Is ‘The Black Phone’ Streaming on HBO Max or Netflix?

After years of playing likable, down-to-earth men, Ethan Hawke is going full unhinged serial killer in The Black Phone, coming to theaters this weekend.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, who also co-wrote the script with C. Robert Cargill, the movie was adapted from a 2004 short story of the same name by Joe Hill (aka the son of Stephen King). It takes place in a small town in Colorado in 1978, where a deranged masked murderer, known as “The Grabber,” is kidnapping and killing children. His latest victim, a boy named Finney (played by Mason Thames) is locked in a basement with nothing but a disconnected phone. On that phone, Finney hears voices… and they may be able to help him escape.

The Black Phone has been well-received by critics thus far, so if you’re looking for a scary movie this summer, look no further. Here’s what to know about where to watch The Black Phone and when to expect The Black Phone on streaming.

WHERE TO WATCH THE BLACK PHONE:

UPDATE (7/18/2022): After just four weeks in theaters, The Black Phone is now available to rent on digital for $19.99, or to buy on digital for $24.99, on platforms like Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, and more.

WHEN WILL THE BLACK PHONE BE STREAMING?

The Black Phone is a Universal movie, and previous Universal movies like The Northman landed on VOD about one month, or 45 days, after opening in theaters. If The Black Phone follows a similar pattern, you can expect to be able to rent the movie on VOD in mid-August 2022. You should also expect to see The Black Phone on Peacock Premium around the same time.

WHEN WILL THE BLACK PHONE BE ON PEACOCK?

There is not yet a Peacock streaming release date for The Black Phone. That said, we can make an educated guess as to when The Black Phone will be on the streaming service. Another recent Universal movie, The Northman, began streaming on Peacock Premium after a 45-day theatrical run, and was also available on VOD the next day.

If The Black Phone follows a similar streaming release strategy, you can expect The Black Phone to release on Peacock around the second week of August 2022.

WILL THE BLACK PHONE BE STREAMING ON HBO MAX?

No. The Black Phone is a Universal movie, not a Warner Bros. Also, HBO Max will no longer be streaming theatrical movies in 2022. (Last year, Warner Bros. opted to simultaneously release its theatrical slate on streaming, meaning HBO Max subscribers could watch movies like Matrix Resurrections at home. This year, however, Warner Bros. theatrical movies will have a 45-day theaters-only run before moving to HBO Max.) It’s possible that The Black Phone will be on HBO and HBO Max someday, but it will not be any time soon.

IS THE BLACK PHONE STREAMING ON NETFLIX?

The Black Phone will not be on Netflix any time soon. However, the movie may eventually go to Netflix, albeit not for another 4 years. A deal between Universal and Netflix gives the streaming service access to live-action films from Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Focus Features, about four years after they open in theaters. In the case of The Black Phone, that means July 2026. That’s a long time to wait, so if you want to see the movie ASAP, your best bet is to go to a movie theater or wait for it to come on Peacock.