Robert Pattinson’s A24 thriller Primetime is now playing in theaters nationwide, and viewers waiting to watch at home have a confirmed streaming destination. HBO Max will be the film’s exclusive U.S. streaming home, with a release window pointing to late January 2027.
The film opened in 2,863 North American theaters on Sept. 25, 2026. It earned $19.2 million in its opening weekend, the third-best debut in A24’s history.
Theatrical Run and VOD Plans
Primetime is currently available only in theaters. A24 has not announced a digital release date yet. Based on the studio’s typical release pattern, the film is expected to arrive on video-on-demand in late October or early November 2026.
A Blu-ray and 4K UHD release is likely to follow in mid-December 2026. The theatrical window is expected to last roughly three to four months before streaming.
Streaming on HBO Max
HBO Max is officially the film’s future streaming home in the United States. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Primetime is covered under its renewed pay-1 licensing agreement with A24.
Using the Sept. 25 theatrical release date and the typical 119-day window for A24 films, Primetime is on course to reach HBO Max on Friday, Jan. 22, 2027. The date has not been officially locked by the streamer.
Plot and Cast
Primetime is directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut. The script by Ajon Singh is based on a 2007 Esquire article about the making of To Catch a Predator.
The film follows Chris Hansen in 2006 as he sets out to make television history with his Dateline NBC segment. Pattinson stars as Hansen and also produces through his banner Icki Eneo Arlo.
The cast includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine, Anna Faris, Phoebe Bridgers, Sean Bridgers, Jonathan Lipnicki, Alex Winter, Tony Revolori, and Creed Bratton. Former NBC executive Jeff Zucker also appears.
Critical Reception and Box Office
Primetime premiered at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 5, 2026. It received a nearly eight-minute standing ovation and holds a 93 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film cost $15 million to produce. More than 75 percent of opening weekend audiences cited Pattinson as their top reason for buying a ticket, according to PostTrak exit polls. Viewers under 30 made up 69 percent of the audience.
Chris Hansen Dispute
Chris Hansen, the real-life host of To Catch a Predator, has publicly criticized the film. He said A24 asked him to sign away rights to his name, image, and brand to attend a private screening.
Hansen said he was not consulted during production. He has explored legal action against A24 and the filmmakers. He also released a trailer for his own documentary, I’m Chris Hansen.
On his podcast Have a Seat, Hansen said the film missed the mark. He said the version of Chris Hansen played by Robert Pattinson was so detached, so unhinged, so dark, so unlikable.
Pattinson responded to Hansen’s comments at the Venice Film Festival. He said, I hope he likes the movie.
Latest Status
Primetime remains in theaters nationwide. A24 has not announced a specific HBO Max date. The expected streaming arrival is Jan. 22, 2027, pending official confirmation.
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