2024 in Review: The Biggest Stories, Hits, Misses, and Moments in Theatrical Exhibition

·49 min·4 clips

Sony pivoted from potentially buying another studio to acquiring the mid-sized theater chain Alamo Drafthouse.

The episode begins with host Daniel Luria introducing the year-end panel, including Russ Fisher, Rebecca Pauly, and Chad Kennerk. They open by discussing Sony's unexpected purchase of Alamo Drafthouse, signaling a shift in studio strategies. The conversation then turns to Disney's rebound, led by Inside Out 2's $650 million domestic gross, which reversed a slow first half of 2024. Disney is named Distributor of the Year, with successes like Deadpool and Wolverine ($636 million) and Moana 2 (over $300 million), the latter originally planned as a streaming series. Universal's Wicked is highlighted as the Theatrical Marketing Campaign of the Year, avoiding oversaturation despite a massive push. The panel critiques Warner Bros.' Joker: Folie à Deux as the Box Office Disappointment of the Year, citing its boring musical approach. Neon and A24 are noted for strong performances with films like Longlegs and Civil War, establishing them as mid-tier players. Trends include the rise of cinema entertainment centers with amenities like pickleball courts and the viral Dune Part 2 popcorn bucket, which spurred exhibitor merchandise efforts. The episode concludes with panelists sharing personal favorite movies, such as Nickel Boys and The Substance, and memorable moviegoing moments, like a Gladiator 2 screening with a beer-drinking attendee at 10:15 AM.

As heard by us

A year-end exhibition panel finds its clearest 2024 story in Wicked's split, Moana 2's surprise, and a rowdy Gladiator 2 screening.

Box Office Podcast frames theatrical exhibition as a business built on fast pivots, strong rituals, and the occasional surprise. Daniel Luria, Russ Fisher, Rebecca Pauly, and Chad Kennerk move from Sony buying Alamo Drafthouse to Disney's return to dominance, then look at a…

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Why you'd press play

You want a year-end box office panel with Sony buying Alamo Drafthouse, Disney's return to dominance, Wicked, Moana 2, and one extremely specific 10:15 AM Gladiator 2 screening.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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