Boxoffice Podcast

On today’s edition of the Boxoffice podcast, presented by TAPOS Cinema Software and Irwin Seating, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle recap the launch of CinemaCon 2026, including this year’s CinemaCon Film Showcase, featuring Angel, Sony Pictures Classics, and Studio Canal. In the sponsored segment, Boxoffice Pro’s Chad Kennerk interviews Brandon Purdie, the executive vice president and head of theatrical at Angel, about Angel’s 2026 theatrical slate. Then in the featured segment, Daniel speaks to exhibition veteran Chris Aronson about CtrlMovie technology, which allows audiences to influence the outcome of a film.

On today’s edition of the Boxoffice podcast, presented by TAPOS Cinema Software and Irwin Seating, co-hosts Daniel Loria and Rebecca Pahle are joined by Chris Randleman, the chief revenue officer of Flix Brewhouse, as they look ahead to this week’s CinemaCon studio presentations. Then in the sponsored segment, Rebecca talks to Jack Powers of Irwin Seating about maximizing revenue in every cinema seat. Then Daniel talks to Sean Gamble, Cinemark’s CEO and the chairman of the Global Cinema Federation, about GFC’s priorities for 2026, including research, advocacy, and consumer engagement.

Today on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by TAPOS Cinema Software and Qube Wire, co-hosts Daniel Loria and Rebecca Pahle speak with TheWrap’s Jeremy Fuster about the biggest questions facing exhibition as the industry prepares to gather in Las Vegas for CinemaCon 2026. Then in the sponsored segment, Rebecca talks to Kristin Kielpinski, Qube Wire’s vice president of exhibitor relations, and Rajesh Ramachandran, the chief technology officer & president of Qube Cinema. In the feature segment, Daniel talks to Cinema United president and chief executive officer Michael O’Leary to preview CinemaCon 2026. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by AgileTix, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the latest news in exhibition and preview the anticipated opening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Then in the feature segment, Daniel talks to Amanda Martin, Cinema United’s chief of staff, and Matthew Pollock, the associate managing director of CinemaCon, to preview CinemaCon 2026. 

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by AgileTix, co-hosts Daniel Loria and Chad Kennerk break down the opening weekend of Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary, the best 3-day opening of the year so far. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca Pahle talks to Shane Burkett, the director of strategic marketing at Agile Ticketing Solutions, about the importance of storytelling in cinema marketing. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by AgileTix, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the Oscars and the latest exhibition news, including Universal’s move to guarantee a minimum of seven weekends of theatrical exclusivity starting in 2027. Then in the feature segment, Chad talks to Radio Silence directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett about Searchlight Pictures’ Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, the sequel to their 2019 breakout hit. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk discuss the opening weekend of Disney’s Hoppers and Warner Bros.’ The Bride!, as well as preview A24’s indie horror Undertone and the next Colleen Hoover adaptation, Reminders of Him. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca discusses programmatic advertising with Doug Woodard, the founder of MediaKoi, and Malcolm MacMillan, the managing director (UK) and executive vice president of exhibitor relations, Boost products and services at The Boxoffice Company. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the franchise record opening weekend of Scream 7 and cover all the latest in theatrical exhibition, including the news that Netflix has pulled out of its bid for Warner Bros. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca speaks with Francois Godfrey, President and COO of Moving Image Technologies (MiT), about the evolving cinema industry, including the importance of premium large formats (PLF) and immersive audio technologies. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 Filmmaking Team Radio Silence on Bringing SCREAM Back to the Big ScreenEpisode Highlights00:00 Intro01:34 Scream 7 Breaks Franchise Records 02:43 Comparing Scream 7 to Prior Installments 05:23 Analyzing the Scream Murder Mystery Formula 06:22 Paramount and Skydance to Acquire Warner Bros. 08:00 Skepticism Toward the 30-Film Annual Commitment 09:09 Establishing the 45-Day Theatrical Window 11:45 The Exhibitor Perspective on Studio Mergers 14:42 An Open Invitation to Netflix and Ted Sarandos 18:55 Why Netflix Should Embrace Theatrical Distribution 22:48 Weekend Box Office Tracking: Hoppers and The Bride 24:33 Interview: Francois Godfrey of Moving Image Technologies 26:08 The Continued Growth of Premium Large Format (PLF) 28:21 The Importance of Audio in the PLF Experience 32:10 MIT’s Acquisition of DCS Cinema Loudspeakers 35:14 Technical Standards for Audience Satisfaction 39:18 Why Cinema Audio is Different from Home Use 41:38 Global Distribution and Dealer Networks 43:11 Looking Ahead to CinemaCon 2026

Join hosts Daniel Loria, Chad Kennerk, and Rebecca Pahle as they look back on the box office history, cultural, and commercial impact of the Scream movies. From the first Scream movie in 1996 leading up to the release of this weekend’s Scream 7, the Boxoffice Podcast team shares their favorite moments, memories, and missed opportunities from the defining slasher flick of an entire generation. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 Filmmaking Team Radio Silence on Bringing SCREAM Back to the Big ScreenEpisode Highlights00:00 Intro04:14 How Scream Reinvented the Slasher Genre17:35 Drew Barrymore Opening & The Two-Killer Twist25:30 Box Office Breakout & VHS Phenomenon27:55 Scream 2 Success & Sequel Rush43:22 Columbine’s Impact on Scream 350:56 Scream 4 & Social Media Era Commentary02:06 Scream (2022) Post-Pandemic Revival13:10 Scream 6: New York Setting & Franchise-High Box Office24:20 What Scream 7 Needs to Deliver

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the opening weekend of “Wuthering Heights” and cover all the latest news in theatrical exhibition. Then in the feature segment, Daniel speaks with Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor at the Globe and Mail, about his new book Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters that Supercharged the World. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 00:00 Intro00:21 Episode Preview Barry Hertz Interview01:00 Weekend Box Office Kickoff and Weathering Heights Opening06:11 Weathering Heights $38M Debut Analysis08:00 Warner Bros.’ Ninth #1 in a Row08:21 Sony’s Goat Opens to $35M08:44 Amazon MGM’s Crime 101 Overperforms11:43 Amazon MGM’s 2025 Slate Momentum13:00 Disney Hits $1B Globally in February14:00 Warner Bros. Sale Update14:26 New Fast & Furious Release Date 202816:02 Barry Hertz Joins the Podcast17:00 Discovering the First Fast & Furious21:00 From Street Racing Article to Global Franchise23:26 How the Franchise Went Global29:00 Was Tokyo Drift Almost Direct to DVD?30:00 Justin Lin Reinvents the Series33:00 Universal and Vin Diesel Decline Participation37:57 On Set Tensions and Diesel Johnson Rift39:00 Scrapped Villain Super Team Plans41:00 What’s Happening With Fast X Part 2?

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk discuss all the Big Game trailer spots from Super Bowl LX. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca speaks with Sirāt director Óliver Laxe about the impact of the film on audiences and the importance of the theatrical experience. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 01:33 Super Bowl Trailer Roundtable Begins03:19 Major Trailer Omissions (Spider-Man, Avengers)04:00 Scream 7 Big Game Spot & Presales05:29 Super Mario Galaxy Marketing Push06:06 First Look at Supergirl07:28 Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary Trailer10:26 Pixar’s Hoppers Original IP Test14:20 Minions and Monsters Title Reveal16:20 First Footage: The Mandalorian & Grogu23:37 Spielberg’s Disclosure Day Wins the Game25:36 Kevin James Viral Marketing for Solo Mio27:05 Weekend Box Office Recap27:49 Stray Kids Event Cinema Breakout30:38 Netflix’s Adventures of Cliff Booth Debate32:18 Transition to Oliver Laxe Interview33:47 Interview: Cinema as Catharsis35:53 Why SIRĀT Must Be Seen Theatrically37:22 Warning About Streaming-First Deals38:39 Early Cinema Memory: The Bear39:18 The Sacred Energy of Theaters41:16 Making a Radical Film Popular42:10 Reaching Younger Audiences44:00 “Bitter Medicine with Honey”45:18 Influences from 1970s American Cinema

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk discuss the opening weekend of 20th Century Studios’ Send Help along with Iron Lung and the Amazon/MGM Studios’ documentary Melania. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca speaks with Proctor Companies’ Michael Giacinto about the evolution of dine-in cinema, highlighting the company’s recent renovation of Alamo Drafthouse’s Mountain View, California location. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk cover the weekend box office and review the 2026 Oscar nominations. Then in the feature segment, Rebecca speaks with Wynn Salisch, the president of the Mid-South Theatre Association and Casablanca Payments, to preview the Mid-South Theatre Convention coming up in Memphis, TN from March 30 to April 1. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:42 Weekend Box Office Overview01:00 Mercy Takes #1 in Weak January01:35 Post-Avatar Box Office Slowdown02:00 Upcoming Releases & Tracking Forecasts03:00 Indie & January Action Releases04:15 Documentary Box Office Expectations05:00 UK & Ireland Box Office Forecast06:02 Oscar Nominations Overview07:04 Major Oscar Snubs & Surprises08:27 Best Picture Race Breakdown10:00 Supporting Acting Categories16:00 Lead Actor & Actress Races23:00 Director, Editing & Score Discussion39:39 International Feature Film Race42:00 Technical Awards & Visual Effects43:31 Best Picture Predictions48:57 Mid-South Theater Convention Promo50:04 Interview: Win Salish Begins55:00 Value of Regional Theater Conventions01:00:00 Future of Exhibition & Gen Z01:02:31 Registration Reminder & Wrap-Up

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk discuss the latest news in theatrical exhibition, including a disappointing opening for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and new quotes from Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos on a 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. titles. Then in the feature segment, Daniel speaks with Matthew Frank, associate editor of The Ankler, about his insights following a cross-country trip to visit 58 movie theaters across the U.S. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro02:00 Weekend Box Office: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Performance04:34 Netflix, Warner Bros., and the 45-Day Theatrical Window Debate10:37 Q1 2026 Box Office Outlook and Market Performance11:21 Amazon MGM’s Mercy Forecast and International Expectations16:31 Feature Interview Begins: Matthew Frank’s Cross-Country Theater Road Trip20:09 Inside Independent Cinemas and Small-Town Theater Realities24:12 How Release Date Changes Hurt Local Exhibitors28:42 Highlights From Visiting 58 Movie Theaters33:00 Premium Formats, Renovations, and Industry Challenges35:33 How Cinemas Can Improve the Moviegoing Experience

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk cover the latest industry news and preview Sony’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Then in the feature segment, Daniel speaks with Dine-In Cinema Summit founders Amy and Matt Mader of Venue Valet to preview this year’s show happening February 2-6 in Austin, TX. Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro01:07 Weekend Box Office: Primate Overperforms02:41 Repertory Cinema & Theatrical Experiences06:18 Remembering Colleen Barstow08:27 Industry Leadership Updates10:34 ICTA North America Cinema Awards12:09 Blue Ribbon Awards Relaunch14:11 Box Office Outlook & Horror Trends16:22 28 Years Later Franchise Discussion21:46 Dine-In Cinema Summit Interview Begins23:18 Evolution of the Dine-In Cinema Summit26:41 Hospitality & Guest Experience in Cinemas29:44 “Let’s Adapt” Programming & Diversification33:06 Alternative Content & FEC Strategies37:58 Food, Beverage & Kitchen Operations39:12 Battle of the Brands Cook-Off41:36 Operations, Pricing & Data Insights45:02 Summit Sponsors & Industry Support48:21 Why the Summit Matters Before CinemaCon50:37 Registration Details & Final Takeaways51:18 Closing Remarks & Subscribe CTA

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by AgileTix, co-hosts Daniel Loria and Rebecca Pahle cover the latest industry news and discuss the end-of-year box office performance. In the feature segment, Rebecca Pahle speaks with Shane Burkett (Director of Strategic Marketing) and Tanya Key (Senior Account Executive) of Agile Ticketing on the many ways in which technological solutions can help turn the occasional cinemagoer into a loyal customer.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro 03:00 2025 Box Office Ends at $8.87B and Misses $9B Goal04:38 Disney Crosses $6B as Avatar: Fire and Ash Hits $1B05:15 Zootopia 2 Becomes the Top Hollywood Release Ever in China06:07 Avatar’s Domestic Decline and International Strength08:07 Strong Start to 2026 Despite a Slower January Slate13:00 Agile Ticketing Interview Begins16:06 The Rise of Event Programming and Custom Cinema Experiences24:07 Loyalty Programs and Data-Driven Patron Engagement33:18 Pre-Ordering Concessions and Reducing In-Theater Friction36:02 Episode Wrap-Up and What’s Next

Join us for our annual box office preview episode, as we look ahead to some of the most anticipated movies and biggest potential hits of 2026. We start our analysis with discussion on a difficult Q1 with few titles poised to become major hits. Our Q2 conversation highlights titles like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, Supergirl, and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day. Q3 should be the best quarter of the year with a monster month of July, where Minions 3, Moana, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey should combine to lift the box office to new heights. We close our discussion with Q4 titles like Jumanji 3, The Cat in the Hat, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Dune 3, and Avengers: Doomsday..Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18

In this episode of The Boxoffice Podcast, Daniel Loria, Chad Kennerk, Rebecca Pahle, and Albert Lawrence discuss the year’s biggest stories, trends, and moviegoing moments in theatrical exhibition for 2025. On the Story of the Year, the team discusses the potential sale of Warner Bros. and its implications for the industry at large. Warner Bros. is named Distributor of the Year for an all-time-great-caliber slate, and independent filmmaker is recognized as the Industry Figure of the Year for his defense and promotion of the theatrical experience. The Viral Marketing Campaign of the Year goes to A Minecraft Movie’s Chicken Jockey, and Sony’s Demon Slayer Infinity Castle is singled out as the box office surprise of the year. In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the standout performances of 2025, and their favorite movies and movie-going moments of the year.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro 01:00 The Power of Collective Moviegoing02:15 2025 Industry Recap and Episode Overview03:10 Story of the Year Warner Bros Sale06:05 Netflix and Theatrical Windows Shift07:00 Movie of the Year Debate Minecraft vs Ne Zha 209:30 Industry Figure of the Year and Consolidation12:20 Exhibition Trends Event Cinema and Anime15:55 Distributor of the Year Warner Bros20:05 Viral Marketing of the Year Log Truck Campaign24:00 Viral Moviegoing Moment Chicken Jockey26:05 Anime Breakout and Demon Slayer Box Office28:50 Biggest Box Office Disappointments of 202533:00 Best Performances of the Year39:00 Favorite Moviegoing Moments48:00 Best Needle Drops in Movies51:30 Top Movies of 2025

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by Barco, co-hosts Daniel Loria and Rebecca Pahle cover the latest industry news and preview upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, along with its premium technology offerings. Then in the feature segment, Daniel talks to Barco Cinema’s vice president of marketing Adam Cassels to discuss the evolution of premium cinema technology, including the rollout of HDR by Barco.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro 01:20 Warner Bros Acquisition Fallout04:25 Global PLF and Cinema Tech News08:10 Mega Entertainment Centers vs Micro Cinemas12:35 Zootopia 2 Hits One Billion13:20 Christmas Corridor Box Office Forecast14:05 Avatar Fire and Ash Opening Outlook19:50 SpongeBob The Housemaid and David26:00 Christmas Day New Releases29:05 Barco Cinema Interview Begins33:10 Laser and HDR Explained38:20 How HDR Changes Moviegoing45:20 Future of Premium Large Format51:00 Episode Wrap and Year End Preview

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by Christie, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the weekend box office, as well as break down what’s known and unknown about the Warner Bros. acquisition. In the feature segment sponsored by Christie, Rebecca talks to Allan Fernandes, product manager at Christie about their new RGBH projectors, as well as Christie’s variable dynamic range (VDR) technology, set to launch in 2026.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18What to Listen For00:00 Intro 01:23 Netflix’s Winning Bid03:12 Paramount’s Countermove05:07 Theatrical Stakes06:42 Guilds Push Back07:55 The “Sh*t Sandwich” Reality08:47 Political Opposition10:14 Industry-Wide Consolidation12:03 Sarandos’ Theater Claims14:26 The 17-Day Window Problem17:03 Filmmaker Support Gaps19:12 Paramount’s 30-Film Promise21:34 Preparing for Change22:18 Box Office Highlights24:13 Avatar Forecast25:32 Christie’s New RGBH Projector30:47 Inside Christie VDR37:12 APAC Tech Innovation