Editing Warner Bros. (section)

=== Time Warner subsidiary ===
[[File:WarnerStudio.jpg|thumb|right|A panoramic view over today's studio premises]]
Warner Communications merged in 1989 with [[White-shoe firm|white-shoe]] publishing company [[Time Inc.]] Time claimed a higher level of prestige, while Warner Bros. provided the profits. The [[Time-Warner]] merger was almost derailed when [[Paramount Communications]] (formerly [[Gulf and Western Industries|Gulf+Western]], later sold to the first incarnation of [[Viacom (1952-2006)|Viacom]]), launched a $12.2&nbsp;billion [[hostile takeover]] bid for Time Inc., forcing Time to acquire Warner with a $14.9&nbsp;billion cash/stock offer. Paramount responded with a lawsuit filed in [[Delaware]] court to break up the merger. Paramount lost and the merger proceeded.

In 1992, [[Warner Bros. Family Entertainment]] was established to produce various family-oriented films, plus animated films. The Family Entertainment label was dormant in 2011. In 1994, [[Jon Peters]], whose Peters Entertainment company had a non-exclusive deal at [[Sony Pictures]], received another non-exclusive, financing deal at Warner Bros., citing that then president [[Terry Semel|Terry Samel]] and producer Peters were friends.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frook |first=John Evan |date=February 22, 1994 |title=Sony, Peters change nature of their deal |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/news/sony-peters-change-nature-of-their-deal-118478/ |access-date=October 24, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024000234/https://variety.com/1994/film/news/sony-peters-change-nature-of-their-deal-118478/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Warner Bros logo.svg|thumb|left|The former Warner Bros. shield logo, which was used from 1993 to 2019, and extensively used in films and on its TV shows until 2022. Also used as the on-screen logo for [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]] until 2025.]]
In 1995, Warner Bros. and television station owner [[Tribune Media|Tribune Company]] of Chicago launched [[The WB]] Television Network, seeking a large share of the niche market of teenage viewers. The WB's early programming included an abundance of teenage fare, such as ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', ''[[Smallville]]'', ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'' and ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]''. Two dramas produced by [[Spelling Television]], ''[[7th Heaven (TV series)|7th Heaven]]'' and ''[[Charmed]]'', helped bring The WB into the spotlight. ''Charmed'' lasted eight seasons, becoming the longest-running drama with female leads. ''7th Heaven'' ran for eleven seasons and was the longest-running family drama and longest-running show for the network. In 2006, Warner Bros. and [[CBS Corporation]] decided to close The WB and CBS's [[UPN]] and jointly launch [[The CW]] Television Network.

In 1996, Turner Pictures was folded into Warner Bros. via the [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner]]-Time Warner Entertainment merger. This brought projects such as ''[[City of Angels (film)|City of Angels]]'' and ''[[You've Got Mail]]'' into the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |last2=Cox |first2=Dan |date=January 15, 1997 |title='ABSOLUTE POWER' (SORT OF) |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/absolute-power-sort-of-1117433488/ |access-date=September 12, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912002101/https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/absolute-power-sort-of-1117433488/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Warner Bros. partnered with [[PolyGram Filmed Entertainment]] to distribute various movies produced by [[Castle Rock Entertainment]], also brought into Warner Bros. by the Turner deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Dan |date=December 8, 1997 |title=WB, Polygram to co-fund Castle Rock |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/wb-polygram-to-co-fund-castle-rock-1116679438/ |access-date=September 12, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912002246/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/wb-polygram-to-co-fund-castle-rock-1116679438/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Also that same year, [[Bruce Berman]] left Warner Bros. to begin Plan B Entertainment, then he subsequently headed [[Village Roadshow Pictures]] with a deal at the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karon |first=Paul |date=December 10, 1997 |title=WB takes a Village |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/wb-takes-a-village-111753045/ |access-date=September 15, 2021 |website=Variety |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914000340/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/wb-takes-a-village-111753045/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Time Warner Entertainment sold Six Flags to Premier Parks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Eben |date=February 10, 1998 |title=Premier Parks to Buy Six FlagsFrom Time Warner and Partner |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB887059132285917500 |url-status=live |access-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303123913/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB887059132285917500 |archive-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> The takeover of Time Warner Entertainment in 2001 by then-high-flying [[AOL|America Online]] (AOL) did not prove a good match, and following the collapse in "dot-com" stocks, the AOL element was banished from the corporate name.

In 1998, Warner Bros. celebrated its 75th anniversary. In 1999, Terry Semel and Robert Daly resigned as studio heads after a career with 13 Oscar-nominated films. Daly and Semel were said to have popularized the modern model of partner financing and profit sharing for film production. In mid-1999, [[Alan F. Horn]] and [[Barry Meyer]] replaced Daly and Semel as new studio heads, in which the studio had continued success in movies, television shows, cartoons, that the previous studio heads had for the studio. In late 2003, Time Warner reorganized Warner Bros.' assets under '''Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.''', in an effort to distinguish the film studio from its then-sister record label (which since became Warner Records in May 2019) and Warner Music Group.

In the late 1990s, Warner Bros. obtained rights to the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' novels and released feature film adaptations of the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|first]] in 2001. Subsequently, they released the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|second film]] in 2002, the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|third]] in June 2004, the [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|fourth]] in November 2005, the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|fifth]] in July 2007, and the [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|sixth]] in July 2009.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Moves to Summer 2009 |date=August 14, 2008 |publisher=Time Warner |url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2008/08/14/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-moves-to-summer-2009 |access-date=September 29, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930083829/http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2008/08/14/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-moves-to-summer-2009 |archive-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> The seventh (and at that time, final) book was released as two movies; [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1|''Deathly Hallows&nbsp;— Part 1'']] in November 2010 and [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|''Deathly Hallows&nbsp;— Part 2'']] in July 2011.

From 2006, Warner Bros. operated a joint venture with [[China Film Group Corporation]] and HG to form '''Warner China Film HG''' to produce films in Hong Kong and China, including ''[[Connected (2008 film)|Connected]]'', a remake of the 2004 [[thriller film]] ''[[Cellular (film)|Cellular]]''.

Warner Bros. played a large part in the discontinuation of the [[HD DVD]] format. On January 4, 2008, Warner Bros. announced that they would drop support of HD DVD in favor of [[Blu-ray]] Disc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warner Bros Goes Blu Ray Exclusive |url=http://www.consolewatcher.com/warner-bros-goes-blu-ray-exclusive/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007012656/http://www.consolewatcher.com/warner-bros-goes-blu-ray-exclusive/ |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=June 30, 2012 |publisher=Consolewatcher.com}}</ref> HD DVDs continued to be released through May 2008, but only following Blu-ray and DVD releases.

Warner Bros.' [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' film series]] was the worldwide highest-grossing film series of all time without adjusting for inflation. Its [[Batman in film|''Batman'' film series]] was one of only two series to have two entries earn more than $1 billion worldwide. ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'' was Warner Bros.' highest-grossing movie ever (surpassing ''[[The Dark Knight]]'').<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2011 |title=Box Office: Final 'Harry Potter' film has highest-grossing domestic opening of all time [Updated] |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/box-office-harry-potter-deathly-hallow-part-2-winnie-the-pooh.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817060619/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/box-office-harry-potter-deathly-hallow-part-2-winnie-the-pooh.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> However, the Harry Potter movies have produced a net loss due to [[Hollywood accounting]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 6, 2010 |title=Studio Shame! Even Harry Potter Pic Loses Money Because Of Warner Bros' Phony Baloney Net Profit Accounting |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/studio-shame-even-harry-potter-pic-loses-money-because-of-warner-bros-phony-baloney-accounting-51886/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807062206/http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/studio-shame-even-harry-potter-pic-loses-money-because-of-warner-bros-phony-baloney-accounting/ |archive-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> [[IMAX Corporation|IMAX Corp.]] signed with Warner Bros. Pictures in April 2010 to release as many as 20 giant-format films through 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Georgiades |first=Andy |date=April 28, 2010 |title=Imax, Warner Bros. Sign Pact |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304575211961881537030.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213907/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304575211961881537030.html |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref>

On October 21, 2014, Warner Bros. created a short form digital unit, Blue Ribbon Content, under [[Warner Bros. Animation]] and Warner Digital Series president [[Sam Register]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 21, 2014 |title=Warner Bros. Unveils Digital Short-Form Studio: Blue Ribbon Content |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/warner-bros-unveils-digital-short-form-studio-blue-ribbon-content-1201335504/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022041206/http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/warner-bros-unveils-digital-short-form-studio-blue-ribbon-content-1201335504/ |archive-date=October 22, 2014}}</ref> Warner Bros. Digital Networks announced its acquisition of online video company [[Machinima, Inc.]] on November 17, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lieberman |first=David |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Warner Bros Agrees To Buy Machinima |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/warner-bros-agrees-buy-machinima-1201856472/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111344/http://deadline.com/2016/11/warner-bros-agrees-buy-machinima-1201856472/ |archive-date=March 22, 2017}}</ref>

As of 2015, Warner Bros. is one of only three studios to have released a pair of billion-dollar films in the same year (along with [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] and [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]]); the distinction was achieved in 2012 with ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' and ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Toy Story 3' Reaches $1 Billion |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2904&p=.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404003444/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2904&p=.htm |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=September 2, 2015 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Avengers' Reaches $1 Billion Worldwide |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3443&p=.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905085147/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3443&p=.htm |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=September 2, 2015 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Universal Crosses $3 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office |url=http://geeknation.com/universal-crosses-3-billion-at-the-worldwide-box-office/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711032744/http://geeknation.com/universal-crosses-3-billion-at-the-worldwide-box-office/ |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2015 |website=GeekNation}}</ref> As of 2016, it is the only studio to cross $1 billion at the domestic box office every year since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=June 26, 2015 |title='American Sniper,' 'San Andreas' Push Warner Bros. Past $1 Billion Domestically |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/american-sniper-san-andreas-push-warner-bros-past-1-billion-domestically-1201529536/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024153010/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/american-sniper-san-andreas-push-warner-bros-past-1-billion-domestically-1201529536/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=December 30, 2016 |website=Variety}}</ref>

==== AT&T subsidiary ====
In June 2018, Warner Bros. parent company Time Warner was acquired by U.S. telecom company [[AT&T]], and renamed WarnerMedia, the former Time Inc. properties having been sold off to new owners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stelter |first=Brian |date=June 15, 2018 |title=Time Warner's new name: WarnerMedia |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/06/15/media/warnermedia-john-stankey-announcements/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215081726/https://money.cnn.com/2018/06/15/media/warnermedia-john-stankey-announcements/index.html |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |website=CNN Money}}</ref> On October 16, 2018, WarnerMedia shut down [[DramaFever]], affecting 20% of Warner Bros.' digital networks staff.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Matt |date=October 16, 2018 |title=WarnerMedia Shuts Down DramaFever Streaming Service |url=https://www.thewrap.com/warner-media-shuts-down-dramafever-streaming-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016235357/https://www.thewrap.com/warner-media-shuts-down-dramafever-streaming-service/ |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018}}</ref>

On March 4, 2019, WarnerMedia announced a planned reorganization that would break-up the [[Turner Broadcasting System]] by moving [[Cartoon Network]], [[Adult Swim]], [[Boomerang (TV network)|Boomerang]], their respective production studios ([[Cartoon Network Studios]] and [[Williams Street]]), as well as [[Turner Classic Movies]] and [[Otter Media]], directly under Warner Bros. (Turner's remaining television services and joint ventures would be divided into WarnerMedia Entertainment and WarnerMedia News & Sports respectively). Aside from Otter Media, these assets operate under a newly formed Global Kids & Young Adults division,<ref name="cnbc-reorganization">{{Cite news |last=Feiner |first=Lauren |date=March 4, 2019 |title=WarnerMedia reorganizes its leadership team after AT&T acquisition |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304182211/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |archive-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref> renamed on April 7, 2020, to [[Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 7, 2020 |title=Tom Ascheim Joins Warner Bros As President of Global Kids, Young Adults And Classics |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/tom-ascheim-warner-bros-president-of-global-kids-young-adults-and-classics-1202902994/ |access-date=April 10, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410164959/https://deadline.com/2020/04/tom-ascheim-warner-bros-president-of-global-kids-young-adults-and-classics-1202902994/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 31, 2019, Otter Media was transferred from Warner Bros. to WarnerMedia Entertainment to oversee the development of [[HBO Max]], a new streaming service that would feature content from [[HBO]] and WarnerMedia brands.<ref name="vty0">{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=May 31, 2019 |title=WarnerMedia Reorg Gives Otter Media's Tony Goncalves Oversight of Streaming Service Development |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/ |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710012811/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tom Ascheim]] resigned as president of cable network [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] to become the president of the Global Kids, Young Adults, and Classics division on July 1, 2020, until May 11, 2022, when [[Michael Ouweleen]] took over as the current president of [[The Cartoon Network, Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Low |first1=Elaine |last2=Otterson |first2=Joe |date=April 7, 2020 |title=Freeform Boss Tom Ascheim Moves to Warner Bros. |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tom-ascheim-to-depart-as-president-of-freeform-1234573597/ |access-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422092117/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tom-ascheim-to-depart-as-president-of-freeform-1234573597/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Warner Bros. (2019) logo.svg|thumb|The 2019 Warner Bros. shield logo by [[Pentagram (design firm)|Pentagram]], which is used from 2019 to 2023]]
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Warner Bros. 2019.svg
| image2 = Warner Bros. (Dimensional Ver.) Logo 1.svg
| footer = These are the two versions of Pentagram's 2019 Warner Bros. shield logo, which are used from 2019 to 2023. One is the regular logo on the left, and the other is the "dimensional" version on the right.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warner Bros. — Story |url=https://www.pentagram.com/work/warner-bros/story |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pentagram |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326003537/https://www.pentagram.com/work/warner-bros/story |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
On November 13, 2019, Warner Bros. unveiled an updated iteration of its shield logo by [[Pentagram (design firm)|Pentagram]] in anticipation of the company's upcoming centennial, which features a streamlined appearance designed to make it better-suited for multi-platform usage and iterations. The company also commissioned a new corporate [[typeface]] that is modeled upon the "WB" lettering.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Lilly |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Warner Bros.' new brand is a glimpse at the future of entertainment |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90429745/warner-brotherss-new-logo-and-brand-are-a-glimpse-at-the-future-of-entertainment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203001425/https://www.fastcompany.com/90429745/warner-brotherss-new-logo-and-brand-are-a-glimpse-at-the-future-of-entertainment |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=November 26, 2019 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Warner Bros Refreshes Logo As Studio's 2023 Centennial Approaches |url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/warner-bros-refreshes-logo-as-studios-2023-centennial-approaches-1202785156/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114194819/https://deadline.com/2019/11/warner-bros-refreshes-logo-as-studios-2023-centennial-approaches-1202785156/ |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=November 15, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>

Warner Bros. and HBO Max announced the Warner Max film label on February 5, 2020, which was to produce eight-to-ten mid-budget movies per year for the streaming service starting in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Warner Bros., HBO Max Set New Film Division for Streaming Service |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-set-new-film-division-for-streaming-service-1203494178/ |access-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205213015/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-set-new-film-division-for-streaming-service-1203494178/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the label was ultimately discontinued in October 2020 as part of a consolidation of the Warner Bros. Pictures group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2020 |title=Warner Max Restructures as WarnerMedia Consolidates Film Production |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-max-shutting-down-as-warnermedia-reorganizes-film-production |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203021149/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-max-shutting-down-as-warnermedia-reorganizes-film-production |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=October 23, 2020 |title=WarnerMedia Film Group Streamline: HBO Max's Jessie Henderson To Exit, While Nikki Ramey Moves To New Line & WB |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/warnermedia-movie-exec-streamlining-jessie-henderson-exit-nikki-ramey-new-line-wb-1234602566/ |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220034855/https://deadline.com/2020/10/warnermedia-movie-exec-streamlining-jessie-henderson-exit-nikki-ramey-new-line-wb-1234602566/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=October 23, 2020 |title=HBO Max Film Shake-Up: Toby Emmerich Consolidates Power, Two Executives Depart |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hbo-max-film-shakeup-toby-emmerich-warnermedia-1234814287/ |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220033412/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hbo-max-film-shakeup-toby-emmerich-warnermedia-1234814287/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2022, [[Village Roadshow Pictures]], a co-financier of ''[[The Matrix Resurrections]]'', began a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the hybrid release of the sci-fi sequel. Like all of Warner Bros.' 2021 films, the fourth ''Matrix'' film was given a [[simultaneous release]] on both HBO Max and in theaters due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. According to a complaint filed by Village Roadshow, the decision ruined any December box office hopes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=February 7, 2022 |title=Warner Bros sued over 'abysmal' Matrix Resurrections release |page=1 |work=The Guardian News |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/feb/07/warner-bros-sued-over-abysmal-matrix-resurrections-release |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208003108/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/feb/07/warner-bros-sued-over-abysmal-matrix-resurrections-release |url-status=live}}</ref> In May of that same year, Village Roadshow agreed to arbitration with Warner Bros. over the release of ''The Matrix Resurrections''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Hayes |first2=Dade |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Village Roadshow Agrees To Arbitration With Warner Bros. In 'Matrix' Streaming Strategy Lawsuit – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/warner-bros-slapped-by-village-roadshow-suit-matrix-streaming-1234927842/ |access-date=June 11, 2022 |website=Deadline |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611025735/https://deadline.com/2022/05/warner-bros-slapped-by-village-roadshow-suit-matrix-streaming-1234927842/ |url-status=live}}</ref>