A24’s dark comedy film The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Seth Rogen, will begin streaming exclusively on HBO Max on Friday, October 23, 2026, according to reports from ComingSoon.net. The home-viewing release will be followed by a debut on HBO linear on Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET, aligning with the historical pattern of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Pay-1 distribution deal with A24, which typically brings the studio’s titles to the platform roughly 119 days after their theatrical debuts.
Box Office Success and Critical Reception
Created on a reported budget of approximately $15 million, the film turned into a major box office breakout success over the summer. According to ComingSoon.net, the indie release grossed $42.6 million globally during its theatrical run, while other sources place its worldwide earnings higher at over $55 million. The movie premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance before opening theatrically on June 26.
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Invite holds a 96% Tomatometer score and an 89% Popcornmeter score. The critics consensus on the platform states, “Perversely funny while giving its quartet of fine actors some of their best material yet, The Invite is a sophisticated farce that reaffirms Olivia Wilde as one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.”
Cast, Crew, and Plot Details
Based on the Spanish comedy film Sentimental (The People Upstairs) by Cesc Gay, The Invite is an English-language adaptation written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. The story centers on Joe and Angela, a married couple whose relationship is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected directions.
Seth Rogen stars as Joe alongside Olivia Wilde as Angela. Their upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, are played by Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz, respectively. The film was produced by David Permut, Ben Browning, and Megan Ellison, with executive producers including Alex Astrachan, Chelsea Barnard, Glen Basner, Patrick Chu, and Shayne Fiske.
Pro Tip: Fans who missed out on seeing the indie hit on the big screen can stream it starting October 23 on HBO Max or catch its linear television premiere the following night on HBO.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Invite release on HBO Max?
According to ComingSoon.net, The Invite arrives on HBO Max on Friday, October 23, 2026, followed by an HBO linear debut on Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Who directed The Invite?
The dark comedy was directed by Olivia Wilde, who also stars in the film alongside Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz.
What is The Invite based on?
The movie is an English-language remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs (Sentimental) by Cesc Gay, with a script written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones.
How much did The Invite make at the box office?
The film grossed over $55 million worldwide against a reported $15 million budget (ComingSoon.net records the global gross at $42.6 million).
Did you know? Olivia Wilde’s next project is a holiday comedy for Universal Pictures titled Naughty, starring Jennifer Aniston and Peter Dinklage.
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