Matt is joined by YouTuber Mark Fischbach (also known as Markiplier) to discuss his new movie, ‘Iron Lung,' why he adapted a low-budget indie horror video game, and how he self-financed the film and pulled off a wide release without a studio attached. Later, Mark talks about the state of the creator economy, YouTube vs. Netflix, and whether his model is viable path for other up-and-coming creators (01:31). Matt finishes the show with a ratings prediction for the Grammy Awards (25:45).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Mark Fischbach
Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by producer Dave Bernad to pull back the curtain on what goes into producing 'The White Lotus' and 'Jury Duty' and discuss the challenges and misconceptions around the former show. He also talks about his old-school path to success in the industry, his past projects, and the appetite for comedy (01:40). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Send Help’ (29:30).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Dave Bernad
Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Live from the last Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Matt is joined by John Sloss, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media, to discuss how the Sundance experience has changed over the past 40 years, how the market has changed in just the past three years, who the hungriest buyers are, young filmmakers' opinions on streaming vs. theatrical, and how Harvey Weinstein changed the awards film genre (01:30). Matt finishes the show with an early opening weekend box office prediction for the ‘Melania’ documentary (26:06).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: John Sloss
Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by New York Times reporter and awards season columnist Kyle Buchanan to discuss the biggest industry narratives surrounding this year's Academy Awards nominations (01:29). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for the new Chris Pratt film, ‘Mercy’ (31:58).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Kyle Buchanan
Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival, to discuss the last year in Park City, the decision to leave Utah, and what we can expect in Boulder, Colorado. Later, they share some of their favorite stories from their time at the festival over the years (01:30). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the biggest acquisition at Sundance this year (25:38).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Eugene Hernandez
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to conduct the fourth annual box office draft. Matt and Lucas each draft seven blockbuster movies set to be released in 2026 with the goal of making the most money possible against the production budget. Plus, an added twist that allows each person to saddle the other's team with a movie they believe will flop.
Follow along with Matt and Lucas here!
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Lucas Shaw
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to discuss the union's upcoming negotiations with the AMPTP, the possibility of another strike, what he wants to achieve in this negotiation, why they are starting their negotiations before other guilds, the state of AI disruptions, and what the actors actually want in their new CBA (01:21). Matt finishes the show with an updated prediction on who will win the bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery (33:06).
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Jared Bush, the writer and codirector of Zootopia 2 and chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, to discuss the smash-hit sequel, its incredible success in China, the state of original animated films in theaters, AI and other challenges facing the animation industry, incorporating adult humor into animated films, the plans for a third and fourth 'Frozen,' and more (02:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' (31:49).
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Jared Bush
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to react to Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, including the cringiest corporate moments and the studios and streamers that overperformed. Then, they discuss the latest move in the ongoing Warner Bros. Discovery saga, with Paramount filing a lawsuit seeking to force Warner to release more information about its merger agreement with Netflix, and their plan to launch a proxy fight (01:56). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about a few heavily favored Oscar contenders (26:44).
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Lucas Shaw
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Jeff Sagansky—a longtime investor, executive, and producer—to discuss the current media landscape and how things are trending as we begin 2026. Jeff previews the M&A deal market for this year, makes the case for Warner Bros. surviving without a merger, shares what it’s like to be a producer in Hollywood right now, discusses the dark age of talent profit-sharing, and explains what investors appear most interested in this year (01:50). Matt then finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Greenland 2: Migration’ and ‘Primate’ (30:31).
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Jeff Sagansky
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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Matt is joined by Puck contributor and box office guru Scott Mendelson to recap the year in moviegoing, give his take on the general disappointment in domestic box office performance, and hand out awards like Surprise Hit of the Year, Surprise Miss, and the Great Legs Award. He also checks in on the state of superhero movies and the horror genre and gives final grades to each studio (01:38). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the 2026 Golden Globes (38:58).
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
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Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Scott Mendelson
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
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