Ben Fritz
@benfritz.bsky.social
Entertainment industry reporter @wsj. Formerly AI Editor. My podcast: "With Great Power." My book: "The Big Picture." My email: [email protected]
I've been eagerly awaiting the reviews on this one. 20% is higher than I expected! www.rottentomatoes.com/m/playdate_2...
Playdate | Reviews
Explore critic and audience reviews for Playdate on Rotten Tomatoes. Uncover scores, opinions, and ratings.
www.rottentomatoes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I've been eagerly awaiting the reviews on this one. 20% is higher than I expected! www.rottentomatoes.com/m/playdate_2...
Disney stock is down nearly 10% following today's earnings report. Investors aren't buying the bright future Bob Iger is promising built on streaming growth and theme parks and cruise ships expansion. www.wsj.com/business/med...
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Disney stock is down nearly 10% following today's earnings report. Investors aren't buying the bright future Bob Iger is promising built on streaming growth and theme parks and cruise ships expansion. www.wsj.com/business/med...
The debt to finance data centers is so massive even Meta doesn't want it on its books. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/thre...
Three AI Megadeals Are Breaking New Ground on Wall Street
Novel approaches to financing in the OpenAI, Meta and xAI deals show the risks and rewards of the AI frenzy.
www.wsj.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The debt to finance data centers is so massive even Meta doesn't want it on its books. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/thre...
On today's episode of The Journal, I talk about why Los Angeles's entertainment economy is in a depression and interview the Oscar-winning sound mixer of "Whiplash" about how it's affecting behind-the-scenes workers like him. open.spotify.com/episode/0mQ7...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
On today's episode of The Journal, I talk about why Los Angeles's entertainment economy is in a depression and interview the Oscar-winning sound mixer of "Whiplash" about how it's affecting behind-the-scenes workers like him. open.spotify.com/episode/0mQ7...
Very strong $40M domestic / $80M global opening for "Predator: Badlands," especially in the context of a dismal fall box office. Interestingly, despite the franchise-first PG-13 rating, only 6% of the domestic audience was under 18.
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Very strong $40M domestic / $80M global opening for "Predator: Badlands," especially in the context of a dismal fall box office. Interestingly, despite the franchise-first PG-13 rating, only 6% of the domestic audience was under 18.
Nice to have an undeniably positive story to write about the movie business in 2025: www.wsj.com/business/med...
Why Everyone in Hollywood Wants Their Movie in IMAX
IMAX’s global screens are a hot commodity, and filmmakers fight to land them far in advance.
www.wsj.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Nice to have an undeniably positive story to write about the movie business in 2025: www.wsj.com/business/med...
Why yes, Gemini, I have to agree that the last few question I've asked were "insightful," "important," "excellent" and "fantastic."
November 3, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Why yes, Gemini, I have to agree that the last few question I've asked were "insightful," "important," "excellent" and "fantastic."
Former Disney live action film chief Sean Bailey is launching a new company, B5 Studios, with backing from Gerry Cardinale's Redbird Ventures. His goal: Make movies and TV shows and digital content faster and cheaper using tech like AI and game engines. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Exclusive | Ex-Disney Executive Wants to Be Faster and More Frugal Than Hollywood Studios
Sean Bailey’s new venture pursues Silicon Valley partnerships to speed up TV and movie making and reduce costs.
www.wsj.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Former Disney live action film chief Sean Bailey is launching a new company, B5 Studios, with backing from Gerry Cardinale's Redbird Ventures. His goal: Make movies and TV shows and digital content faster and cheaper using tech like AI and game engines. www.wsj.com/business/med...
If the UK's production tax credit applies to podcasts, maybe they can work it into the season 6 plot. deadline.com/2025/10/only...
‘Only Murders In The Building’ Likely Headed To London For Season 6 – The Dish
Only Murders In the Building is going international. The expected sixth season would come with a new, non-U.S. main location, believed to be London.
deadline.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
If the UK's production tax credit applies to podcasts, maybe they can work it into the season 6 plot. deadline.com/2025/10/only...
It's been a long time since Hollywood had a new mogul. Especially one under 60. www.wsj.com/business/med...
David Ellison Is Moving Fast and Spending Big to Remake Hollywood
The industry is rooting for him to revive Paramount. His pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery has some worried.
www.wsj.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:14 AM
It's been a long time since Hollywood had a new mogul. Especially one under 60. www.wsj.com/business/med...
After every toy company passed on KPop Demon Hunters prior to release, two of the biggest sign a deal to start coming out with products next spring.
October 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
After every toy company passed on KPop Demon Hunters prior to release, two of the biggest sign a deal to start coming out with products next spring.
"Good Fortune's" dismal $6.2 million opening is more bad news for those of us who want to believe people will still pay to see comedies in theaters.
Obviously nothing is impossible, but it's clearly gotten very, very, very hard.
Obviously nothing is impossible, but it's clearly gotten very, very, very hard.
October 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"Good Fortune's" dismal $6.2 million opening is more bad news for those of us who want to believe people will still pay to see comedies in theaters.
Obviously nothing is impossible, but it's clearly gotten very, very, very hard.
Obviously nothing is impossible, but it's clearly gotten very, very, very hard.
If you're wondering what political movement is ascendant in California Democratic politics, this is the subject line of the latest release from Gavin Newsom's office.
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
If you're wondering what political movement is ascendant in California Democratic politics, this is the subject line of the latest release from Gavin Newsom's office.
KPop Demon Hunters sing-along returning to theaters Oct. 31-Nov. 2 for all the kids dressed as Rumi for Halloween. And this time AMC is playing it.
October 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
KPop Demon Hunters sing-along returning to theaters Oct. 31-Nov. 2 for all the kids dressed as Rumi for Halloween. And this time AMC is playing it.
First time I've seen my work in a political ad (@austinforla.bsky.social's mayoral announcement) www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
October 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
First time I've seen my work in a political ad (@austinforla.bsky.social's mayoral announcement) www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
And on the same day he talked about the state of Hollywood on his podcast with me, Derek put out this super smart take on how social media is becoming TV. No wonder it's so hard for traditional TV to compete.
1. Social media is now 5% following friends and 95% watching videos made by strangers.
2. Every podcast is turning into a YouTube show.
3. AI companies can't stop building TikTok clones.
Everything is becoming television.
I wrote about why that matters.
www.derekthompson.org/p/why-everyt...
2. Every podcast is turning into a YouTube show.
3. AI companies can't stop building TikTok clones.
Everything is becoming television.
I wrote about why that matters.
www.derekthompson.org/p/why-everyt...
Everything Is Television
A theory of culture and attention
www.derekthompson.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
And on the same day he talked about the state of Hollywood on his podcast with me, Derek put out this super smart take on how social media is becoming TV. No wonder it's so hard for traditional TV to compete.
I loved chatting with the always-sharp @dkthomp.bsky.social about the catastrophic recent loss of work for Hollywood's middle-class and why AI may lead to a creative renaissance for the entertainment industry akin to 1970s cinema. open.spotify.com/episode/2P3w...
The Future of Entertainment, Part 1: Is Hollywood's Business Model Broken?
open.spotify.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I loved chatting with the always-sharp @dkthomp.bsky.social about the catastrophic recent loss of work for Hollywood's middle-class and why AI may lead to a creative renaissance for the entertainment industry akin to 1970s cinema. open.spotify.com/episode/2P3w...
Fantastic/horrifying story about drug rehab centers exploiting poor people with addiction issues by signing them up for ACA plans, providing crappy services, then dumping them on the street. by Zusha Elinson and @wsjwernau.bsky.social www.wsj.com/us-news/drug...
Drug Rehabs Lure In Patients for Insurance Money—Then Leave Them on the Street
Operators promise high-end treatment, help addicts sign up for insurance then pile on charges for little in return, say former patients and insurers.
www.wsj.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Fantastic/horrifying story about drug rehab centers exploiting poor people with addiction issues by signing them up for ACA plans, providing crappy services, then dumping them on the street. by Zusha Elinson and @wsjwernau.bsky.social www.wsj.com/us-news/drug...
Even Pam Abdy at the Bloomberg conference keeps calling it "Paul's movie." Nobody can say the title "One Battle After Another"! It's not a bad title IMO, but it is an un-sayable title
October 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Even Pam Abdy at the Bloomberg conference keeps calling it "Paul's movie." Nobody can say the title "One Battle After Another"! It's not a bad title IMO, but it is an un-sayable title
Warner Bros. film co-chief Mike De Luca says the average negative cost of his studio's movies have declined from $168M to either $126M or $108M (he didn't seem certain of the current number)
October 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Warner Bros. film co-chief Mike De Luca says the average negative cost of his studio's movies have declined from $168M to either $126M or $108M (he didn't seem certain of the current number)
Kudos to the reader who sent me an email with this subject line
October 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Kudos to the reader who sent me an email with this subject line
Apply to get help applying
October 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Apply to get help applying
"One Battle After Another" domestic ticket sales dropped 50% on its second weekend, dashing hopes that strong reviews and audience scores would translate to a long and profitable box office run.
October 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
"One Battle After Another" domestic ticket sales dropped 50% on its second weekend, dashing hopes that strong reviews and audience scores would translate to a long and profitable box office run.
This story started with a simple observation: 2025 is the first odd numbered year since *2007* without a Fast & Furious movie. Why is Universal in zero hurry to make the next sequel? And what does that tell us about the economics of franchise filmmaking? www.wsj.com/business/med...
Fast & Furious & Way Less Expensive. A Star Film Franchise Gets a Reality Check.
Long-running film series are sputtering at the box office. Universal wants to cut the budget of its most important franchise by $140 million.
www.wsj.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:04 AM
This story started with a simple observation: 2025 is the first odd numbered year since *2007* without a Fast & Furious movie. Why is Universal in zero hurry to make the next sequel? And what does that tell us about the economics of franchise filmmaking? www.wsj.com/business/med...
The most important human story in the entertainment industry right now is the severe downturn in film and TV production in LA and how it's affecting middle-class crew workers. I spoke to dozens of them for this story about the depressed Hollywood economy. www.wsj.com/business/med...
L.A.’s Entertainment Economy Is Looking Like a Disaster Movie
Work is evaporating, businesses are closing, longtime residents are leaving, and Los Angeles’s creative middle class is hanging on by a thread.
www.wsj.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The most important human story in the entertainment industry right now is the severe downturn in film and TV production in LA and how it's affecting middle-class crew workers. I spoke to dozens of them for this story about the depressed Hollywood economy. www.wsj.com/business/med...