Disruption may be hitting Hollywood hard, but it’s not slowing down Jason Blum, whose powerhouse studio, Blumhouse, is behind many of the most popular — and most profitable — horror films of the past 10 years.
In conversation with Chief Correspondent Peter Kafka, Blum unpacked how AI is changing the entertainment industry and how his unique business approach allows Blumhouse to thrive in a time where consumer behaviors are shifting. The two spoke at Business Insider Live’s The Long Play event in San Francisco.
(L-R) Chloe East and Sadie Sandler in “Roommates.”
Scott Yamano/Netflix
The first “Mission: Impossible” and the sequels up to “Rogue Nation” are hitting Netflix.
So are horror movies like “A Quiet Place Part II” and the 2022 version of “Scream.”
The Netflix original comedy “Roommates” also premieres this month.
Here are the best movies on Netflix in April.
“Atonement” (April 1)
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in “Atonement.”
Focus Features
James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, and a young Saoirse Ronan star in this drama set around World War II about how the lives of three people are disrupted by a lie.
“Kindergarten Cop” (April 1)
Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Kindergarten Cop.”
Universal Pictures
Arnold Schwarzenegger is at his 1990s peak in this Ivan Reitman-directed comedy playing a tough cop who has to show his soft side when he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher.
“Mission: Impossible” (April 1)
Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible.”
Paramount Pictures
Long before the “M:I” franchise was synonymous with Tom Cruise doing outlandish stunts, he teamed up with legendary director Brian De Palma for a movie that combines the memorable elements from the TV show with De Palma’s masterful cinematic eye.
The rest of the movies in the franchise up until “Rogue Nation” are also now on Netflix.
“Money Talks” (April 1)
(L-R) Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen in “Money Talks.”
New Line Cinema
After his breakout role playing Smokey in “Friday” and scene-stealing appearances in “Dead Presidents” and “The Fifth Element,” Chris Tucker scored the lead role opposite Charlie Sheen in this action comedy in which he plays a petty criminal run from the law. Sheen plays the reporter trying to land the story.
“Smokey and the Bandit” (April 1)
Burt Reynolds and Sally Field in “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Universal Pictures
Burt Reynolds took a gamble starring in his stuntman Hal Needham’s directorial debut, and it led to a classic 1970s movie.
Reynolds shows off his charm and charisma opposite Sally Field playing a bootlegger who must transport 400 cases of Coors beer to Atlanta while a crazed sheriff (Jackie Gleason) is in hot pursuit.
“Scream” (April 10)
Jenna Orgeta in “Scream.”
Paramount Pictures
The 2022 version of “Scream” gives a shot in the arm to the franchise birthed by horror master Wes Craven in 1996. The return of franchise favorites Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, plus the additions of Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and Jack Quaid made for a perfect fusion of legacy and new blood for this classic horror IP.
“A Quiet Place Part II” (April 11)
(L-R) Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds, and Emily Blunt in “A Quiet Place Part II.”
Paramount Pictures
If you need more horror, check out the sequel to the hit film “A Quiet Place.” In this chapter, the Abbott family faces the terrors of the outside world after surviving an alien home invasion in the first movie.
“Roommates” (April 17)
(L-R) Jaya Harper, Bella Murphy, Sadie Sandler, and Chloe East in “Roommates.”
Scott Yamano/Netflix
This Netflix original comedy follows Sadie Sandler as Devon, an introverted college freshman who becomes roommates with the confident Celeste (Chloe East). Humor and conflict ensues.
“Him” (April 19)
(L-R) Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers in “Him.”
Universal Pictures
Produced by Jordan Peele, “Him” follows Cam (Tyriq Withers), a quarterback on the verge of turning pro whose life is turned upside down when he’s invited to train with his idol, played by Marlon Wayans.
Netflix wants to change the way action movies are made amid the never-ending battle for our sustained attention, according to “Bourne” actor Matt Damon.
In an interview on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Damon and longtime collaborator and friend Ben Affleck spoke about their latest experience costarring in and coproducing their first Netflix-exclusive heist film, “The Rip,” which was released Friday. The two actors talked about how streaming and short-form video platforms have upended the way movies are consumed, made, and sold to audiences.
Damon said Netflix is now asking for action films to have bigger sequences occur within the first five minutes of the movie and suggesting that actors reiterate the plot line to cater to viewers who are on their phones.
The actor said the “standard way” he learned to make an action film was to have the finale — “the big one with all the explosions” that a production spends most of its money on — occur in the third act.
“Now, they’re like, ‘Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay tuned in. And you know it wouldn’t be terrible if you reiterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue because people are on their phones while they’re watching,'” he said. “And so then it’s going to really start to infringe on how we’re telling a story.”
Damon didn’t specify if Netflix gave the instruction to the actor and producer for his latest heist movie.
A Netflix spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend.
Affleck added that the suggestions aren’t reflected in every new action film or series coming out on Netflix. The actor pointed to “Adolescence,” a crime miniseries that has episodes shot in one continuous take. The show was released in March.
Damon said he felt the show was an exception.
“My feeling is just that it demonstrates that you don’t need to do any of that” stuff, Affleck said.
He later added, “It’s like supply and demand. People want to look at their phones, they look at TikTok, they’re going to do that. I think what you can do is make shit the best you can. Make it really good.”
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Disney has a packed 2026 film slate.
Key releases include “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” “Toy Story 5,” and “Avengers: Doomsday.”
There are also original movies starring Rachel McAdams and Jacob Elordi.
Walt Disney Studios had an impressive 2025, and it’s possible that 2026 will be even better for the Mouse House.
The studio took in $6 billion at the global box office in 2025, marking the first time since the pandemic that any studio has hit that benchmark. And Disney, along with the money-making studios under it — Walt Disney Animation, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, 20th Century, and Searchlight — have geared up for an exciting 2026.
The Mandalorian (along with Grogu) is getting the big screen treatment. So are Buzz Lightyear and Woody in a fifth “Toy Story.” Plus, Miranda Priestly is returning to dish out withering burns in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Here’s everything Disney is releasing in theaters in 2026.
“Send Help” — January 30
Rachel McAdams in “Send Help.” Disney/20th Century Studios
Looking for something that isn’t based on existing IP? Here you go!
Director Sam Raimi’s first original movie since 2009’s “Drag Me to Hell,” this survival thriller stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as work colleagues who try to survive on a deserted island after they become the lone survivors of a plane crash.
“Psycho Killer” — February 20
“Psycho Killer.” Disney/20th Century Studios
“Psycho Killer” has the potential to be the first horror hit of 2026. The film follows a female cop on the hunt for the serial killer known as “The Satanic Slasher,” who murdered her husband.
“Hoppers” — March 6
Pixar’s “Hoppers.” Pixar
Pixar gets trippy for the movie to follow the disappointing release of “Elio” in 2025.
The film follows an animal-loving young girl named Mabel (Piper Curda) who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom.
“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” — March 27
Kathryn Newton and Samara Weaving in “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.” Disney/Searchlight Pictures
In this sequel to the hit 2019 horror comedy, “Ready or Not,” Samara Weaving returns in the lead role as the sole survivor of her husband and in-laws’ deadly devil-whorshipping game.
Now she and her sister (Kathryn Newton) are marked for death in another gruesome game.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and legendary director David Cronenberg also star.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” — May 1
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” Disney/20th Century Studios
Get ready for Anne Hathaway sporting high fashion and Meryl Streep giving cold looks: “The Devil Wears Prada” is back! Fellow cast members from the original 2006 movie, including Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, also return for this look inside the elite world of fashion publishing.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” — May 22
“The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Disney/Lucasfilm
“The Mandalorian” showrunner Jon Favreau will direct the next chapter in the “Star Wars” bounty hunter story, which will be on the big screen and feature his lovable companion, Grogu (aka Baby Yoda). Pedro Pascal will return to play Mando.
“Toy Story 5” — June 19
“Toy Story 5.” Disney/Pixar
“Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton will direct the next “Toy Story” film, which will feature Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the gang up against their biggest foe yet: technology.
“Moana” — July 10
Catherine Laga’aia in “Moana.” Disney
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will play the live-action version of Maui, whom he voiced in the animated series.
“Super Troopers 3” — August 7
Broken Lizard in “Super Troopers 2.” Fox Searchlight
The Broken Lizard comedy team (Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske) is once more donning their state trooper uniforms for a third movie stemming from their hit 2001 comedy, which stars the group as dim-witted Vermont troopers.
Brian Cox will return as their cranky commander.
“The Dog Stars” — August 28
Ridley Scott. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Ridley Scott’s next movie is set in a world dealing with the aftermath of a crippling flu that nearly wiped out humanity.
Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong play characters searching for a better life.
“Whalefall” — October 16
Austin Abrams. Gilbert Flores/Getty
Based on the Daniel Kraus book, Austin Abrams (“Weapons”) plays a scuba driver who, while in search of his father’s remains in the ocean, is swallowed by a large whale and struggles to find a way to escape.
“Hexed” — November 25
“Hexed.” Disney
This animated movie follows a teen who discovers that he has magical powers, which takes him and his mother on a remarkable journey.
“Avengers: Doomsday” — December 18
Chris Evans in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Disney/Marvel Studios
Robert Downey Jr. will play the Marvel villain Doctor Doom in the next MCU blockbuster that will feature a star-studded cast, including Chris Evans returning as Captain America.
Disney will get everyone in the Mavel mood by re-releasing the box office sensation “Avengers: Endgame” on September 25.
In 2026, Walt Disney Studios is full of big releases from “Avengers: Doomsday” to “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Beyond 2026, expect movies from “Bluey” and “The Simpsons” as well as “Frozen 3.”
“Star Wars: Starfighter,” Pixar’s “Gatto,” and two more “Avatar” movies are also on the Disney slate.
Disney showed its dominance at the movie theater in 2025, with the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” becoming a box-office sensation and “Zootopia 2” becoming the fastest PG-rated movie ever to make $1 billion. Disney’s slate is set to go from strength to strength in 2026, with even more sequels and iconic TV shows coming to the big screen in the year ahead.
If you’ve lost track of the multiple Disney projects in the works, here’s a list of big releases coming from the Mouse House through 2031.
“Hoppers” — March 6
Pixar’s “Hoppers.”
Pixar
At 2024’s D23 event, Disney’s biennial fan event, Pixar announced that Daniel Chong, the storyboard artist on “Bolt” and “Minions,” would direct a new original movie called “Hoppers.”
The film follows a young girl, Mabel (Piper Curda), who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom. Variety reported that Mabel will unite the animals against a real estate developer.
Essentially, it’s “Avatar” with beavers.
Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan will also star in the movie.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” — May 1
“The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Disney/20th Century Studios
Get ready for Anne Hathaway sporting high fashion and Meryl Streep giving cold looks: “The Devil Wears Prada” is back! Fellow cast members from the original 2006 movie, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, also return for this look inside the elite publishing and fashion world.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” — May 22
Lucasfilm
Pedro Pascal’s Mandalorian is finally coming to the big screen, and he’s bringing Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) with him.
“The Mandalorian,” which follows a bounty hunter who finds a young alien (Grogu) and decides to raise him, is Lucasfilm’s most successful “Star Wars” Disney+ series, winning 15 Emmys across three seasons.
“The Mandalorian” showrunner Jon Favreau will direct the movie.
“Toy Story 5” — June 19
“Toy Story 5.”
Disney/Pixar
“Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton is directing the next “Toy Story” film.
This time, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang compete against a digital threat for children’s attention.
Live-action “Moana” remake — July 10
Catherine Laga’aia in “Moana.”
Disney
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced the live-action adaptation during a prerecorded video for a shareholders meeting in April 2023.
Johnson will reprise his role from the hit 2016 movie as Maui, but the original Moana actor Auli’i Cravalho announced on Instagram she won’t reprise her role as the Disney princess.
Instead, she’ll serve as an executive producer, while Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old actor, will play Moana. John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen will play Moana’s family members.
“The Dog Stars” — August 28
Ridley Scott attends the “Napoleon” UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 16, 2023 in London, England.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Ridley Scott’s next movie is set in a world dealing with the aftermath of a crippling flu that nearly wiped out humanity.
Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong play characters searching for a better life.
“Avengers: Endgame” re-release — September 25
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in “Avengers: Endgame.”
Marvel Studios
One of the biggest box-office earners of all time is going to get some more coin.
To set up the release of “Avengers: Doomsday” at the end of the year, Disney will re-release “Endgame” in the fall.
“Hexed” — November 25
“Hexed.”
Disney
This animated movie follows a teen who discovers that he has magical powers, which takes him and his mother on a remarkable journey.
“Avengers: Doomsday” — December 18
“Avengers: Doomsday.”
Disney/Marvel Studios
In July 2024, Marvel announced at the San Diego Comic-Con that “Iron Man” star Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as the main villain of “Avengers 5,” Doctor Doom.
This will be Downey Jr.’s first Marvel project since Iron Man died in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” Chris Hemsworth will return as Thor and Chris Evans as Captain America.
The Russo Brothers, who directed “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” are also returning to direct the film.
“Ice Age 6” — February 5, 2027
Sid, Manny, and Diego in “Ice Age.”
20th Century Fox
In November 2024, Disney announced that “Ice Age” would be getting another sequel, which is in production.
Disney said some of the franchise’s main voice cast are returning, including Ray Romano and Queen Latifah, who play the mammoth couple, Manny and Ellie.
John Leguizamo and Denis Leary will return to voice sidekicks Sid the Sloth and Diego the Sabretooth Tiger. And finally, Simon Pegg will voice Buck, a reckless weasel who joined the franchise in the third film.
“Star Wars: A New Hope” re-release — February 19, 2027
American actors Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Marking the 50th anniversary of George Lucas’ landmark sci-fi movie, the original will get a re-release.
This will also get audiences prepared to return to a galaxy far, far away with “Star Wars: Starfighter” opening in theaters three months later.
“Gatto” — March 5, 2027
Pixar’s “Gatto.”
Pixar
At the 2025 Annecy Film Festival in June, Pixar’s CCO Pete Docter announced the next project from “Luca” director Enrico Casarosa.
It’s titled “Gatto” and follows the antics of a black cat named Nero as it maneuvers through Venice, Italy.
“Star Wars: Starfighter” — May 28, 2027
Ryan Gosling in “Star Wars: Starfighter.”
Disney/Lucasfilm
Not much has been revealed yet about the next “Star Wars” movie.
What we know for sure is Ryan Gosling is its star, the story is set five years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,” and it will be directed by Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things,” “Free Guy,” “Deadpool & Wolverine”).
“Bluey: The Movie” — August 6, 2027
ABC
In December 2024, Disney and the BBC announced that “Bluey,” the hit children’s show about an anthropomorphic puppy, would be made into a theatrical movie.
The animated film will be written and directed by Joe Brumm, who created the show. It will continue the adventures of Bluey and her family rather than reboot the story.
“The Simpsons” movie sequel — September 3, 2027
“The Simpsons.”
Fox
20 years after its first big screen release, the sequel to the iconic TV series is finally coming.
“Frozen 3” — November 24, 2027
Anna and Olaf at the start of “Frozen 2.”
Disney
At 2024’s D23, Disney confirmed they will make a third and fourth “Frozen” movie.
Disney also revealed concept art that depicted Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the shadow of a horned person who could be the film’s villain.
“Avengers: Secret Wars” — December 17, 2027
Joe (L) and Anthony (R) Russo return to direct the next “Avengers” films while Robert Downey Jr. returns as the major villain.
Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney
This will be the follow-up to “Avengers: Doomsday” and will also be directed by the Russo Brothers.
Disney has 19 other untitled Disney, Marvel, and Pixar projects set for release in 2027 and beyond
Disney
April 2, 2027 — untitled Disney film
June 18, 2027 — untitled Disney film
September 17, 2027 — untitled Disney film
October 8, 2027 — untitled Disney film
November 5, 2027 — untitled Disney film
January 14, 2028 — untitled Disney film
February 18, 2028 — untitled Marvel film
March 10, 2028 — untitled Pixar film
March 31, 2028 — untitled Disney film
May 5, 2028 — untitled Marvel film
May 26, 2028 — untitled Disney film
June 16, 2028 — untitled Pixar film
July 7, 2028 — untitled Disney film
July 28, 2028 — untitled Disney film
August 11, 2028 — untitled Disney film
October 6, 2028 — untitled Disney film
November 10, 2028 — untitled Marvel film
November 22, 2028 — untitled Disney animation
December 15, 2028 — untitled Marvel film
“Avatar 4” — December 21, 2029
“Avatar: Fire & Ash.”
Disney/20 Century Studios
Following the box office success of “Avatar: Fire & Ash,” Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña are set to star in two more “Avatar” movies.
This film was pushed back from a 2026 release date.
“Avatar 5” — December 19, 2031
Neytiri the Na’vi in 2009’s “Avatar.”
20th Century Fox; Media Magik Entertainment/YouTube
James Cameron had ideas for “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” in 2010. He originally announced “Avatar 4” in 2012, before revealing in 2015 that he also planned for a fifth film.
Cameron told Entertainment Weekly that he’ll hold a press conference and explain how the franchise ends if the franchise doesn’t get to parts 4 and 5.
“Coco 2” — TBD
Disney/Pixar
In March, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during the company’s annual meeting of shareholders that “Coco 2” is in the works.
The original co-directors, Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, will be returning.
The 2017 film, which grossed $814 million, featured an aspiring musician who journeyed to the land of the dead to discover why his family had banned music.
“Incredibles 3” — TBD
Disney/Pixar
At the D23 event in 2024, Pixar announced another “Incredibles” sequel.
“Incredibles 2,” which premiered in 2018, was the highest-grossing animated film for six years until “Inside Out 2” overtook it.
Brad Bird, the director of the film series, will helm the new project.
“Monster Jam” — TBD
Dwayne Johnson at the Walt Disney Studios CinemaCon Presentation.
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
At 2024’s D23, Dwayne Johnson announced that he was working with Disney to produce a film about the monster truck competition known as Monster Jam.
Kirsten Acuna, Caralynn Matassa, and Ayomikun Adekaiyero contributed to previous versions of this post.
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This month on Netflix, watch crime thriller “The Rip,” starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Also available is the rom-com “People We Meet on Vacation.”
Plus classics like “Wild Things” and “My Girl.”
This month on Netflix, watch Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play cops in conflict when they come across millions of dollars in “The Rip,” and stream classics like “Wild Things,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” and “My Girl.”
Keep reading for the seven best movies coming to Netflix in January.
“Free Solo” (January 1)
Alex Honnold in “Free Solo.” National Geographic
This Oscar-winning documentary profiles prolific rock climber Alex Honnold during his quest to be the first person to ever free solo climb (no ropes or any other protective gear) El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Show up for the drama not only in the climb but in Honnold’s life, and stay for the breathtaking visuals captured by directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.
“Green Room” (January 1)
Patrick Stewart (center) stars in “Green Room.” Jeremy Saulnier
From “Rebel Ridge” director Jeremy Saulnier, this thriller follows a punk-rock band who find themselves in a life-or-death situation when they witness a murder by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads and have to fight their way out of the remote club they performed in to escape them.
Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, Callum Turner, and Patrick Stewart star.
“Harry and the Hendersons” (January 1)
The Hendersons. YouTube – Harry and the Hendersons
John Lithgow stars as the patriarch of a family coming home from a camping trip when they hit something with their station wagon: a Bigfoot. They come to befriend the Sasquatch, whom they name Harry, leading to a mad dash to keep Harry safe from a hunter trying to track him down.
“My Girl” (January 1)
Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky in “My Girl.” Columbia Pictures.
This coming-of-age drama follows the trials and tribulations of 11-year-old Vada (Anna Chlumsky) and her best friend, Thomas (Macaulay Culkin).
The movie is filled with great supporting roles from Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Griffin Dunne.
Just make sure to have tissues ready for the ending.
“Wild Things” (January 1)
(L-R) Kevin Bacon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell, and Matt Dillon star in “Wild Things.” Columbia Pictures/Getty Images
What has become a sultry cult classic since its release in the late 1990s, this thriller features great performances from Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Kevin Bacon.
The plot focuses on a high-school guidance counselor (Dillon) trying to clear his name after being accused of rape by two high school girls (Campbell and Richards). But there are a lot of twists and turns, leading to a shocking ending.
“People We Meet on Vacation” (January 9)
Emily Bader and Tom Blyth in “People We Meet on Vacation.” Daniel Escale/Netflix
In the latest rom-com original on Netflix — and an adaptation of the popular Emily Henry novel — we follow free spirit Poppy (Emily Bader) and planner Alex (Tom Blyth), who, after years of spending summer vacations together, try to figure out if they are more than just friends.
“The Rip” (January 16)
(L-R) Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in “The Rip.” Claire Folger/Netflix
Action director Joe Carnahan (“Narc,” “The Grey”) teams up with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for this crime thriller, which follows a team of Miami cops who stumble upon a stash of millions of dollars, leading to distrust and a lot of gunfire.
Steve Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, and Kyle Chandler also star.
Every December, cinephiles ask: Was this a good year for movies? By the end of 2025, I knew my answer instantly: Yes.
The box office told a different story. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual box-office grosses routinely reached $10 to $11 billion. This year, totals are expected to fall short of $9 billion.
“It looks like it’s going to be two years in a row that the industry flatlined,” Alamo Drafthouse COO Michael Sherrill told Variety.
But if you look beyond the box-office numbers, you’d see the year was packed with wonderful movies. And it’s just one reason we should be paying less attention to what the box office tells us.
Underrated gems were everywhere
Not every year has a “Barbenheimer,” which together raked in $2.4 billion at the box office in 2023, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of five-star films in 2025.
Some of the best movies of the year included “28 Years Later,” “Blue Moon,” “Sentimental Value,” “Splitsville,” “Hamnet,” “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” “Black Bag,” and “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” and all but two made less than $11 million worldwide.
“The Final Reckoning,” which grossed $598 million at the box office, was still unable to become profitable due to ballooning production costs, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Another, “Black Bag,” was a slick thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a pair of married spies who are pitted against each other when a mole is discovered. This film was visually stunning, featured strong performances, and the tension never let up.
“Black Bag.”
Focus Features
When it was released in March, “Black Bag” earned $44 million at the box office, likely because it catered to, for lack of a better term, “adults.” Yet Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the generations “sort of single-handedly keeping film alive” more than any others, according to reports from CinemaUnited and the National Research Group, suggesting there may be a ceiling on how far adult-focused theatrical releases like “Black Bag” can go today. By comparison, another Soderbergh-directed thriller, “Out of Sight,” made nearly double that in 1998.
Another great 2025 film, “Sorry, Baby,” was a movie written by, directed by, and starring Eva Victor in their directorial debut. Victor played a college professor grappling with the aftermath of a sexual assault. It was simultaneously heartbreaking, funny, and uplifting.
It also only made $3 million at the box office — a respectable total for a small indie film with a reported budget of $1.5 million and a very limited theatrical run, but not a smash by any means.
Another movie that made $3 million? “Splitsville,” which made me laugh harder than almost anything else I saw this year.
“Splitsville.”
Neon
What I learned from these movies: Don’t let the “flop” label or a small box-office number scare you. Just because it didn’t have “Avengers: Endgame”-level marketing, fanfare, and box-office take-home, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time.
The new normal
In fact, even some of the biggest hits of the year could be considered flops by Old Hollywood standards.
Movies like “Superman,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” and “Captain America: Brave New World” each earned hundreds of millions of dollars globally but fell far short of the blockbuster heights superhero films once enjoyed.
Arguably the best superhero movie of the year, “Thunderbolts*,” made $382 million worldwide, making it a superhero flop according to outlets like Variety and Screen Crush.
“Thunderbolts*.”
Marvel Studios
Over the last decade, viewers’ habits have changed; more people stay home and stream their favorite films, rather than head to theaters.
With the advent of streaming, fewer people are interested in going to cinemas. A US Kagan Consumer Insights survey, released in October, found that the percentage of frequent movie-goers dropped by 22% between 2019 and 2025.
Meanwhile, in July 2025, Netflix reported its best-ever numbers during an earnings call. Free streaming services like YouTube and Tubi increased viewership by 53% between 2023 and 2024, and Peacock gained 3 million subscribers in just the first week of the Olympics.
The era when every major release was expected to make a billion dollars is over.
We should all know less about marketing budgets
This comes as there’s more focus on the theater box office and studio budgets. Over the past decade, trade publications have leaned into coverage of how much money a movie needs to earn “to make its money back.”
This reporting only opens up films like Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” a record-breaking, singular film that depicts an area of the country rarely shown on screen, to bad-faith criticism, as viewers use data to tear a movie down, regardless of quality.
“Sinners.”
Eli Adé
It not only ignores creative value but also obscures other stories, such as how Coogler secured a rights deal to own the rights in 2050, which could set a new precedent for how creatives take ownership of their work.
Instead, the narrative was about how this film, which grossed over $360 million on a $90 million budget, per IndieWire, wasn’t close to making its money back.
“Sinners” has amassed $61 million in its global debut. It’s a great result for an original, R-rated horror film, yet the Warner Bros. release has a $90 million price tag before global marketing expenses, so profitability remains a ways away. https://t.co/gjPXGBYkZ1pic.twitter.com/wwXjVC2GT5
so in order for the film to break even (70M budget), it will have to gross 175M, but that doesn’t include the marketing costs, so the break even point is prob +200M. so happy timotheé is getting a financial failure attatched to his face 🙏🏻 https://t.co/ZvYV2sUQqf
This phenomenon isn’t completely new. In Nancy Meyers’ “The Holiday,” a film released almost 20 years ago, a character complains we shouldn’t be tracking box-office returns like baseball scores: “Now a picture has to make a killing the first weekend or it’s dead. This is supposed to be conducive to great work?”
Still, with movies like “Sinners” and “Black Bag” in our rear-view mirrors, we should remind ourselves that box-office success shouldn’t matter to us cinema lovers — we should only care about how the movies are making us feel and think.
So, as 2026 begins, stop worrying and love the bomb — and an entire world of cinema will be opened up to you.
People have been describing “My Secret Santa” (a title that doesn’t even make sense, by the way) as the “reverse ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.'”
To that I say: just go watch “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
My list of notes, observations, and questions was by far the longest for this movie, which stars Alexandra Breckenridge as Taylor Jacobsen, a single mom (and former teen rock star, somehow), who decides her daughter must go to an exorbitantly expensive snowboarding school at a ski resort, and the only job she can find requires dressing up as an old man to become the resort’s resident Santa Claus.
Along the way, she meets a man, Matthew (Ryan Eggold), who is quite determined to get to know her — for truly no reason besides the fact that she’s pretty — but, gasp, he turns out to be the resort owner’s son.
This might all sound pretty normal, but believe me, this movie seems like it was written backward. As in, since they needed Taylor to have access to some of the best prosthetics since “Frankenstein,” her brother and his husband happen to be obsessed with Halloween.
Also, Taylor was just really bad at being Santa for too much of the runtime.
This brings me to the villain, Natasha, as played by Tia Mowry. She’s hyper-competent, dedicated to her job, and has been at the resort for years. But when it’s time for someone to get a promotion, Matthew the Nepo Baby gets it instead. Was I supposed to not root for her as she tried to sabotage his (quite poor) attempts at running things? Because I did not! She deserved the promotion!
Ultimately, this movie is deranged (but not in a fun way), the two leads have no chemistry, and it makes the cardinal sin of evoking a much better movie. It was a skip from me.
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Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros. in a $72 billion deal for its streaming and studios business.
That means the streamer would own a slew of classic movies and TV shows from the WBD catalog.
Titles that would be owned by Netflix include “Casablanca,” “Friends,” and the “Harry Potter” franchise.
In a deal that is sure to disrupt Hollywood, Netflix is buying Warner Bros. for $72 billion.
In the deal, the streaming giant would acquire WB’s over 100-year vault of beloved film and TV titles.
That means that not only would current hits like “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” be owned by Netflix, but so would classic movies like “Casablanca” and “The Matrix,” as well as beloved TV shows like “Friends” and “The Wire.”
Below are 30 Warner Bros. movies and TV shows that are set to become Netflix titles.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Larry David in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Courtesy of HBO
This series focuses on a fictionalized version of Larry David, the retired co-creator of “Seinfeld,” and his daily life in Los Angeles. The semi-improvised comedy series spotlights David’s irritability and cringeworthy social interactions, and helped turn its star into a cultural archetype of petty annoyances.
“Euphoria”
Zendaya in “Euphoria.” HBO
This teen drama follows Rue, played by Zendaya, and her small circle of peers as they struggle with addiction, sexuality, and mental illness. The show’s maximalist aesthetic inspired glittery makeup trends that took over corners of TikTok. The show’s third season is set to air in April.
“Friends”
“Friends.” NBC
One of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, “Friends” follows a group of six friends — and lovers, and siblings — living in New York City during their early adulthood.
“Game of Thrones”
Sean Bean in “Game of Thrones.” HBO
The fantasy drama based on George R. R. Martin’s novel series is known for its plot twists and intricate world-building. Not only did it create a global fan base and help bring adult fantasy to the fore, but the show’s popularity also created real-world travel trends to filming locations, including Croatia.
“Gilmore Girls”
Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel in “Gilmore Girls.” The WB
A classic, if not the classic, television portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship, this series follows Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore’s (Alexis Bledel) lives in the sleepy town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Known for its witty dialogue, seemingly infinite references to coffee, and reliable boy drama, it remains a favorite comfort show among original fans and younger viewers.
“Gossip Girl”
“Gossip Girl.” Warner Bros.
This 2000s drama follows a group of ultrawealthy private-school students in New York City as they move through champagne-filled parties, messy relationships, and college applications. All the while, the anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl, dishes out secrets in the background. The show helped launch stars like Blake Lively and a generation of aspirational New Yorkers.
“Pretty Little Liars”
“Pretty Little Liars.” ABC Family / Freeform
“Pretty Little Liars” follows four high school girls reeling from the disappearance and assumed death of their friend group’s former queen bee. The girls are being stalked by “A,” someone who seems to know every one of their secrets, past and present. Full of familial and romantic drama, the show created a loyal online fandom who traded theories about A on social media in the 2010s.
“Rick and Morty”
“Rick and Morty.” Adult Swim
In its eighth season and still going strong, this adult animated science-fiction comedy follows the brilliant alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez and his anxious teenage grandson, Morty Smith, as they navigate multiple universes and their own familial relationships. The show is also relevant beyond the big screen, showing up often in memes.
“Sex and the City”
Sarah Jessica Parker in “Sex and the City.” HBO
This HBO series follows four women in New York City figuring out careers, romance, and friendship. It centers on newspaper columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), whose voiceovers dot most episodes. The show is also considered a staple of fashion history, and Carrie herself became a style icon.
“The Sopranos”
James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos.” HBO
Few shows are considered as impactful as “The Sopranos,” which follows New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) through therapy sessions, the management of a sprawling criminal enterprise, and his chaotic relationships. At once depressing and hilarious, it is credited with demonstrating that television can be as artistically complex and ambitious as film.
“Succession”
Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin in “Succession.” Claudette Barius/HBO
This series follows the Roys as the four adult children scramble for control of the family’s media empire. The comedy-drama offers an unflinching portrait of the ultrawealthy, what people will do for power, and familial dysfunction.
“Veep”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Veep.” HBO
This political satire stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a self-centered and power-hungry vice president. “Veep” tracked real-world politics’ slide into the increasingly absurd and was a favorite among DC insiders.
“The West Wing”
“The West Wing.” NBCU
Created and written by Aaron Sorkin, “The West Wing” chronicles the drama of the White House’s senior staff. It follows the president, chief of staff, communications director, and others through both national and personal crises. The show premiered in 1999 and won 26 Emmys.
“The White Lotus”
Jennifer Coolidge in “The White Lotus.” HBO
Since its first season premiered in 2021, Mike White’s vacation anthology series “The White Lotus” has developed a cult following. Each season of the dark comedy-drama takes place at a different luxury resort around the world, and follows wealthy hotel guests and employees over the course of a week leading up to a death. The show often boasts big stars, like Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Imperioli, and Parker Posey.
“The Wire”
Michael B. Jordan (left) alongside Tray Chaney, Larry Gilliard Jr, and JD Williams in “The Wire.” HBO
This crime drama set in Baltimore follows a wide cast of characters and explores city bureaucracy. Each season focuses on a different topic, from the drug trade to the school system.
“2001: A Space Odyssey”
“2001: A Space Odyssey.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Stanley Kubrick’s space epic pushed the limits of visual effects, resulting in one of the most groundbreaking works ever put on the big screen. Kubrick’s other classics — “A Clockwork Orange,” “Barry Lyndon,” “The Shining,” and “Full Metal Jacket” — were also made at Warner Bros.
“Blade Runner”
Sean Young and Harrison Ford in “Blade Runner.” Warner Bros.
Ridley Scott’s trippy tale starring Harrison Ford as a detective in search of synthetic humans in a futuristic Los Angeles has inspired countless other sci-fi stories.
“Casablanca”
Claude Rains, Humphrey Bogart, and Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca.” Warner Bros.
With an all-star cast made up of Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Peter Lorrie, Claude Rains, and Sydney Greenstreet, this drama set against the backdrop of World War II is regarded as one of the greatest love stories ever put on screen. It also features not one but two famous movie lines: “Here’s looking at you, kid,” and, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
“Citizen Kane”
Orson Welles in “Citizen Kane.” Warner Bros.
Orson Welles became a sensation in Hollywood when he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in this movie about the life and times of fictional newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane. The movie’s non-linear storytelling and unique camera angles inspired countless filmmakers in the decades since; many regard it as one of the greatest movies ever made.
“The Exorcist”
“The Exorcist.” Warner Bros.
Before “Jaws” or “Star Wars” became blockbusters, this was the movie audiences lined up around the block to see. William Friedkin’s supernatural horror about a young girl (Linda Blair) possessed by the devil became a box office sensation and the first-ever horror movie to be nominated for a best picture Oscar.
“Gone with the Wind”
Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in “Gone With The Wind.” Loew’s Inc.
This best picture-winning epic set in the South during the Civil War made icons out of Vivien Leigh as the strong-willed Scarlett O’Hara and Clark Gable as the dashing Rhett Butler. The two would be immortalized in movie lore thanks to the famous line delivered by Gable to Leigh, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
“Goodfellas”
Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta in “Goodfellas.” Warner Bros.
Martin Scorsese’s beloved gangster movie is highlighted by powerful performances from Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, who play based-on-real-life despicable mob wiseguys who cause mayhem from the 1950s to the 1980s.
“The Goonies”
Sean Astin in “The Goonies.” Warner Bros. Pictures
Under the watchful eye of Steven Spielberg, who came up with the story, director Richard Donner’s classic follows a group of teens who set out on a treasure-hunting adventure to save the small neighborhood they live in from foreclosure.
“The Matrix”
Keanu Reeves in “The Matrix.” Warner Bros.
Starring Keanu Reeves as a man who awakens from what he realizes is a simulated reality, “The Matrix” features action sequences and never-before-seen CGI effects that redefined the action movie genre overnight.
“Rebel Without a Cause”
James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause.” Warner Bros.
Nicholas Ray’s groundbreaking work didn’t just successfully tap into teenage life, it also turned its star, James Dean, into a matinee idol.
“The Searchers”
John Wayne in “The Searchers.” Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is responsible for one of the greatest Westerns ever made. In this essential John Ford movie, John Wayne plays a Civil War veteran who spends years looking for his abducted niece (Natalie Wood). Along with its powerful performances, the film’s lush vistas of Western terrain have stood the test of time.
“The Shawshank Redemption”
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Columbia Pictures
Based on a Stephen King novella, “The Shawshank Redemption” stars Tim Robbins as banker Andy Dufresne, who is sentenced to life for the murder of his wife, though he’s actually innocent. In his two decades at Shawshank Penitentiary, Dufresne befriends an inmate (Morgan Freeman), launches a money laundering scheme with the warden, and plans a daring escape.
The “Harry Potter” franchise
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Warner Bros. Pictures
All the titles from the beloved fantasy franchise will soon belong to Netflix. Presumably, so will HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
“The Lord of the Rings” franchise
“Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” New Line Cinema
So will Peter Jackson’s trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterwork.
Any version of Batman ever made
Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. Warner Bros.
Batman has been a cash cow for Warner Bros. all the way back to when Michael Keaton put on the cape in 1989. Whether it’s Keaton, Christian Bale, or Robert Pattinson, Netflix will soon be home to whatever version of the Dark Knight you’re a fan of — not to mention Superman and any other DC Comics character.
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Movies like “Pulp Fiction,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Mean Girls” are coming to Netflix in December.
So are new releases like “Wake Up Dead Man” and “Jay Kelly.”
A four-part docuseries on Sean “Diddy” Combs also hits Netflix in December.
This month on Netflix, some hotly anticipated original movies are hitting the streamer, including the latest installment in the “Knives Out” franchise, “Wake Up Dead Man,” and the drama “Jay Kelly,” starring Adam Sandler and George Clooney.
Classic movies like “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pulp Fiction,” are also available. Keep reading for the 10 best movies coming to Netflix in December.
“Pulp Fiction” (December 1)
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in “Pulp Fiction.” Miramax
Quentin Tarantino’s foul-mouthed, ultra-violent landmark work brought 1990s indie film to new heights and led to countless copycats.
“Pulp Fiction” features thrilling vignettes filled with unique characters and storylines, including a boxer (Bruce Willis) determined to get a family heirloom, a couple (Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer) holding up a diner, and the outlandish day of two hitmen (John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson).
“Stripes” (December 1)
Bill Murray in “Stripes.” Columbia Pictures
This comedy classic stars Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as two slackers who join the Army. But instead of shaping up, their antics lead to lots of laughs.
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (December 1)
Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Paramount Pictures
Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese team up for this entertaining biopic on the rise and fall of Wall Street trader and financial criminal Jordan Belfort. Jonah Hill delivers a hilarious performance as Belfort’s best friend, while the movie marks Margot Robbie’s breakout performance as Belfort’s wife.
This four-part docuseries executive-produced by 50 Cent dissects the life and career of Sean “Diddy” Combs. It also chronicles the fall of the hip-hop icon and features never-before-seen footage of Diddy in the days before his arrest.
“Mean Girls” (December 4)
Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, and Rachel McAdams in “Mean Girls.” Paramount Pictures
Lindsay Lohan plays a new girl in high school who must learn to navigate different social cliques in this 2004 classic. The movie also launched the careers of costars Rachel McAdams (who also starred in “The Notebook” that same year) and Amanda Seyfried. The 2024 musical version is also available.
“Jay Kelly” (December 5)
Adam Sandler and George Clooney in “Jay Kelly.” Netflix
Noah Baumbach’s latest movie stars George Clooney as a famous actor who reflects on his life and career with his manager (Adam Sandler) as they travel through Europe.
“Babylon” (December 7)
Margot Robbie and Diego Calva in “Babylon.” Scott Garfield/Paramount
Damien Chazelle’s ambitious look at old Hollywood chronicles the biz in the 1920s and the stars who lost it all with the advent of the talkies. Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt star.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (December 12)
Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig in “Wake Up Dead Man.” Netflix
Rian Johnson’s latest tale in the “Knives Out” franchise features private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) trying to uncover the murder of a priest (Josh Brolin). The all-star cast includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Thomas Haden Church, and Jeffrey Wright.
“Goodbye June” (December 24)
Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet in “Goodbye June.” Netflix
Kate Winslet’s directorial debucenters around four siblings whose lives change when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season. The movie stars Winslet, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, and Helen Mirren.
“Sleeping with Other People” (December 31)
Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis in “Sleeping with Other People.” IFC Films
In one of the best rom-coms you’ve never seen, Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis play two people with major commitment issues who try to stay in the friend zone but end up falling for each other.