For decades, independent cinema was financed by a delicate but functional ecosystem: international pre-sales and minimum guarantees (MGs). Sales agents would take a package — script, director and cast — to markets like Cannes or the AFM, and distributors would commit real money upfront. That capital was the engine that allowed thousands of independent films to be made every year. Today, that system has all but collapsed. And unless you attach an A-list star — a near-impossibl

This year has seen horror films not just scaring audiences, but also delivering serious return on investment. Take Weapons (2025) for example: made for around $38 million in production, it has grossed about $260.9 million worldwide ($148.3m domestic + $112.6m international). That’s nearly 7× its budget. Opening weekend alone brought in $43.5 million domestically, showing a strong start. Another big success is The Conjuring: Last Rites (The Conjuring 4). Its budget was about $

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners isn’t just a cinematic achievement — it’s a cultural phenomenon. Since its release on April 18, 2025, the film has captivated audiences, grossing over $247.7 million worldwide. This impressive performance underscores a growing appetite for films that blend entertainment with profound social commentary. Set in 1932 Mississippi, Sinners follows twin brothers, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, as they confront a supernatural evil rooted in their hometown’s d

Streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video have been pouring astronomical sums of money into single blockbuster-style films for their platforms. Movies like Netflix’s The Electric State ($320M), Heart of Stone ($200M) and Apple’s Wolves ($200M) raise an important question: why are these companies willing to invest such immense budgets into standalone films when they could be making five to ten times as many mid-budget films ($5M–$50M) with better story

For decades, movies have been a cornerstone of entertainment, shaping culture, sparking conversations and leaving an indelible impact on generations. However, the landscape of cinema has undergone a dramatic shift from the golden era of the 1960s through the 1990s to the digital age of today. From the grandeur of storytelling and the magnetism of true movie stars to the rapid consumption of content in the streaming era, movies of the past and present are worlds apart. What ma