Samwise Film & TV Marketing Newsletter
Monday, April 27, 2026
Michael Jackson Biopic Sets All-Time Biopic Record With $97M Opening
Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic Michael opened to $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its debut weekend, setting the all-time record for a biopic and surpassing the previous mark of $60 million set by Straight Outta Compton in 2015. The opening followed a landmark campaign that generated over 564 million social media views, anchored by “Don’t Walk, Moonwalk” flash mob activations in 20 global markets and a TikTok strategy delivering 298 million-plus views. The trailer alone set a studio record with 116 million views in its first 24 hours, and audiences awarded the film an “A−” CinemaScore.
Sources: Deadline
Avengers: Doomsday Official Trailer Drops, Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom Revealed
Marvel Studios released the official full-length trailer for Avengers: Doomsday this week, unveiling Robert Downey Jr. as the armored villain Doctor Doom for the first time. The footage — shown exclusively at CinemaCon before its wide online release — features Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers and picking up Thor’s hammer in a scene echoing Avengers: Endgame. The Russo brothers, directing the film’s December 18, 2026 theatrical release, appeared alongside Downey Jr. and Evans for the presentation to theater owners. Disney is also rereleasing Avengers: Endgame on September 25 with new Doomsday-era footage in the “Infinity Vision” premium large-format certification.
Sources: Deadline
Street Fighter Official Trailer Launches Ahead of CinemaCon, October Release Confirmed
Paramount Pictures and Legendary Entertainment released the official trailer for Street Fighter, the first major video game adaptation under their three-year distribution deal. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the film features Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Andrew Koji as Ryu, and Jason Momoa as Blanka, embracing the franchise’s campy aesthetic to enthusiastic early response. The trailer dropped ahead of a CinemaCon presentation and makes notable use of the 4 Non Blondes track “What’s Up.” Street Fighter is set for theatrical release on October 16, 2026, and marks Legendary’s first film under the Paramount partnership.
Sources: Deadline
Scary Movie Cast Rallies at CinemaCon to Champion R-Rated Comedy's Box Office Case
The original Scary Movie cast arrived at CinemaCon this week to present new footage from the reboot and push back against industry skepticism about R-rated comedies. Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall took the stage in Las Vegas for Paramount’s presentation, with Marlon Wayans declaring “Paramount told us to do what we do best: offend people.” Arriving June 5, 2026, the film reunites the franchise’s original cast for the first time since Scary Movie 3 and will spoof recent titles including Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and the Weapons franchise.
Sources: Deadline
OpenAI-Owned TBPN Launches $800K Emmy FYC Out-of-Home Campaign Across Los Angeles
TBPN, the daily tech business talk show acquired by OpenAI earlier this year, is launching an Emmy FYC campaign in the emerging media category backed by $800,000 worth of out-of-home advertising across Los Angeles. Starting May 4, the show will run ads on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, and Santa Monica and Vine in a barter deal with AdQuick, exchanging on-air promotions for the ad inventory. Hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, the show bills itself as “the most influential show you’ve never heard of,” representing a test case for tech-media properties seeking traditional television industry recognition.
Sources: Variety
Box Office — Currently in Theatres
| # | Title | Release Date | Weekend | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael | Apr 25 | $97.0M | $97.0M |
| 2 | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Mar 27 | $21.2M | $386.4M |
| 3 | Project Hail Mary | Mar 20 | $13.2M | $305.1M |
| 4 | Lee Cronin’s The Mummy | Apr 18 | $5.6M | $23.4M |
| 5 | The Drama | Apr 3 | $2.6M | $44.8M |
| 6 | A Great Awakening | Apr 3 | $2.1M | $5.4M |
| 7 | Hoppers | Mar 6 | $1.9M | $164.1M |
| 8 | You, Me & Tuscany | Apr 10 | $1.5M | $17.6M |
| 9 | Over Your Dead Body | Apr 25 | $1.4M | $1.4M |
| 10 | Mother Mary | Apr 17 | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| 11 | Ready or Not 2: Here I Come | Mar 22 | $1.1M | $29.2M |
| 12 | I Swear | Apr 24 | $640K | $640K |
| 13 | Fuze | Apr 24 | $570K | $570K |
| 14 | Desert Warrior | Apr 24 | $470K | $470K |
| 15 | The Christophers | Apr 3 | $350K | $1.1M |
| 16 | Wuthering Heights | Feb 13 | $350K | $67.0M |
| 17 | GOAT | Feb 13 | $250K | $63.5M |
| 18 | Exit 8 | Apr 10 | $150K | $2.5M |
| 19 | Lorne | Apr 17 | $150K | $420K |
| 20 | Faces of Death | Apr 10 | $100K | $1.8M |
Source: Box Office Mojo · Weekend estimates
Curated by JD · samwise.agency