The Town with Matthew Belloni The Summer Box Office Report Card: Surprise Hits, Big Flops, and Key Takeaways
94 snips
Aug 29, 2025 Scott Mendelson, a box office expert at Puck, joins to dissect the hits and misses of the summer box office. They explore why major films like 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning' underperformed, while an F1 film soared to $605 million globally. The duo debates the sustainability of franchises and the nuances of marketing strategies impacting box office success. They also touch on the challenges facing animated films and reflect on how studio decisions are shaping the future of beloved franchises.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
No Summer Blockbuster Wave
- Summer 2025 lacked mega tentpoles and had many modest “doubles” instead of home runs.
- That produced a boring, lower-than-usual summer box office with no Barbenheimer-style phenomenon.
Horror Finds New China Window
- Final Destination relaunched the franchise and overperformed on a modest budget.
- China opened a new market for R-rated supernatural horror, helping it approach $300M worldwide.
Nostalgia Still Packs Theaters
- Lilo & Stitch was the only billion-dollar film this summer, driven by nostalgia and global appeal.
- It proved certain legacy IP can still become massive hits when marketed correctly.
