Original films like "Megalopolis" struggle to find their footing as studios chase sure bets

Oct 1, 2024
The Francis Ford Coppola passion project is the latest original film to flop at the box office.
Francis Ford Coppola self-funded the commercial flop "Megalopolis."
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A former projectionist remembers his reel life

Aug 8, 2024
Projectionists wrangle miles of film for some movie screenings.
“Movies, in every single way, are a form of art,” says Austin Andrie-Grondek. “Even projecting it.”
Ignacio Sanchez Mello/AFP via Getty Images

Why are movie box office results reported in dollars, rather than tickets sold?

Jul 5, 2024
Knowing a movie’s gross is important for Hollywood dealmaking. The rest of us are just obsessed with records.
The highly popular "Inside Out 2," released this summer, has already made more than $1 billion worldwide. Traditionally, the press has measured a movie's success by how much it's earned at the box office, not by how many people saw the film.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney/Pixar

Hollywood is cracking down on piracy (again)

Jul 3, 2024
As pressure mounts on streaming services to make money, the industry is getting more aggressive about the global problem.
Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Motion Picture Association, making a presentation. The industry group is renewing its legislative efforts on Capitol Hill, says New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes.
David Becker/Getty Images for CinemaCon

It doesn’t take a Mathlete to know a “Mean Girls” remake adds up for Hollywood

Jan 12, 2024
The latest iteration is a musical movie, and a chance to make money by presenting old material to a new audience.
More "Mean Girls": Bebe Wood, left, Avantika and Reneé Rapp star in the new musical movie.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Box office mystery: Barbenheimer boomed, while "The Marvels" flopped.

Dec 18, 2023
When going to the movies feels like a special event, fans show up, says author Joanna Robinson.
Moviegoers are looking for an experience beyond sitting quietly in a dark theater, says author Joanna Robinson.
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For public good, not for profit.

What the end of the actors strike means for movie theaters

Nov 10, 2023
Studios are scrambling to resume movie production, raising the question of whether the supply of movies to theaters can ramp up quickly enough.
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, stars of "Dune: Part Two," at a convention in April. The "Dune" sequel's release was delayed to next year due to the actors strike.
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

Will the Hollywood strikes affect Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies? 

Sep 21, 2023
Christmas is still on schedule for Hallmark and Lifetime but it might look a little different as more filming moves outside the U.S.
Christmas is still on track for TV networks that have movies dedicated to the holiay.
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Where did all the G-rated blockbusters go?

A look at why PG is the new G for family movies in theaters this year.
Even this year's sequel to the "Trolls" movie didn't pass the G-rated test.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images