No better time for a roundtable discussion on the future of the movie industry to make sense of the strange 2024 we've seen so far: The first five months of the year couldn't have looked grimmer, yet that didn't stop the summer from a very strong rebound. Can the momentum continue long enough to prompt the bleak prognosis theaters have been hearing long before COVID and the strikes made things even worse? We'll look ahead at all the films that will put this notion to the test in the coming months and into 2025. 

No better time for a roundtable discussion on the future of the movie industry to make sense of the strange 2024 we've seen so far: The first five months of the year couldn't have looked grimmer, yet that didn't stop the summer from a very strong rebound. Can the momentum continue long enough to prompt the bleak prognosis theaters have been hearing long before COVID and the strikes made things even worse? We'll look ahead at all the films that will put this notion to the test in the coming months and into 2025.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety's Strictly Business

Box Office Overview: Why Summer Will Make You Rethink the State of the Film Biz

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4e716335-22c2-48e1-8abb-b1e0004730c4/transcript

On today’s episode, Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, N.Y. – Lucille Ball’s hometown -- explains why it’s important to have an institution devoted to the study of comedy. Jamestown will be abuzz with laughs as the center hosts the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Aug. 7-9 headlined by Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer and Seth Meyers.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, N.Y. &ndash; Lucille Ball&rsquo;s hometown -- explains <a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/mel-brooks-archive-donate-national-comedy-center-jamestown-1236751304/">why it&rsquo;s important to have an institution devoted to the study of comedy.</a> Jamestown will be abuzz with laughs as the center hosts the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Aug. 7-9 headlined by Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer and Seth Meyers.

Daily Variety -- National Comedy Center's Journey Gunderson on Preserving Humor as History

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8f908a30-40f6-42b8-8374-b49c012ac41d/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s box office expert Rebecca Rubin breaks down an astounding weekend at global turnstiles with the debut of Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and weekend three of Universal Pictures’ “The Odyssey.”

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s box office expert Rebecca Rubin breaks down <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/spider-man-brand-new-day-box-office-opening-record-avengers-endgame-1236826336/">an astounding weekend at global turnstiles with the debut of Sony Pictures&rsquo; &ldquo;Spider-Man: Brand New Day&rdquo;</a> and weekend three of Universal Pictures&rsquo; &ldquo;The Odyssey.&rdquo;

 Daily Variety – It’s a Brand New Day for the Box Office Thanks to ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘The Odyssey’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9bfcceef-1d45-43a6-8da0-b49b0143c4da/transcript

On today’s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State’s film chief and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard. Bell says the past few years have been a “seminal moment” for the entertainment industry in California. “People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,” she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State&rsquo;s film chief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/hollywoods-exodus-film-tv-production-los-angeles-1236780390/">and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard.</a> Bell says the past few years have been a &ldquo;seminal moment&rdquo; for the entertainment industry in California. &ldquo;People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,&rdquo; she says.

Daily Variety -- California Film Commissioner Colleen Bell Talks State Tax Incentive Battles, Hollywood’s Future and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/08a07e48-f247-4cd8-9d97-b4910120bede/transcript

Box Office Overview: Why Summer Will Make You Rethink the State of the Film Biz

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