Not The Odyssey: Small Movies Had A Big Blockbuster Summer
Summary
Sam Sanders and Jacqueline Coley analyze the 2026 summer box office, which hit a record $4 billion despite fewer ticket sales and screens. They discuss how low-budget hits like Obsession and Scary Movie proved the value of audience-focused filmmaking, while high-budget IP films like Moana and Masters of the Universe struggled. The conversation highlights the importance of giving filmmakers time to make brave choices and explores the shifting demographics of moviegoers, noting that younger audiences are driving the resurgence while older viewers remain absent.
Topics discussed
Sponsor ad and host introduction
Host's optimism about the 2026 movie box office
Introducing guest Jacqueline Coley at Venice Film Festival
Analyzing summer successes: Obsession and Scary Movie
Grading the summer season and discussing Disney's missteps
Surprise hits: Sheep Detectives and the power of word of mouth
The Michael Jackson movie and the debate on separating art from artist
Contradictory data: rising revenue vs. falling ticket sales
Lessons from failures and the future of theater ownership
Sponsor ads and mid-show break
Why successful films allowed filmmakers creative freedom
Hollywood's IP obsession and the value of smaller films
Ticket price inflation and shifting audience demographics
Favorite films of the year: Coyote vs. Acme and Forgotten Island
Recommendation for the documentary Python Hunt
Credits and closing remarks
Listen ad-free on Castria