In a recent content shakeup, HBO Max has decided to bid farewell to three superhero movies in its vast streaming library. As the streaming landscape evolves, Max, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, is continuously evaluating its content offerings, resulting in more frequent changes.
The Departing Superhero Films
Come September 30, three superhero movies will bid adieu to the Max streaming service:
1. Spawn (1997)
Critics' Rating: 17% | Audience Score: 37%
Spawn, based on Todd McFarlane’s renowned comic book series, tells the story of Al Simmons (Michael Jai White), a covert government assassin double-crossed and sent to Hell. There, he becomes a super-powered hellspawn tasked with leading an army to Earth. Despite the character’s popularity in the 1990s, the 1997 film adaptation failed to capture its essence.
2. Steel (1997)
Critics' Rating: 12% | Audience Score: 19%
Steel stars NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal as John Henry Irons, a scientist turned chrome-coated superhero, on a mission to recover stolen technology. Loosely based on the DC character of the same name, the film took creative liberties and is often considered one of the most critically panned movies of its era.
3. Jonah Hex (2010)
Critics' Rating: 12 | Audience Score: 20%
Before his iconic role as Thanos in the MCU, Josh Brolin tackled the character of Jonah Hex in this 2010 DC Comics adaptation. The story follows Jonah, a Confederate soldier who gains supernatural powers and hunts down his arch-nemesis Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). Jonah Hex proved to be a critical and financial disappointment for Warner Bros.
Why the Removal?
The decision to remove these movies from HBO Max could stem from various reasons. Likely, Warner Bros. observed lackluster viewership numbers for these films, making them less viable for the streaming platform.
Maintaining extensive libraries of films on streaming servers incurs costs, and studios like Warner Bros. are becoming increasingly conscious of financial realities. As a result, periodic content removals are becoming commonplace as streaming services optimize their offerings.
Spawn, Steel, and Jonah Hex will officially exit Max on September 30, marking the end of their streaming journey.