Today's Movies Pulse
Paramount cleared to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, creating new streaming heavyweight
The U.S. Justice Department approved Paramount Global's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, saying the deal will not substantially lessen competition in the media sector. While federal regulators see the combined company as a robust streaming alternative, state authorities in California, New York and others are gearing up for separate antitrust challenges.
Futuresource: Global SVOD Subscriptions Reach 2.2 Billion, Consumer Spending at $150 Billion
Futuresource Consulting reports that global streaming video‑on‑demand (SVOD) subscriptions have reached 2.2 billion, generating roughly $150 billion in consumer spending. The firm projects 2.6 billion subscribers by 2030, driven more by pricing discipline, bundling, distribution partnerships and strategic content investment than by pure acquisition costs. In the United States, mega‑bundles such as Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max and other carrier offers are delivering 30‑43% discounts, while platforms roll out lower‑cost ad‑supported tiers alongside premium price hikes. Content strategy is shifting toward retention‑focused franchises and high‑cost sports rights, exemplified by NBCUniversal’s $8 billion Peacock investment.
Wedding Night Thriller 'An Enemy Within' Trailer with William Moseley
Saban Films has dropped the official trailer for the dark action‑thriller “An Enemy Within,” starring William Moseley. The story follows Caleb Wingate, who receives a sniper’s demand to kill his father‑in‑law before midnight or lose his bride on their wedding...
Two Big New Universal Movies Jumping to Netflix in May 2026
Universal will shift two high‑profile titles, *The Black Phone 2* and *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie*, to Netflix US in May 2026 after four‑month Peacock runs. Each film will enjoy a 10‑month exclusive streaming window before returning to Peacock for the final...
Sadia Khateeb Calls Daadi Ki Shaadi a ‘Family Vacation’; Shares Fun Moments with Neetu Kapoor, Kapil Sharma and Riddhima Kapoor...
Bollywood’s upcoming family comedy *Daadi Ki Shaadi* has generated buzz after its poster debut, highlighting an eclectic cast that includes veteran actress Neetu Kapoor, comedian Kapil Sharma, debutante Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and rising star Sadia Khateeb. Khateeb described the shoot as...
Jana Nayagan Piracy Leak Shocks Tamil Film Industry: Producers Association Demands CBI Probe as KVN Productions Issues Legal Warning
Tamil blockbuster Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay and budgeted at roughly $60 million, was fully leaked online on Thursday night. The Tamil Film Active Producers Association immediately demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, invoking the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023. KVN Productions...
Cinema Screen Quota Plan for Local Movies Splits Film Industry
Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission VII is weighing a mandatory screen‑quota law to guarantee exhibition time for locally produced movies amid concerns that foreign blockbusters dominate cinema schedules. The proposal has split the industry: independent producers argue quotas would give...
Apple TV+’s “Outcome” Stirs Debate with Mixed Reviews for Reeves‑Hill Satire
Apple TV+ launched the satirical comedy "Outcome" on April 10, 2026, starring Keanu Reeves as a beloved star facing blackmail and Jonah Hill as his crisis lawyer. The film has drawn polarized reviews, with praise for Reeves’ performance and criticism...
Michael Director Antoine Fuqua’s Top 5 Highest-Grossing Films Worldwide – Which One Delivered The Best Return On Budget?
Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, opens on April 24, 2026 with a $155 million production budget. Fuqua’s five highest‑grossing films range from King Arthur’s $203.6 million worldwide take to The Equalizer’s $192.3 million, but the...
On the Move: Lionsgate Promotes Pecchia to SVP-Corpcomms
Lionsgate promoted Laurel Pecchia to senior vice president of corporate communications, elevating a leader with experience at William Morris Endeavor, CBS Films and Lionsgate itself. Pecchia will direct media‑relations, executive and employee messaging, and board and earnings‑call preparation. In parallel, Anonymous Content...
Emily Lawson’s ‘Man Eating P—-’ Challenges Views of Sex, Death, and Womanhood
Emily Lawson’s 12‑minute short “Man Eating Pussy” captured the SXSW Midnight Short Special Jury Award, drawing attention for its provocative title and body‑horror premise. The film follows sex worker Kitty, whose face is a literal vulva, and her dying client,...
The Blue Trail (2025)
Gabriel Mascaro’s fourth feature, *The Blue Trail*, follows 77‑year‑old Tereza as she rebels against Brazil’s futuristic policy that forces seniors into remote “wrinkle wagons.” Set against a surreal Amazon backdrop, the sci‑fi drama blends satire with vivid cinematography as Tereza...
Boxing Is Like Life: Lee Yi-Shan On A Dance with Rainbows
Taiwanese filmmaker Lee Yi‑shan debuted "A Dance with Rainbows" at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, a boxing drama that mirrors everyday struggles. The film’s realistic fight scenes stem from six months of intensive training for a largely inexperienced cast....
Mohiniyattam Movie Review: Saiju Kurup and Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Lighthearted Comedy Thriller Is a Worthy Sequel to Bharathanatyam
Krishnadas Murali’s *Mohiniyattam* picks up the Bharathanatyam saga, pairing Saiju Kurup and Suraj Venjaramoodu in a light‑hearted comedy‑thriller sequel. The plot centers on a temple‑linked crisis that forces the family to conceal an accidental crime, echoing *Drishyam* while carving its own tone....
Ralph Fiennes Reveals Whether He Would Return to Harry Potter Role
Ralph Fiennes said he would love to return as Voldemort in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, but feels the chance has passed. The streaming giant has yet to announce who will play the dark wizard, despite speculation around Tilda Swinton and...
Agon, a Strange Trip Into the Lives of Athletes
Giulio Bertelli’s debut feature *Agon* debuts at Lincoln Center’s New Director/New Films series, presenting a hybrid “techno‑realism” blend of documentary, drama and video‑game aesthetics. The film follows three young female athletes—a judoka, a rifle shooter and a fencer—through the solitary,...
Brad Bird Unveils First Look at Netflix’s Animated Sci‑Fi Detective “Ray Gunn”
Skydance Animation and Netflix released the first look at Brad Bird’s animated sci‑fi detective “Ray Gunn,” confirming a star‑studded cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits. The film, budgeted at over $150 million, is slated for a 2026...
Black Rom‑Com Filmmakers Face Conditional Funding as Studios Await Box‑Office Test
Black filmmaker Nina Lee says studios are refusing to buy her completed rom‑com until they see how the upcoming Will Packer‑produced "You, Me & Tuscany" performs, despite evidence that Black‑led films are profitable. The film is projected to earn $12‑15 million...
Jason Statham's "High-Stakes" Thriller with Peaky Blinders Star Gets Action-Packed Trailer
Sky has dropped the official trailer for Mutiny, an action‑thriller that sees Jason Statham return as Cole Reed, a police officer who takes on a human‑trafficking vessel single‑handed. The film is directed by Jean‑François Richet, the helmer of Plane, and Statham...
New to MUBI/VOD - MY FATHER’S SHADOW
Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature *My Father’s Shadow* is now streaming on MUBI’s UK/ROI VOD catalog. Set in Lagos during the volatile 1993 presidential election, the drama follows a father and his two sons as they navigate a city on the...
5 Children’s Movies to Stream Now
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the latest animated entry in the long‑running franchise, debuted in 2024 and is now streaming on Disney+. The film follows science teacher Gary and the Spengler family as they battle an ancient ice‑age monster threatening Manhattan. Original...
Rebuilding (2026)
“Rebuilding” follows Dusty Fraser, a Colorado rancher whose home and family are shattered by a wildfire. He and his estranged daughter live in a FEMA‑run trailer park, where he attempts to restore the ruined farmhouse while bonding with a grieving,...
Compostelle (2026)
Compostelle, directed by Yann Samuell, follows Fred (Alexandra Lamy), a dismissed teacher who volunteers to mentor a troubled teen, Adam, on the historic Camino de Santiago. The story blends personal redemption with the physical challenges of the pilgrimage from Le...
“THRASH”
Tommy Wirkola’s new film “Thrash” pairs a Category 5 hurricane with shark attacks in a South Carolina coastal town, starring Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak and Djimon Hounsou. The movie leans heavily on atmospheric sound design and murky underwater cinematography to generate...
Pinch (2025) by Uttera Singh Film Review
Uttera Singh’s feature debut "Pinch" tackles sexual assault and patriarchal oppression through sharp humor and restrained storytelling. The Indian‑American director, also a USC adjunct professor, follows Maitri, a travel‑blogging hopeful who is assaulted on a bus and fights community denial....
Lee Cronin's “The Mummy” Delivers Relentless, Terrifying Horror
LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY goes hard. It does not hold back. A freaky-as-fuck creepshow. Scary, scream-worthy & squirm-inducing. Natalie Grace is the MVP in a Linda Blair-inspired performance. A buffet of split diopter shots.
Comedy ‘Cotton Candy Bubble Gum’ Due Digitally May 12 From Radial
Radial Entertainment will launch the offbeat coming‑of‑age comedy Cotton Candy Bubble Gum digitally on May 12, 2026. Written and directed by J. Pinder, the film stars Nick Darnell, Morgan Jay and a supporting cast, following 21‑year‑old Carter as his life unravels after his mother’s engagement...
Nielsen: Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ McDonald’s Tie-In Shows Strength of Streaming Fandom
Netflix’s animated feature *KPop Demon Hunters* sparked its largest consumer‑brand partnership to date, teaming with McDonald’s on themed meals that drove roughly $100 million in sales within the first days. The movie amassed 569 million global Netflix views and 20.5 billion U.S. streaming...
Spoiled Nepo Kids, Yet Still Worth Watching
This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. All three are spoiled nepo babies who wouldn’t be anything if it wasn’t for their famous fathers. Still… I’d totally watch it. 👀🍿🥤
Warner Bros. Revives "Terrified" Remake with Noah Hawley as Writer‑Director
Warner Bros. announced that acclaimed creator Noah Hawley will write, direct and produce the long‑stalled English‑language remake of the Argentinian horror film "Terrified." The move replaces earlier plans that involved Guillermo del Toro and signals a fresh studio push for the...
Bodycam
Shudder’s newest horror offering, Bodycam, directed by Brandon Christensen, follows two police officers who stumble into a supernatural domestic incident captured through first‑person body‑cam footage. The film opens with a tense, practical‑effects‑driven atmosphere that feels fresh for the genre, but...
NBA Superstar James Harden’s Signature Beard Inspires AI-Animated Short
Utopai Studios partnered with NBA star James Harden to produce an AI‑driven 3D animated short that spotlights his signature beard. The film was created using PAI, the studio’s proprietary screenplay‑to‑screen AI that generates characters, shots, and sequences without prompt‑based tinkering....
10s Across the Borders (2025) by Chan Sze-Wei Film Review
Singapore‑based documentarian Chan Sze‑Wei’s new film “10s Across the Borders” offers an intimate look at the burgeoning ballroom culture of Southeast Asia through three trailblazing performers from Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. The 90‑minute documentary, shot over seven years, weaves...
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Truth And Tragedy Of Moriah Wilson’ on Netflix, A True Crime Heartbreaker About A...
Netflix’s new true‑crime documentary "The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson" premiered at SXSW before debuting on the platform in April 2026. The film chronicles the 2022 murder of professional cyclist Moriah Wilson in Austin, Texas, and follows the ensuing...
Giant Mummy Stands Guard at BeyondFest Screening
Mummy Dearest: At the #BeyondFest screening of leecroninsthemummy tonight and they’ve got a ginormous mummy in the parking lot.
Top Must‑Watch Shows and New Films This Weekend
From returning hit shows to a couple of intriguing new films, here's what you'll want to watch this weekend. https://t.co/rqdc5bjAwV
Michael Jackson Biopic "Michael" Drops Trailer, Sets April 24 Global Release
The Michael Jackson biopic, titled "Michael," released its first trailer and confirmed a simultaneous worldwide launch on April 24. Starring the pop star’s nephew Jaafar Jackson and produced by his son Prince Michael Jackson, the film has been re‑edited to...
Wedding Night Thriller Trailer Starring William Moseley Drops
Wedding Night Thriller 'An Enemy Within' Trailer with William Moseley https://t.co/T9E1LoaukR #AnEnemyWithin #WilliamMoseley #thriller https://t.co/6eserkFYkd
New Brutal Chinese Action Thriller Trailer Drops
Brutal Chinese Action Thriller Film 'The Butcher's Blade' Official Trailer https://t.co/jk8afzFZzP #China #TheButchersBlade #actionmovie #FengchaoLiu #FufuYuan #ShanshanChunyu https://t.co/aTvqyGwp1c
Margot’s Got Money Troubles Premieres in New York
The drama series “Margot’s Got Money Troubles” debuted at a high‑profile New York premiere, drawing attention from Hollywood’s elite. Nicole Kidman appears as the mediator between the titular character and her professor, a role that underscores her expanding on‑screen repertoire....
Revisiting Stand By Me: Fresh Review Released
My review of the re-release of Stand By Me (1986) (dir. Rob Reiner) is up here: https://t.co/IGUCpp0PxY
Faces of Death: Promising Start, Disappointing, Plot-Hole Ending
#FacesOfDeath starts with a ton of promise with nifty direction & synthy score but devolves into plot-hole stupidity with one of the dumbest endings I could possibly conceive of Yet another zero-restraint undoing 😵 https://t.co/NMbCMRxeWY
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Faces Of Death” Filmmakers Daniel Goldhaber & Isa Mazzei
The Next Best Picture Podcast released an interview with Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei about their 2026 horror remake "Faces Of Death." The film, a modern take on the 1978 classic, debuted at Chicago’s Beyond Fest with a 35mm screening...
Adapting Blumhouse for Shifting Consumer Behaviors
I’ll be at The Long Play SF next Tuesday speaking with @pkafka on how I’m continuing to set-up Blumhouse to thrive in a time of shifting consumer behaviors. Register here: https://t.co/bMWAWiAX3R https://t.co/bwhQ1XaWpE
Paramount‑Skydance Restructures Debt, Adding $31B to WBD
Pretty sure we need to add $31 billion or so of WBD debt to this number. Paramount Skydance Restructures Debt Financing for Warner Bros. Discovery Deal https://t.co/KdxmGFAyON via @variety
20 Years Later, Leslie Vernon Rises, Once Again, for Behind The Mask II
At a 20‑year anniversary screening in Los Angeles, the original creators of the cult horror mockumentary "Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon" announced that a sequel, "Behind The Mask II: The Return Of Leslie Vernon," is officially back...
Live Reaction Tonight: Does the Concept Really Deliver?
Now VHSing #FacesOfDeath at AMC 16 Reax LIVE tonight on #MMT🌕 Really like the concept here but does it deliver 🤔 https://t.co/VEeayBqGlX
The Period of Her (2025) Linda Andriyani, Praditha Blifa, Sarah Adilah and Erlina Rakhmawati Film Review
"The Period of Her" is an Indonesian omnibus of four short films directed by Linda Andriyani, Praditha Blifa, Sarah Adilah, and Erlina Rakhmawati, screened at Cinemasia. Each segment tackles a distinct facet of women’s lives—from infidelity and infertility to menstruation...
It Is 2026, and Hollywood Is Once Again Trying to Make a Metal Gear Solid Movie
Hollywood’s two‑decade quest to adapt Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid finally gained momentum as Sony signed directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein to a first‑look deal, earmarking the franchise for development. The duo, fresh from projects like an animated...
The Best Thriller I've Watched This Year Costs Nothing and Is on Tubi
Tubi is currently offering the 2005 horror thriller *The Descent* for free streaming, positioning it as the most exciting thriller available in 2026. The film follows six women trapped in an Appalachian cave system after a reckless guide leads them...
Tone Glow Presents Charlotte Zhang's "Tycoon"
Tone Glow is co‑presenting a special screening of Charlotte Zhang’s experimental feature *Tycoon* on Saturday, April 11 at 8 PM at Chicago Filmmakers, part of the Onion City Experimental Film Festival. The event includes a post‑screening Q&A with Zhang and a prelude short, Keng U Lao’s *Dirty Eye*...