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After saying his name for over a year, Candyman is finally here. The horror sequel from filmmaker Nia DaCosta opens in theaters this weekend, after being delayed for over a year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though this is the fourth film in the Candyman series, the 2021 movie will serve as a direct sequel to the original 1992 film. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who recently starred in HBO’s Watchman series, will play Anthony McCoy, a visual artist who stumbles across the horrific true story of the killer known as the Candyman.
The movie also stars Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and Colman Domingo; while Tony Todd and Vanessa Estelle Williams will reprise their roles from the 1992 film.
But though you’ve been waiting patiently for Candyman to arrive, it’s a confusing time for movie releases. Some big blockbusters are releasing on streaming services, and others are sticking to theatrical. Never fear, because Decider is here to help. Here’s where to watch Candyman (2021), and when to expect Candyman on streaming.
WHERE TO WATCH CANDYMAN 2021:
Right now, the only place to watch Candyman is in a movie theater when it opens nationwide on Friday, August 27. You can find a showing of the movie at a theater near you here.
WILL CANDYMAN BE ON HBO MAX?
No. Candyman is a Universal movie, not a Warner Bros. movie, and therefore will not be streaming on HBO Max when it opens in theaters. While HBO Max—which is owned by Warner Media—has been the streaming home for Warner Bros. movies like The Suicide Squad, it will not be the streaming home for Universal movies like Candyman.
IS CANDYMAN ON NETFLIX?
No. Candyman (2021) is not on Netflix, and likely will not be on Netflix any time soon. However, if you’re craving some horror, you can watch the first Conjuring movie on Netflix.
WHEN WILL CANDYMAN BE STREAMING?
The Candyman digital release date has not yet been announced, and it’s hard to say when exactly Candyman will be on VOD.
Universal has a deal that allows the studio to release its films on premium video-on-demand—meaning you would be able to rent Candyman for $20—after at least 17 days in theaters, provided that the movie makes less than $50 million at the box office its opening weekend. If it hits the $50 million mark, then the movie gets at least 31 days in theaters.
However, just because the studio can release Candyman after 17 days in theaters doesn’t necessarily mean that it will. The recent Universal title Old did not make $50 million at the box office its opening weekend, but the studio opted to keep the movie in theaters beyond 17 days—it’s still not available on digital.
Perhaps, now that more people are vaccinated and willing to go to the movie theater, Universal will want to keep Candyman in theaters for at least 31 days, no matter how well it does at the box office, in which case you wouldn’t be able to rent Candyman until the end of September.
All of the above is speculation, so if you want to make sure you don’t miss Candyman, your best bet is to mask up and go see it in a movie theater. In the mean time, you can watch the first Candyman film for free on Peacock, or you can rent or buy it on iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, and more.
