Samwise Film & TV Marketing Newsletter
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Eyes $465M Global Opening Weekend
Sony and Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day is tracking for an estimated $465M global opening weekend, which would stand as Sony’s biggest-reported worldwide debut ever. Domestic projections range from $195M at 4,300 theaters (per NRG) to as high as $250M, with the international forecast around $270M. North American presales hit $80M, matching the pre-launch pace of 2021’s No Way Home. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film carries an 89% certified-fresh Rotten Tomatoes score. Thursday noon previews kicked off in North America, with a Prime member screening on Wednesday night also drawing early crowds.
Sources: Deadline
First Trailer Drops for Michael B. Jordan’s Thomas Crown Affair Reimagining
Michael B. Jordan dropped the first trailer for his reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair, in which he directs, produces, and stars as a debonair art thief — a role Steve McQueen made iconic in 1968. Co-starring Adria Arjona as the insurance investigator on his trail, alongside Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, and Cynthia Erivo. Jon Batiste — Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and eight-time Grammy winner — composes the score. Set for a March 5, 2027 release, Jordan described the project as “a re-imagination,” not a remake, with the catchphrase “Revenge is a work of art.”
Sources: Deadline
Children of Blood and Bone Gets First Trailer, Led by Thuso Mbedu and Viola Davis
The first trailer for Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone has debuted, bringing Tomi Adeyemi’s YA fantasy novel to the screen. Thuso Mbedu stars as Zélie Adebola, a young maji on a quest to reclaim magic stolen from her people by King Saran (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the world of Orisha. Viola Davis co-stars as mentor Mama Agba, with the ensemble also featuring Lashana Lynch, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Cynthia Erivo, Regina King, and Idris Elba. Bythewood co-wrote the script with Adeyemi. The Paramount Pictures production sets its trailer to Beyoncé’s “Energy.”
Sources: Deadline
Lynette Howell Taylor Re-Elected as Academy President for 2026–27
Lynette Howell Taylor has been re-elected to a second term as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 2026–27. An Oscar nominee as a producer on 2018’s A Star Is Born, Howell Taylor first assumed the presidency last year, succeeding Janet Yang. The AMPAS board also re-elected Lesley Barber as Vice President, along with Jennifer Fox, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Howard A. Rodman; David Dinerstein was newly elected as Vice President/Treasurer. Said Academy CEO Bill Kramer: “As we move toward our 100th anniversary, I am excited to continue our vital work.”
Sources: Deadline
Paramount to Exit 44-Year-Old UIP Joint Venture as EU Warner Merger Condition
Paramount Pictures will exit United International Pictures (UIP), its 50-50 joint venture with Universal, as a condition of European Commission approval for Paramount’s $111B merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount must unwind its stake within 13 months of closing, ending a 44-year partnership across 100 territories employing roughly 200 people. In 2024, UIP posted sales of nearly £198M ($263M) and a pre-tax profit of £12.2M. CEO David Ellison has pledged to release more than 30 theatrical films a year and hold a minimum 45-day release window. The merger still faces a lawsuit from 12 U.S. state attorneys general.
Sources: Deadline
Box Office — Currently in Theatres
| # | Title | Release Date | Weekend | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Odyssey | Jul 17 | $90.0M | $289.4M |
| 2 | Moana | Jul 10 | $10.6M | $102.6M |
| 3 | Hadestown: The Musical | Jul 24 | $10.3M | $10.3M |
| 4 | Toy Story 5 | Jun 19 | $10.2M | $448.7M |
| 5 | Minions & Monsters | Jul 3 | $9.8M | $155.5M |
| 6 | Evil Dead Burn | Jul 10 | $2.8M | $29.4M |
| 7 | The Invite | Jun 26 | $2.6M | $19.8M |
| 8 | Young Washington | Jul 3 | $1.9M | $44.9M |
| 9 | Motor City | Jul 24 | $1.7M | $1.7M |
| 10 | Obsession | May 15 | $1.5M | $261.4M |
| 11 | Jana Nayagan | Jul 24 | $1.4M | $1.4M |
| 12 | Supergirl | Jun 26 | $0.8M | $71.6M |
| 13 | Disclosure Day | Jun 12 | $0.7M | $116.0M |
| 14 | Her Private Hell | Jul 24 | $0.5M | $0.5M |
| 15 | Pinocchio: Unstrung | Jul 24 | $0.4M | $0.4M |
| 16 | Backrooms | May 29 | $0.3M | $196.8M |
| 17 | Haunted Heist | Jul 24 | $0.3M | $0.3M |
| 18 | Scary Movie | Jun 5 | $0.1M | $108.2M |
| 19 | Jackass: Best and Last | Jun 26 | $0.1M | $18.2M |
| 20 | Brunello: The Gracious Visionary | Jul 24 | $0.1M | $0.1M |
Source: Box Office Mojo · Weekend 30 estimates, July 24–26, 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency