Depending on who and when you speak to someone over the next few days, there is either a “the sky is falling” or “let’s wait this out” reaction to the news of Netflix’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros. and HBO Max. And, to clarify, beyond securing the historic Warner Bros. lot, that is the bulk of Netflix’s deal. The other Warner Bros. Discovery assets, including CNN, TBS, TNT, and the Discovery brands, will form a separate, standalone company in the third quarter of 2026. Continue reading 15 Pressing Questions For A Netflix Warner Bros. Merger at The Playlist.

Andrew Dominik arrived at the Marrakech International Film Festival this week, unburdened by promotional duties and free to speak candidly about a career marked by critical acclaim and commercial challenges in equal measure. The Australian director, whose 2022 Marilyn Monroe biopic “Blonde” became one of the most divisive films of recent years, sat down for an In Conversation that covered everything from the peculiar economics of auteur filmmaking to his musings on potential future projects involving spirituality or artificial intelligence. Continue reading Andrew Dominik Says Brad Pitt Saved Him From “Director Jail,” & His Polarizing Marilyn Monroe Portrait [Marrakech] at The Playlist.

MARRAKECH – Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi sat before an eager audience at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival’s “In Conversation” session, a man who embodies cinematic defiance. Just days before, Iranian authorities sentenced him in absentia to one year in prison, along with a two-year travel ban, on charges of “propaganda activities” against the state. Despite imprisonment and nearly 15 years of bans from working, traveling, and giving interviews, the Iranian master filmmaker remains unfailingly resolute in his determination to make films—and to return home. Continue reading Jafar Panahi Returns to Marrakech: “I’m a Filmmaker. I Can’t Do Anything Else But Make Films” at The Playlist.

MARRAKECH – Mexican master filmmaker Guillermo del Toro turned heads at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival on Friday with a provocative meditation on mortality, declaring himself “a big fan of death” while defending emotional storytelling against what he sees as modern civilization’s embrace of cynicism. In a nearly two-hour In Conversation session moderated by Kim Morgan, screenwriter of “Nightmare Alley” and del Toro’s wife, the director discussed the influence of Romantic poets on his filmography and his 50-year journey to adapting “Frankenstein.” The three-time Oscar winner received one of the Marrakech festival’s highest honors, with the 22nd edition celebrating his contribution to world cinema alongside fellow honorees Jodie Foster, Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, and Moroccan actress Raouya. Continue reading Guillermo Del Toro Shocks Marrakech: ‘I’m A Big Fan Of Death,’ Defends Emotion Against Modern Cynicism at The Playlist.

Mamoru Hosada is one of Japan’s most heralded animated filmmakers. Now he’s back with his first film in four years: “Scarlet,” a bold, time-traveling take on William Shakespeare‘s “Hamlet.” READ MORE: Mamoru Hosada On Creating A Viral ‘Beauty And The Beast’ For ‘Belle’ [Interview] The medieval-set film follows a sword-fighting princess on a dangerous quest to avenge her father’s death. Continue reading ‘Scarlet’ Trailer: Mamoru Hosoda’s Latest Anime Film Explores Vengeance & Forgiveness Next February at The Playlist.

Here’s another buzzy pick-up for distributor NEON. THR reports that the independent film company has snagged the NA rights to Cristian Mungiu‘s upcoming English-language debut “Fjord,” starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.  NEON also picked up the rights for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in the deal they made at the Cannes market; they’ll release the film in all of those countries theatrically after it premieres at a festival next year. Continue reading ‘Fjord’: NEON Gets US Rights To Cristian Mungiu’s English-Language Debut Starring Sebastian Stab & Renate Reinsve at The Playlist.

Hollywood’s attention was certainly not on awards season this morning after the industry-shattering news last night that Netflix was acquiring Warner Bros. And yet, the nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards were always scheduled to be revealed on Dec. 5, and the bigges winner? Netflix’s new prize, Warner Bros. The studio saw its two Best Picture contenders, “Sinners” earn 17 noms while “One Battle After Another” landed 14. Netflix’s own “Frankenstein” and Focus Features’ “Hamnet” pulled in 11 each. Continue reading ‘Sinners’ Top 2026 Critics Choice Awards With Massive 17 Nominations at The Playlist.

The alarm bells didn’t just ring in Hollywood this morning — they blared like a fire drill in a crowded multiplex. Netflix just made its boldest, most destabilizing power play yet, formally agreeing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming assets in a deal valued at roughly $72 billion in equity value and about $82.7 billion in enterprise value, with cable networks set to be spun off into a separate company. Continue reading Netflix Vows To Keep Warner’s Theatrical Slate, But Teases Of Shorter “Consumer Friendly” Windows Sparks Industry Worry at The Playlist.

The American Film Institute (AFI) unveiled its 2025 Motion Pictures of the Year, and boy, the list feels like an early snapshot of where the Oscar’s Best Picture conversation could cluster as the season tightens. AFI’s selections are unranked, but the organization has long had a meaningful overlap with eventual Oscar nominees, making this a familiar bellwether for awards-watchers tracking momentum across studios, streamers, and prestige players. READ MORE: Fall Film & Winter 2025 Preview: 61 Movies To Watch This year’s group is a mix of big-swing studio spectacle and glossy, filmmaker-forward prestige, with Netflix landing multiple slots, Focus Features showing real strength, and Warner Bros., Universal, A24, and 20th Century Studios all represented. Continue reading AFI’s Top 10 Movies Of 2025 Includes ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘Bugonia’ “Hamnet’ & More at The Playlist.

The Best Films Of 2025 lists are trickling in, with Cahiers du Cinéma and John Waters already supplying their choices. Now it’s Sight and Sound’s turn, and their list plays more to the general favorites cinephiles will expect most critics to champion. READ MORE: ‘Eddington’ Tops John Waters’ Top Films Of 2025 List, ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ & ‘Dag Johan Haugerud’s ‘Oslo’ Trilogy Take #2 & #3 Spots So, with that said, is it any surprise that Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “One Battle After Another” tops Sight and Sound’s list, and Ryan Coogler‘s “Sinners” clocks in as runner-up? Continue reading Sight And Sound’s Top 10 Films Of 2025 Includes ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners,’ ‘Weapons’ & More at The Playlist.

“Peaky Blinders” returns to Netflix next year on March 20, 2026, with “The Immortal Man,” a feature film sequel to the original series. But THR reports that Netflix has theatrical plans for the movie as well: a brief window that starts on March 6, two weeks before its streaming premiere READ MORE: ‘Peaky Blinders’: Netflix & BBC Order Two Sequel Seasons For Steven Knight’s Gangster Drama Limited windows like that are all that Netflix allows for their films, but the fact “The Immortal Man” gets one means the streamer thinks they have a hit on their hands. Continue reading ‘The Immortal Man’: Upcoming ‘Peaky Blinders’ Film Will Get A Short Theatrical Release Before It Hits Netflix Next March at The Playlist.

You can’t stay hidden forever — and apparently neither can Jason Statham. The first trailer for “Shelter” is out now, teeing up a winter-set survival-thriller that drops the action icon onto a remote Scottish island and then promptly rips the quiet away. The film hits UK and Ireland cinemas January 30 via Black Bear UK, positioning itself as lean, cold-weather counterprogramming with a vulnerable kid at the center and a haunted bruiser forced back into the world. Continue reading ‘Shelter’ Trailer: An Unshackled Jason Statham Breaks Bones For Director Ric Roman Waugh In January at The Playlist.

There’s refined British comedy, and then there’s “Fackham Hall,” a movie that waltzes in wearing period-accurate garb on the outside and immediately trips over the furniture. It’s the delightfully silly romp where aristocrats brood, servants scramble, romance simmers, relatives wed, and the background is working twice as hard as the actors to steal every scene, like “Downton Abbey” politely offering you tea while “Airplane” swaps the sugar for gunpowder. Set between the wars, the film follows starry-eyed servant Eric and rebellious aristocrat Rose as their forbidden attraction detonates inside a household already teetering on the edge of absurdity. Continue reading ‘Fackham Hall’: Thomasin McKenzie & Jim O’Hanlon On Delightfully Stupid Comedy, Visual Mayhem, & Playing It Dead Serious [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.

Here, once again, come the “Men In Black.” Deadline reports that Sony Pictures has a new installment for the alien-hunting franchise in mind, with “Bad Boys For Life” scribe Chris Bremner attached to pen the script. And with Bremner involved, one would surmise that means Will Smith is gearing up to return to the franchise, too. READ MORE: Will Smith Explains Why He Passed On The Christopher Nolan Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Inception’: “I Didn’t Get It” Let’s not get too ahead of things, though. Continue reading ‘Men In Black’: New Installment In The Works From ‘Bad Boys For Life’ Writer Chris Bremner at The Playlist.

Focus Features has released the official trailer for “Midwinter Break,” announcing a theatrical release date of February 20, 2026, for the film. Directed by Polly Findlay and based on the novel by Bernard MacLaverty, the project is positioned as an intimate two-hander for Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds, centering on a longtime couple whose short trip abroad becomes something far more consequential. Continue reading ‘Midwinter Break’ Trailer: Lesley Manville & Ciarán Hinds Head To Amsterdam For Focus Features Drama at The Playlist.

What’s Darren Aronofsky have in mind for his next picture after this year’s “Caught Stealing“? Deadline reports that it’ll be something a bit out of pocket for the director: a team-up with “Gone Girl” novelist Gillian Flynn for an erotic thriller, based on an original idea the two cooked up together. READ MORE: ‘Breakthrough’: Darren Aronofsky Eyed To Direct Dwayne Johnson In A24′ California Guru Thriller Sony Pictures will produce the film, with Flynn penning the script, and Aronofsky also producing via his Protozoa Pictures banner. Continue reading Darren Aronofsky’s Next Film Sees Him Team Up With Gillian Flynn For An Erotic Thriller at The Playlist.

Milla Jovovich, action hero: that’s the standard casting for the actress throughout her career, and, really, since her breakout in Luc Besson‘s 1997 sci-fi actioner “The Fifth Element.” So is it any surprise Jovovich’s next onscreen role is yet another action role? READ MORE: ‘In The Lost Lands’ Trailer: Milla Jovovich & Dave Bautista Star In This George R.R. Martin Adaptation “Protector” looks to be something a little different than the actress’ sci-fi action sweet spot, however. Continue reading ‘Protector’ Trailer: Milla Jovovich Stars As A Mom On A Mission Next February at The Playlist.

For a film about a visionary who turned devotion into song and movement, it makes sense that the music steps out of the frame as well. “The Testament of Ann Lee” now has its own original hymn of sorts in “Clothed By The Sun,” an end-credits song written by Daniel Blumberg and performed by Amanda Seyfried, and it’s being showcased in an exclusive live performance. Continue reading Listen: ‘Testament Of Anne Lee’ Song “Clothed by the Sun” Sung by Amanda Seyfried Written By Oscar-Winning Composer Daniel Blumberg at The Playlist.

There were reports earlier today that Netflix had submitted the highest bid for just the Warner Bros. Studios and HBO streaming assets of Warner Bros. Discovery. This evening, those reports came to fruition as Netflix entered exclusive negotiations with Warner Bros., beating out rival bids from Paramount Skydance, and Comcast. Any deal would still need regulatory approval. Bloomberg broke the story first. READ MORE: copy This story is still in process… Follow Gregory Ellwood on Bluesky Follow Gregory Ellwood on Threads Follow Gregory Ellwood on Instagram Sign Up For The Breakdown Newsletter Continue reading Report: Netflix Enters Exclusive Negotiations For Warner Bros Discovery at The Playlist.

Depending on who and when you speak to someone over the next few days, there is either a “the sky is falling” or “let’s wait this out” reaction to the news of Netflix’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros. and HBO Max. And, to clarify, beyond securing the historic Warner Bros. lot, that is the bulk of Netflix’s deal. The other Warner Bros. Discovery assets, including CNN, TBS, TNT, and the Discovery brands, will form a separate, standalone company in the third quarter of 2026. Continue reading 15 Pressing Questions For A Netflix Warner Bros. Merger at The Playlist.

Do audiences have enough room in their lives for a second “Game of Thrones” spin-off on top of “House of the Dragon”? HBO surely seems to think so. Their newest George R. R. Martin–co-created series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” hasn’t even premiered yet, and the network has already renewed it for a second season arriving in 2027 — a pretty loud vote of confidence in this smaller, scruffier corner of Westeros. Continue reading ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Trailer: Latest ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spin-Off Arrives January 18 at The Playlist.

Andrew Dominik arrived at the Marrakech International Film Festival this week, unburdened by promotional duties and free to speak candidly about a career marked by critical acclaim and commercial challenges in equal measure. The Australian director, whose 2022 Marilyn Monroe biopic “Blonde” became one of the most divisive films of recent years, sat down for an In Conversation that covered everything from the peculiar economics of auteur filmmaking to his musings on potential future projects involving spirituality or artificial intelligence. Continue reading Andrew Dominik Says Brad Pitt Saved Him From “Director Jail,” & His Polarizing Marilyn Monroe Portrait [Marrakech] at The Playlist.

The American Film Institute released its AFI Awards for 2025, which include its AFI top 10 lists for film and television, and, yes, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” made the former. Moreover, as expected, Emmy favorites “Andor,” “The Pitt,” “The Studio,” and “Adolescence” landed on the latter. As always, there were a surprise or two. READ MORE: “Peter Hujar’s Day,” “Sorry, Baby,” “Train Dreams” and “Adolescence” Top 2026 Independent Spirit Awards Nominations [Complete List] It should be noted that international films do not qualify for the AFI Top 10 lists. Continue reading ‘Hamnet,’ ‘Marty Supreme,’ And ‘Andor’ Make AFI’s Top 10 Lists Of 2025 at The Playlist.

MARRAKECH – Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi sat before an eager audience at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival’s “In Conversation” session, a man who embodies cinematic defiance. Just days before, Iranian authorities sentenced him in absentia to one year in prison, along with a two-year travel ban, on charges of “propaganda activities” against the state. Despite imprisonment and nearly 15 years of bans from working, traveling, and giving interviews, the Iranian master filmmaker remains unfailingly resolute in his determination to make films—and to return home. Continue reading Jafar Panahi Returns to Marrakech: “I’m a Filmmaker. I Can’t Do Anything Else But Make Films” at The Playlist.

The screening room at CAA in Century City is packed, and no one has left the theater following the screening of Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man.” And as we sit down to discuss his latest “Knives Out” installment, it appears this is his most personal mystery yet. Well, that’s at the top of our minds, at least. READ MORE: “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” Review: Rian Johnson Tackles Faith & Forgiveness In Benoit Blanc’s Most Twisty Murder Yet [TIFF] Set in the fictional Catholic parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, “Dead Man” centers on Reverand Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a young priest who finds himself the primary suspect in the murder of his superior, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Continue reading Rian Johnson’s Explains How His Religious Upbringing Inspired ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ at The Playlist.