To skip or not to skip: Is the new Elvis movie worth watching in theaters?

At Hidden Remote, we love a biopic! And Elvis checks all the right boxes. Will you be watching it in theaters this weekend, June 24? Or are you still undecided? Should you wait until the streaming release of the movie? In this post, we give you some more details on the Elvis movie to help you decide.

Movie theaters seem to be back in action. Audiences are seeing fewer movies get straight-to-streaming releases. For a while, we also saw many films debut on the same day both in theaters and on a streaming platform. This doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. However, even movies that go straight to theaters, just as Jurassic World Dominion and Lightyear, for example, get a streaming release about 45 days after their theatrical release, an amount of time that was not this short pre-COVID.

The next big release in theaters is Elvis, a biopic that chronicles the life and career of singer and actor Elvis Presley, known as King of Rock and Roll.

Is the new Elvis movie worth watching in theaters?

My dad loves music. One of the artists I grew up listening to was Elvis Presley. I didn’t appreciate it so much before, but now I can see what the hype was all about. Needless to say, I was excited to watch this for the nostalgia and to learn more about Elvis and the ups and downs of his career — and boy did I learn some new facts!

First off, Austin Butler is amazing as Elvis Presley. Audiences can feel the passion, pain, and joy from their seats. Tom Hanks is also a scene stealer. When you hate a character so much it makes you cringe and want to yell at the screen, you know the actor is doing a brilliant job. The chemistry between Butler and Hanks is great, whether their characters are happy or angry at each other, they play together well. As far as the acting goes, Elvis is a must-watch, and the sooner, the better.

How long is the Elvis movie?

Now, the runtime of the movie may be what turns off some fans. Bring a pillow for comfort and take a bathroom break before the movie, it’s a long one! Elvis is approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. With trailers ahead of it, you’re looking to be in the theater for over three hours.

Could the Elvis movie have been shorter? Absolutely! I can think of a couple unnecessary scenes and moments that could’ve been cut down. But does the runtime ruin the story? No, not in my opinion, at least. While I don’t believe every moment featured is necessary, I don’t think it distracts from the main story. This is thanks to the amazing cast, who keep us engaged and entertained. Not to mention, the Elvis movie is packed with great music, including Presley’s biggest hits.

Can you stream the Elvis movie online?

If you are still not convinced this is a movie to watch in theaters, wait for the streaming release. Elvis is a Warner Bros. Pictures production, and many of its movies call HBO Max their streaming home after the theatrical release. Typically, movies from Warner Bros. go to HBO Max about 45 days after the premiere. That said, Aug. 8, 2022, is when we would see the movie on the streaming platform. If not, late summer, for sure.

Elvis is in theaters on Friday, June 24.