Entertainment, Media & Licensing - Overview & Insights 02/02

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This week, the entertainment landscape is buzzing with box office triumphs, streaming shake-ups, and unexpected industry crossovers. Universal’s Dog Man conquered the box office, while Warner Bros.' Companion secured a strong second-place debut, reaffirming that genre-bending storytelling still has a place in today’s theatrical market. Meanwhile, marketing efforts and strategic collaborations continue to build anticipation for Captain America: Brave New World, with box office projections holding steady over the past six months, signaling a strong theatrical debut.

On the streaming front, Bluey reigned as the most-streamed title across all platforms in the U.S. last year, further cementing animation’s dominance. Three of the year’s top five highest-grossing films were animated—Inside Out 2, Moana, and Despicable Me 4—highlighting the genre’s continued appeal. Meanwhile, nostalgia-driven content remained a powerhouse, while standout original programming emerged as a key driver of audience growth.

On the streaming side, Netflix continues to dominate worldwide cross-platform viewership, fueled by high-engagement content like The Night Agent and Back in Action, while Disney+ sees steady success with X-Men ‘97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

Beyond film and TV, entertainment-driven collaborations are reshaping pop culture, from McDonald's first national meal deal with a female athlete to an innovative Magic: The Gathering x Hatsune Miku crossover.

Whether you’re here for box office insights, streaming trends, or the latest in entertainment-inspired branding, this week’s newsletter has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.

As projected, Dog Man led the box office this week, earning $36 million, surpassing comparable titles such as Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. The strong interest in streaming the film indicates that Universal Pictures can expect robust performance when it becomes available on digital platforms. Following its theatrical run, Dog Man is expected to stream on Peacock around late April or May, before moving to Netflix .

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Entertainment 's Companion secured second place with an opening day gross of over $9.5 million, slightly exceeding the high end of box office projections based on digital signals. The film's positive marketing campaign, noted for its unconventional and intriguing approach, effectively heightened awareness and interest leading up to its release.

Looking ahead, Marvel Studios ' Captain America: Brave New World continues to build positive momentum from its marketing efforts and collaborations. Based on digital signals, current box office projections remain steady at $80+ million, aligning with forecasts from the past six months. Audience interest in experiencing the film in theaters remains strong, indicating a promising debut for the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Netflix continues to dominate the cross-platform global streaming landscape, as it was a relatively quiet week for new releases on other platforms, with most of the top-performing movies and series concentrated on Netflix.

Back in Action and The Night Agent lead an action-packed top content list on Netflix. As expected, the new season of The Night Agent generated a halo effect on Season 1, driving more than 150 million hours of viewing worldwide across both seasons last week. A notable performer this week was the desert island drama The Sand Castle, which debuted at No. 3 with almost 8 million hours watched and secured a spot in the Top 10 across 33 countries. Animated films from Illumination also continue to deliver strong performances, with The Secret Life of Pets, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Despicable Me 2, and Minions: The Rise of Gru all making notable showings.

With a quiet slate on the movie side, series dominated the Top 10 on Disney+, with High Potential leading the pack and Paradise securing a spot in the Top 5—while also performing well on Hulu . As seen with X-Men '97, the new Marvel animated series continues to excel, with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man debuting in the Top 10 across 70 countries and claiming the top spot in 25 countries during its release week.

There wasn’t much meaningful movement on other platforms this week. One exception was Star Trek: Section 31, which claimed the No. 1 movie spot on Paramount+ globally, driven by momentum in 20+ countries—a testament to the enduring appeal of the Paramount IP.

This week, the focus shifts to the most-streamed cross-platform content of the year in the U.S. 2024 reaffirmed animation as the dominant force in streaming success, with nostalgia driving engagement and original content serving as a key differentiator. Ludo Studio 's Bluey led overall streaming with 56 billion minutes viewed on Disney+, with 43% of its total audience consisting of children aged 2-11, highlighting its continued dominance in the preschool category. Three of the year’s top five highest-grossing films were animated ( Pixar Animation Studios ' Inside Out 2, Walt Disney Animation Studios ' Moana, and Illumination's Despicable Me 4). The only live-action film to break into the Top 10 was MGM ’s Red One, which amassed 8 billion minutes in just two weeks, setting a new record for the platform. Meanwhile, nostalgia-fueled content remained a powerhouse, with Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix/Hulu) and The Big Bang Theory earning the title of most-binged series of the year. Legacy hits like Little House on the Prairie and Gunsmoke also demonstrated strong sustained viewership.

While established franchises continued to anchor engagement, original content emerged as a key growth driver. Fallout became the top new original drama, particularly resonating with adults 18-34, leading to an immediate second-season renewal. Netflix’s Nobody Wants This topped the comedy category, attracting a 69% female audience. In unscripted, Netflix led with American Nightmare and Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. As platforms refine their content strategies, expect continued investment in animated franchises, legacy IP licensing, and high-profile originals—all crucial for sustaining audience engagement and differentiation in an increasingly competitive streaming market.

On the music side, the top three most-streamed songs on Spotify remained unchanged, with Bad Bunny’s DfMF leading the pack, followed by Bruno Mars with Die With a Smile and APT. Meanwhile, Lola Young and Jimin reentered the Top 10, while Gracie Abrams and Billie Eilish maintained their positions with That’s So True and Birds of a Feather, respectively.

Jimmy Donaldson , better known as MrBeast , and Taylor Swift remain at the forefront of public attention. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga have gained significant momentum, further solidifying their status as cultural icons. Anticipation for Super Bowl LIX is reaching a fever pitch, amplifying the buzz around Patrick Mahomes and Kendrick Lamar, who will headline the halftime show alongside a special guest appearance from SZA. The pre-game lineup will feature Jon Batiste performing the National Anthem, Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty delivering a stirring rendition of America the Beautiful, and Ledisi presenting Lift Every Voice and Sing. With excitement at its peak, both Patrick Mahomes and Kendrick Lamar have ascended into the top 10.

The entertainment industry is abuzz with significant developments across music and film. At the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2, 2025, at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are set to perform a special tribute to the city of Los Angeles and the victims of recent wildfires. They will present their collaborative single, Die With a Smile, which is nominated for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. In the film sector, NEON has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Together, a body horror film starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Directed by Michael Shanks in his feature debut, the movie explores the story of a codependent couple who move to the countryside, only to experience a supernatural event that tests their relationship in nightmarish ways. The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is slated for a theatrical release on August 1, 2025. On the streaming front, 苹果 TV+’s hit series Severance has proven to be a massive success, reportedly earning over $200 million for Apple, further cementing its status as one of the platform's most valuable originals.

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

Hot Wheels x Ferrari: After a decade-long hiatus, Mattel, Inc. 's Hot Wheels and Ferrari have reunited to release a comprehensive collection of die-cast cars. This partnership will feature Ferrari's celebrated road and racing cars, allowing enthusiasts to own miniature versions of the iconic Prancing Horse.

CROCS x NBA "All-Star": In celebration of the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Weekend 2025, Crocs, Inc. has teamed up with the NBA to launch the "All-Star" Classic Clog. The design boasts a sleek black base adorned with gold basketball net graphics and customizable Jibbitz charms, including a gold basketball, the NBA logo, and an All-Star emblem. This collaboration offers fans a stylish and comfortable way to showcase their basketball enthusiasm.

Barbie x Casio G-Shock: Merging fashion with durability, Casio has introduced a Barbie-themed G-Shock watch as part of its 2025 lineup. The GMA-S110BE model features a bright pink base accented with the Barbie logo and her iconic silhouette. This timepiece combines G-Shock's renowned shock resistance and 200-meter water resistance with Barbie's signature style, appealing to fans of both brands.

McDonald's x Angel Reese: Marking its first national meal collaboration with a female athlete, 麦当劳 has partnered with basketball star Angel Reese to create "The Angel Reese Special." Available from February 10, 2025, this meal features a new BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, medium fries, and a medium drink, with Reese's preferred Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. The burger introduces a revamped barbecue sauce, adding a bold, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor.

MrBeast x Resorts World: YouTube sensation MrBeast has collaborated with Resorts World Las Vegas to offer the "MrBeast Experience" hotel package. From April 13-15, 2025, guests can enjoy a three-night stay at Resorts World, receive an exclusive MrBeast "mystery bag" filled with branded merchandise, and have a chance to win a $10,000 gift voucher. This partnership provides fans with an immersive and rewarding experience.

OREO x Post Malone: 亿滋食品 has teamed up with musician Post Malone to release a limited-edition cookie featuring the brand's first-ever swirled creme. The cookie combines salted caramel and shortbread-flavored creme, sandwiched between a chocolate and a Golden OREO wafer. Each cookie is embossed with one of nine unique designs inspired by Post Malone's musical journey, such as a sunflower and a butterfly.

Rocket League x Hatsune Miku: The virtual singer Hatsune Miku has made her debut in the gaming world through a collaboration with Epic Games Rocket League. Starting January 29, 2025, players can complete challenges to earn Hatsune Miku-themed rewards, including decals and toppers, bringing the pop icon's vibrant aesthetic to the vehicular soccer game.

Magic: The Gathering x Hatsune Miku: In a unique blend of music and tabletop gaming, Hasbro / Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering has partnered with Hatsune Miku for a special "Secret Lair" drop. This collaboration features stunning card art by Miku fans from around the world, inspired by the cherry blossoms and lightning of a Japanese spring. The set includes cards like "Elspeth Tirel" as "Miku, Divine Diva" and "Jace, Unraveler of Secrets" as "KAITO Mysterious Maestro."