Entertainment, Media & Licensing - Overview & Insights 12/01

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Lights, Camera, Action: The Thanksgiving Box Office Takes Center Stage!

This week’s entertainment scene was ablaze with record-breaking performances and fresh buzz from all corners of the industry. Disney’s Moana 2 shattered Thanksgiving box office records, delivering an astounding $221M five-day debut, while Universal’s Wicked continued to enchant audiences worldwide with its stellar performance. As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the race for the top spot is fiercer than ever.

Beyond the box office, digital signals reveal intriguing shifts in audience preferences, with streaming giants and theatrical releases carving unique paths to captivate viewers. Sabrina Carpenter emerged as the most in-demand celebrity, thanks to her headlining role at the Primavera Sound Festival and the buzz surrounding her upcoming Netflix holiday special. Meanwhile, Gracie Abrams’ star power continues to rise, as her song "That's So True" climbed to the global Spotify charts.

Cruel Intentions series is making waves globally, ranking as the #2 series worldwide. Its strong international appeal has propelled it into the top 10 in over 100 countries, solidifying its position as a breakout success on the platform.

Dive into this week’s highlights, trends, and surprises shaping the entertainment world—there’s something here for every fan of the silver screen, the stage, and beyond!

Theaters were swept by the wave of Moana 2 this week. As anticipated by digital signals, Walt Disney Animation Studios delivered an impressive $135M opening weekend (3 days), culminating in a $221M five-day debut—setting a new record for the biggest Thanksgiving box office ever. The film's momentum is expected to remain strong, supported by robust consumer interest in merchandise and streaming anticipation ahead of its Disney+ release next year. This achievement also marks WME | William Morris Endeavor 's Dwayne Johnson’s second #1 movie release within a single month, solidifying his status as a box office powerhouse. Meanwhile, Universal Pictures Wicked continues its stellar performance, and Paramount Pictures Gladiator II rounded out the top three movies of the week, delivering a record-breaking 5-Day Thanksgiving Box Office.

They are poised to capitalize on the quieter weeks ahead, as Warner Bros. Entertainment 's The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and A24 's Y2K face challenges in boosting audience awareness and intent. Digital signals suggest that viewers may prefer streaming over theatrical attendance for these films.

On the other hand, Sony Pictures Entertainment 's Kraven The Hunter is showing a better opening but is still struggling to gain traction, with box office projections fluctuating within a challenging range.

Looking ahead to late December, digital signals are glowing for The Walt Disney Studios ' Mufasa: The Lion King and Paramount / Original Film 's Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Both films are building steady momentum, which is expected to accelerate as studios ramp up their marketing campaigns in the coming weeks. The holiday box office is shaping up to be a competitive and exciting season.

Netflix 's strategic release of holiday-themed content continues to yield top performers, with The Merry Gentlemen securing the number one spot. Spellbound, the highly anticipated animated musical from Skydance Animation , marks John Lasseter's debut with the studio and features the voice talent of Creative Artists Agency 's star Rachel Zegler. The film premiered as the fourth most-watched movie globally, amassing 15.5 million hours viewed and ranking in the top 10 across 63 countries. GTMax emerged as the third most-watched movie, driven by its popularity in non-English-speaking markets. It achieved top 10 status in 75 regions, though it did not reach top performer status in the U.S. or U.K.

On the series front, non-English content dominated, with seven of the top 10 most-watched series. This trend highlights Netflix's global reach and the diverse tastes of its audience. A Man on the Inside, a comedy series starring Ted Danson, led the week's rankings with 6.9 million views, translating to 27.5 million hours watched. The series has received critical acclaim, boasting a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes . Cobra Kai continued its strong performance, maintaining a significant viewership. A notable performer was Sister's Feud, which garnered 63 million hours watched from 5 million views in its second week, further demonstrating Netflix's ability to engage audiences with diverse content offerings.

Moana is not only a theatrical success but also a streaming sensation. The theatrical halo effect catapulted the original movie to the number one spot on Disney+, while the sneak peek of Moana 2 secured the number three position. Marvel Studios ' Deadpool & Wolverine rounded out the top three. Similarly, the theatrical buzz around Mufasa: The Lion King and Gladiator II has reignited interest in the original films, driving increased viewership across platforms and countries. Meanwhile, the success of 20th Century Studios Alien: Romulus translated to streaming, with the title landing in the top 10 on both Disney+ and Hulu.

Nostalgia continues to play a pivotal role, as seen in classic holiday movies returning to the top 10 with Christmas approaching. Notably, not all titles resonate equally across global audiences. For example. Home Alone boasts strong viewership in multiple markets, while Elf remains primarily a US-only favorite. Nostalgia is also evident on Paramount+ , where South Park has reclaimed the number one spot, and SpongeBob SquarePants has climbed back into the top five.

The release of the Original Film 's Cruel Intentions series on Prime Video is also showing promising results, ranking as the number two series globally. With a strong international appeal, it has entered the top 10 in over 100 countries, further solidifying its success.

In the music world, Bruno Mars continues to dominate the charts with two of the most-streamed songs on Spotify : "Die With a Smile" (featuring Lady Gaga) and "APT." (featuring Rosé). "Die With a Smile" has become the fastest song to reach one billion streams, achieving this milestone in less than 100 days since its release on August 16, 2024. Gracie Abrams' momentum remains strong as her song "That's So True" has climbed to the number four spot. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish also maintains a significant presence on the charts. Her song "Birds of a Feather" holds the third spot on Spotify's global chart, while "Wildflower" ranked as the ninth most-listened-to track globally on the platform last week.

Back to streaming, but now focusing on the U.S. only: for the week ending October 27th, Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer maintained its position at the top of Nielsen’s streaming originals rankings for a second consecutive week. Meanwhile, ABC’s iconic Lost climbed to No. 2 on the overall Top 10 chart, a nod to its enduring appeal following the celebration of its 20th anniversary in September. The remainder of the Top 10 stayed largely consistent with the previous week, featuring fan favorites like Bob’s Burgers, Grey’s Anatomy, Bluey, SpongeBob, and NCIS.

On the movie front, Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour (in which the CAA talent also stars) dominated for the second week running, boasting a 17% increase in viewership compared to its premiere week. The appeal of theatrical releases continues to shine when they land on streaming platforms, as evidenced this week by the strong performance of Kung Fu Panda 4, Inside Out 2, and Trap in the Top 10.

Sabrina Carpenter has become the most in-demand celebrity, boosted by her role as a headliner for the 2025 Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, alongside Charli XCX and Chappell Roan, further cementing her significant influence among Gen Z audiences. Keep an eye on her upcoming Netflix holiday special, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, premiering on December 6, which features collaborations with artists like Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis, further showcasing her versatility and appeal.

We continue to see momentum with Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, driven by the repercussions of their highly publicized fight on Netflix. However, this momentum is expected to wind down moving forward.

Ariana Grande continues to experience strong demand, fueled by the premiere of Wicked and widespread praise for her performance in the movie. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar has sparked renewed interest with the release of a surprise album titled GNX, marking his first major project since 2022's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

In industry news, Tom Cruise continues to push the boundaries of action cinema with a behind-the-scenes look at a daring stunt for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, emphasizing the film’s reliance on practical effects. Meanwhile, LEGOLAND's parent company, Merlin Entertainments , is partnering with Mojang Studios to create immersive Minecraft attractions, combining rides, hotels, and interactive experiences, set to launch by 2027. Additionally, Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Productions is teaming up with Paramount Animation to develop a feature-length adaptation of the beloved 1940s cartoon Mighty Mouse, aiming to modernize the classic character for a new generation. These projects highlight the entertainment industry's blend of innovation and nostalgia to captivate diverse audiences.

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

McDonald's x Sonic the Hedgehog: In anticipation of the December 20, 2024, release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, 麦当劳 has unveiled a special Happy Meal promotion featuring toys based on characters from SEGA , including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow. Each Happy Meal will include one of these collectible toys, offering fans a fun way to engage with the movie's release.

Batman x Kith: Celebrating Batman's 85th anniversary, KITH has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch its largest collection to date. The collaboration includes apparel, accessories, and lifestyle goods inspired by the Dark Knight, featuring designs that pay homage to various eras of Batman's legacy.

Animal Planet x SHEIN: Fast-fashion retailer SHEIN has teamed up with Animal Planet to create a collection that combines fashion with wildlife conservation themes. The line features apparel and accessories adorned with animal prints and motifs, aiming to raise awareness about endangered species and support conservation efforts.

FIFA x Tiffany & Co. Club World Cup: In a prestigious collaboration, Tiffany & Co. has been commissioned to design the trophy for the FIFA Club World Cup. This partnership brings together the world of luxury jewelry and international football, resulting in a trophy that embodies excellence and craftsmanship.

Karol G x Bratz: Global music sensation and United Talent Agency 's talent has collaborated with the iconic MGA Entertainment doll brand Bratz to release a limited-edition doll collection. The dolls are styled to reflect Karol G's signature fashion sense, offering fans a unique collectible that bridges music and fashion.

UNIQLO x Berserk: Japanese retailer UNIQLO has partnered with the dark fantasy manga series Berserk to launch a special apparel line. The collection features graphic tees and hoodies showcasing artwork and themes from the manga, catering to fans of the series.

Columbia x Star Wars Dark Side: Outdoor apparel brand Columbia Sportswear Company has introduced a "Dark Side" collection inspired by Lucasfilm 's Star Wars. The line includes jackets and gear designed with elements reminiscent of the Galactic Empire, appealing to fans who want to merge their love for the franchise with functional outdoor wear.

Adidas x Fortnite: Sportswear giant 阿迪达斯 has collaborated with the popular Epic Games video game Fortnite to create a line of footwear and apparel. The collection features designs inspired by the game's aesthetics, offering gamers and sneaker enthusiasts exclusive items that blend virtual and real-world fashion.

This Thanksgiving week, Disney Parks, became a gathering spot for celebrities enjoying the holiday festivities, including Josh Gad, known for voicing Olaf in Disney's Frozen, WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss, and Brazilian actress ísis Valverde.

In the realm of theater, the film adaptation of the musical Wicked has garnered support from various artists, including Kristen Bell and Ashley Tisdale. Additionally, Gal Gadot celebrated her upcoming role as the Evil Queen in Disney Pictures’ Snow White by posing with the film’s poster during a recent trip to the theater.

Organic posts featuring consumer products also remained a strong trend, as seen this week with DJ Khaled, Jessie James Decker, and Mexican artist Dulce María.