The 2026 Movie Auction - The Big Picture Recap
Podcast: The Big Picture
Published: 2026-01-14
Duration: 2 hr 21 min
Guests: Chris Ryan
Summary
Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, and Chris Ryan engage in a lively auction of anticipated 2026 films, evaluating last year's results while strategizing for the upcoming cinematic year. Each participant bids on films within a $1,000 budget, adhering to rules about box office performance, Oscar nominations, and Metacritic scores.
What Happened
Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, and Chris Ryan dive into their annual tradition of auctioning future film prospects, each equipped with a $1,000 budget. They set specific requirements for their film slates, including two films grossing over $100 million domestically, one with at least two Oscar nominations, and another achieving an 85 Metacritic score. Each slate is also limited to a maximum of two sequels.
The competition is fierce, as standout films like Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' spark a bidding war, eventually fetching $900. Highly anticipated as a sequel to 'Troy', it is expected to dominate the box office, possibly outshining Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune: Part Three', which was acquired for $775 and is predicted to be a major release.
Chris Ryan's previous slate boasted successful picks like 'Mission Impossible Final Reckoning', which grossed over $100 million domestically, whereas Amanda Dobbins faced challenges with 'Megan 2.0' not performing as anticipated.
Among the unique strategies discussed, Chris Ryan emphasizes the concept of 'hyper niche' media consumption, where intensely loyal audiences focus on specific interests. This niche focus is mirrored in the film industry's evolving dynamics, with new franchises like Super Mario Brothers and Minecraft rising as older ones like Jurassic and Fast fade.
Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' is eagerly awaited, with screenings imminent. Fennell, renowned for her Oscar-winning screenplay of 'Promising Young Woman', has curated an inspirational syllabus for her film, showing her meticulous creative process.
The episode also touches on broader industry shifts, such as Amazon's strategic efforts to become a profitable movie studio, highlighted by its highest-grossing film, 'Air', earning $90 million worldwide. Additionally, the episode hints at leadership transitions at Lucasfilm, with Dave Filoni stepping up as Kathy Kennedy retires.
Key Insights
- Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', a sequel to 'Troy', drew a $900 bid in the auction, indicating high expectations for its box office performance, potentially surpassing Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune: Part Three', which was acquired for $775.
- The concept of 'hyper niche' media consumption is gaining traction in the film industry, as new franchises like Super Mario Brothers and Minecraft rise in popularity while older franchises such as Jurassic and Fast decline.
- Amazon's strategic push to become a profitable movie studio is exemplified by its highest-grossing film 'Air', which earned $90 million worldwide, highlighting its growing influence in the film industry.
- Leadership changes at Lucasfilm are on the horizon, with Dave Filoni set to take over as Kathy Kennedy retires, signaling a potential shift in the studio's future direction.