"Challengers" now in theaters.
The steamy new sports romance film Challengers is now in theaters everywhere. Wondering when you can watch the movie from home? Find out when Challengers will likely arrive on streaming and digital platforms below.
Challengers follows Tashi (Zendaya), a former tennis player-turned-tennis-coach who helps her husband Art (Mike Faist) become a grand slam champion. As Art faces a series of losses, Tashi urges him to participate in a “Challenger” event, a lesser-known professional tournament. The twist? Art’s opponent is his ex-best friend Patrick (Josh O’Connor), who also happens to be Tashi’s former flame.
But this film isn’t really about tennis; the sport merely serves as the backdrop for the unfolding love triangle and emotional complexity between the characters. Director Luca Guadagnino echoed this sentiment to the Associated Press, explaining that the yellow, fuzzy tennis ball carries a deeper meaning.
“The ball is the ephemeral, invisible force of desire,” the Italian filmmaker, known for films like Call Me by Your Name, Suspiria, and Bones and All, said. “I wanted to depict desire as it moves back and forth.”
In Challengers, viewers see Zendaya in an entirely new light. The former Disney Channel star, who graduated into titles like Euphoria, Dune Part 1 and 2, and the Spider-Man franchise, told CNN that the depth and maturity of her character attracted her to the part. Initially, she had mixed feelings about Tashi’s behavior while reading the script, but her perspective changed after seeing the film.
“It would be very easy to make Tashi the villain,” said Zendaya, who is also a producer on the film. “But I think there’s so much more to her. It became my challenge to empathize with her and somehow get the audience to.”
O’Connor, who played a young Prince Charles in The Crown, described his character in Challengers as “front-footed and “overly confident” — traits he admires but has never quite managed to embody himself. “Just to play it and be in his shoes for a few months was bliss. That’s what I’ll hold on to with Patrick. I really like Patrick. I know he’s problematic but I really like him,” he said to the Associated Press.
Variety reports that The Challengers is expected to lead the domestic box office, with projected earnings of $12 million to $15 million during its opening weekend. Curious about when you can watch the movie at home? Here’s what you need to know about its streaming and digital release.
How To Watch Challengers
As of April 25, 2024, the only way to watch Challengers is in movie theaters. The film was originally slated to premiere in September 2023, but the theatrical release was delayed because of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
When Is Challengers Coming To Streaming?
"Challengers" now in theaters.
The streaming release date for Challengers has yet to be announced, and it's uncertain which platform will house the movie. Given its connection to Amazon and MGM, it could be available on Prime Video or MGM+. There's also a chance it could end up on Warner Bros.' streaming service, Max.
Fortunately, Challengers will be available for purchase or rental sooner on digital video-on-demand (VOD) platforms such as Prime Video and YouTube TV, typically about 45 days after its theatrical debut. Considering this timeframe, the earliest possible digital release for Challengers would be around June 9, 2024.
By comparison, Amazon MGM's film The Boys in the Boat was released on digital sites just 22 days after its theatrical debut. However, it took a bit longer — 95 days or just over three months — for the film to make its streaming premiere on MGM+.
The film’s ongoing performance at the box office will likely play a pivotal role in determining when audiences can stream or purchase Challengers at home. Stay tuned to find out exactly when Challengers will come out on streaming and digital.
Watch the official trailer for Challengers below.
