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Ne Zha 2, the Chinese animated blockbuster, continues to dominate both the domestic and international box office, setting new records with each passing day. The film grossed Rmb 1.1 billion ($152.9 million) from February 21–23, pushing its total earnings in China to $1.89 billion since its January 29 release, making it the highest-grossing film in the country’s history.

The film’s success extends beyond standard box office totals. Ne Zha 2 is also rewriting records in the Imax arena. Over the weekend, the film earned $15.2 million in Imax screenings, bringing its global Imax total to $131 million in just 26 days. This makes it the highest-grossing animated film in Imax history, surpassing The Polar Express by 69%, a record that had stood for over two decades. With Ne Zha 2 accounting for the majority of Imax’s earnings in the Lunar New Year period, Imax’s total for the season has hit $150 million.

The film’s strong...

China’s box office remained firmly in the grip of “Ne Zha 2,” which continued its extraordinary run, grossing Rmb 1.1 billion ($152.9 million) over the Feb. 21–23 weekend, according to Artisan Gateway.

The Enlight Pictures/Cococartoon release has now amassed $1.89 billion in the Middle Kingdom since its debut on Jan. 29, further cementing its place as the most successful film in Chinese box office history.

“Ne Zha 2” is also rewriting Imax records. The film added $15.2 million in Imax earnings over the weekend, bringing its global Imax cume to $131 million in just 26 days. It is now the ninth highest-grossing Imax release of all time and the highest-grossing animated Imax film ever, surpassing “The Polar Express” by 69%, a record that stood for over two decades. Imax’s Lunar New Year slate has now reached $150 million, with “Ne Zha 2” accounting for the overwhelming majority.

In second place, As One Production’s “Detective Chinatown 1900” added $11.7 million,...

Invincible. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. My Adventures with Superman. X-Men ‘97. Harley Quinn. Creature Commandos. What If…? We may be in a new golden age of animated superhero shows. With Marvel Animation set to expand its offerings with Marvel Zombies and Eyes of Wakanda, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is dipping into the medium for the first time. Meanwhile, under the guidance of James Gunn, DC kicked off a new film universe using animation with the release of Creature Commandos. It looks like superhero cartoons are back in a big way, and with their re-emergence has come variety, especially in terms of style.

Look at a still frame from any of the shows listed above, and you’ll instantly recognize that they belong in different universes. From character design to background layouts, it doesn’t take much to figure out what show you’re watching based solely on the animation. Put everything in motion,...

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is best known for tackling films with unique characters and creatures. He has received critical acclaim for his work on the 2022 stop-motion animation adaptation of the classic children’s fantasy novel Pinocchio. However, the film wasn’t the only adaptation of the beloved source material to be released that year.

Guillermo del Toro directed 2022’s stop-motion animated Pinocchio (Credits: CBS News).

Director Robert Zemeckis brought to life a different take on Pinocchio, with actor Tom Hanks playing the wooden doll’s creator, Geppetto. However, the film was panned by critics and audiences alike. In an interview, del Toro revealed the exact feature that is essential to making a good adaptation of the source material, proving why the Hanks-led version was a failure.

Guillermo del Toro revealed the secret to making a good Pinocchio adaptation

Guillermo del Toro directed the 2022 stop-motion animated film Pinocchio, based on Carlo Collodi...

From the extraordinary artistry of Who Framed Roger Rabbit to the dead-eyed children of The Polar Express, there is perhaps no greater champion for paradigm-shifting visual effects than Robert Zemeckis. With Here, Zemeckis pushes the envelope again, telling the non-linear story of different generations inhabiting the same house over hundreds of years, all from the same static view of its living room. But although the unconvincing de-ageing of Tom Hanks and Robin Wright back to their Forrest Gump days has grabbed headlines, it’s the least of the film’s problems.

Here certainly begins boldly, with a herd of dinosaurs thundering past the camera through bubbling, primordial mud, only to be obliterated by that pesky asteroid. Focusing on that same patch of land, Zemeckis then rattles through a few million years, leaping forward to its inhabitance by Native Americans, a quick cameo by Benjamin Franklin, and the construction of a small town.

Last Updated on January 6, 2025

Well, Schmoes, as 2024 finally draws to a close, we reflect on a year full of ups and downs, box office shocks and surprises, and many unexpected hits and misses. If there is one thing for sure, there are always movies highly overrated and underrated by critics and fans alike. As the UnPopular Opinion Guy, I felt it was only fitting to issue my list of the movies I felt the masses got wrong. Some of these may shock you, and some may piss you off, but these are my honest-to-goodness perspective on the movies of 2024. If you disagree with any of the choices, please voice your opinion in the comments below. After all, the only opinion that really matters is yours, and I am just here to share mine.

The Most Underrated Films of 2024 Here

Robert Zemeckis has gotten a lot of flak for his use...

Robert Zemeckis released an R-rated comedy starring Kurt Russell called Used Cars which is surprisingly very dark. Zemeckis is best known for his incredibly popular and classic films such as Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, and Cast Away. Zemeckis made his feature film debut with 1978's historical comedy I Wanna Hold Your Hand, which follows two fans who try to sneak into the Beatles' hotel in New York City before their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

While Zemeckis is known for his collabs with Tom Hanks, he has also worked with several other stars such as Kurt Russell in Used Cars, which was just his second directorial effort. Used Cars is one of Russell's career-best comedic performances, even though the actor is best known for his dramatic roles in classic movies such as Tombstone, Escape From New York, and Miracle. While Zemeckis has made plenty of comedy movies,...

Oh, while it’s hard to argue against Home Alone being the ultimate Christmas movie, for comic book fans, bringing home that extra punch means more than just classic holiday films like Elf or The Polar Express. Sometimes, you need superhero films that truly make the season shine.

Home Alone 2 | Credits: 20th Century Fox

From Iron Man to Batman, whether it’s laughter, action, or heartfelt moments, these superhero flicks ensure your Christmas feels anything but ordinary. So, here’s a list of superhero movies in no particular order to make your holiday season shine with some extra sparkle!

1. Iron Man 3 Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in a still from Iron Man 3 | Credits: Marvel Studios

Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie, fight me on it. From the opening moments, with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark showcasing his new Mark 42 armor as Jingle Bells plays in the background,...

Tom Hanks' divisive Christmas adventure film finds renewed streaming success just in time for its 20th anniversary. Though his most frequent collaborator is Steven Spielberg, Hanks is also well known for his various collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis, starting with 1994's Forrest Gump, for which he won his second Academy Award for Best Actor. In 2000, Hanks reunited with Zemeckis for Cast Away and earned another Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Some of Hanks' latest movies have also been directed by Zemeckis, including 2022's live-action Pinnochio, in which he played Geppetto, and 2024's Here, in which the actor was digitally de-aged. In addition to his onscreen roles that have made him one of the most recognizable movie stars, Hanks has also lent his voice to a few animated characters throughout his career, most famously Woody in the Toy Story movies. Tom Hanks' collaborations with Robert Zemeckis also extend to the animated realm with the 2004 Christmas film,...

’Twas the weekend before Christmas… With the holiday season upon us, many of us are starting to revisit some of our of Christmas favourites. I actually went to see a 4K re-release of the original Black Christmas last night here in Montreal. There’s something comforting upon returning to our old favourites every year, whether they be traditional Christmas classics, or perhaps something a little more modern, like Die Hard, which, despite many claiming otherwise, has totally established itself as a Christmas classic over the years.

Whatever the case, there are certainly Loads of Christmas movies, with everything from old-time classics like It’s A Wonderful Life or some of the many versions of A Christmas Carol (the Alistair Sim version is the best Imo), or something like Love Actually, which is virtually inescapable at this time of the year.

With that in mind, we’d love to figure out just...

Although cinema is an art form, first and foremost, it is also a business that requires financial support to be sustained. A healthy box office is necessary for the medium to remain a cornerstone of popular culture, as studios will only be willing to invest in future projects if it is proven that there is an audience that is willing to go out and see them. 2024 was a year in which there were tremendous box office highs, but the delays due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes did lead to some crushing lows.

Box office performances are a compelling way to examine where the industry is headed, but it is not necessarily an indication of quality. Although films like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Inside Out 2,” “Kung Fu Panda 4,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” and “Wicked: Part One” performed extraordinarily well this year, few publications that take themselves seriously...

Once December hits, it's time to break out the Christmas movies, most of which are thoroughly entertaining, despite the fact that they have the same frustrating plot hole. Production studios have released a wide variety of festive flicks over the years. From classics like It's a Wonderful Life to modern films like The Christmas Chronicles, there are so many entertaining and heartwarming holiday movies to watch at the end of each year. However, some contain an inconsistency that has been repeated time and time again, resulting in frustration during what's supposed to be a joyful and celebratory time.

In early 2024, Gary Goetzman, producer of The Polar Express, told Comicbook.com that a sequel is in the works at Warner Bros. However, the studio has yet to make any official announcements regarding the movie.

Of course, not everything is supposed to be taken at face value in Christmas films. Many of them...

2024 may be drawing to a close, but this means that movie lovers are entering one of the most exciting times of the year. On one hand, Christmas and the holidays are right around the corner, meaning that now is the optimal time to get inside from the cold and watch some of your favorite holiday films with loved ones. The other reason movie buffs are excited comes a little bit after Christmas. In the middle of January, this year's Oscar nominees will finally be announced, celebrating all the greatest achievements in the world of film this year.

Needless to say, plenty of people are currently very excited, both about the upcoming holiday and the impending announcement of the nominations. Fortunately, there are a handful of movies that perfectly combine these two sources of excitement. Over the years, some of the best Christmas movies have gone on to be recognized by the coveted Academy Awards,...

“Hot! Hot! Ooh, we got it! Hot! Hot! Hey, we got it!”

‘Tis the season for Christmas streaming – but only if you know where to look! Figuring out where you can stream your favorite Christmas movies can be a chore, so we’ve done the hard work for you. From Netflix to Peacock and Paramount+ to Prime Video, we’ve scoured all of the major streaming services to find the best holiday films for you and your family to enjoy!

“Elf,” “Home Alone,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Polar Express,” and many many more are all right here. So sit back, relax, and grab a steaming cup of hot chocolate as you settle in with the best Christmas movies of all time.

Where to stream your favorite holiday films:

Animated, stop-motion, and Muppet Christmas movies

Classic Christmas movies (pre-2000)

Modern Christmas movies (post-2000)

Live-action Scrooge movies

Christmas action movies

Black Christmas...

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is exactly what you’d expect from a photorealistic Disney prequel/sequel directed by indie filmmaker Barry Jenkins. In other words, our guy lost.

As insecure as its title, the House of Mouse’s latest spin-off of an animated classic comes from the Oscar winner behind the moody, R-rated masterpiece “Moonlight.” Jenkins’ pivot to a big-budget, kid-friendly project for a major studio was always intriguing. But in hindsight, it’s hard to imagine he ever really stood a chance at revolutionizing from within Disney’s so-called “live-action” money machine.

A busy-yet-bland franchise addition, “Mufasa” serves as the latest chronicle of the same lion-based events seen in Jon Favreau’s divisive “The Lion King” from 2019. Although critically disliked, that film made $1.65 billion at the worldwide box office by staying mostly faithful to the original movie in a ground-breaking visual style. It attached a roster of A-list talent,...

There weren't many fans of Robert Zemickis' filmed play, Here. While Zemeckis was nice enough to keep this one from being a full-on Christmas movie, which is what doomed us to 20 years of people insisting that The Polar Express is watchable, Here is plenty weird to look at. Most of...

You’ll find some big hits on Max, but not enough to justify picking up the streamer just for the holidays.

While Max has some great programming year-round, the selection of Christmas movies is a bit limited, but there are some absolute holiday gems mixed in with the blockbuster movies, prestige TV, and unscripted shows that you will traditionally find on the platform. Max is the home to classics like “The Polar Express,” “Elf,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” but there’s not a ton of variety beyond this handful of hits; except for “Gremilins” which I’m throwing in for the crowd that considers “Die Hard” a Christmas movie.

While Max might not be the best streamer if you are looking to sign up for a new service specifically for Christmas magic, you will find some holiday staples. That being said, if you’re already a Max subscriber, there...

Here’s How Anne Hathaway’s Pregnancy Became Challenging For Her Costume In The Witches ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Anne Hathaway’s time playing the Grand High Witch in The Witches turned out to be a wild blend of fantasy, glamour, and an unexpected twist—pregnancy. Yep, Hathaway became pregnant with her second son, Jack, midway through filming, and it threw a curveball at the costume design team. The result? A wardrobe overhaul that mixed witchy glam with a surprising real-life challenge.

The mastermind behind Hathaway’s standout look was Joanna Johnston, a seasoned English costume designer known for classics like Back to the Future, Death Becomes Her, and The Polar Express. Her vision for the Grand High Witch was simple but bold: “Glamour.” Not your everyday witchy vibes, but something way more chic and high-fashion.

Johnston aimed to give the Grand High Witch a unique twist, stepping away from the...

When the holiday season rolls around each year, two things are always able to get people in the Christmas spirit: movies and music. Fortunately, these two treats often come together, with plenty of Christmas films offering tons of warm, lighthearted tunes that are perfect for the holidays.

Of course, holiday favorites can come in many different forms. Some are timeless classics that charmingly present a story based on the lyrics of a beloved carol, some are fully original features that include exciting new Christmas tunes, and others are simply holiday films that happen to use plenty of songs that feel right at home during the winter season. Whatever the case may be, the best Christmas movies and specials usually include plenty of songs that are bound to make anyone feel the Christmas spirit year after year.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970) Popular Songs: "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town,...

A 2009 martial arts movie produced by the Wachowskis is performing well during its run on streaming. The Wachowskis made their directorial debut with the crime thriller Bound in 1996, after penning the screenplay for 1995 Sylvester Stallone movie Assassins. But the siblings shot to global fame when they wrote and directed the 1999 science fiction action film The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving. The movie was met with widespread critical acclaim, and is considered a modern classic, as well as one of the greatest and most influential science-fiction films ever made.

Following the unexpected success of The Matrix, the duo wrote and directed The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003), as well as expanding The Matrix franchise in the realm of video games and animation. Branching out from the series, they also wrote dystopian action movie V For Vendetta, as well as making sports action-comedy Speed Racer,...

The holidays hit different with classics like ‘Elf,’ ‘Home Alone,’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

The holidays are here. And there’s arguably nothing more important to make the season sing than a high-quality Christmas movie list. I’m talking classics – the ones that have stood the test of time to emerge as the most popular each year. But what’s the best streamer to watch as many of these popular Christmas movies as possible? That’s what this article is all about. And while there’s no slam-dunk answer, there are definitely two streamers that sparkle brighter than the rest: Hulu and Disney+. Here’s why they are the best streamers for popular Christmas movies.

Everything you need to know about the best streamers for popular holiday movies:

What popular Christmas movies can you watch on Hulu?

What popular Christmas movies can you watch on Disney+?

What popular Christmas...

It’s time to cozy up and immerse yourself in the beloved melodies from classic holiday films – including from “Home Alone,” “Elf, “and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – with “Cinemagic’s Holiday Movie Soundtracks” special. Listen to a festive mix of music and cherished film moments on the Xtra channel Cinemagic on the SiriusXM app.

Cinemagic SpecialClassic Holiday Movie SoundtracksListen on the App

Listen on the App

Related: Check Out 25 Christmas Specials on SiriusXM

Plus, check out 25 Christmas movie soundtracks below. Note: the Cinemagic special and the list below include some different music).

25 Christmas Movie Soundtracks 25. The Polar Express (2004)

Composer: Alan Silvestri

This visually stunning film is accompanied by a soundtrack full of soaring orchestral music and seasonal classics. Alan Silvestri’s score, paired with the unforgettable vocals of Tom Hanks (who voices several characters in the film), creates an atmosphere of wonder and awe, making it a holiday favorite.

24. Love Actually...

Action movie legend Jason Statham's 2008 sci-fi thriller impresses on its new streaming debut, just four days after switching platforms. Statham shot to fame when he was cast in the role of Bacon in Guy Ritchie's directorial debut, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and paired with him again for a leading role in Snatch. The critical and commercial success of the movies led to him starring in The Transporter trilogy and movies like Crank, The Italian Job remake, Hummingbird, and Safe, further cementing him as one of Hollywood's leading action stars.

Statham has continued to carve out a niche in the action-thriller genre, with a few showings against type, such as a supporting role in the romantic drama London, and a memorable co-starring turn in the action-comedy Spy. In 2010, he starred as Lee Christmas in The Expendables, a role he has played in all four movies in The Expendables franchise,...

The Disney live-action remakes will continue until morale improves. This no longer feels like the beginnings of a troubling trend worth sounding the alarm bells about in the hopes of waking up sleepy mass audiences, or even a cynical business strategy designed to rake in profits by strip-mining classic films. It's all of those things and more, don't get me wrong. But the time for anger, wailing, and gnashing of teeth is well and truly over. This morning's release of the first full-length trailer for "Snow White" (er, make that "Disney's Snow White," as the studio insists on titling it) would normally be ripe for hot takes and overanalyzing every frame of new footage. Instead, the only emotion we can summon up is a deep, unrelenting wave of indifference.

We're just plain tired, folks.

It's bad enough that the entire production has been marred by a wave of negativity and...

Have you seen one of those viral posts promising a Christmas Vacation sequel this holiday season? Could it be that Chevy Chase might electrocute himself once again in pursuit of being the jolliest house on the block? Fans got their hopes up after seeing promises like this one on Facebook, Reddit, Threads, and other social media:

The poster promises more Griswold fun, with a message that reads: “Christmas Vacation Redux!!! December!!! Get ready for holiday chaos like never before in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Redux. Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as the Griswolds, now retired and determined to celebrate their first Christmas of freedom until the whole gang shows up to turn their quiet plans into pure pandemonium. Streaming this December on Amazon Prime Video, it's the reunion you've been waiting for with twice the laughs and all the holiday spirit.”

Given all the Christmas Vacation crap Chase is hawking on his website,...

The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the opportunity to put a dent in our watchlist while we inhale festive food and fill the awkward family silences with good old-fashioned movie classics. Should you want to make a break from the thread of Christmas films for a bit, though, you're in luck; a classic treasure of a movie has appeared on Max that might fit the bill. Sure, it's lacking in holiday cheer and doesn't have doesn't have a jolly old dude with a snowy white beard, but what it does have is a group of kids trying to evade some recently escaped convicts in search of a long-lost pirate treasure. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, because even four decades later, "The Goonies" is still good enough.

Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, 1985's "The Goonies" is generally regarded as...

Disney’s “Moana 2” dominated the U.K. and Ireland box office with a £12 million ($15.2 million) debut, according to numbers from Comscore, marking a strong start for the animated sequel.

The film led a robust weekend that saw Universal’s “Wicked” holding strong in its second frame with £8.3 million, bringing its cumulative total to £28.5 million.

Paramount’s “Gladiator II” continued to perform in its third week, adding £2.5 million for a total of £23.5 million. Studiocanal’s “Paddington In Peru” demonstrated staying power in its fourth week, collecting £1.8 million and pushing its total to £27.3 million.

Black Bear’s new entry “Conclave” opened with £1.1 million, while Warner Bros.’ “Red One” rounded out its fourth week with £425,853, bringing its cume to £6.6 million.

BFI Distribution’s “All We Imagine As Light” debuted with £111,033, while Entertainment Film Distributors’ “Heretic” added £96,583 in its fifth week for a £5.7 million total. Park Circus’s 20th Anniversary 4K restoration of...

Toy Story is one of the most beloved children’s animated films of all time. The film series has remained timeless through the test of decades, still being just as iconic and culturally relevant as when the first film was released in 1995. Although many just think of the toys when the film is mentioned, its cast is just as impressive and surprisingly less talked about.

A still from Toy Story | Credit: Pixar

Names like Wallace Shawn, Tim Allen, and Laurie Metcalf were at the very center of the film. However, one of the most impressive names among its ranks has to be that of Tom Hanks, who voiced Woody. The actor stuck around for all of the films and has even done other animated projects since then.

However, many fans of the Pixar film will be disappointed to know that Toy Story was not his favorite animated film to do.

RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Nov 29-Dec 1)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Moana 2(Disney) £12m £12m 1 2. Wicked(Universal) £8.3m £28.5m 2 3. Gladiator II(Paramount) £2.6m £23.4m 3 4. Paddington In Peru(Studiocanal) £1.8m £27.3m 4 5. Conclave(Black Bear) £886,000 £1.1m 1

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27

It was another record-breaking weekend at the UK and Ireland box office as Moana 2 sailed to the top with a £12m debut for Disney.

The sequel had the third-highest opening of the year, behind last week’s Wicked (£13.7m) and Deadpool & Wolverine (£12.6m) but was ahead of fellow Disney animation Inside Out 2 which scored an £11.3m debut back in June.

Nothing screams the Christmas season quite like the music. And what’s better than door-to-door carolers? An at-home Christmas movie musical.

Whether you are in the mood for a classic tune like “White Christmas” or new tracks like Will Ferrell’s “That Christmas Morning Feelin,'” these movie musicals will prepare you for the holiday season that awaits.

Hang up the Christmas lights, dress the tree, bake some cookies and put on a movie musical from our list to bring your home some holiday cheer.

“White Christmas” White Christmas

The song that sparked a thousand dreams — “White Christmas” — is a holiday classic for a reason. The 1954 film follows two former soldiers turned entertainers. Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) join a talent sister act, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen), to perform a Christmas show in upstate Vermont. The foursome reunite with the boys’ former General to save his holiday inn.

Tom Hanks' animated Christmas hit has become a classic over the past two decades, proving Elf wasn't the last great festive film. Having started his acting career in the 1980s, Hanks has been part of some massive movies over the years, and while his Christmas classic may not be among the best, it has still evolved into an iconic part of the holidays. However, many of the best Christmas movies of all time were released before the 2000s, creating conversations about what the last truly iconic festive film was, with many citing Elf as the most recent hit.

While there is no denying Elf performed better across the board than Hanks' $318 million project, the animated classic has seemingly become more popular with age. The movie is not without its criticisms, as many have pointed out that the animation doesn't hold up to today's standards, while others have questioned how logical the plot is.

The Polar Express is somewhat of a modern Christmas staple, driven by an expansive soundtrack of original and pre-existing songs, and here is when each one plays in the movie. Although there are some harsh realities of watching The Polar Express 20 years after its original release, such as the uncanny valley aspect of the film's CGI main characters, the film remains one that successfully conveys the magic of Christmas. The reason for this is The Polar Express' overall feeling of warmth and heart, which enables it to be one of the best Santa Claus movies two decades later.

This, combined with The Polar Express' strong voice cast that is spearheaded by Tom Hanks in several roles, makes the film one of the few post-2000s Christmas movies to be solidified as a classic. This has even led to the development of The Polar Express 2, with many hoping the potential...

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Now that the holidays have arrived, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than cozying up with a mug of something hot and a Christmas movie marathon. But instead of digging out your dusty DVD collection, Hulu has a sleigh full of holiday gems ready to stream as you party prep, wrap presents, or online shop your list and check it twice.

To make streaming smooth,...

Moana 2 takes to the seas at the UK and Ireland box office this weekend as the Disney sequel launches in 630 cinemas.

The sequel opens wider than the 533 venues of its predecessor back in 2016. That title debuted with a mild £2.2m but had a solid run overall, surpassing £20m.

Moana 2sees the eponymous islander, voiced by Auli‘i Cravalho, embark on a journey to find a mythical, lost island. Dwayne Johnson also returns to the voice cast while new additions include comedian Rose Matafeo and Hualalai Chung.

It will have fierce competition from Wicked, fresh from having the UK’s biggest...

With a whopping $250 million budget, Dwayne Johnson’s Red One is the most expensive Christmas movie ever made, but plenty of other holiday classics have cost a pretty penny, too. Some of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time have been produced for a relatively slim budget. Home Alone, Gremlins, and The Santa Clause all cost less than $25 million to make. Elf and Die Hard cost a little more to produce, because they required a lot of special effects, but they would still barely cover Red One’s catering budget.

But some stories cost a lot of money to tell. Bringing Santa and his flying reindeer to life on-screen doesn’t come cheap. The motion-capture animation required to make Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol and The Polar Express took tens of millions of dollars to pull off. The star-studded casts of movies like The Holiday and Daddy’s Home 2...

As one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time, there are many fans who will be looking for where Elf is streaming this holiday season. The Christmas comedy has been a staple for holiday movie lovers since it debuted in 2003. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell, Elf follows Buddy (Ferrell), a human who was raised by Santa's elves since he was a child. After finding out the truth about his adoption from Papa Elf (Newhart), Buddy travels to New York City to find his real father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan).

The holiday comedy is full of laughs but it also contains a lot of heart. It's a perfect film for viewers of all ages, so it's no surprise that there is a demand for the movie each holiday season. While the long-awaited Elf sequel seems unlikely to happen, it has inspired a Broadway musical, a stop-motion...

'Tis the season for everyone's annual holiday movie watch (and/or re-watch), that magical time of year where we gorge ourselves on all manner of films that take place in and around the holidays. For some cinephiles, this means delving into the darkest depths of "is it a Christmas movie because it has one scene with a decorated tree in it?," while for others, it means a first-time or 70th-time viewing of canonized holiday classics. One of the joys of watching a vintage Christmas film for the first time is seeing some of your favorite actors turn up looking impossibly young. For instance, this writer just watched 1995's "Home for the Holidays" the other night, and was delighted to see a younger Robert Downey Jr. doing his signature motormouth patter.

While that film is a bit obscure in the holiday canon, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is a movie that almost needs no introduction.

Every holiday season, there are many fans eager to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and wondering where the classic is streaming. Christmas Vacation served as an installment of the Vacation film series, featuring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo in their regular roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold. Christmas Vacation follows the Griswold family as they spend the Christmas holiday at home in Chicago, Illinois. If the in-laws weren't enough to handle, wacky cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his family surprise the Griswolds with their arrival just in time for the seasonal celebration.

Based on the seasonal airings each holiday season, Christmas Vacation has only grown in popularity as a new generation got in on the fun. While a TV sequel titled National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 was developed, it didn't match the level of quality of the original, leaving most fans clamoring for the original every December. In the era of streaming,...

Universal’s screen adaptation of “Wicked” dominated the U.K. and Ireland box office with a commanding £13.7 million ($17.2 million) debut, according to numbers from Comscore.

The musical fantasy leads a robust frame that saw Paramount’s “Gladiator II” maintain strong momentum in its sophomore session with £4.7 million, pushing its cumulative total to £18.4 million.

Studiocanal’s “Paddington in Peru” continues to demonstrate impressive holds in its third weekend, collecting £4.2 million for a running total of £24.5 million. Warner Bros.’ “Red One” secured fourth position with £866,764, bringing its three-week total to £5.9 million.

Entertainment Film Distributors’ “Heretic” rounded out the top five with £205,457, accumulating £5.4 million over four weeks. Universal’s “The Wild Robot” placed sixth with £183,578 (£13.5 million total), while Lionsgate U.K.’s “Small Things Like These” ranked seventh with £166,803 (£3.5 million total).

Trafalgar Releasing’s Metropolitan Opera presentation of “Tosca” debuted in eighth place with £129,206, followed by Polish holiday entry “Listy Do M. 6” from Magnetes Pictures,...

Red One Box Office (North America): 2nd Friday Update( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Red One does not fail to surprise the exhibitors as it collects winning numbers on the second Friday; such is the power of Dwayne Johnson. The film is close to hitting the first significant milestone at the US box office and is also heading for a major milestone at the worldwide box office. Scroll below for the deets.

The movie was initially scheduled to be released on Prime Video worldwide in time for Christmas last year, but the film suffered because of the Hollywood strikes. Therefore, the makers decided to release it in theatres to make up for the production budget before releasing it on digital platforms. It is already setting records for a Big Tech streaming turned theatrical release. The film is said to be the first of a Christmas-themed franchise. Besides The Rock, it also...

Red One Box Office (North America): Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans’ Film Earns Decent Numbers On 1st Thursday ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Red One, starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Chris Evans, completes its first week at the theatres. Although the numbers are not splendid yet, it has been holding its own ground pretty well. The action comedy flick grossed winning numbers on Thursday despite Thursday previews of Gladiator II and Wicked. Scroll below for the deets.

Wicked is headed for an exceptional debut weekend at the box office in North America, and Gladiator II is also looking good. This movie, led by The Rock and the MCU star, is already trending in the media, as the audience is enjoying it even though the critics’ ratings are not so good. The Rock’s star power is working wonders in taking the film’s box office collection moving forward.

Trade analyst Luiz Fernando...

Ben Stiller returns to a lead role for the first time in six years, teaming up with Director David Gordon Green to bring to life the film Nutcrackers. The Hulu original movie debuted at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival and will be available to stream on November 29. We had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, and the four Janson brothers ahead of the film’s release.

Nutcrackers follows Nick, a workaholic forced to travel to rural Ohio to look after his recently orphaned nephews. Stillers’ return to films is met with a warm blanket. The movie isn’t slapstick funny but more of a family comedy. You will want to grab the kids, microwave popcorn, and enjoy family movie night. The Janson brothers will have the kids laughing, and Stiller’s reactions will have the adults laughing. It’s the type of movie that makes you feel like a kid again.

Just when you thought The Polar Express was the creepiest thing about the holiday seasons, Coca-Cola enters the chat with an almost entirely AI-generated holiday commercial. As you can imagine, it has gone over about as well as New Coke. But before we go any further, you should check out the video, which is embedded below:

So we’ve got the usual Christmas staples in reindeer, snow and Santa – along with Coca-Cola’s trademark polar bears – but it won’t take perfect vision to notice just how phony all of it is, something that viewers have called the company out on in fervor. Some have stamped the ad as lifeless and hollow, while others have blasted Coca-Cola for its lack of creativity and snubbing actual artists of work. Oddly enough, the only part that looks organic – even at the animation level – is the iconic Coca-Cola font, although that’s primarily...

Red One Box Office (North America): 1st Monday Update ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Red One has only this week to prove its worth at the cinemas in North America. It might lose a significant amount of theatres this Friday with the two tentpole releases – Gladiator II and Wicked Part 1. The people are entering the holiday spirit and getting ready for Thanksgiving. With Dwayne Johnson’s star power, the action-comedy might benefit at the box office, but will it be sufficient to become a hit? Only time will tell how it performs in the coming days, but for now, it has scored winning numbers on its 1st Monday. Scroll below for the deets.

Dwayne Johnson crossed the $10 billion mark at the box office as per The Numbers. The Rock’s star power will help boost the film’s collections, as the audience has given it higher ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. It...

The Polar Express is a Christmas movie classic, but there are nevertheless several elements of this fan-favorite holiday story that make very little sense or simply don't work. Despite The Polar Express being released 20 years ago, it remains one of the best Santa Claus movies to this day. In fact, The Polar Express 2 is in development after two decades of few updates on the possibility of a sequel, reflecting the movie's staying power and continued popularity.

The Polar Express is popular for good reason. The Polar Express cast heavily features Tom Hanks, a beloved and critically acclaimed actor, and the story takes an interesting and unique direction, which can be difficult to achieve with holiday movies. Even so, multiple aspects of The Polar Express are rather odd, and these 10 are among the most difficult to face.

The Animation In The Polar Express Has An Uncanny Valley Effect Many Viewers...

Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, the dream team behind Forrest Gump, reunited nearly three decades later for 2024's Here. Despite the anticipation, the star power, and the acclaimed director involved, Here has interestingly proven to be a massive box office disappointment, especially when compared to the duo's Oscar-winning 1994 cultural phenomenon. Here is also unlikely to receive any of the same critical accolades as its predecessor.

Here limped to a nominal $4.8 million opening weekend, lightyears away from Forrest Gump's impressive $24.5 million debut. As the film crawls to just $11.4 million in total domestic gross, it is abundantly clear that this particular Hanks/Zemeckis collaboration won't be mentioned in the same breath as their previous blockbuster hits like Cast Away (grossing $233 million) and The Polar Express ($183 million). In hindsight, multiple things caused Here to stumble so badly right out the gate.

Here's Disappointing Box Office Performance Compared To Forrest Gump Explained Here Always...

A sequel to the classic Christmas movie The Polar Express was officially announced a while ago, and here is why the development of The Polar Express 2 is taking so long. The Polar Express is one of the most-watched movies every holiday season, with Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks' Christmas collaboration becoming an even bigger hit as time goes on. The success of the original The Polar Express has led to the announcement that The Polar Express 2 is happening, although the film is taking a while to come out thanks to a variety of factors.

While The Polar Express is now considered to be a Christmas classic, this wasn't originally the case when it was first released in 2004. The Polar Express made only $318.2 million on a budget of around $170 million, and while this means that a lot of viewers saw the film, the box office returns were pretty low.

Just as we predicted earlier this week, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s mega-budget Christmas action-comedy, Red One, is set for one of the star’s lowest debuts. While the $30 million Deadline is predicting isn’t quite as bad as the $25 million we called earlier this week, given the movie’s $250 million price tag, this has to be seen as an embarrassing failure for The Rock. When all is said and done, he hasn’t had a legitimate box office smash since Jumanji: The Next Level back in 2019.

The one glimmer of hope for Red One is the fact that the movie has a surprisingly excellent CinemaScore, with the A-minus rating suggesting those who are going to see the movie are actually enjoying it. While I slammed it in my review, even if the movie fails theatrically, it will likely be a solid hit once it hits streaming, with it set...

Early on in Denzel Washington's brilliant career, he gave critics a preview of how he was going to play the movie star game going forward -- and they weren't pleased. In between making acclaimed dramas like "Cry Freedom," "Glory," and "Mississippi Masala," Washington cut loose and sought to build up some box office cred in formulaic action movies like "Heart Condition" and "Ricochet." Reviewers who viewed Washington as a major star in the making were disappointed with, if not aghast at, his choices. What a colossal waste of the man's time and talent, they reasoned, to run around in his boxer shorts after John Lithgow in full glazed ham mode. Then he'd go and make "Malcolm X," and everyone would hush up until a frivolity like "Virtuosity" dropped.

Washington had it right. If he wanted to ensure more movies like "Malcolm X" or "Philadelphia" got made further down the line,...

The Max Holiday 2024 collection That Time of Year is now live on the streaming service. The collection will serve as the hub for holiday content, showcasing an extensive selection of series, films, and more, guaranteed to bring joy and cheer to viewers during the festive season.

The That Time of Year collection kicks off the festivities today by spotlighting themed curations like “Comfort & Joy,” “Families We’re Thankful For” and “Season of Romance,” featuring new Max Original film Sweethearts (debuting Nov. 28) and others, making it seamless for subscribers to discover holiday classics and new favorites on Max.

On top of celebrating the 20th anniversary of Polar Express, viewers can also dive into nostalgic fan favorite films such as A Christmas Story, Elf, Holiday Harmony, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and ageless holiday classics like A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, A Carol for Another Christmas, Meet Me In St. Louis (Dec.