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☆ Family films led by 'Inside Out 2' could reignite the box office
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A big piece has been missing from the box office — family films. A handful of kid-friendly hits — Universal's "Super Mario Bros." chief among them — have boosted ticket sales. So far in 2024, the domestic box office is down 23% from last year and trails 40% from 2019. More kid-friendly hits, like the coming "Despicable Me 4," could be one of the keys to a box office rebound. "Family movies come in all shapes and sizes," said Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory.

Persons: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Joy, Mario, Chris Johnson, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Barbie Organizations: Disney, Star Wars, Marvel Locations: Disney, Midwestern

☆ 'Inside Out 2' takes $295 million and breaks box-office records in a big boost for Disney
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read preview"Inside Out 2" smashed box-office records this weekend, giving Disney a big boost as the summer blockbuster season kicks off. On that measure it's a better debut than "The Super Mario Bros Movie" managed and is also the biggest worldwide opening weekend of the year, Deadline reported. Latin America in particular embraced "Inside Out 2" with open arms, giving it a $61 million total across the region. Related storiesDisney also said "The Incredibles 2," released in 2018, was the only Pixar release to perform better in the US across its opening weekend. AdvertisementThe first "Inside Out" made $90 million in the summer of 2015 with a $858 million global total.

Persons: —, Mario, Disney, Shawn Robbins, Mouse, Guy Organizations: Service, Disney, Business, Pixar, Marvel Locations: America

☆ 'Inside Out 2' saved the summer box office — and proved Pixar was right to lean on sequels
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewDisney proved it still has some box-office firepower this weekend with Pixar's "Inside Out 2." The film had the biggest three-day opening weekend of the year, grossing $155 million domestically and $295 million worldwide. That's also the second-biggest domestic opening ever for an animated movie, behind another Pixar title, 2018's "Incredibles 2" ($182.6 million). AdvertisementClearly, now that Pixar movies are back in theaters, they're going to be playing everywhere — and that strategy is working.

Persons: —, That's, Will Smith, Luca, Oscar, Riley, Bing Bong, it's, It's, Alisha, Bob Iger, Raya, John Krasinski's, you'll, Indiana Jones Organizations: Service, Pixar, Business, Disney, Hollywood Locations: Oklahoma

☆ 'Inside Out 2' hits $155 million domestic debut, second-highest animation opening ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Inside Out 2" debuted with an estimated $155 million domestically, the second-highest theatrical opening of an animated film and the first film since Warner Bros.' "Barbie" to top $100 million during its debut. Of note, Disney does not consider its 2019 live-action remake of "The Lion King," which generated $191.7 million during its debut, an animation film. "Let's issue a collective 'welcome back' to Disney, Pixar, and the summer box office," said Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory." Typically, these films average $100 million to $200 million openings, with 2019's "Avengers: Endgame" hitting a record $357.1 million. It boasts the biggest domestic debut of 2024, surpassing "Dune: Part Two" and its $82.5 million in opening weekend ticket sales.

Persons: King, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Paul Dergarabedian, Guy, Comscore's Dergarabedian, Disney, Hunter Organizations: Disney, Pixar, Warner Bros, Walt Disney Animation, Marvel, Labor, Comcast, CNBC Locations: North America, Comscore, NBCUniversal

☆ The ‘Inside Out 2’ movie is a summer box office success
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The studio’s latest animated film, “Inside Out 2,” has rocked the lethargic summer box office, becoming the first movie of 2024 to reach $100 million in domestic sales during its opening weekend. Heading for a $155 million weekend per Comscore estimates, the movie marks the most lucrative box office opening since last July’s “Barbie,” which grossed $162 million. According to Comscore and Disney, “Inside Out 2” has also cinched the No. “The story of the summer was always going to come down to how Pixar (‘Inside Out 2’) and Marvel (‘Deadpool & Wolverine’) rebounded,” said Loria. Domestic box office totals since the beginning of May are still down by about 28% compared to this time last year, according to Comscore data.

Persons: Joy, ”, “ Barbie, “, Daniel Loria, Shawn Robbins, Disney’s, Deadpool, ’, Paul Dergarabedian, Dergarabedian Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, Box, showtime, ” Industry, Pixar, Guild, SAG, Marvel Locations: New York, United States

☆ ‘Inside Out 2’ Returns Pixar to Box Office Heights
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Pixar is finally back in fighting form. It was the second-biggest opening weekend in Pixar’s 29-year history, trailing only the superhero sequel “Incredibles 2,” which arrived to about $180 million in 2018. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter on box office numbers, said of Pixar. “This is a sensational opening.”Based on prerelease surveys that track audience interest, box office analysts had expected “Inside Out 2” to take in about $90 million in the United States and Canada over the weekend. That total would have been strong — on par with opening-weekend ticket sales for the first “Inside Out” in 2015.

Persons: ”, “, ” David A, Gross Organizations: Pixar, Disney Locations: United States, Canada

☆ Every Pixar movie, ranked from worst to best — including 'Inside Out 2'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

"A Bug's Life" (1998)"A Bug's Life." PixarIn the second movie ever released by Pixar, an ant named Flik (voiced by Dave Foley) sets out to find others to help save his colony against grasshoppers and ends up recruiting a unique group of allies. Though the movie was successful at the box office, with the release of DreamWorks' "Antz" a month earlier, you're more likely to remember the Lasseter-Katzenberg feud than the films.

Persons: Dave Foley, Lasseter Organizations: Pixar, DreamWorks

☆ 'Inside Out 2' arrives in theaters and could hit a 100-day run. Here's why that's increasingly rare
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Disney | PixarDisney is looking to bring a little joy to theaters with its upcoming release of Pixar's "Inside Out 2." For comparison, 2019's "Toy Story 4" generated $12 million on its Thursday previews and snared $120.9 million for its opening weekend. Only a rare few films would extend beyond that date — usually massive franchise films or blockbuster hits. "Ninety-day windows were always going to be unsustainable," said Jeff Kaufman, senior vice president of film and marketing at Malco Theaters. Box office experts are looking to "Inside Out 2" as a barometer for the health of Pixar and its future.

Persons: Disney, Jeff Kaufman, Daniel Loria, Loria, There's, Scarlet Johannson, Sean Gamble, Luca Organizations: Disney, Pixar Disney, Warner Bros, Pixar, Universal, Malco, Box Office Company, Studios, Hollywood, Lionsgate, Universal —, Paramount, Sony, Fox, Searchlight —, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation Locations: United States, Canada, North America, U.S

☆ Opinion: Why Anxiety from ‘Inside Out 2’ is such a relatable character to me
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Opinion Noah Berlatsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And while I would not say that I am the personification of anxiety, if you looked inside my head at the control board of my emotions, anxiety would be in charge more than I’d like to admit. Noah Berlatsky Noah BerlatskyMany people who live with a lot of anxiety would agree that anxiety is not a lot of fun. Anxiety doesn’t just keep Riley from her sleep, though. When I’m anxious, it’s often because I’m worrying about my loved ones. And her maybe obsessive attention and investment gives her some insights that Joy doesn’t have.

Persons: Noah Berlatsky, CNN — I’m, Maya Hawke, Noah Berlatsky Noah Berlatsky, I’m, ”, Riley, Kaitlyn Dias, —, Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, ” Riley, Kensington, Kelsey Mann, Meg LeFauve, Dave Holstein, haven’t, you’re, doesn’t, aren’t, Riley isn’t, they’re, Joy, — she’s, Joy doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Pixar Locations: Chicago, Minnesota, San Francisco

☆ ‘Inside Out 2’ Review: PUBERTY! OMG! LOL! IYKYK!
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Manohla Dargis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When a dumpling of an old lady toddles into the animated charmer “Inside Out 2,” she is quickly shooed away by some other characters. Her name is Nostalgia, and those who wave her off — Joy and Sadness included — tell her it’s too soon for her to show up. If you’ve seen “Inside Out” (2015), your tear ducts will already be primed for the sequel. For much of her life, those emotions have been orchestrated by Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), a barefoot, manic pixie. When “Inside Out 2” opens, Joy is still running the show with Sadness, Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira) inside a bright tower called headquarters.

Persons: toddles, —, they’ve, Riley, Joy, Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira Organizations: Pixar

☆ US box office on track to have worst Memorial Day weekend since 1995
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The summer movie season typically starts with a bang during the month of May and, particularly, during Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend (Friday through Monday) movie ticket sales are estimated at $128.3 million, according to Comscore data provided to CNN. In fact, the US box office is on track to have its lowest-grossing Memorial Day weekend since the $117.1 million seen in 1995, when “Casper” haunted the screens — and that’s not even adjusting for inflation. The tepid Memorial Day weekend continues what’s been a lukewarm start to the summer box office, a movie-going season that’s still reeling from the effects of last year’s Hollywood strikes. Industry experts agree that the 2024 box office has been sluggish so far , but remain hopeful that the box office can rebound by the end of the year and beyond.

Persons: it’s, ”, “ Casper ”, that’s, ” Paul Degarabedian, Comscore, “, Max, what’s, ” Dergarabedian, “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer ”, Shawn Robbins, there’s, Degarabarian, Deadpool, ” “ Oppenheimer, Barbie ”, Dory, bloomer, Daniel Loria, ” Loria, ” Disney, Loria, “ Deadpool, Fandango, Robbins, “ That’s, ’, ” Robbins Organizations: CNN, Guild, SAG, Labor, “, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Star, Walt Disney Studios, Disney, Box, showtime, Century Entertainment, Writers Guild of America, Pixar, Marvel, Industry Locations: United States, “

☆ The summer box office is playing catch-up after a rough start to the year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —The summer box office is off to a lukewarm start. Last summer, blockbusters “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” combined added nearly a billion dollars to the domestic box office, according to Comscore data. “Barring some major overperformances, this summer looks like it’ll be down 20% to 25% in box office grosses between May and August from last year,” said analyst Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory. Industry experts agree that the 2024 box office has been sluggish so far , but remain hopeful that the box office can rebound by the end of the year and beyond. “Box office earnings have been down largely because of staggered gaps between widely appealing releases in the first half of the year,” said Robbins.

Persons: “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer ”, “, Max, ” Paul Dergarabedian, ”, Shawn Robbins, ” “ Oppenheimer, Barbie ”, Dory, bloomer, Daniel Loria, ” Loria, ” Disney, Loria, “ Deadpool, Fandango, Deadpool, Robbins, “ That’s, ’, ” Robbins Organizations: New, New York CNN, Guild, SAG, CNN, Labor, “, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Star, Walt Disney Studios, Disney, Box, showtime, Century Entertainment, Writers Guild of America, Pixar, Marvel, Industry Locations: New York, United States, “

☆ Summer movie preview 2024: Sequels, some superheroes and more sequels are upon us
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

‘Summer Camp’ (May 31)Kathy Bates, Diane Keaton and Alfre Woodard in "Summer Camp." The movie, costarring Vanessa Hudgens, follows 2020’s “Bad Boys for Life” (it seems that title’s promise didn’t quite stick). The film looks dutifully creepy, and stars the talented Dakota Fanning (“Ripley”) as an artist who finds herself in a strange forest in Ireland. ‘Cuckoo’ (August 2)Hunter Schafer in “Cuckoo.” NEONStarring “Euphoria’s” Hunter Schafer in her first lead film role, this horror film looks positively creepy and a bit, well, cuckoo. ‘Blink Twice’ (August 23)A scene from “Blink Twice.” MGMJam packed with a starry cast, “Blink Twice” looks like a perfect late summer movie – attractive people, elaborate action sequences, and mindless mayhem.

Persons: Tom Burke, Anya Taylor, Joy, “, Max, ” Jasin Boland, Warner Bros . Pictures George Miller’s, Mad Max, Max Saga ”, Charlize Theron, ’, Furiosa, Chris Hemsworth, ‘, Garfield, Chris Pratt, Mario, “ Garfield, ”, Pratt, Samuel L, Jackson, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Ted Lasso’s ” Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Cecily Strong, Bowen Yang, ‘ Ezra ’, Robert DeNiro, Boby Cannavale, William A, Fitzgerald, “ Ezra, ” Wayferer, Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Whoopi Goldberg, Vera Farmiga, Tony Goldwyn, Ezra, Lokiz, Kathy Bates, Diane Keaton, Alfre Woodard, Quantrell Colbert, Eugene Levy, ” Keaton, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Frank Masi, Sony Pictures Will Smith, costarring Vanessa Hudgens, Georgina Campbell, Dakota Fanning, “ Ripley, Franka Potente, Tom Tykwer, “ Lola ”, –, Marks, Lola, Pixar’s Oscar, Riley, Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Stephen Fry, Lena Dunham, “ Wilde, Hong Chau, Jesse Plemons, Atsushi Nishijima, Oscar, Emma Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos, ” costarring Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou, Hunter Schafer, Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Kyle Kaplan, Elvis, Butler, Costarring Tom Hardy, ‘ Thelma ’, Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Thelma, “ Thelma ”, Lupita, Gareth Gatrell, John Krasinski’s, Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Hounsou, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Costner, Richard Foreman, Warner, ” Kevin Costner, Steve Carell’s, Well Ferrell, Mia Goth, Halsey, ” Justin Lubin, MaXXXine ”, Pearl ”, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Dan McFadden, maven, Woody Harrelson costars, Longlegs ’, Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Daisy Edgar, Jones, Anthony Ramos, Glen Powell, Melinda Sue Gordon, Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, ‘ Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Wolverine, Logan, Deadpool, Dìdi ’, Izaac Wang, “ Didi, ‘ Harold, Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, Zachary Levi, Harold, Hopper Stone, Crockett Johnson, “ Harold ”, “ Euphoria’s ” Hunter Schafer, Schafer, Dan Stevens, David “, ” Giraudy, Sean San José, Colman Domingo, “ Rustin, ” Colman Domingo, Domingo, ‘ Kneecap ’, ” Curzon, that’s, Michael Fassbender, Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Sabrina Lantos, hasn’t, Taylor Swift, Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Nicole Rivelli, Colleen Hoover, Costarring Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt, Kevin Hart, Florian Munteanu, Jamie Lee Curtis, they’re, “ Barbie, Romulus ’, David Jonsson, Andy, Romulus, Fede Alvarez, Priscilla ”, Spaeny –, Sigourney Weaver, Elliot Page, ” Elliot Page, Sam, Costarring Hillary Baack, Wendy Crewson, Channing Tatum’s, Naomi Ackie, Alia Shawkat, Kyle MacLachlan, Christian Slater, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, Zoë Kravitz, Bill Skarsgard, Larry Horricks, Brandon Lee, James O’Barr, soulmate Shelly, Casey Affleck, Laurence Fishburne, Bleecker, Bleecker Street Laurence Fishburne, Saturn, ‘ Reagan ’, Dennis Quaid, Reagan, Rawhide Pictures Dennis Quaid, Ronald Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller, Nancy Reagan Organizations: CNN, Labor, Warner Bros . Pictures, Fury, Garfield, Mario Bros, Academy, ”, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Apple, Pixar, Searchlight, Magnolia Pictures, Squibb, “ Nebraska, Paramount Pictures, “, Sony, FBI, Lambs, Universal Pictures, Marvel, Century Fox, Disney, Columbia, Sundance, Warner Bros ., Lionsgate, Galaxy, Oscar, MGM, Bleecker Street, Rawhide Pictures Locations: Hollywood, New York City, Ireland, Berlin, “, Poland, Hong, 60s Chicago, “ MaXXXine, “ Longlegs, New York State, ‘, United States

☆ CNBC Daily Open: New highs on Wall Street, Fed's Waller says rate cuts months away
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Abid Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 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. Rate cuts several months awayFederal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he does not think further rate increases are necessary, but he will need convincing before backing any rate cuts. Singapore Airlines: one dead, 30 injuredOne person died and 30 people were injured aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that was hit by severe turbulence and forced to land in Thailand. Singapore Airlines Flight 321 encountered "sudden, severe turbulence" about 10 hours into a flight from London to Singapore, the airline said.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Waller, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Jesse Pound, JPMorgan's Marko Kolanovic Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Dow Jones, Federal, Gasoline, East, Pixar, Studios, Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Flight, Boeing, Wall Street Locations: New York City, Israel, Thailand, London, Singapore

☆ CNBC Daily Open: S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new heights ahead of Nvidia's earnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Abid Ali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Wall Street reaches new highsThe S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh record highs as investors await earnings from AI chipmaker Nvidia after the close on Wednesday. Nvidia's shares rose 0.6% with option traders pricing in swings of as much as 9% up or down in reaction to its earnings. Rate cuts several months awayFederal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he does not think further rate increases are necessary, but he will need convincing before backing any rate cuts. [PRO] When Nvidia risesCNBC's Ganesh Rao takes a look at six artificial intelligence-related stocks that have historically reacted positively to Nvidia's quarterly earnings.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Waller, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Ganesh Rao Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Dow Jones, Federal, Gasoline, East, Pixar, Studios, Disney, Walt Disney Animation, CSI, Nikkei, Reserve Bank of New Locations: New York City, Israel, Asia, Hong Kong, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, United States, Japan

☆ Pixar Lays Off 175 Workers as It Returns Its Focus to Films
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Brooks Barnes | More About Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

One problem: Disney had weakened the Pixar brand by using its films to build the Disney+ streaming service. Starting in late 2020, when many multiplexes were still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Disney debuted three Pixar films in a row (“Soul,” “Turning Red” and “Luca”) online, bypassing theaters altogether. At the time — around December 2020 — Disney was pouring money into the streaming service in a wild and ultimately unsuccessful effort to attract up to 260 million subscribers worldwide. As part of the retrenchment at Pixar, “Elio,” a movie about an 11-year-old boy who is inadvertently beamed into space, was delayed. Disney pushed it to June 2025.

Persons: Disney, “ Luca ”, —, Robert A, “ Elio, ”, Pixar’s, Lightning McQueen, Mater Organizations: Pixar, Disney, Hollywood, Marvel, — Disney

☆ Pixar is laying off 14% of its workforce as Disney scales back content
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Long-expected layoffs are hitting Pixar Animation Studios on Tuesday. Pixar will lay off about 175 employees, or around 14% of the studio's workforce, a spokesperson for parent company Walt Disney told CNBC. Initially, it was reported that 20% of the animation studio's employees would be laid off. When theaters closed during the pandemic, Disney sought to pad the company's fledgling streaming service Disney+ with content, stretching its creative teams thin and sending theatrical movies straight to digital. As a result, no Disney animated feature from Pixar or Walt Disney Animation has generated more than $480 million at the global box office since 2019.

Persons: Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Disney, — CNBC's Julia Boorstin Organizations: Pixar, Studios, CNBC, Disney, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation

We've compiled everything you need to know where to watch Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun, including both cable and live streaming options. 1 overall draft pick in April and was scooped up by the Indiana Fever, where she joins 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. The Indiana Fever has played two preseason games so far, which saw them win one and lose one. The Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun will play almost 40 games each this season, including a couple more against each other. Where to watch Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun in the USThe Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun game will be available on cable and streaming in the US.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Clark, There's Organizations: Business, WNBA, Indiana, Connecticut Sun, Iowa, NCAA Division, Indiana Fever, Boston, New York Liberty, ESPN2, ESPN, Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Geographic, Century Fox, Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN3, TNT, TBS, CNN, Phoenix Mercury, Las Vegas Aces Locations: Uncasville , Connecticut

☆ 3 reasons why Wall Street is playing Roblox again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Many adults heard the phrase “Robux” for the first time last holiday season when the virtual currency of gaming platform Roblox landed on the top of most wish lists. And it will have to prove to Wall Street there’s more growth up ahead. In its fourth quarter of 2023, Roblox revenue was $750 million, up 30% year-over-year – but had a net loss of $323.7 million. Like Fortnite, Roblox is also moving ahead with a“payout to creators” business model. “It’s clear that [Roblox] intends to go after younger gamers in 2024 and 2025,” Ward said.

Persons: ”, Roblox, Matilda Beinat, Lindsey Nicholson, UCG, David Baszucki, Ralph Lauren, Mike Proulx, Forrester, “, ” Proulx, Michael Nagle, ” Beinat, Lewis Ward, ” Ward, Ward Organizations: CNN, Investors, ABI Research, “, Gaming Center, Costco, Brookhaven RP, Nike, Walmart, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty, Apple’s, IDC, Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars Locations: Asia, Roblox, New York, Fortnite

☆ Airbnb’s Icons allow you to drift off in the ‘Up’ house or rest in Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ mansion
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —If you have ever wanted to dream in the balloon-lifted “Up” house, party with Kevin Hart or jam with Doja Cat, Airbnb has just the thing. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.”Here are some of the entertainment-focused Icons announced so far:An actual photo of the Airbnb house recreated to look like the home in the Disney/Pixar movie "Up" -- both the interior and exterior. Ryan LowryDrift off in the “Up”house - “Sleep inside one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic homes – and yes, it floats. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable living room performance from the Grammy-winning artist, including her favorite songs and tracks from her latest album.”"Purple Rain" House - AirBnb Icons Eric OgdenStay in Prince’s “Purple Rain” house - “Prince purchased the Minneapolis, Minnesota home featured in the legendary film ‘Purple Rain,’ but it’s never been available to the public until now. Explore the home and go crazy for rare and special tracks from Prince’s world in an exclusive studio session.

Persons: Kevin Hart, Airbnb, Brian Chesky, we’ve, Ryan Lowry, ”, You’ll, Kevin, Doja, Eric Ogden, “ Prince, it’s, Khaby, Holly Andres Step, Marvel, you’re, Joy, Janhvi Kapoor Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, Disney Locations: Abiquiu , New Mexico, Minneapolis , Minnesota, Milan, Italy, Westchester , New York, Paris

☆ Donald Trump appears to have trouble staying awake during his criminal trial. I can relate.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Right now, I feel closer to Donald J. Trump than I ever have before. That's because Trump looks like he's having trouble staying awake at his first-ever criminal trial. I don't know how long I was out for — probably just a few seconds — but definitely long enough for them to notice, and for me to notice that they noticed. I don't know when Donald Trump goes to sleep, but I do know that during his Twitter era, he tended to do a lot of late-night scrolling — also relatable — and posting. So don't worry about the nap-shaming, Mr. Trump — many of us do the same thing.

Persons: —, Donald J, Trump, Romeo, Juliet, George Costanza's, I'm, Donald Trump, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Seinfeld, Pixar, Gallup Locations: U.S

☆ Disney beat back activist investor Nelson Peltz. Now the real work begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

That would mark a milestone for the company, which launched Disney+ on Nov. 12, 2019. It would be the first time Disney showed it can make money from Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. Disney will need to sustain and grow streaming profit to justify Iger's five-year-old strategy to go "all in" on the segment. Disney has already offered ESPN+, a sports streaming service that has some but not all of ESPN's content. Trian Partners' Nelson Peltz, who failed to join Disney's board Wednesday after securing just 31% of the vote, publicly questioned what he has called Disney's "woke" content strategy.

Persons: Bob Iger, Sun Valley , Idaho David A, Iger, Disney, they've, Cowen, Doug Creutz, Needham, Laura Martin, Gabby Jones, David Greenbaum, Sean Bailey, Alan Bergman, Indiana Jones, Nelson Peltz, Peltz, shouldn't, Bob Chapek, He'll, Bergman, Jimmy Pitaro, Josh D'Amaro, Dana Walden, They've, Cowen's, you've, That's, it's, — CNBC's Sarah Whitten, Needman's Martin Organizations: Disney, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Grogan, CNBC Disney, Disney Disney, Hulu, ESPN, Co, Warner Bros . Discovery, Fox, CNBC, Athletic, Bloomberg, Getty, Marvel, Star Wars, Searchlight, Walt Disney Motion, Disney Entertainment, Century Fox, Sony, Disney's Marvel Studios, Trian Partners, Financial Times, Resorts, Iger Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho, Brooklyn , New York, Iger, Parks, Disney

Trian claims Disney's board has failed to generate sufficient returns in recent years as subscription streaming losses have mounted and traditional TV subscribers have declined. Early vote countBoth Disney and Trian received support from influential shareholders ahead of Wednesday's meeting. Roughly one-third of Disney's shareholders are retail shareholders, who historically vote in small numbers in annual meetings. The arrangement still raised questions about ValueAct's support for the company and whether Disney's board should have disclosed the prior relationship. WATCH: Disney board battle reaches final moments

Persons: Bob Iger, Mickey Mouse, Valerie Macon, Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, They've, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Michael Froman, Peltz, Ike Perlmutter, Trian, Disney's, Iger, Bob Chapek, Patrick T, Adam Jeffery, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, CNBC's, George Lucas, Laurene Powell Jobs, Lucas, Powell Jobs, Ken Squire, Rowe Price, Rowe, Mason Morfit's, ValueAct, Neuberger Berman, John Ferguson, Rasulo —, Glass Lewis, Iger's, Gorman, Jeremy Darroch, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, Heidi Gutman, Lagomasino, shouldn't, Blackwells, Rasulo, Jason Aintabi, John Foley, Jessica Schnell, Craig Hatkoff, Leah Solivan, ValueAct hasn't Organizations: AFP, Getty Images Disney, Voters, Trian Partners, Disney, PepsiCo, Marvel, SEC, Fallon, Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC Disney, CNBC, Star Wars, LucasArts, Pixar, BlackRock, Institutional, California Public Employees, Yacktman Asset Management, Saratoga Proxy, ISS, Sky, Trian Fund Management, NBCU, Bank, NBCUniversal, Green, Comcast Locations: Los Angeles, New York

☆ Bob Iger says 'woke' Disney is over, but it may not silence his critics
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Lucia Moses | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney CEO Bob Iger wants people to know the company isn't trying to advance a political agenda. It's a message Iger has been keen to send since his return as CEO in November 2022. Peltz made "woke" Disney a plank of his campaign, questioning Marvel's "Black Panther" and "The Marvels" that cast Black and female leads, respectively. Just take the vicious online reactions to its new "Star Wars: The Acolyte" series on Disney+, made by a female showrunner. And with Iger promising the company will lean more on its beloved franchises, Disney is likely to continue being a magnet for criticism from social conservatives.

Persons: Bob Iger, aren't, —, Iger, I've, we'll, Ron DeSantis, Elon Musk, Ariel, Nelson Peltz, Peltz, Marvel's, — Iger, — Ben Hart, Star Wars Guy 💫, ake Organizations: Disney, Service, Reuters, Pixar, Florida Gov, Marvel, Financial, Star Wars Locations: Florida

☆ Disney's cinematic drought may have opened a door for activist investor Peltz
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

DisneyDisney has struggled to return to the lofty box office records of 2019 — and that may have helped open the door for its recent troubles with activist Nelson Peltz. Just four years ago, the studio had seven billion-dollar films, which contributed to a global box office haul of more than $13.2 billion. Sony produced and distributed "Spider-Man: No Way Home," which made $1.9 billion, although Disney's Marvel Studios did serve as a co-producer. "People go to watch a movie or a show to be entertained," Peltz said in recent interview with The Financial Times. Peltz has also taken particular issue with Disney's failed succession plans and what he's described as a disjointed streaming strategy.

Persons: Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, Nelson Peltz, Disney's, Strange, Peltz, Jay Rasulo, he's, Marvel, Ike Perlmutter Organizations: Disney Disney, Disney, Century Fox, Star, Sony, Disney's Marvel Studios, Guardians, Galaxy, Trian Fund Management, Financial Times, Marvel, U.S . Air Force, Financial, Marvel Entertainment Locations: U.S

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