LAS VEGAS — There’s quite a lot of uncertainty within the film enterprise.
The theatrical field workplace is struggling to search out its footing in a world the place movie-going habits and studio methods have modified for the reason that pandemic. There may be nervousness about studio management at Warner Bros., the Paramount World and Skydance merger and a current main shakeup for Amazon MGM Studios.
With all of that within the air, Hollywood studios projected confidence of their lineups for 2025 and past on the CinemaCon commerce conference final week in Las Vegas.
Chatting with theater house owners on the Caesars Palace Colosseum, studio executives spoke of their dedication to theatrical releases, the facility of the massive display and their perception that the standard and variety of their motion pictures would carry folks to theaters.
Every studio introduced out A-list stars and administrators to show their level. Sony ushered out the 4 actors who will play the Beatles in a four-part movie sequence for 2028. Lionsgate introduced The Weeknd for a efficiency to advertise his movie, “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” Leonardo DiCaprio got here on stage for Warner Bros. Walt Disney Co. handed out 3D glasses for viewing the upcoming Pixar movie “Elio” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Common had a stay orchestra.
Sequels and reboots featured prominently, as did motion and horror movies. Producer Jason Blum walked out on stage in a bear costume to advertise the sequel to “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
On the commerce present flooring, all method of distributors have been promoting the most recent popcorn toppings, reclining theater seats, carpet samples and a sensible bar that mentioned it could pour the right cocktail in 4 seconds.
The halls close to the commerce present appeared like an prolonged movie show foyer with all method of illuminated posters and standees for upcoming movies. It’s the one place the place Sew, Tom Cruise and Toothless the dragon all face off in a cardboard cutout standoff.
Listed below are some highlights from the week.
Amazon MGM Studios bets on theaters
Within the firm’s first look at CinemaCon, executives repeatedly reiterated Amazon MGM Studios’ pledge that theatrical distribution was a significant a part of its marketing strategy.
The studio will launch 15 “big, bold, global” movies yearly in theaters by 2027, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, mentioned Wednesday onstage. Already, he mentioned, 14 titles are lined up for 2026. The studio can also be constructing out a global distribution arm.
“We’re passionate about the films we’re making, and we’re committed to this in the long term,” Hopkins mentioned.
Amazon MGM’s presentation began with a trailer for a 2026 movie adaptation of the Andy Weir sci-fi novel, “Project Hail Mary,” starring Ryan Gosling as a science teacher-turned-astronaut who befriends an alien to save lots of Earth.
Different newcomers have arrived at CinemaCon with large guarantees and did not ship. STX Leisure’s wager on midbudget movies was well-received by theater house owners, however the firm’s theatrical ambitions flamed out.
“For the last two years, I’ve been coming to CinemaCon, promising you that Amazon MGM is fully committed to theatrical,” theatrical distribution head Kevin Wilson mentioned from the stage. “Some of you believed me, some of you nodded, smiled and secretly texted each other, ‘We’ve heard this before.’ Our job tonight is to convince you the commitment is real.”
The studio continued by bringing out extra stars, together with Ben Affleck, Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri and Vivica A. Fox. Amazon MGM Studios ended the night time with an prolonged trailer for the Affleck-led “The Accountant 2.”
By the tip of the presentation, all the assembled actors and administrators gathered on stage to take a photograph from a selfie stick held by Fox.
Demand for a greater expertise
Theaters usually name on studios to do extra to assist cinemas. However some studio execs say theaters can assist themselves by enhancing the moviegoing expertise.
After a high-octane introduction involving bike methods and wheelies throughout the auditorium, Paramount distribution govt Chris Aronson known as on exhibitors to raise the in-theater expertise for moviegoers.
He highlighted some initiatives already in movement at some theaters — restricted trailers, day by day offers, prolonged matinee pricing and grassroots advertising. He famous the “discount Tuesday” promotion at many theaters.
“Why not Discount Wednesdays? Unless, of course, you’re already at full capacity on Wednesday, in which case, don’t do it,” he mentioned to understanding laughter.
Paramount co-Chief Government Brian Robbins acknowledged the pending Paramount-Skydance merger throughout his onstage remarks, saying he was “incredibly proud” of what Paramount Photos has completed “in the midst of all the noise at our parent company.”
The presentation closed with an look by Cruise, who requested the viewers for a second of silence in honor of his “Top Gun” co-star Val Kilmer, who died earlier this week.
“I can’t tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how grateful and honored I was when he joined for ‘Top Gun’ and returned for ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ” Cruise mentioned onstage. “Thank you Val. I wish you well on your next journey.”
He then unveiled a trailer for “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” which earned loud applause.
A plea for manufacturing incentives
As extra nations attempt to lure movie manufacturing abroad with elevated authorities incentives, Movement Image Affiliation Chief Government Charles H. Rivkin known as on the U.S. to be a “more competitive destination.”
Chatting with an viewers Tuesday, Rivkin mentioned the studio commerce group, together with its guild and union companions, can be “pushing for greater action at the federal level this year.”
“We will keep fighting to extend tax measures that encourage investments by studios,” he mentioned throughout his speech. “We will explore new policies designed with a singular goal in mind — to ramp up filmmaking and create jobs for our workforce.”
Rivkin additionally famous the work that many states have accomplished to sweeten their particular person tax incentives, and known as out the document 51 movies that can obtain an incentive from California’s movie and tv tax program.
Would Washington, D.C., be amenable to working with Hollywood? President Donald Trump is not any fan of liberal-leaning Hollywood, however he did announce a trio of actors — Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson — to behave as leisure trade ambassadors.
A name for a minimal theatrical window
High movie show lobbyist Michael O’Leary known as for Hollywood studios to carry again motion pictures longer from residence video and streaming, arguing that it could make the film enterprise extra sustainable.
In a Tuesday proposal, O’Leary mentioned there ought to be a minimal theatrical window of 45 days, referring to the size of time between a film’s theatrical launch and its availability for residence viewing.
“A clear, consistent starting point is necessary to affirm our collective commitment to theatrical exclusivity and to provide clear expectations for movie fans,” O’Leary mentioned. “There must be a baseline.”
Such a transfer can be an additional reversal of pandemic-era insurance policies that noticed some studios adopting dramatically shorter home windows earlier than sending movies to streaming platforms. Earlier than the pandemic, a typical theatrical window was 80 to 90 days.
