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- "Tenet" is now available to stream through several video-on-demand (VOD) services.
- The sci-fi movie received a theatrical release in September, but some people were unable to see the film due to theater closures in their area.
- You can purchase or rent "Tenet" now through platforms like Prime Video, Vudu, and FandangoNow.
- Read more: How to rent movies online
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Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" was one of the few big-budget studio films to receive a theatrical release in 2020. The movie debuted on the big screen in September, but since many theaters remain closed, only select audiences actually got to see the film when it premiered.
Thankfully, "Tenet" is finally available to buy or rent on several streaming platforms, enabling a larger audience to enjoy Nolan's latest sci-fi epic. The movie centers around a CIA operative who embarks on a mission to help prevent World War III. Mixing espionage thrills with time-bending elements, the movie builds upon director Christopher Nolan's penchant for stunning action and complicated narratives.
"Tenet" stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, and Michael Caine. Christopher Nolan is best known for directing blockbuster movies like "The Dark Knight," "Inception," and "Interstellar." The filmmaker has been nominated for three Academy Awards throughout his career, including a Best Director nomination for "Dunkirk" in 2018.
Nolan has long been an advocate for the big-screen movie experience and encouraged Warner Bros. to release "Tenet" in theaters despite box office challenges caused by theater closures. The director recently criticized HBO Max's decision to stream all of Warner's upcoming 2021 films.
"Tenet" has received positive reviews from critics since its premiere in September. The movie currently holds a "70% Fresh" rating on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a score of 69/100 on Metacritic.
Updated on 1/5/2021 by Steven Cohen: Added new details on how to rent "Tenet" online.
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How to watch 'Tenet'
"Tenet" is now available to rent or purchase through several VOD retailers, including Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, FandangoNow, Microsoft, Apple TV, and Google Play. The movie costs $19.99 to buy. Once purchased, you can stream the film whenever you'd like through the service you selected.
As of January 5, "Tenet" is also now available to rent through VOD platforms for $5.99. Digital rentals typically give you 30 days to start streaming. After you begin watching a rental, they usually expire after 48 hours.
The movie is available in standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), and 4K Ultra HD resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) through all of the listed services. Pricing is currently the same no matter which version you buy.
To watch "Tenet" through any of the services listed above, you'll need to sign up for an account on the retailer of your choice and download the corresponding streaming app. Apps for Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, FandangoNow, Apple TV, Microsoft Movies, and Google Play are available on mobile devices, as well as on many smart TVs and streaming players.
In addition to VOD services, "Tenet" is also available to purchase on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. Blu-ray disc formats still offer benefits over streaming options, including lossless audio and higher quality video with less compression. Though most people will be satisfied with streaming, if you have a 4K TV and you want to watch "Tenet" in the best quality available, you'll need a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player and the 4K disc.
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What other brand-new movies can I watch at home?
In addition to "Tenet," there are several other brand-new movies you can buy or rent at home. As select theaters remain closed across the US due to the coronavirus pandemic, many studios are continuing to debut new titles directly through VOD services.
Universal, Sony, Paramount, Disney, Lionsgate, and Warner Brothers have been offering streaming rental or purchase options for select titles that were initially planned for theaters. "In-theater" digital rentals or purchases can be made through several services, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, FandangoNow, and Google Play. For more details on digital rentals, check out our guide to streaming rental services.
Warner Bros. is even taking its streaming plans one step further, as the studio has announced that it will release all of its upcoming movies in theaters and on HBO Max at the same time. The ambitious strategy began with the premiere of "Wonder Woman 1984" on December 25.
Tech Editor
Steven is a Tech Editor for the Insider Reviews team, where he oversees streaming and home entertainment product coverage. He previously served as High-Def Digest's Gear Editor from 2013 to 2019, and his work has appeared on Ben's Bargains, Steve's Digicams, Big Picture Big Sound, and Consequence of Sound. Over his nine years of experience covering the audiovisual industry, Steven has reviewed numerous TVs, headphones, speakers, monitors, streaming players, and more. He was one of a select number of journalists invited to get a hands-on first look at LG's first 8K OLED TV in 2019, and is always excited to check out the newest and biggest displays on the market. Based on his extensive experience in the home theater industry, Steven served as one of the expert judges for the 2018 TV Shootout, the premier annual display competition that crowns the best TVs of the year. Steven also has a background in film criticism, having reviewed over 400 movies and TV shows. He uses his movie industry knowledge to help inform his coverage of the streaming and home entertainment markets. Steven's own home theater setup makes his passion for entertainment clear, complete with a 65-inch HDR display and the biggest Dolby Atmos speaker system he can fit in his apartment. And though he often spends his free time binging new series on every streaming service under the sun, he remains proud of his huge collection of Blu-ray discs. See below for some of his work.
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