The cinema business has been propelled by the likes of Paramount Pictures and Miramax\u2018s \u201cScary Movie,\u201d Universal Pictures\u2019 \u201cDisclosure Day\u201d and, of course, A24\u2019s \u201cBackrooms\u201d and Focus Features\u2019 \u201cObsession.\u201d<\/p>\n
With more potential blockbusters on the way, my colleagues David Viramontes, audience editor for arts and entertainment, and Cerys Davies, who covers the business of the entertainment industry, joined me to give our best predictions for how this summer will shape up.<\/p>\n
What will be the biggest movie of the summer?<\/p>\n
Masunaga: After seeing how family movies \u2014 specifically, PG-rated films \u2014 were the winners of the last two years, I think we\u2019ll be seeing \u201cToy Story 5\u201d emerge at the top. The movie has already brought in more than $585 million worldwide less than two weeks after it opened, and if its billion-dollar-grossing predecessors are any indication, this franchise may still have a long life at the box office.<\/p>\n
Viramontes: After the R-rated, three-hour drama \u201cOppenheimer\u201d made nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box office in 2023, it would be professional malpractice not to pick Christopher Nolan\u2019s \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d as the biggest movie of the summer \u2014 and possibly the year. 70-millimeter IMAX screenings were sold out a year in advance and premium format tickets are still hard to come by in Los Angeles. Not to mention tentpole movies like this attract repeat viewings and even encourage viewers to seek out screenings in every format. And we haven\u2019t even talked about how the film boasts one of the most stacked casts in recent history.<\/p>\n
Davies: In an effort to play it safe, I\u2019m going to pick a family movie and bet on \u201cToy Story 5.\u201d Think about the dog days of summer \u2014 when the air gets heavy, a sense of inexplicable boredom takes over and it\u2019s almost too hot to do anything. Deep down, you know the only reprieve is sitting in the comfort of your local theater chain\u2019s air conditioning. But, at this point, you already saw \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d with all your friends at the earliest available IMAX showing. What else will scratch that box office itch? I\u2019m willing to bet it\u2019ll be none other than the familiar faces of Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, as they fend off technology in their home.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re reading the Wide Shot <\/p>\n
Samantha Masunaga delivers the latest news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production \u2014 and what it all means for the future.<\/p>\n
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a>, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy<\/a> such as personalizing your experience and ads. <\/p>\n Which movie\u2019s marketing campaign will be the talk of the summer?<\/p>\n Masunaga: The marketing for \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d has been less overt than that of other summer releases, giant Trojan horse in Venice Beach notwithstanding. But a film helmed by Nolan and starring a plethora of A-list actors basically markets itself. After all, both official trailers for the film have garnered more than 30 million views on YouTube.<\/p>\n Viramontes: I\u2019m prepared for Spider-Man to be everywhere. From buses and billboards to talk shows and TikTok, the movie will reach full saturation. While \u201cBrand New Day\u2019s\u201d marketing campaign hasn\u2019t reached fever pitch just yet, I\u2019m prepared to be inundated with activations, posters and commercials for the four-quadrant fave that\u2019s poised to be one of Marvel\u2019s biggest successes in years.<\/p>\n Davies: A massive orange monster named Irene with dozens of eyeballs has nearly engulfed the historic Carney\u2019s restaurant on Sunset. A giant inflatable \u201cRich\u201d minion, sporting a goatee and a blinged out chain, popped up on Fairfax. And minions have taken over Wendy\u2019s frosty machines with a new banana flavor. At this point, Universal and Illumination could put a minion on every Los Angeles street corner, and I wouldn\u2019t grow tired of them. (The ominous, goggle-wearing eye overlooking the 101 freeway just isn\u2019t enough.)<\/p>\n What will be the biggest wild card of the summer?<\/p>\n Masunaga: The biopic \u201cYoung Washington\u201d could make waves. Distributed by Provo, Utah-based Angel Studios, the movie has the backing of the studio\u2019s 2 million Angel Guild members, who determine its slate and get other perks, including free movie tickets. That support proved crucial for 2023\u2019s \u201cSound of Freedom,\u201d which ended up grossing more than $250 million worldwide, and could end up being a factor here, too.<\/p>\n Viramontes: \u201cThe End of Oak Street\u201d has been teasing a dinosaur adventure in trailers, but can the mystery box movie starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor attract audiences? There\u2019s also potential counter programming to blockbuster hopefuls dotted throughout the summer with \u201cTeenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.\u201d But I\u2019m putting my money on \u201cEvil Dead Burn.\u201d Horror movies put butts in seats, and this summer doesn\u2019t have many other straight-down-the-middle scares in store for audiences.<\/p>\n Davies: There\u2019s an Anthony Bourdain biopic called \u201cTony\u201d hitting theaters in August. These days, it feels like Hollywood will make a biopic about just anyone, but something about seeing Dominic Sessa channel the chef\u2019s undying passion for food and effortless swag on screen seems irresistible. Plus today\u2019s audiences love stories about intense kitchens (\u201cThe Bear\u201d) and debatable biopics (\u201cMichael\u201d) \u2014 let\u2019s see what happens when the two marry.<\/p>\n Both Warner Bros.-owned DC Studios\u2019 \u201cSupergirl\u201d and Sony Pictures\u2018 \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day\u201d are part of this summer\u2019s lineup. Will we see a turnaround from the recent superhero fatigue at the box office?<\/p>\n Masunaga: This past weekend marked a disappointing debut for \u201cSupergirl,\u201d which brought in just $37.1 million in the U.S. and Canada and about $62.6 million worldwide on a reported budget of $170 million. Box office analysts had been expecting a domestic opening of about $47 million to $50 million. On the other hand, pre-sales for \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day\u201d have been extremely strong. Not every superhero movie prints money anymore, so even with a potentially big haul for \u201cSpider-Man,\u201d I don\u2019t know that it\u2019ll signify a complete turnaround for the genre as a whole.<\/p>\n Viramontes: If there\u2019s any superhero with enough pull to rescue the genre from fatigue after \u201cSupergirl\u2019s\u201d poor performance, it\u2019s your friendly neighborhood box office king Spider-Man.<\/p>\n Davies: Tom Holland\u2019s Spider-Man definitely has the potential to cure superhero fatigue, at least for a few months. But as soon as the internet\u2019s favorite couple, Zendaya and Holland, stop walking red carpets and doing press together, audiences are likely to put superhero movies on the back burner once again.<\/p>\n Analysts and theater owners have predicted that this summer\u2019s box office will reach pre-pandemic levels. Will that momentum continue for the rest of the year?<\/p>\n Masunaga: Yes. The lineup of movies this year is more plentiful and varied than in years past, and with massive blockbusters slated for the holiday season, I think it\u2019s very possible we could see a year-end domestic box office total of $9 billion or more.<\/p>\n Viramontes: Yes. We\u2019ll have an action horror in September with \u201cResident Evil,\u201d Zach Cregger\u2019s follow-up to \u201cWeapons.\u201d In October, Tom Cruise\u2019s long-awaited \u201cDigger\u201d might hit pay dirt. Following that in November is the new \u201cHunger Games\u201d movie, \u201cSunrise on the Reaping.\u201d And I don\u2019t even have to mention \u201cAvengers: Doomsday\u201d and \u201cDune: Part Three,\u201d the juggernauts waiting for us in December, do I?<\/p>\n Davies: Given the overall excitement from audiences of all ages and the variety this summer\u2019s box office has to offer, this season will definitely be the one to do it. When Christopher Nolan, Spider-Man, the minions and the toys from \u201cToy Story\u201d join forces, there\u2019s no stopping them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pitt\u201d and its economic effect on California<\/p>\n As film and TV production has fled the Golden State in search of cheaper locales, HBO Max medical drama \u201cThe Pitt\u201d stands out as a major contributor to California\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
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