A24’s “The Drama” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson to debut on HBO Max in July

HBO Max has set the exclusive U.S. streaming debut date for A24’s “The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The film will make its streaming premiere on Friday, July 31 exclusively on HBO Max, following its release strategy through A24 and HBO’s distribution partnership.

Deadline reported that “The Drama” is written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, marking his role as both writer and director for the project. The streaming date announcement places the film’s first platform debut on HBO Max rather than a general theatrical or early multi-service rollout, according to the outlet.

After the exclusive streaming premiere, the film will also air on HBO’s linear channel beginning Saturday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m., Deadline said. The staggered schedule gives audiences a streaming-first option while establishing a subsequent appointment-style broadcast time on HBO.

The announcement also indicates how A24, a major indie producer, continues to route high-profile releases through premium streaming and pay-TV ecosystems. For HBO Max, the July 31 window represents a content acquisition timed for late-summer programming, while the August 1 linear placement extends the film’s reach to subscribers who rely on scheduled television viewing.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson headline the project, and the casting and star power are expected to be a key driver for first-week viewing on the platform. The release timeline announced by Deadline defines the earliest U.S. window for audiences seeking the film, with exclusivity applying specifically to the streaming debut date.

The film’s director, Borgli, is credited by Deadline as both writer and director, a dual role that can affect marketing emphasis and how the film is framed in press materials. The combination of a recognizable directorial voice and two internationally prominent leads is presented in the industry coverage as central to the film’s launch positioning.

No additional rollout details beyond the July 31 and Aug. 1 dates were included in the Deadline report excerpt, including whether the film will be available internationally on the same dates or whether it will receive other platform placements after the initial exclusivity window. Those specifics were not confirmed in the information provided.