HBO Max debuts, which could hint that Weapons might drop even sooner than October 24.
Watch the Horror Hit as Soon as Possible
As soon as Weapons drops on HBO Max, audiences should rush to see the film. Not only is it one of the best movies of the year, it’s also one of the most mysterious. Trailers and posters for the film advertised 17 children disappearing into the night with no explanation. The promotion for the film has done a great job hiding any clues about this mystery, but with awards season coming up, the secrets won’t stay sealed for long. It’s best to watch the film as soon as possible, so the amazing twist doesn’t get spoiled.
Weapons has a great payoff, but that’s not the only reason to watch it. The movie is riveting, fueled by the mysterious disappearance of the 17 children. The fact that the film is told like an anthology bolsters the mystery. Each segment of the film focuses on a specific character, played by terrific actors such as Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, and Austin Abrams.
The film is also highly acclaimed. On Rotten Tomatoes, audiences and critics agree, with the film receiving an 85% approval rating from audiences and a 94% approval rating from critics. Horror icon Stephen King watched the movie and announced on social media that he “loved it.” Those are huge achievements for the film’s director, Zach Cregger, as Weapons is only his second film, following 2022’s Barbarian. He’s definitely going places with his next movie, a Resident Evil adaptation, set to release in 2026.
- Release Date
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August 8, 2025
- Runtime
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128 minutes