Jason Statham's shark-action franchise is diving into HBO Max's July slate. Both "The Meg" (2018) and its sequel "Meg 2: The Trench" (2023) arrive on the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming platform this month, giving subscribers a chance to marathon the underwater creature features back-to-back.
The two films combined for $927 million in worldwide box office revenue, a massive haul that underscores the franchise's commercial appeal. "The Meg" launched the series with $530 million globally, while "Meg 2" added $397 million more, cementing Jon Turteltaub's action spectacles as genuine blockbuster material. The films deliver exactly what audiences showed up for: Statham's trademark deadpan physicality matched against prehistoric megalodon sharks, practical stunt work, and creature-feature thrills without pretension.
This move reflects HBO Max's continued strategy of acquiring theatrical tentpoles for streaming windows. Warner Bros. owns the franchise through its production and distribution arms, so housing these titles on the platform strengthens the service's action lineup. Streaming rights for major theatrical releases have become a critical draw for subscribers, particularly films with franchise potential and repeat-viewing appeal.
For Statham fans, the timing offers a convenient entry point to catch up or revisit both installments. "The Meg" introduced his character, Jonas Taylor, a deep-sea rescue diver reluctantly pulled back into action against a 75-foot prehistoric predator. "Meg 2" expanded the scope with deeper mythology, higher stakes, and a larger ensemble cast including Jemaine Clement and Sophia Cai. The sequel pushed visual spectacle further while maintaining the franchise's blend of adventure and creature chaos.
HBO Max's acquisition of these films strengthens its position in the action-thriller space