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☆ Analysis-For Malaysian Filmmakers, Censorship Stifles Optimism After Overseas Glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"This is a very good time ... where people around the world are really looking into Malaysian filmmakers. "Mentega Terbang" follows a teenage Muslim girl exploring different religions while dealing with grief. Online platforms are not covered by film censorship rules in Malaysia. Khairi and others involved in "Mentega Terbang" even received death threats at the time, media reports show. CENSORSHIPUnder Malaysian law, films intended for public viewing must be approved by the Film Censorship Board.

Persons: Oscar, Michelle Yeoh, Khairi Anwar, Malaysia's, Khairi, Badrul Hisham Ismail, Pagi Ke, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Zabidi Mohamed, Amir Muhammad, Brenda Danker, Danial Azhar, Rozanna Latiff, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Cannes, Cannes Film, Malay, Academy, Malaysian, Film, YouTube Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Malaysian, Viu, Terengganu, Malay

☆ Taylor Swift Eras Tour film to stream exclusively on Disney+ starting March 15
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taylor Swift's filmed Eras Tour has found a home on Disney+. The concert film will arrive on the platform on March 15, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during the company's earnings call Wednesday. Disney likely faced a bidding war for the pop star's latest filmed concert, following the blowout popularity of her tour. In total, Swift's film generated more than $180 million at the domestic box office and more than $261.6 million worldwide. The concert film shifted to on-demand availability on Dec. 13, the singer's 34th birthday, with a rental fee of $19.89, the year she was born.

Persons: Taylor Swift, …, Taylor Swift's, Bob Iger, Swift, Michael Jackson's Organizations: Soldier, Disney, Apple Music, Netflix, AMC, Swift, CNBC PRO Locations: Chicago, Cardigan

☆ Taylor Swift Heading to Disney+ and ‘Moana’ Sequel to Theaters
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Brooks Barnes | More About Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Disney is deploying Taylor Swift and Moana as part of a campaign to revitalize its entertainment lineup. Swift to bring her blockbuster “Eras Tour” concert movie to streaming for the first time. “The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” will include five additional performed songs, including the fan favorite “Cardigan,” and exclusively arrive on Disney+ on March 15. “The Eras Tour” movie has sold more than $260 million in tickets at cinemas worldwide. Nielsen said streaming customers have watched almost 80 billion minutes of “Moana” over the last four years.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Robert A, Disney, Moana, Moana ”, Nielsen Organizations: Disney, Nielsen Locations: Moana, Cardigan, ”

“Argylle,” the $200-million star-studded spy thriller from Apple Studios, debuted with $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The first two — Martin Scorsese's “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Ridley Scott's “Napoleon” — could be called successful. Paramount handled “Killers of the Flower Moon,” while Sony steered “Napoleon.”“Argylle," with “Kingsman” director Vaughn at the helm, was made with aspirations of starting a new franchise. On another quiet weekend in cinemas, the rest of ticket sales went mainly to holdovers and awards contenders. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

Persons: Apple, “, Matthew Vaughn, Oscar, Martin Scorsese's, Ridley Scott's “ Napoleon ” —, “ Napoleon, ”, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, ” “, Kingsman, Vaughn, Taylor Swift, Swift, Jesus, Wonka, Jefferson's, Jeffrey Wright, Yorgos, Emma Stone, Comscore, “ Wonka, Jake Coyle Organizations: Apple Studios, Apple, Universal Pictures, Paramount, Sony, “, Angel Studios, Warner Bros, MGM

☆ ‘How To Have Sex’ director Molly Manning Walker on her explosive film and sparking debate in the UK
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Molly Manning Walker learned she was a two-time BAFTA nominee at the unholy hour of 5 AM. That’s not to say Manning Walker is a world apart from the young subjects of her film. The film, Manning Walker’s first feature, was a hit at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it won top prize in the Un Certain Regard competition. Courtesy MUBICNN: For better or for worse, there’s a lot about “How To Have Sex” that’s distinctly British. Director Molly Manning Walker and actress Mia McKenna-Bruce pose during the 76th Cannes Film Festival, May 19, 2023.

Persons: Molly Manning Walker, reveller, Manning, Manning Walker, ”, Malia, who’ve, Tara, Mia McKenna, Bruce, Manning Walker’s, You’ve, you’ve, It’s, I’d, haven’t, Lara Peake, Enva Lewis, they’re, Thomas Vinterberg, VALERY HACHE, that’s, “, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Sundance Film, Cannes, Cannes Film, Getty Locations: British, Park City , Utah, Magaluf, Majorca, Spain, Greece, Australia, ”, America, Malia , Greece, AFP

☆ Wall Street is watching for a $10 billion domestic box office in 2026. Disney could get it there
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While 2024 and 2025 boast franchise-rich movie slates, Wall Street doesn't expect ticket sales to top $10 billion domestically until 2026. The domestic box office has not hit that benchmark since 2019 before the Covid pandemic. When the box office does again surpass that threshold, Disney could be the driving force. After all, the first Avatar generated nearly $800 million at the domestic box office after its release in 2009. Therefore, where industry experts see gaps between major tent poles, there could be smaller-budgeted films that add incremental value to the overall box office.

Persons: it'll, Eric Handler, Roth, snared, Handler, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Bob Iger, It's, Jonathan Majors, Taylor, it's Organizations: ANGELES, Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Disney Animation, Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros, Hollywood, Angel, AMC, Comcast, CNBC Locations: U.S, Canada, NBCUniversal

☆ To stream or not to stream: Hollywood studios could send more films to the big screen as Wall Street pushes for profits
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Since it came out on Jan. 12, the $36 million film has tallied $83 million globally, according to data from Comscore. Low-budget films are typically those that cost under $20 million — films from the horror genre often fall in this category, as well as some independent features. The annual box office those years reached $11.9 billion and $11.4 billion, respectively. Domestic wide releases by year 2017 — 107 wide releases2018 — 112 wide releases2019 — 112 wide releases2020 — 32 wide releases2021 — 67 wide releases2022 — 71 wide releases2023 — 95 wide releases * Wide releases are any films that debut in more than 2,000 locations. Source: ComscoreIn 2023, 95 films had wide releases, 15% fewer titles than pre-pandemic times, and the box office barely surpassed $9 billion.

Persons: Bebe Wood, Renee Rapp, Avantika, Eric Handler, Roth, Paul Dergarabedian, Demeter, — Organizations: Plastics, Paramount Paramount, Paramount, Wall Street, Street, Netflix, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros Locations: Comscore

☆ Only 12 theaters in the world are showing Christopher Nolan's re-release of 'Tenet' in Imax 70mm — here they all are
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

It will be shown in standard and Imax formats, as well as in 70mm Imax. Only a select few theaters in the world can show a movie in 70mm Imax. Here are all the theaters showing the re-release. Only a select number of theaters in the world can show movies in Imax 70mm. Here are the 12 theaters where you can see the re-release of "Tenet" in Imax 70mm.

Persons: Christopher Nolan's, Tenet, —, Christopher, Nolan, Oppenheimer, Francisco Regal, Prussia, of Prussia Organizations: Service, Warner Bros, Arizona Harkins, Tempe California AMC, Francisco Regal Irvine, Universal, AMC, Universal City Indiana Imax Theatre, Indiana State Museum, York AMC Lincoln, UA, of Prussia Tennessee Regal Opry Mills, Melbourne Museum — Melbourne, Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, British Film Institute Locations: Arizona, Arizona Harkins Arizona, Tempe California, Francisco, Irvine, Indianapolis, York City, Woodbridge, Ontario

☆ Best-picture Oscar nominees 'Barbenheimer' account for 88% of the slate's box-office haul
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's no surprise that Warner Bros.' "Barbie" and Universal's "Oppenheimer" were among the 10 best-picture nominees announced Tuesday for this year's Academy Awards ceremony. The duo exploded into cinemas in July, generating big box-office bucks and enchanting critics and audiences alike. Helmed by academy darlings Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan, respectively, the dichotomous films have been on Oscar prediction lists for months. Although Gerwig missed out on a best director nomination, both filmmakers received nods for their screenplays. Best Picture nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards "American Fiction" (MGM/Amazon)"Anatomy of a Fall" (Neon)"Barbie" (Warner Bros.

Persons: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Hannah Beier, It's, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan, Gerwig, Maestro, Read Organizations: Washington Post, Warner Bros, year's, Paramount, Searchlight, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Disney Locations: Somerdale , New Jersey

With a dearth of new releases in cinemas, Paramount Pictures' Tina Fey-scripted musical “Mean Girls” pushed its two-week total past $50 million, along with $16.2 million internationally. The top 10 films collectively accounted for just $51.3 million in box office, according to Comscore. The Jason Statham thriller “The Beekeeper,” from Amazon MGM Studios, remained in second place, grossing $8.5 million in its second weekend to bring its total to $31.1 million. Warner Bros. “Wonka,” six weeks into its smash run in theaters, was third, with $6.4 million in ticket sales. In its fourth week of release, the Blitz Bazawule-directed film starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks, grossed just $720,000.

Persons: Oscar, Tina Fey, it's, Ariana DeBose, Jason Statham, “ Wonka, It's, Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Bridget Jones's Baby, Ava DuVernay's “, Aunjanue Ellis, Taylor, Isabel Wilkerson, Yorgos, Emma Stone, Cord Jefferson's, ”, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Glazer’s, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P, Henson, Danielle Brooks, Comscore, “ I.S.S Organizations: Paramount Pictures, U.S, Bleecker, Audiences, Hollywood, Amazon MGM Studios, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Searchlight, Globe Locations: Russia

☆ South Korea says number of North Korean defectors nearly triples in 2023, including ‘elite’ diplomats
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Gawon Bae | Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —The number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea nearly tripled in 2023 compared to the previous two years, authorities said Thursday – including a higher number of youth and members of the North Korean elite. North Korea slammed its already tight borders shut in 2020, plunging the hermit nation into even greater isolation. Only 63 defectors entered South Korea in 2021, and 67 in 2022, according to government data. China, a close ally of Pyongyang, doesn’t consider North Korean defectors to be refugees, instead seeing them as illegal economic migrants. Once back in North Korea, defectors face possible torture, sexual violence, hard labor, imprisonment in political or re-education camps, or even execution by the North Korean state, according to activists.

Persons: ”, Kim, –, Kim Jong Un Organizations: South Korea CNN, North Korean, Korea’s Unification Ministry, Ministry, North, South, North Koreans, doesn’t Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, China, Russia, Pyongyang, North Korea’s, Laos, Myanmar, South Korean, Thailand, North, Korea, North Korean

☆ Ava DuVernay on her ‘rebellious and radical’ new film ‘Origin’ and the ‘caste system of Hollywood’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

With “Origin,” her latest film, she was forced to dig in a little deeper. She built that film herself – it’s an absolutely Herculean effort.”Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor star as a married couple in Ava DuVernay's film "Origin." Atsushi Nishijima/NEON“Origin” began life at Netflix before DuVernay split and pivoted to independent financing (the film is distributed in the US by Neon). “Because we were making a film about this idea of caste, this system of hierarchy, (DuVernay) wanted to do away with that on set,” she said. The streamer had reportedly eyed a 2025 release, but the director wanted the film out well ahead of the 2024 US election.

Persons: CNN —, ‘, ‘ That’s, ” Ava DuVernay, Isabel Wilkerson, namechecked, Barack Obama, “ Selma, ”, DuVernay, Wilkerson, Niecy Nash, Betts, Marion, “, Jon Bernthal, Brett, Wilkerson’s, – it’s, ” Jon Bernthal, Aunjanue Ellis, Taylor, Ava DuVernay's, Atsushi Nishijima, ” DuVernay, Oscar, “ King Richard, that’s what’s, George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin, Husband Brett, Ellis, ” Brett, Bernthal “, Nash, let’s, ” Bernthal, I’ve, it’s, undersells Organizations: CNN, Pulitzer, Netflix, DuVernay, Reich Locations: United States, India, Nazi Germany, Texas, Delhi, Germany

The world first met Cady Heron, Regina George and the Plastics when “Mean Girls” hit movie theaters in 2004. Written by Tina Fey and based on a nonfiction book about social dynamics among high school girls, “Mean Girls” tells the story of a formerly home-schooled 16-year-old who becomes entangled with a group of popular students at her new high school. Its stars became famous, its quotable lines were ubiquitous and young people started wearing pink on Wednesdays. This month, a new version of “Mean Girls” has hit cinemas. Alissa Wilkinson, a film critic, and Alexis Soloski, a culture reporter, discuss their relationships with “Mean Girls,” how the world has changed since the original movie and what the new “Mean Girls” has to say to audiences today.

Persons: Cady Heron, Regina George, Tina Fey, Alissa Wilkinson, Alexis Soloski Organizations: Plastics

☆ Netflix is pulling back on movies, adding to Hollywood's woes as a grim box office year looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The downsizing of Netflix's film ambitions is on pace with a broader contraction at the streamer, which announced 88 fewer original films last year than in 2022. But for some on Wall Street, the right number of Netflix original films just might be zero. Netflix's rise has been a mixed bag for filmWhen Netflix film head Scott Stuber joined the company in 2017, the mandate was quantity. Netflix announced a whopping 232 original films in 2021, according to Ampere Analysis. Netflix's original films started declining in 2022 from the 2021 peak of 232.

Persons: bode, Scott Stuber, Stuber, David Fincher, Ted Sarandos, Ted Hope, Hope, didn't, Variety, Maestro, we're, Netflix's, Kevin Goetz, Michael Pachter, Kasey Moore, LightShed, Goetz, " Goetz, Wedbush's Pachter, Pachter Organizations: Netflix, Business, Ampere, Independent, Variety, Hollywood, Puck News, Apple, LightShed Partners Locations: —

☆ How Disney made Star Wars the top film franchise of 2023 without a theatrical release
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sunset Boulevard | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesThe Force remains strong with the Star Wars franchise. Despite not releasing a theatrical film since 2019, Star Wars has been named the top film franchise of 2023 by Fandom, the world's largest platform for entertainment fans. In between each film in the sequel trilogy, Disney released a film that harkened back to an important plot point from past Star Wars films. "At the time, Disney's strategy was to essentially release one new Star Wars film theatrically each year," said Peter Csathy, founder and chair of advisory firm Creative Media. Rebuilding an empireDisney isn't set to release another Star Wars film in cinemas until 2026.

Persons: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Georges Lucas, Paul Dergarabedian, Star Wars Disney Harry Potter, James Bond, Disney, Harry Potter, Kylo Ren, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, —, Princess Leia, Han, Peter Csathy, Csathy, Boba Fett, Rosario Dawson, Tano, Ahsoka, Count Dooku, Stephanie Fried, Diego Luna, Cassian Andor, Alan Tudyk Organizations: Star Wars, Star, Disney, Comscore, Star Wars Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Studios, Lucasfilm, Wars, Creative Media, Lucasfilm Disney Locations: Florida

☆ From ‘Barbenheimer’ to Taylor Swift, here are the most important films of 2023 and why they worked
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Hannah Beier | The Washington Post | Getty ImagesCall 2023 an explosive comeback at the box office. Together, those three films contributed more than $1.5 billion to the domestic box office, according to data from Comscore. But in the meantime, here's a look at some of the most important theatrical releases of 2023 — and why they worked. Meanwhile, Disney has seen its animated content lag at the box office in the wake of the pandemic. "His Only Son," a biblical drama released in early 2023, cost $250,000 to make and generated $12.4 million at the box office.

Persons: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Hannah Beier, Mario, Comscore, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan's, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Chris Pratt, Charlie, Luigi, Disney, Kung, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson's, Buda Mendes, tas23, Swift, Beyoncé, Tim Ballard, Jim Caviezel, Covid, Blumhouse, Cabrini, Saint Francesca Cabrini, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Organizations: Washington Post, Getty, Warner Bros, Mario Bros, Universal, Disney, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Swift, AMC, National Football League, Angel Studios, Century Fox, Roman Catholic, Reich Locations: Somerdale , New Jersey, There's, New York, Universal, Hollywood, Colombia

☆ 'The Color Purple' wins the holiday box office with second-highest Christmas debut of all time
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-26 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With $18.15 million in box office receipts, the studio's newest film "The Color Purple" had the highest Christmas Day opening since 2009 and the second-largest Christmas Day opening of all time. It was a very Merry Christmas for Warner Bros. Adding ticket sales from "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" and "Wonka," Warner Bros. Discovery held the top three spots at the box office over the holiday. Warner Bros.' collection of December releases runs the spectrum of genres and demographics, offering a diverse slate of entertainment for almost every moviegoing audience.

Persons: Sherlock Holmes, Wonka, Paul Dergarabedian, Oprah, Steven Spielberg Organizations: Warner Bros ., Warner Bros, Discovery

☆ Showbiz in 2023: Hollywood strikes, Beatles last song, 'Swift effect'
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California, U.S., July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - From strikes paralysing Hollywood to the Beatles releasing their last ever song, the world of entertainment provided many headlines this year. * The last Beatles song, featuring the voice of late member John Lennon and developed using artificial intelligence, was released. * Music superstars Taylor Swift and Beyonce kicked off their hugely successful concert tours, and both brought films of them to cinemas. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" hauled in an estimated $126 million-plus globally in its opening weekend, a boost for cinemas after the Hollywood strike prompted studios to delay releases for titles like "Dune: Part Two."

Persons: Mike Blake, John Lennon, Charlie Watts, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ed Sheeran, Alec Baldwin, Rust, Halyna Hutchins, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Swift, Travis Kelce, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Tina Turner, Lisa Marie Presley, Harry Belafonte, Matthew Perry, Tom Sizemore, Julian Sands, Jeff Beck, Jane Birkin, Tony Benett, Sinead O'Connor, Michael Gambon, Marie, Louise Gumuchian, Frances Kerry Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Disney Studios, REUTERS, Hollywood, Beatles, Unions, New, Kansas City Chiefs, Thomson Locations: Burbank , California, U.S, United States, New Mexico

☆ Life imitates art as George Clooney directs 'The Boys in the Boat'
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Like the subjects of his new film, George Clooney took a chance on a group of actors to transform them into believable professional rowers for "The Boys in the Boat". Directed by Clooney, the film is based on the best-selling non-fiction novel by Daniel James Brown. We had nutritionists and trainers," British actor Turner, 33, said. It's the closest thing I'm ever going to feel to being part of a professional sports team." "The Boys in the Boat" is out in cinemas in the U.S. and Canada on Dec. 25 and globally in January.

Persons: George Clooney, Edward R, Mario Anzuoni, Clooney, Daniel James Brown, Joe Rantz, Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton's, Al Ulbrickson, Terry O'Neill, Turner, I'm, Hanna Rantala, Richard Chang Organizations: Roybal, of Film, Learning, REUTERS, University of Washington, Ivy League, Berlin, Team, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, London, British, Atlanta, Canada

A billboard for the Netflix film "Thar" is seen on a street in Mumbai, India, May 19, 2022. India last month introduced the new draft law to regulate the broadcasting sector that will also apply to streaming giants. Netflix and Viacom18, as well as India's Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which has proposed the law, did not respond to a request for comment. India's government says the new law and formation of content committees will help in "robust self-regulation". Top Bollywood stars feature in Indian streaming shows, some of which have faced criticism from lawmakers and the public for scenes deemed vulgar or offensive.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Mukesh Ambani's Viacom18, Aditya Kalra, Munsif Vengattil, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Netflix, REUTERS, DELHI, Broadcasting Ministry, Disney, Media Partners Asia, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India

☆ 'Leave The World Behind': Strangers, danger and layers, says Julia Roberts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Cast members Julia Roberts and Myha'la Herrold attend the World Premiere of the film "Leave the World Behind" in London, Britain, November 29, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. actress Julia Roberts says her new film "Leave The World Behind" is a multilayered disaster thriller that allowed her to play someone very different from herself. Executive produced by former U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, the movie is written and directed by "Mr. It was just all the layers of the people and the circumstances," Roberts told Reuters at the film's premiere in London on Wednesday. "Leave The World Behind", which also stars Ethan Hawke and Kevin Bacon, is out in select cinemas and starts streaming on Netflix on Dec. 8.

Persons: Julia Roberts, Myha'la Herrold, Hannah McKay, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Mr, Sam Esmail, Rumaan Alam, Roberts, Amanda, Mahershala Ali, Myha'la, Esmail, Ethan Hawke, Kevin Bacon, Hanna Rantala, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Reuters, Hollywood, Netflix, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Are chip wars starting to hurt now?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Box office cheerThanksgiving box office sales stood at about $172 million this year, an improvement over the previous three years of pandemic-pressured ticket sales. Fifty Hamas hostages are due to be released over the four days under the terms of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. In the first two days of the temporary cease-fire, 24 hostages were released from Gaza in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners.

Persons: Napoleon, Abigail Mor Edan Organizations: CNBC, Nikkei, Adobe Analytics, Sony Locations: Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, U.S, Israeli, Gaza, Israel

☆ Disney's 'Wish' disappoints during Thanksgiving, extending an animation box office rut
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Its latest animated feature "Wish," billed as a celebration of 100 years of storytelling, fumbled at the box office during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It tallied just $31.6 million over the five-day period, far below box office analysts' expectations of between $45 million and $55 million. It's historically rare for Disney to lag at the Thanksgiving box office. The company has for more than a decade released top-grossing animated films during the Wednesday-to-Sunday frame and even set records for highest-grossing openings for films released on Thanksgiving. The underperformance of "Wish" extends an unfortunate pattern for the company, which operates two animation studios — Walt Disney Animation and Pixar.

Persons: Napoleon, Ridley Scott, it's, Paul Dergarabedian Organizations: Apple, Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar

☆ Hunger Games prequel, 'Napoleon' lead as Thanksgiving box office shows signs of life
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

LionsgateThis year's Thanksgiving box office was both feast and famine for the theatrical industry. Meanwhile, Disney's latest animated feature "Wish," which celebrates the company's 100th anniversary, fell startlingly short of box office expectations, tallying just $31.7 million over its first five days in theaters. "It wouldn't be a holiday box office season without some occasional upsets and this weekend is delivering on that front," said Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. Overall, the Thanksgiving box office secured around $172 million, an improvement over the previous three years of pandemic-pressured ticket sales. Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the five-day Thanksgiving spread — consisting of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Sunday — had resulted in more than $250 million in ticket sales each year.

Persons: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Coriolanus Snow, Lucy Gray Baird, Napoleon, Disney's, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, — Organizations: SONY, Lionsgate, Sony, Apple, MGM, Warner Bros Locations: Lionsgate's

Neither of the weekend’s top new releases — “Wish” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” — could keep up with Lionsgate's “Hunger Games” prequel. With an estimated budget of $200 million, “Napoleon” may still have a long road to reach profitability for Apple, which partnered with Sony to distribute “Napoleon” theatrically. “Wish," at least, is faring better than Disney’s Thanksgiving release last year: 2022's “Strange World" bombed with a five-day $18.9 million opening. Alexander Payne's film starring Paul Giamatti as a boarding school instructor made $3.8 million over the five-day weekend. Ticket sales overall reached $172 million in U.S. and Canada theaters over the five-day holiday weekend, according to Comscore.

Persons: ”, Ridley Scott’s “ Napoleon ” —, Lionsgate's, Panem, Napoleon ”, Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon, Martin Scorsese’s, “ Napoleon ”, “ Ralph, Coco ”, Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Critics weren't, ’, Paul Dergarabedian, We're, “, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Bradley Cooper's, Maestro ”, Alexander Payne's, Paul Giamatti, Comscore, “ Napoleon, “ Taylor Swift Organizations: Walt Disney Co, Rotten, Apple Studios, Apple, Sony, Disney, Marvel, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, Amazon, MGM, Netflix, it's, “ Locations: Waterloo, Oxford, Canada

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