Theme park-caliber experiences don't all have to be part of multi-billion dollar projects that cost a family thousands of dollars to visit. www.wsj.com/business/hos...

If you're interested in Disney, you should know Asad Ayaz: The most powerful marketing executive in the company's history, the immigrant son of a Pakistani general, and a leading candidate to be Disney's "next next" CEO. www.wsj.com/business/med...

Apparently the problem with China's economy is that they spend too MUCH on research and technology. www.wsj.com/world/china/...

Universal is in the early planning stages for a potential new theme park in Saudi Arabia that would be built by a state-backed enterprise. Scoop with Jessica Toonkel: www.wsj.com/business/med...

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" grossed $12 million in domestic previews Thursday. "Way of Water" grossed $17 million three years ago. Beginning of a softer opening for Avatar 3 vs Avatar 2?

This was a tough one to write, but I hope we captured something real about this tragedy. www.wsj.com/us-news/rob-...

Presented without comment.

"Ella McCay" opens to a truly awful $2.1 million. The fourth worst opening ever for a new movie in 2500-plus theaters, per box office mojo.

First deal of this size between a Hollywood giant and an AI giant. Notably Disney sent Google a cease-and-desist letter just one day before announcing its new partnership with OpenAI. www.wsj.com/business/med...

Last night at the "Marty Supreme" L.A. premiere, Josh Safdie said something so striking that I wrote it down. Very on point for the movie, but kind of thought provoking for life: "A dream is a heist pulled on fate."

We have entered a new golden age for Wall Street media industry analyst notes

This may be a particularly tough year for Netflix at the Oscars

First story for the WSJ by Harriet Ryan is, unsurprisingly, a barn burner. www.wsj.com/us-news/foot...

Now that final numbers are in, this year's 5-day Thanksgiving box office total squeaked past 2012 to be the fourth biggest ever at $292.8M, behind 2024, 2018 and 2013. Per Comscore.

"Zootopia 2" was huge in China again Monday, powering a $24 million international gross for the day. But interestingly it grossed $4.3 million domestically, slightly less than the original "Zootopia" on its first Monday.

I don't think I'd be breaking any embargoes to reveal that the number of times a character says "bro" in "Avatar: Fire and Ash" is 21.

Disney parks chief Josh D’Amaro and TV/streaming chief Dana Walden are the finalists to replace Bob Iger as CEO. Both met with Disney’s board of directors in Orlando recently to discuss their visions for the company. www.wsj.com/business/med...

Avatar 3 to every other movie premiere: FAFO

"Just casually writing down a few notes as we talk, NBD." Then the meeting ends and I frantically run to a computer and translate those notes into something that'll make sense to me later before I forget everything.

This ending to our profile of Cursor was always one of the most interesting issues on my mind during my stint editing AI coverage. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/mill...

I kind of want this Zune sweater. But $80???

Final domestic "Zootopia 2" opening (Tuesday night through Sunday) comes in at $158 million, above yesterday's $156 million. A bigger Sunday than expected suggests a strong and healthy run ahead for Disney's blockbuster animated sequel.

Complaining about and then linking to any 100-best anything list on the Internet is like tossing your dog table scraps and then wondering why it begs for more the next day

On the down side, my bag and some clothes were shredded in transit. On the plus side, I learned from the friendly baggage guy that Michael Jackson actually faked his death. Just like Elvis. (Though the King has surely died of natural causes by now. That’s just common sense.)

A story in three acts

The Oscars Governors Awards, where they give the honorary/lifetime achievement awards, is happening g now. Honoree Tom Cruise is sitting between Spielberg and Innaritu, and across from his buddy/collaborator McQ.

68% second weekend drop for "Predator: Badlands" is pretty stunning given how good the reviews and audience scores were. Everyone in Hollywood expected it to be much smaller.

I've been eagerly awaiting the reviews on this one. 20% is higher than I expected! www.rottentomatoes.com/m/playdate_2...

Disney stock is down nearly 10% following today's earnings report. Investors aren't buying the bright future Bob Iger is promising built on streaming growth and theme parks and cruise ships expansion. www.wsj.com/business/med...

The debt to finance data centers is so massive even Meta doesn't want it on its books. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/thre...

On today's episode of The Journal, I talk about why Los Angeles's entertainment economy is in a depression and interview the Oscar-winning sound mixer of "Whiplash" about how it's affecting behind-the-scenes workers like him. open.spotify.com/episode/0mQ7...

Very strong $40M domestic / $80M global opening for "Predator: Badlands," especially in the context of a dismal fall box office. Interestingly, despite the franchise-first PG-13 rating, only 6% of the domestic audience was under 18.

Nice to have an undeniably positive story to write about the movie business in 2025: www.wsj.com/business/med...

Why yes, Gemini, I have to agree that the last few question I've asked were "insightful," "important," "excellent" and "fantastic."

Former Disney live action film chief Sean Bailey is launching a new company, B5 Studios, with backing from Gerry Cardinale's Redbird Ventures. His goal: Make movies and TV shows and digital content faster and cheaper using tech like AI and game engines. www.wsj.com/business/med...

If the UK's production tax credit applies to podcasts, maybe they can work it into the season 6 plot. deadline.com/2025/10/only...

It's been a long time since Hollywood had a new mogul. Especially one under 60. www.wsj.com/business/med...

After every toy company passed on KPop Demon Hunters prior to release, two of the biggest sign a deal to start coming out with products next spring.

"Good Fortune's" dismal $6.2 million opening is more bad news for those of us who want to believe people will still pay to see comedies in theaters. Obviously nothing is impossible, but it's clearly gotten very, very, very hard.

If you're wondering what political movement is ascendant in California Democratic politics, this is the subject line of the latest release from Gavin Newsom's office.

KPop Demon Hunters sing-along returning to theaters Oct. 31-Nov. 2 for all the kids dressed as Rumi for Halloween. And this time AMC is playing it.

First time I've seen my work in a political ad (@austinforla.bsky.social's mayoral announcement) www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

And on the same day he talked about the state of Hollywood on his podcast with me, Derek put out this super smart take on how social media is becoming TV. No wonder it's so hard for traditional TV to compete.

I loved chatting with the always-sharp @dkthomp.bsky.social about the catastrophic recent loss of work for Hollywood's middle-class and why AI may lead to a creative renaissance for the entertainment industry akin to 1970s cinema. open.spotify.com/episode/2P3w...

Fantastic/horrifying story about drug rehab centers exploiting poor people with addiction issues by signing them up for ACA plans, providing crappy services, then dumping them on the street. by Zusha Elinson and @wsjwernau.bsky.social www.wsj.com/us-news/drug...

Even Pam Abdy at the Bloomberg conference keeps calling it "Paul's movie." Nobody can say the title "One Battle After Another"! It's not a bad title IMO, but it is an un-sayable title

Warner Bros. film co-chief Mike De Luca says the average negative cost of his studio's movies have declined from $168M to either $126M or $108M (he didn't seem certain of the current number)

Kudos to the reader who sent me an email with this subject line

Apply to get help applying

"One Battle After Another" domestic ticket sales dropped 50% on its second weekend, dashing hopes that strong reviews and audience scores would translate to a long and profitable box office run.