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 a more cautious approach after Mubi’s costly $24 million miss on “Die My Love.” New entrants such as Sumerian Pictures are eyeing surprise deals reminiscent of the “Josephine” sale at Sundance. Meanwhile, agents are packaging films more carefully, emphasizing script certainty and marketing assets to secure early commitments.
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...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
Yash Begins Shooting Ravana’s Swayamvar Sequence for Ramayana in Mumbai: Report
Nitesh Tiwari’s two‑part epic *Ramayana* is being shot on a massive scale, with a budget exceeding Rs 1,600 crore (about $190 million). The latest update shows star Yash filming the Ravana‑Swayamvar sequence at Film City in Mumbai, on a meticulously rebuilt Mithila set...
Sunny Deol Cheers for Brother Bobby Deol’s Intense Bandar Teaser, Calls Him “Lord Bobby”
Bobby Deol’s new film *Bandar*, directed by Anurag Kashyap, has dropped a high‑octane teaser that is already generating strong social‑media chatter. The teaser showcases Deol in a gritty, disco‑era avatar and features a reworked classic song, underscoring Kashyap’s signature raw...
EXCLUSIVE: Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour’s India Release Pushed After CBFC Suggests Several Cuts
Paramount Pictures’ concert documentary "Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour" has been postponed in India after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded several cuts. The reviewing process, which required approval from the studio’s U.S....
What to Watch on OTT: Song Sung Blue, Citadel Season 2 and More
A fresh wave of OTT titles launched this week, spanning music drama, sci‑fi mystery, animated adventure, spy thriller, and survival horror. Hugh Jackman leads the Jio Hotstar biopic "Song Sung Blue," while Netflix adds the Sally Field‑headlined "Remarkably Bright Creatures." Prime Video rolls out the animated "Little Amélie"...
Daadi Ki Shaadi Movie Review: Neetu Kapoor, Kapil Sharma Star in a Creaky Melodrama
Daadi Ki Shaadi, starring Neetu Kapoor and Kapil Sharma, opens with a quirky premise of a grandmother’s wedding but quickly stalls under a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour runtime. The film blends modern touches like iPads and UPI payments with an old‑school family‑drama structure,...
Sony Pictures Quarterly Operating Income Falls 25%, Revenue Up 10%
Sony Pictures reported fourth‑quarter operating income of $268 million, a 25% decline, while revenue topped $3 billion, up more than 10% year‑over‑year. For the full fiscal year, operating income fell 11% to $687 million, largely due to an $87 million non‑cash impairment from winding...
James Cameron’s ‘Insane’ Billie Eilish Movie Pitch Revealed by ‘Bad Guy’ Singer
James Cameron pitched a 3‑D concert film to Billie Eilish’s mother, prompting the singer to co‑direct the project with the famed director. The collaboration resulted in "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)", which captures performances from...
The Sheep Detectives’ Post-Credits Scene Reveals if You Need To Stick Around
The Sheep Detectives, an Amazon MGM Studios mystery comedy, concludes without a traditional post‑credits scene, opting for a brief audio sting instead. The film resolves the murder of shepherd George Hardy, exposing his son Peter as the mastermind and clearing...
Captain America’s Tunnel Chase Wasn’t Civil War’s Toughest Scene To Film
To mark the 10th anniversary of *Captain America: Civil War*, the Russo brothers disclosed that the film’s most grueling sequence was the airport battle, not the famed tunnel chase. The scene was shot on a black‑top backlot in Atlanta during...
R-Rated Video Game Movie Resurfaces on Streaming Amid Sequel Release
The 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot has surged back onto HBO Max, climbing to the #6 spot in the platform’s streaming movie chart as the sequel launches in theaters on May 8, 2026. The original film’s R‑rated action is drawing renewed viewership ahead of Mortal Kombat 2,...
Incredibles 2 Director & Scarlett Johansson’s New Movie Gets Noir Concept
Brad Bird’s long‑awaited animated feature Ray Gunn has unveiled new concept art, showcasing a moody noir‑sci‑fi world. The film stars Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, with Tom Waits voicing an alien ally. Netflix announced the movie will debut at the Annecy...
Sony Pictures Full-Year Sales Boosted by Anime But Profit Slips Due to Pixomondo Shutdown
Sony Pictures Entertainment reported FY 2026 sales of $9.92 billion, essentially flat year‑over‑year, while operating income fell 11% to $687 million due to the shutdown of visual‑effects firm Pixomondo. Excluding the Pixomondo impairment, profit actually rose 11% to $858 million, highlighting underlying strength....
Oasis Reunion Documentary Coming to Cinemas and Disney+
Disney, Magna Studios and Sony Music Vision are releasing an untitled Oasis documentary that will debut in select IMAX cinemas on September 11 before moving to Disney+ later in 2025. The film, directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace and written...
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ Review: Their Octopus Teacher
Netflix’s new drama "Remarkably Bright Creatures" stars two‑time Oscar winner Sally Field as Tova, an aquarium‑cleaning woman who befriends a talking octopus named Marcellus. The octopus, voiced by Alfred Molina, serves as the film’s emotional catalyst, helping both Field’s character...
Starz Exits Universal Pictures Pay-2 Deal After 5 Years
Starz announced it is terminating its five‑year Pay‑2 licensing agreement with Universal Pictures, ending exclusive access to Universal theatrical releases after their run on Peacock, Prime Video and Netflix. The decision, explained by CEO Jeffrey Hirsch, targets cost reduction amid...
‘John Candy: I Like Me’ Composer Tyler Strickland On Using French Horn To Depict Comedy Icon “As A Soldier Going...
The documentary "John Candy: I Like Me" chronicles the life of comedy legend John Candy, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds with participation from Candy’s children. Composer Tyler Strickland faced the challenge of scoring a film about...
Andy Serkis' New Movie Based On A Classic Book Flopped At The Box Office
Andy Serkis’s animated adaptation of George Orwell’s *Animal Farm* opened to a weak $3.3 million domestic box office, ranking sixth for the weekend and far short of its $35 million production budget. The film faced stiff competition from $77 million blockbuster *The Devil...
Orlando Von Einsiedel’s ‘The Cycle Of Love’, Exec Produced By Priyanka Chopra, Gets U.S. Deal; Dogwoof Locks In Overseas Pacts
Orlando von Einsiedel’s new documentary *The Cycle Of Love*, executive‑produced by Priyanka Chopra‑Jonas, chronicles a 23‑year‑old Delhi street artist’s 6,000‑mile bicycle trek across Europe and Asia to reunite with his love. Variance Films has secured U.S. theatrical distribution for August 2026, while...
Peter Bart: Filmmakers Quietly Await Hollywood’s Greenlight On A Trumpian Era ‘All The President’s Men’
Peter Bart notes that a group of filmmakers are poised to revive the investigative‑political thriller genre with a modern take on All the President’s Men, targeting the Trump‑era scandals such as the Jeffrey Epstein case. Scripts and budgets are ready,...
James Norton's Highest-Rated Drama Is Being Removed From BBC iPlayer Very Soon
Nowhere Special, starring James Norton, is set to leave BBC iPlayer on 1 June after a 25‑day notice. The 2021 drama, which premiered at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, holds a perfect 100 % Rotten Tomatoes rating from 63 critics. Norton plays...
It Sounds Like Disney Is Rebooting Planet of the Apes (Again)
Disney’s 20th Century Studios is planning a fresh reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise, appointing Matt Shakman—director of last year’s Fantastic Four: First Steps—to helm the project. He will collaborate again with screenwriter Josh Friedman, whose résumé includes the recent...
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Golden Globes Reveal Major Rules Change: AI Won't Disqualify Acting Performances
The Golden Globes announced new rules that require a disclosure of any generative AI used in a film’s production, but AI will not automatically disqualify an acting performance. A performance remains eligible if it is primarily derived from the credited...
Watch YouTuber Poppy in a Short Film About the Dangers of AI — From Top AI Filmmakers
AI filmmaker Paul Trillo released the short “The Most Perfect Perfect Person,” starring YouTube star Poppy as a hyper‑perfect version of herself. The film blends in‑camera performance with generative‑AI visual effects, allowing the director to tweak dialogue and remove elements...
Cannes 2026 Movies Sold So Far: ‘Paper Tiger,’ ‘The Devils’ 4K Restoration, and ‘Minotaur’ Find Homes Early
At Cannes 2026, several high‑profile titles have already been sold ahead of the festival. Warner Bros.’ new indie label Clockwork will release the restored Ken Russell classic “The Devils,” while Neon has picked up James Gray’s “Paper Tiger,” its first collaboration with the...
Mark Ruffalo Calls on State AGs to Stop Paramount-WBD Merger
Actor Mark Ruffalo and antitrust analyst Matt Stoller have published a New York Times op‑ed urging state attorneys general to block the pending Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger. They argue the deal would further consolidate Hollywood, reducing the number of studios that foster risky,...
Sounds Like ‘The Batman: Part II’ Is Swinging For ‘The Dark Knight’s Crown
The Batman: Part II is slated to start shooting in London next month after a series of production delays. Robert Pattinson and Andy Serkis have confirmed returns, while casting talks involve high‑profile talent such as Barry Keoghan, Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson. The film’s release...
The Golden Globes Have a New Timetable, Eligibility Rules, and Campaign Guidelines That Tackle AI Usage
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the 84th Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2027, returning to the second weekend in January. A detailed timetable opens submissions on June 1, 2026, with nominations slated for December 7, 2026. The HFPA introduced AI usage...
Historic Oxford Cinema Under Threat as Oriel College Refuses to Extend Lease
The Ultimate Picture Palace, a Grade II‑listed cinema opened in 1911 in east Oxford, faces closure because Oriel College will not extend its lease beyond 2037. The venue, recently turned community‑owned after more than 1,200 supporters raised funds, has seen ticket...
You Can Now Stream Sam Raimi’s Send Help
Sam Raimi’s horror‑comedy *Send Help*, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, began streaming on Hulu on May 7, 2026. The film follows an underappreciated female executive stranded on a desert island with her domineering boss, mixing survival thrills with a...
In Italy, a Link Between the Cannes Film Festival and the Far East Film Festival
The Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy, has formalized a partnership with Cannes’ Marché du Film, one of the world’s premier film markets. The 28th edition of FEFF showcased about 75 Asian titles, ranging from genre fare to...
New Che Guevara Documentary at Cannes Shows There Is More to Know
"Che Guevara: The Last Companions" debuted in Cannes’ special screenings, directed by Christophe Dimitri Réveille. The film follows the three surviving members of the roughly 50 guerrillas who fought alongside Guevara in the 1960s. It opens with the chaotic moments after Guevara’s...
You Don’t Have a Film in the Festival. You Still Need a Publicist
Jane Owen, founder of Jane Owen Public Relations, argues that attending major film festivals without a publicist is a costly mistake, even for producers, financiers, tech firms, and actors who have no film in competition. Since the 1980s, festivals like...