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Gilroy Warns Paramount-Warner Merger Will 'Destroy' Hollywood's Mid-Budget Infrastructure
5 days ago•Source: variety.com
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18.785 min•13 days ago
Kane Parsons Rejects Horror Label for $400M Hit 'Backrooms' at Zurich Summit
Director Kane Parsons rejected the horror genre label for his breakout film 'Backrooms' during a Zurich Summit panel, arguing that marketing categorizations limit audience reach. The film, which grossed approximately $401 million globally, was cited by industry leaders as a key driver of the 2026 box office resurgence, particularly among younger demographics who migrated from YouTube fandoms to theaters. Parsons emphasized his desire for greater creative control in future projects to avoid restrictive genre framing, while acknowledging that A24’s marketing strategy relied on horror as a convenient entry point. Industry figures including Bill Kramer and Michael Barker highlighted the film’s success as evidence of a broader shift in how digital content translates to theatrical success, noting that audiences are increasingly seeking communal experiences that connect online communities with cinema.
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AFM 2024: Las Vegas Debut Amid Election Tension and Horror Film Surge
Variety•1 year ago
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"Box Office Showdown: 'Monkey Man' vs 'The First Omen' for 2nd Place Behind 'Godzilla x Kong'"
Godzilla x Kong is expected to remain at the top of the box office, while Monkey Man and The First Omen are set to compete for second place. Monkey Man, directed by Dev Patel, is a revenge-thriller set in India and inspired by the legend of Hanuman, while The First Omen is a prequel to The Omen. Both films are expected to open in the $13-14 million range and will vie for the attention of younger moviegoers.
"Monster Mayhem: Godzilla x Kong Box-Office Battle and Cast Insights"
"Godzilla vs Kong" continues to exceed expectations at the box office, with a projected $175 million worldwide opening weekend, while "Ghostbusters" sequel sees a significant drop in its second weekend, potentially falling short of the $100 million domestic mark.
"Late Night With the Devil: Box Office Success, AI Art, and Ending Explained"
IFC Films' horror film "Late Night With The Devil" has had the distributor's largest opening weekend ever, grossing over $2.8 million on 1,043 screens and ranking sixth at the domestic box office. The film, set on the 1977 late-night talk show broadcast, has garnered attention for its unique concept and strong screenplay. Additionally, other specialty films such as "Carol Doda Topless At The Condor," "Femme," "Rad," and "Free Time" also made notable debuts at the box office.
"Civil War: A Terrifying Cautionary Tale with Outstanding Performances"
The long-range box office forecast for April includes A24's "Civil War" with an opening weekend range of $12M-$18M and a domestic total range of $34M-$65M, while Lionsgate's "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" is projected to have an opening weekend range of $6M-$10M and a domestic total range of $12M-$34M. Both films face competition, but benefit from strong filmmakers and appealing casts.
"2023 Sees Steep Decline in Women-Led Films, Reaching Historic Low"
A study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that the representation of women, women of color, and women aged 45+ in films in 2023 dropped to near a 10-year low, despite the success of Barbie at the box office. The study found that only 30% of the top 100 films featured a female-identified actor as a lead or co-lead, down from 44% in 2022. Additionally, the percentage of films with leads/co-leads of color increased, but still lags behind the national percentage of underrepresented people. The study's authors emphasized the need for more diverse representation and urged studios to hire more women behind the camera, as there is a correlation between the identity of the director and the identity of the lead actor.
"Denzel Washington and Spike Lee to Reunite for Kurosawa Remake"
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are set to collaborate for the fifth time on a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime drama "High and Low," based on the novel "King's Ransom" by Ed McBain. The original film, which inspired Steven Soderbergh's 2023 miniseries "Full Circle," starred Toshiro Mifune and centered around a wealthy man's downfall after paying a ransom. The remake will be released theatrically by A24 before heading to Apple TV+, with the script penned by Alan Fox.
"Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' Success Signals Shift to Post-Franchise, Post-IP Era in Cinema"
Christopher Nolan reflects on the box office success of "Oppenheimer," emphasizing the film's unprecedented earnings as a three-hour, R-rated historical drama. He sees this success as indicative of a shift towards a post-franchise, post-IP landscape in movies, highlighting the audience's appetite for original and innovative content. While acknowledging the importance of franchise films, Nolan stresses the power of surprising and new experiences for audiences, emphasizing the need for a balance between established titles and fresh, original films in Hollywood.
"Sundance Reunion: Marvel Directors, Pedro Pascal, and Angus Cloud Shine in Indie Films"
Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, known for their work on Marvel's Captain Marvel, are returning to their indie roots with the film "Freaky Tales," which will premiere at Sundance. The film, backed independently by Macro and eOne, is an anthology set in 1987 Oakland, combining sci-fi, Blaxploitation, and action-adventure elements. Despite their studio experience, the duo embraced creative freedom within budgetary constraints and leaned on skills gained from their studio tenure. "Freaky Tales" is generating buzz as a top sales title at the festival, with a premiere set for the Eccles Theater.
The Box Office Battle: Wonka vs. Marvel
The box office success of "Wonka" compared to "The Marvels" can be attributed to several factors. While "The Marvels" technically made more money in its opening weekend, its higher budget and a significant drop in ticket sales during its second week affected its overall earning potential. Additionally, "The Marvels" faced criticism that seemed to unfairly target its Black, female director, Nia DaCosta. On the other hand, "Wonka" benefited from being a family-friendly nostalgia bomb and managed to perform well despite the decline in popularity of movie musicals. These contrasting outcomes highlight the importance of handling intellectual property in a fresh and creative manner to resonate with audiences.
2023's Biggest Box Office Flops and Worst Films: A Comprehensive Ranking
The article highlights the ten biggest box office flops and disappointments of 2023. Despite the overall recovery of the box office after the pandemic, several films failed to connect with audiences. Some notable flops include "Renfield," "The Creator," "Hypnotic," "Haunted Mansion," "Wish," "Freelance," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," and "The Marvels." These films suffered from various issues such as poor marketing, bad timing, high budgets, and lack of audience interest. The article emphasizes the need for Hollywood to learn from these failures and make better decisions in the future.