Entertainment, Media & Licensing - Overview & Insights 01/26

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This week, the entertainment world is buzzing with blockbuster surprises, streaming dominance, and game-changing collaborations. Lionsgate’s Flight Risk took flight at the box office, exceeding expectations and landing at the top of the charts, while Netflix and Disney+ continue their battle for global cross-platform streaming supremacy, with hits like Back in Action and The Lion King capturing audiences worldwide.

Next week promises even more drama, with a high-stakes cinematic showdown between Dog Man and Companion. Universal Pictures’ Dog Man is leading in awareness and audience buzz, but Warner Bros.' genre-bending Companion, featuring standout performances by Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, is quickly gaining momentum. Meanwhile, Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World builds excitement with consistent projections for a strong $80+ million opening, as seen across the past 6 months, while Disney’s Snow White faces mounting challenges in generating theatrical urgency amid waning interest.

And it’s not just movies making waves—cross-industry collaborations like Crocs x The Beatles and LEGO x One Piece are redefining how fans connect with their favorite brands. Whether you're here for film, streaming, music, or the latest in entertainment-inspired fashion, this newsletter has all the stories and details to keep you ahead of the curve in 2025!

In another quiet January week, Lionsgate ’s release Flight Risk soared to the top of the charts, delivering results slightly above the high end of projections. This success was largely driven by strong intent among its core audience, fueled by the studio’s focused marketing efforts. The Walt Disney Studios ' Mufasa: The Lion King and Sony Pictures Entertainment 's One of Them Days rounded out the top three.

Next week, the stage is set for a showdown between Dog Man and Companion. Digital signals point to a stronger opening for the Universal Pictures film, thanks to higher awareness and broader interest. However, the Warner Bros. Entertainment 's is gaining traction as its marketing campaign builds excitement among its primary audience.

Speaking of Companion, this genre-blending film, directed by Drew Hancock, weaves elements of sci-fi, horror, and dark comedy to explore human-robot relationships. The story follows Iris ( Creative Artists Agency 's Sophie Thatcher), an "emotional support robot" designed as the perfect partner, and her owner Josh ( United Talent Agency 's Jack Quaid) as they join friends for a weekend getaway. The plot cleverly unfolds with surprises and escalating violence, holding the audience’s attention despite early revelations. While the film offers light political commentary critiquing misogynistic tendencies, it stops short of deeply exploring these themes. Nonetheless, Companion is an engaging and thought-provoking experience, with standout performances by Thatcher and Quaid, who bring charm and intensity to their roles.

Looking ahead, Marvel Studios ’ first release of the year, Captain America: Brave New World, is showing positive momentum from its marketing push. The projections remain consistent, targeting an $80+ million opening, in line with trends over the past six months. On the other hand, 华特迪士尼公司 's next tentpole, Snow White, is facing challenges as audience interest continues to wane. While awareness isn’t a concern, the marketing team will need to refocus on strengthening the film’s appeal and creating urgency for theatrical viewing to counter the tendency for audiences to wait for its streaming release.

Netflix continues to dominate the global streaming landscape, with the majority of top series originating from the platform. Squid Game remains the leading series worldwide, solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon. Meanwhile, the new season of Xo, Kitty has broken into the top five, and Beast Games continues to perform strongly.

On the movie front, Netflix claimed the top spot with Back in Action, starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. She also appeared in another Netflix hit, Knight Day, which also landed in the top five across all platforms worldwide. Disney+ was the only other platform with a film in the top five, The Lion King, which is benefiting from the halo effect of Mufasa: The Lion King.

Internationally, Venom: The Last Dance premiered on Max, becoming the platform’s number-one film. On the series side, The Pitt remains a standout performer, driving additional viewership to ER, which secured the fifth spot on the platform.

With no major releases on other platforms this week, the rankings remained relatively consistent.

In music, Bad Bunny continues to dominate, claiming six of the top 10 most-streamed songs on Spotify , led by the chart-topping single DfMF. Bruno Mars’ duet with Lady Gaga, Die with a Smile, and APT’s collaboration with ROSE also secured spots on the list. Other featured artists include Gracie Abrams with That's So True and Billie Eilish with Birds of a Feather.

For the week ending December 22 in the U.S., Netflix's Virgin River Season 6 made a splash, delivering nearly 2 billion minutes watched and claiming the top spot as the most-watched series across all platforms. Ludo Studio 's Bluey continued its impressive streak, surpassing 1 billion minutes watched for another week. Rounding out the top five were La Palma (Netflix), The Equalizer (Netflix/ Paramount+ ), and Landman (Paramount+).

On the movie front, Carry-On, starring Taron Egerton ( United Agents Ltd. ) and Sofia Carson (WME), along with Red One, achieved remarkable results, each surpassing 1.5 billion minutes viewed.

In the latest rankings of the most in-demand celebrities, Jimmy Donaldson (aka MrBeast ), has surpassed Taylor Swift. This surge in popularity is attributed to the success of his Prime Video series, Beast Games, and discussions surrounding his potential involvement in acquiring TikTok 's U.S. operations. Reports indicate that MrBeast has been approached by various investor groups regarding the purchase, though his official participation remains unconfirmed.

Recent news events have also influenced this week's celebrity rankings. The presidential inauguration brought attention to figures such as Carrie Underwood, who performed "America the Beautiful" at the ceremony, and tech moguls Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, both of whom attended the event. Additionally, the passing of acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch led to a significant increase in public interest, as fans and collaborators paid tribute to his legacy. Bill Gates also entered the rankings, driven by his most recent intreview.

In recent entertainment news, Greta Gerwig's adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia has secured an exclusive IMAX theatrical release. The film is set to debut on approximately 1,000 IMAX screens worldwide on Thanksgiving Day 2026, enjoying a four-week theatrical window before its Netflix premiere on Christmas.

Meanwhile, Paramount Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has achieved significant box office success, grossing over $446 million globally and surpassing its predecessor to become the highest-grossing installment in the franchise.

In the DC Universe, filming for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has commenced, with director James Gunn sharing a first-look set photo featuring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, is slated for release on June 26, 2026.

Recent collaborations in consumer products and licensing are bridging entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle, offering fans fresh ways to connect with their favorite brands.

CROCS x The Beatles: Step into nostalgia as Crocs partners with The Beatles for a groovy collection of footwear. Featuring designs inspired by the iconic Yellow Submarine album, this collaboration brings psychedelic patterns and bold colors to life, offering fans a stylish and comfortable way to celebrate one of the most influential bands of all time.

UNIQLO x Picasso: Art meets everyday wear in the UNIQLO x Picasso collaboration. This collection highlights some of Picasso’s most renowned works, transforming them into wearable masterpieces. With T-shirts and apparel featuring bold colors and iconic imagery, fans can carry a piece of the art world in their daily lives.

XBOX x Fanta: Gaming refreshment takes center stage as Xbox teams up with Fanta. This vibrant collaboration features limited-edition Fanta cans with Xbox-inspired designs, alongside giveaways and in-game perks for fans. It’s a playful pairing that keeps gamers hydrated and engaged.

Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co.: Luxury meets streetwear in the Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co. collaboration. Combining the timeless silhouette of the Air Force 1 with Tiffany’s signature elegance, the collection features premium materials and Tiffany Blue accents, offering a bold and sophisticated twist on a classic sneaker.

Happy Meal x Pokémon: The excitement continues for fans of all ages as McDonald’s Happy Meal partners with Pokémon. This collaboration includes exclusive Pokémon-themed toys and cards, bringing the beloved franchise to life for collectors and young trainers alike.

LEGO x One Piece: Adventure awaits as LEGO joins forces with the world of One Piece. Fans can recreate iconic scenes from the anime with detailed building sets, bringing the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey to life while inspiring creativity and imagination.

Legendary x King Kong and Godzilla x Fortnite Apparel: The battle of titans extends to fashion as Legendary collaborates with Fortnite to release King Kong and Godzilla-inspired apparel. The collection features bold graphics and gaming elements, offering fans a dynamic way to showcase their love for these iconic monsters.

Mattel Creations Hot Wheels x F1: Speed and precision come together as Mattel Creations partners with Formula 1 for a Hot Wheels collection. Featuring die-cast cars inspired by F1 teams and drivers, this collaboration delivers high-octane excitement for racing enthusiasts and collectors alike.