9 Critical Film, Streaming & Entertainment Stories for Media Executives

From record-breaking box office to groundbreaking horror, the Canadian print media landscape has been buzzing with news on film, streaming & entertainment this week. Press Monitor's media monitoring of Canadian publications reveals the 9 most-covered stories. This media intelligence roundup offers critical insights for entertainment professionals.

1. Insidious: Out of the Further

A front-page report in Toronto Sun says... Director Jacob Chase channeled fears about parenthood into Insidious: Out of the Further (CA), a horror franchise sequel where a mother (Amelia Eve) confronts her past while battling a human-like villain (Brandon Sproull) in Canada. The film introduces a new entity threatening the protagonists' world, grossing over C$740 million globally and returning to Canadian theaters on Friday.

Why it matters: The horror franchise continues to scare up massive audiences, grossing over C$740 million globally.

Key detail: Director Jacob Chase channeled parenthood fears into this sixth installment, featuring a mother battling a human-like villain.

Source: Toronto Sun

Next step: Track how this performance impacts future horror productions and Canadian theater schedules.

2. Spider-Man: Brand New Day Box Office Record

"Selon Vancouver Sun, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is continuing to weave its web over moviegoers, swinging its way to another $144.5 million at the North American box office in its second weekend. Since its release on July 31, the film has already crossed the $1.6-billion threshold at the global box office — and it might be heading toward the $3-billion mark. All along, Marvel’s fourth outing for the webslinger was expected to be one of the summer’s most popular movies — but few expected it to become one of the three biggest films of all-time. Brand New Day set the all-time record for a movie’s opening weekend, taking in $355 million at North American theatres. To put its massive debut in perspective, both 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War earned $100 million less in their opening frames. While 2009’s Avatar and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame are the biggest movies of all-time with $2.9 billion and $2.7 billion respectively, Brand New Day could become the first film to cross the $3-billion threshold. "Brand New Day has a legitimate chance to become the highest-grossing film of all-time," analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations told Postmedia. "Opening weekend measures anticipation; the weeks that follow measure affection." And it’s not just Spider-Man that is winning over moviegoers. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which is being played around the clock at some U.S. theatres, has also crossed $1 billion. The indie horror movies Obsession and Backrooms have also become global hits. Rentrak’s head of marketplace trends, Paul Dergarabedian, said the two pictures "ignited a spark in Gen-Z moviegoers." By Labour Day, industry experts expect the summer box office tally to surge past 2023, when Barbie and Oppenheimer — a.k.a. "Barbenheimer" — helped fuel ticket sales to $4.09 billion. "The message is simple," Bock said. "Movies aren’t going anywhere any time soon." Brand New Day’s success is proof audiences will still show up in historic numbers when they genuinely care about a character and it feels essential to see the movie on the big screen with friends and family. "The film didn’t save the superhero genre; it proved that Spider-Man exists above it," Bock said. "Spidey’s success shouldn’t be interpreted as (moviegoers’ automatic endorsement of everything Marvel does next," Bock said, “but it is a reminder of how exhilarating a superhero film can be when audiences are emotionally invested." Until Holland’s debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man belonged to Sony Pictures and had been played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Holland beat out four other finalists and won the part, Feige said, after a screen test with Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. "Tom and Robert together was special," Feige said at the time. Since then, Holland has toplined three solo films — Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home — and appeared in Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. "Pitch-perfect casting truly is one of the key factors in Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s success," said Dergarabedian. "Many of the characteristics that define Spider-Man himself, including his innate likability, his friendliness — it’s actually in his descriptor, ‘Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man’"

Why it matters: Spider-Man: Brand New Day earned $144.5 million in its second weekend, crossing $1.6 billion globally and heading toward $3 billion.

Key detail: Analyst Jeff Bock says, "Brand New Day has a legitimate chance to become the highest-grossing film of all time."

Source: Vancouver Sun

Next step: Monitor if the film surpasses Avatar and Endgame.

3. Jason Statham's Mutiny

The Hamilton Spectator reports that 'Mutiny' is a retro action-thriller starring Jason Statham. Directed by Jean-Francois Richet, the film is reminiscent of 'Die Hard' set on a container ship. Despite its predictable plot and lack of an over-the-top villain, the movie offers beautifully choreographed violence and a steady build of suspense.

Why it matters: Retro action-thriller reminiscent of Die Hard on a container ship.

Key detail: Directed by Jean-Francois Richet, starring Statham as a former law-enforcement official fighting a human-trafficking cartel.

Source: The Hamilton Spectator

Next step: Assess audience reception for similar genre revivals.

4. Christopher Nolan's Odyssey

Le Journal de Quebec reports that filmmaker Christopher Nolan is working on an ambitious project to bring Homer's epic Odyssey to the big screen. The blockbuster is grand and stunning, starring Matt Damon at the peak of his performance.

Why it matters: Nolan's ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic, starring Matt Damon.

Key detail: Blockbuster production described as grand and stunning.

Source: Le Journal de Quebec

Next step: Watch for casting announcements and production updates.

5. Luc Picard's Redemption

Le Journal de Montreal reports that with Redemptions, Luc Picard not only delivers a brilliant, sensitive, and deeply human work but also the best film of his directorial career. More controlled than ever, his cinema here becomes more luminous, more moving... and simply grander.

Why it matters: Picard delivers the best film of his career, described as brilliant and deeply human.

Key detail: More controlled and luminous cinema than ever.

Source: Le Journal de Montreal

Next step: See if this builds Oscar buzz for Canadian cinema.

6. Canadian Time Travel Films

Calgary Herald reports on time travel movies, highlighting H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, Matt Johnson's Nirvanna the Band the Show, and Grabinski's Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice.

Why it matters: Two Canadian productions, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie and Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, get highlighted for unique time-travel takes.

Key detail: Film critic Randall King recommends these streaming options.

Source: Calgary Herald

Next step: Track streaming performance and critical reception.

7. Louis Bélanger's Euthanasia Comedy

Le Journal de Quebec reports that director Louis Bélanger creates an audacious film titled 25, rue des Malaises which approaches the serious topic of medical assistance in dying with humor, surprising audiences with its emotional depth.

Why it matters: Bold comedic approach to medical assistance in dying.

Key detail: Titled "25, rue des Malaises", surprises with emotional depth.

Source: Le Journal de Quebec

Next step: Explore how humor can address sensitive topics in film.

8. Toy Story Nostalgia

Selon Le Journal de Quebec, plus de 30 ans après la sortie du premier film de la populaire saga animée, les jouets les plus célèbres de l’histoire du cinéma réussissent toujours à nous émerveiller, à nous faire rire et à nous émouvoir. Les figurines emblématiques captivent toujours les imaginations des fans de tous âges, rappelant des moments de joie et de nostalgie. Cette pérennité témoigne du pouvoir durable de l’animation et de la magie des films classiques.

Why it matters: Over 30 years later, the iconic toys still captivate.

Key detail: The magic of the first film continues to amaze and move fans.

Source: Le Journal de Quebec

Next step: Leverage nostalgia for marketing and franchise extensions.

9. Calgary Mayor's Documentary

Calgary Sun reports that Mayor Jeromy Farkas is releasing a documentary about his 4,300-kilometre trek from Mexico to Canada in 2022. The film, which chronicles a fundraising effort that raised over C$200,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary, will be screened on September 16 at Canyon Meadows Cinema.

Why it matters: Mayor Jeromy Farkas documents his 4,300-km PCT hike, raising over $200,000 for charity.

Key detail: Screening on September 16 at Canyon Meadows Cinema.

Source: Calgary Sun

Next step: Engage with community screening and fundraising.

These stories represent the pulse of the entertainment industry as tracked by Press Monitor's print media monitoring. Which development will shape the next wave of film and streaming? Stay informed with our daily press review.