Samwise Film & TV Marketing Newsletter
Sunday, September 20, 2026
“Resident Evil” Scares Up $55M Projected Opening Weekend, Biggest in Franchise History
Sony’s “Resident Evil” reboot earned $26.3 million domestically on opening day across 3,684 screens, with Sony projecting a $55 million opening weekend that would set a new franchise record. The film is directed by Zach Cregger, who previously helmed “Barbarian” and “Weapons.” Austin Abrams stars as a medical courier navigating a zombie outbreak while making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. The reboot is based on Capcom’s horror video game series and features an original story departing from established franchise characters. The prior franchise opening weekend record was held by 2010’s “Resident Evil: Afterlife,” which opened to $26 million.
Newsom Signs Bill Creating $10 Million Post-Production Tax Credit for California
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2319, creating a $10 million post-production tax credit aimed at keeping editing and finishing jobs in California. The bill passed the state Assembly and Senate last month by wide margins. The Motion Picture Editors Guild had pushed for a $100 million credit, describing the $10 million figure as a starting point rather than a full solution. Guild executive Scott George called the signing an “historic day” for the industry. The legislation is designed to stem the tide of post-production work departing California for other states and overseas, where competing incentives have drawn significant industry business.
Mark Ruffalo Tells AG Bonta “Don’t You Dare” Settle Paramount Antitrust Case
Actor Mark Ruffalo has publicly urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject any settlement in the antitrust lawsuit against Paramount Skydance and its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. “Don’t you dare, do not cave,” Ruffalo wrote on X. The appeal is backed by a petition signed by 5,670 filmmakers, part of a coalition of more than 75,000 total signatories urging Bonta to hold firm. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Paramount Skydance and Bonta’s office are in advanced settlement talks. The $111 billion deal was approved by the Department of Justice in June but halted by the state AGs’ antitrust lawsuit.
“Sweet Magnolias” Creator Reacts to Netflix Cancellation: Five Seasons a “Privilege and a Blessing”
Sheryl J. Anderson, creator and showrunner of “Sweet Magnolias,” issued a heartfelt statement Saturday after Netflix canceled the romantic drama following a five-season run. “Living in Serenity for five seasons has been a privilege and a blessing,” Anderson wrote on Instagram. She thanked the show’s writers, cast, crew, and fans. Anderson and star JoAnna Garcia Swisher are already set to reunite on “Ladies of the House,” a new Netflix drama series ordered by the streamer. The show, loosely based on a novel by Lauren Edmonson, will have Anderson as showrunner with Swisher potentially starring and executive producing under her Rolling Clover banner.
Prime Video Cancels “Ride or Die” After One Season
Amazon Prime Video has canceled “Ride or Die” after a single season, Variety confirmed. The buddy dramedy starred Hannah Waddingham as international assassin Judith Burton and Octavia Spencer as her best friend Debbie Claybourne, forced to go on the run together across Europe when a hit goes wrong. The series premiered in July 2026. Created by Tessa Coates, who served as showrunner alongside director Peyton Reed, the show was produced by Paramount Television Studios and Amazon MGM Studios. The ensemble also included Ed Skrein, Calam Lynch, Savannah Steyn, Bill Nighy, and Sylvia Hoeks.
Elizabeth Warren Says It Would Be a “Massive Mistake” for AG Bonta to Settle the Paramount Antitrust Lawsuit
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts warned Saturday that California Attorney General Rob Bonta would make a “massive mistake” by settling the antitrust lawsuit against Paramount Skydance, citing President Donald Trump’s Friday decision to ban CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House as a warning sign. “As Trump tries to ban CNN from the White House, it would be a massive mistake to cave on the Paramount merger,” Warren wrote on Facebook. “The last thing we need is another Trump-controlled media conglomerate abusing its power to stomp out competition. This is a dangerous merger.”
Henry Winkler Reveals Studio Cut His Name from the Original “Scream” Poster Over “Fonz” Concern
Henry Winkler, who played Principal Arthur Himbry in the original 1996 “Scream,” has revealed the studio refused to put his name on the film’s poster because of his association with “Happy Days.” “The studio comes to me and says, ‘We can’t put your name on the film. We cannot put you anywhere near the poster,’” Winkler told “In Depth With Graham Besinger.” “You were the Fonz, and you will knock the balance of horror off if we let them know you’re in it.” Despite feeling “insulted,” Winkler later agreed to do press for the film out of respect for director Wes Craven and the project as a whole.
Box Office Top 20 — Weekend Estimates (Sept. 19–21, 2026)
Projected weekend grosses based on Friday actuals and prior-weekend data. Final figures available Monday. Source: The Numbers / Variety.
| # | Title | Est. Weekend | Wk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resident Evil (New) | $55.0M | 1 |
| 2 | Practical Magic 2 | $14.0M | 2 |
| 3 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | $6.5M | 6 |
| 4 | The Odyssey | $4.0M | 2 |
| 5 | Runner | $3.5M | 2 |
| 6 | Coyote vs. Acme | $3.3M | 2 |
| 7 | Buddy | $1.9M | 2 |
| 8 | Insidious: Out of the Further | $1.8M | 2 |
| 9 | The Uprising | $1.7M | 2 |
| 10 | Hope | $1.6M | 2 |
| 11 | By Any Means | $1.3M | 2 |
| 12 | Oasis | $700K | 2 |
| 13 | PAW Patrol | $650K | 2 |
| 14 | Cars | $620K | 2 |
| 15 | The End of Oak Street | $530K | 2 |
| 16 | The Fix | $360K | 2 |
| 17 | Fall 2: Deadpoint | $300K | 2 |
| 18 | Tony | $240K | 2 |
| 19 | Akira | $150K | 2 |
| 20 | Onslaught | $130K | 2 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency