Today's Movies Pulse
US Justice Dept. Clears Paramount’s Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
The U.S. Justice Department approved Paramount Global’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, concluding the merger would not substantially lessen competition in traditional television markets. Regulators noted the combined company would provide a strong alternative in the video‑streaming market while competition in live‑programming and film‑studio segments remains robust.
“AFFECTION”
"Affection" is a 90‑minute indie horror‑thriller that debuted this weekend in a limited theatrical run after a niche festival circuit. Written and directed by first‑time filmmaker BT Meza, the film stars Jessica Rothe, Joseph Cross and Julianna Layne, and follows Ellie, a woman plagued by episodic memory resets that erase her family ties. Critics note the movie’s striking visual style and practical effects despite its modest budget, while Rothe’s physically demanding performance stands out as a career highlight. Early word‑of‑mouth is positive, positioning the film as a noteworthy underdog in a crowded horror slate.
Warner/Paramount Take Cue From “Michael,” Join to Create Musician Biopics
Warner Music Group and Paramount Pictures have struck a partnership to develop theatrical films about legendary musicians, working directly with the artists or their estates. The deal is still in a conceptual phase, with no specific projects disclosed. It follows...
Oasis Documentary Hits IMAX Sept 11, Streams on Disney+
🚨🎸Oasis documentary coming Sept. 11 in IMAX and theaters. Streaming on Disney+ later this year. Cannot wait to experience Live ‘25 again. Should make for great home theater demo material.
GKIDS to Release Hong Kong Record‑Breaker ‘Another World’ in U.S. June 5
GKIDS announced that the Hong Kong‑record‑breaking animated feature Another World will open in North American theaters on June 5. The dark‑fantasy film, directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung, was the highest‑grossing Hong Kong animated movie of 2025 and a Golden Horse...
After ‘Silent Friend,’ Tony Leung Now Sees Plants as ‘Sentient Beings,’ the Same as Human Beings
Hong Kong star Tony Leung teams with Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi for the European art‑film Silent Friend, playing a neuroscientist who studies a ginkgo tree during the 2020 lockdown. The role prompted Leung to view plants as sentient beings, reshaping his personal philosophy. The...
Anyways, Disney's Bringing "Wonderwall" To IMAX
Disney announced an untitled Oasis documentary, dubbed “Wonderwall,” will debut in IMAX on September 11 before streaming on Disney+ later in 2026, marking a rare premium‑format music film for the studio. At the same time, Disney‑ABC filed a petition with the...
CEO: AMC Global Media Shopping ‘The Walking Dead’ Franchise to Major Streamers
AMC Global Media CEO Kristin Dolan announced the company is actively shopping the "The Walking Dead" franchise to major streaming services. The studio is focusing on co‑exclusive licensing deals while keeping some content in‑house. Dolan said several large platforms are...
Warner Bros. Expected to Return Atop Weekend Box Office With ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Debut
Warner Bros. Pictures is poised to reclaim the weekend box‑office crown with the May 2026 debut of New Line Cinema’s sequel Mortal Kombat II. BoxOfficeReport.com projects a $44 million domestic haul, enough to displace The Devil Wears Prada 2’s $41 million second‑week earnings. The figure represents more...
‘I Should Have Kicked Him Even Harder. He Deserved It’: Eric Cantona Comes Out Fighting
A new documentary on Eric Cantona, directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, has been selected for Cannes, marking the first British directors in the festival’s official lineup. The film delves into Cantona’s turbulent five‑year spell at Manchester United, spotlighting...
Mortal Kombat 2 Poised for Record Fighting‑Game Opening
WB ready to score its first hit since #WutheringHeights, as R-rated video game adaptation #MortalKombat2 exploded grossing 5.2M on THU Previews including WED fan screenings at US #BoxOffice (vs #Scream5’s 3.5M, #SINNERS’ 4.7M, #AQuietPlace2’s 4.8M, #HalloweenKills 4.9M, #HalloweenEnds 5.4M, #FinalDestinationBloodlines’s...
Collider Ladies Night Drops Major Event Next Week
Next week is gonna be a biggie on the Collider Ladies Night YouTube channel ... https://t.co/1oncxgvbeR
Holocaust Boxing Film 'The Champion' Trailer Starring Piotr Witkowski
Well Go USA is releasing the Polish Holocaust drama *The Champion* on U.S. VOD platforms starting May 26, 2026. The film dramatizes the true story of pre‑war boxing champion Tadeusz “Teddy” Pietrzykowski, who fought in Auschwitz to lift fellow inmates’...
Top Gun Returns with Limited‑edition Maverick Popcorn Bucket
Top Gun is coming back to theaters May 13 for one week They’re selling this Maverick popcorn bucket to commemorate the 40-year anniversary https://t.co/kLznOJWlze
Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
The article spotlights five must‑watch science‑fiction titles now available for streaming, focusing on two standout releases. "Greenland 2: Migration" follows the Garrity family five years after Earth’s near‑extinction, navigating new disasters while searching for a rebounding ecosystem. A second feature, an...
‘The Easy Kind’ Trailer: Country Legend Elizabeth Cook (Lightly) Fictionalizes Herself
Katy Chevigny’s new indie feature The Easy Kind follows country‑music legend Elizabeth Cook as a fictionalized version of herself, dubbed EC, navigating midlife, creative freedom, and financial hurdles. The vérité‑inspired drama blends real‑life performance with scripted storytelling, and includes cameo...
Disclosure Day Writer Says ‘Religion Is an Important Part’ of New Spielberg Tale
Steven Spielberg’s upcoming sci‑fi thriller *Disclosure Day* will hit theaters on June 12, and its screenwriter David Koepp says religion is a core theme. Koepp likens belief in extraterrestrials to faith in God, describing his stance as agnostic and emphasizing humanity’s...
Edge of Tomorrow 2 “Not” In Active Development
Edge of Tomorrow 2 is currently not in active development, contradicting recent reports that Warner Bros. Pictures was moving forward. The 2014 original earned $375 million worldwide on a $175 million budget and has since become a cult favorite. While Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt have...
Adelaide's Ozploitation Horror “Penny Lane Is Dead” Trailer Drops
Adelaide Ozploitation Horror Film 'Penny Lane Is Dead' Official Trailer https://t.co/rwbl1m8iuO #horror #PennyLaneIsDead #Australia #MiaKateRussell https://t.co/vpHgfnyJvb
Adelaide Ozploitation Horror Film 'Penny Lane Is Dead' Official Trailer
Umbrella Entertainment released the first trailer for "Penny Lane Is Dead," the feature‑directorial debut of Australian make‑up artist‑turned‑filmmaker Mia'Kate Russell. The Ozploitation horror, set in a sweltering 1986 beach house, premiered at the 2025 Adelaide Film Festival and will open...
Sheep Detectives Opens Strong, Eyes Low Double‑Digit Weekend
Hugh Jackman's new family mystery #SheepDetectives kicked off opening wknd with solid $1.03M from THU pre-shows + early access previews. Reviews are strong across the board. PG pic hopes to be a Mother's Day option for moms with younger kids. Opening...
Three Must‑Watch New Films, Including Lord of the Flies
From another Lord of the Flies remake to three great-looking new movies, here's what you'll want to watch this weekend. https://t.co/pzHLCrExUW
Will Neon Find Even More Movies to Buy at Cannes? And Other Burning Market Questions
Neon arrived at Cannes 2026 with a record nine titles, six of which are in the main competition, reinforcing its reputation as the festival’s biggest buyer. Other distributors—including Mubi, A24, Netflix and Bleecker Street—are also active, but many are adopting...
Documentary ‘Looking Up’ Available Digitally and on Disc June 9
The documentary *Looking Up* follows 20‑year‑old Eitan Armon, diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, as he trains to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan despite losing 95% of his central vision. Directed by Elena Neuman, the film captures his ascent, a night on a 1,500‑foot...
WeAreDN Awards 2026 – The Winners
Directors Notes hosted the third annual WeAreDN Awards, unveiling nine winners across categories such as Best British, Best New Talent, and Best Dance. The ceremony highlighted the platform’s eclectic taste, with each winning short film offering distinct storytelling styles. Supporting...
Maggie Smith's Beloved Period Drama Hailed an "Instant Classic" Lands New UK Streaming Home
Maggie Smith was honored by Shepperton Studios, which named a stage after her, celebrating her decades‑long partnership with the studio and its sister Pinewood. The 1993 film adaptation of *The Secret Garden*, in which Smith played housekeeper Mrs Medlock, has been...
Pedro Pascal Declares Grogu the Real Star of New Star Wars Film
Pedro Pascal told the BBC that Grogu is the true centerpiece of the upcoming Star Wars theatrical release, the franchise's first cinema outing in over six years. The comment underscores the film’s reliance on the beloved character to draw both...
STARZ Ending Pay-2 Deal with Universal
STARZ announced it will terminate its Pay‑2 licensing agreement with Universal, cutting off access to Universal’s film library after the studio’s Pay‑1 window. The deal, originally slated to run through 2028, is ending because Universal’s four‑month Peacock exclusivity and subsequent...
Bruno Dumont Unveils ‘Red Rocks’ Trailer for Cannes
First Trailer for Bruno Dumont's Film 'Red Rocks' Premiering in Cannes https://t.co/hfRxJfwHta #BrunoDumont #RedRocks #kids #Cannes2026 #cinema https://t.co/GzJa3bHoxe
5 Lessons Superhero Movies Need to Learn From the Video Game Movie Boom
2026 has become a breakout year for video‑game adaptations, with titles like *Super Mario Galaxy*, *Mortal Kombat II* and the indie surprise *Iron Lung* delivering strong box‑office results. At the same time, superhero franchises such as Marvel’s *Avengers: Doomsday* and DC’s *Daredevil:...
William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson Think ‘The Universe Is Absurd’
In this episode of KCRW's The Business, host Kim Masters chats with William Shatner and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson about their joint live show, "The Universe Is Absurd," which blends science fact with science‑fiction humor. They recount how the partnership...
“Unconditional” Brings Moral Questions to a Mother’s Love
Apple’s new series “Unconditional” follows Israeli mother Orna Levy as she battles Moscow’s opaque legal system to rescue her detained daughter, Gali. Showrunners Adam Bizanski and Dana Idisis deliver a tense thriller with a muted visual style and a nerve‑racking...
Cinema Pros Call On European Union To Maintain Support Of Film Industry
More than 4,700 cinema professionals signed an open letter urging the European Union to “future‑proof” its 35‑year MEDIA programme, warning that the proposed AgoraEU mega‑programme could merge culture, media and civil‑society funding and dilute film support. The petition, backed by...
Star Wars Has to Deliver a Proper Movie with The Mandalorian and Grogu – Otherwise the Franchise Is Dead
Disney is preparing its first Star Wars theatrical release in more than six years, a feature film starring Jon Favreau’s Mandalorian and the fan‑favorite Grogu. The movie must convince audiences who haven’t followed the TV series that the saga can still...
Trashy Boy (2022) by Zheng Yifei CathayPlay Film Review
"Trashy Boy" is a Chinese indie documentary that tracks 20‑year‑old Zhang Haichao, nicknamed Big Sponge, a high‑school dropout battling obesity and chasing rap fame in the remote Gansu province. Director Zheng Yifei captures Haichao’s daily life, strained father‑son relationship, and...
Cannes: Sandra Hüller, Star of Competition Film ‘Fatherland,’ Will Guest on THR’s ‘Awards Chatter’ Pod Live From Palais
The Hollywood Reporter and Campari will host a live recording of the Awards Chatter podcast with Oscar‑nominated actress Sandra Hüller at Cannes on May 15, 2026. The hour‑long interview will take place in the Campari Lounge at the Palais, followed...
"A Perfect Ending": Downton Abbey 3 Is Now Available to Stream This Weekend
The third Downton Abbey film, *The Grand Finale*, has entered UK streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW, with monthly fees of £11 (≈$14) and £6.99 (≈$9) respectively. The period drama wraps up the story that began in 2010, following the Crawley...
Paramount+ and HBO Max Set to Merge Into Single Streaming Platform – Here Is Everything We Know
Paramount Skydance’s $77 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery will merge Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single streaming service, aiming to serve more than 200 million subscribers. The combined platform will unite extensive libraries—from NFL and Star Trek to Game of Thrones and DC titles—while retaining...
New Planet of the Apes Film On The Way
Matt Shakman and Josh Friedman have been tapped to spearhead a fresh reboot of the *Planet of the Apes* franchise for 20th Century Studios. Shakman will serve as director and producer, while Friedman will pen an original screenplay, working alongside producers...
BBC Beatles Drama of Unknowns Prepares to Go Head-to-Head with Sam Mendes Hollywood Biopic
The BBC is producing a six‑part drama, "Hamburg Day," slated for a 2027 broadcast that chronicles the Beatles' formative years playing clubs in Germany. The series relies on unknown young actors and cover songs because it lacks rights to the...
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ‘All of a Sudden’ Secures Global Distribution Ahead of Cannes Competition
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s forthcoming French‑language drama “All of a Sudden” has been sold to distributors in more than 30 territories ahead of its Cannes competition premiere. The sales were brokered by Cinéfrance International and Japanese outfit Bitters End, underscoring the market’s...
Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Orlando Bloom To Lead Thriller, Reset
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Orlando Bloom will star in the upcoming survival thriller "Reset," which follows a woman with amnesia in the wilderness who must decide whether to trust a stranger played by Bloom. Production is slated for August, with...
Netflix’s Gripping 6-Part Psychological Thriller Series Feels Like It Was Made to Be Binged
Netflix launched "Unchosen," a six‑episode psychological thriller that debuted on April 21, 2026. The series follows Rosie, a cult wife whose daughter disappears, pulling her into a dangerous love triangle and a patriarchal sect called the Fellowship of the Divine....
We’Re Nothing At All (2026) by Herman Yau Bad Accent Review
Herman Yau’s new film “We’re Nothing At All” debuts in UK and Ireland cinemas via Trinity Cine Asia, blending a bus‑explosion thriller with a sprawling social drama. The Hong Kong‑set story follows a forensic investigation that spirals into a critique of...
Sekiro: No Defeat Premieres September 4 in Japan
Sekiro: No Defeat, the anime adaptation of FromSoftware’s award‑winning game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, will premiere in Japan on September 4 with a three‑week theatrical run. The series will later stream worldwide on Crunchyroll, except in Japan, China, Korea, Russia and...
Paramount and Warner Music Team up to Make More Music-Focused Movies
Paramount Pictures and Warner Music Group have inked a multi‑year first‑look agreement to develop music‑focused feature films, leveraging Warner’s catalog and Paramount’s theatrical expertise. The partnership will spotlight icons such as Madonna, David Bowie and Frank Sinatra alongside contemporary stars...
‘Kyoto Hippocrates’: A Genial Look at Medicine’s Early Days in Japan
“Kyoto Hippocrates,” directed by Akira Ogata, follows Dr. Takichi, a rural physician trained in Western medicine, as he navigates Japan’s late‑Edo transition from 1848 to 1864. The comedy‑drama showcases his clash with a quack herbalist, a groundbreaking kidney operation, and...
Six Shows, All Houseful: Hyderabad Celebrates Vijay’s Election Win with Mersal Re-Release
Tamil Nadu’s election victory for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam sparked a unique celebration in Hyderabad, where the Telugu‑dubbed version of his 2017 blockbuster Mersal was re‑released. The event, originally slated for a single screening, expanded to six house‑full shows as...
5 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week
The New York Times highlighted five new releases this week, with “The Sheep Detectives” emerging as the standout. The animated mystery follows a flock of sheep solving their shepherd’s murder, directed by Kyle Balda and voiced by Chris O’Dowd and Julia‑Louis Dreyfus. Amazon MGM Studios is...
FPB CEO Quits Three Months After Assuming Post
Advocate Norman Gidi resigned as CEO of South Africa's Film and Publication Board (FPB) just three months after taking the post, citing a competing job offer. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi confirmed the departure and appointed Makhosazana Lindhorst as acting CEO...
Nominations Open for CJ’s 2026 Top Women in Global Cinema List
CJ’s Celluloid Junkie has opened nominations for its 2026 Top Women in Global Cinema list, marking the program’s tenth anniversary. Candidates must have at least two years in cinema exhibition, hold a management role, and demonstrate industry contributions. The nomination...