A Much Needed Win For Apple
The combination of high-octane action, star power, and IMAX screen presence has paid off for Tim Cook.
It's Monday, June 30th. Here's what's happening.
📝 Trends & Analysis
Brad Pitt's race car extravaganza F1 roared to $144 million globally over the weekend. This is a stellar performance for an original movie - especially from Apple. The U.S. and Canada gate was $57 million, also an outstanding opening.
Apple has taken big swings in the past with films like Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon, and Argylle. While these movies were well-received critically, their return on investment was disappointing. F1 changes that narrative, with the potential to generate significant gains on its rumored $200-300 million budget, if it has legs.
The combination of high-octane action, star power, and IMAX screen presence has paid off for Tim Cook. It appears Apple finally has a blockbuster hit on its hands. Reportedly the company is looking to expand into distribution in the future, and this presents yet another opportunity for the tech conglomerate. Plus, when you add the value that F1 can bring to Apple’s own streaming service, it looks like the company may finally get to take a victory lap with the checkered flag.
Meanwhile, M3GAN 2.0 massively underperformed over the weekend, bringing in only $10 million. The movie finished in 4th place, behind the fellow underperforming Elio and the 3 weeks old How To Train Your Dragon.
While many were baffled as to why the film failed to storm the gates, it seems obvious to me - the original movie's hook (an AI doll causing mayhem) may have seemed novel when it came out. Now… not so much. When it comes to M3GAN 2.0 audiences may have thought "Haven't I seen this already? And if not, maybe can I just wait to see it on streaming?" An original, action-packed IMAX blockbuster like F1? That's a more compelling pitch that can get viewers into the seats.
🎥 Movie News
Writers Guild West released its annual financial report. Earnings for writers were slightly up in 2024 (over 2023's strike addled performance). The number of writers reporting earnings dropped 9% however. (The Hollywood Reporter)
While many are wondering how break up of Warner Bros. Discovery will technically happen, the interesting focus may be on the spinoff's brands (CNN, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, TNT, Discovery) and what their value is/will be going forward. (AdWeek)
The New York Times completed its countdown of the top 100 movies of the 21st century, as chosen by critics and industry professionals. The winner? Bong Joon Ho's Parasite. (The New York Times)
Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially in production, with Kenneth Branagh joining Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep. (The Hollywood Reporter)
A biopic about legendary German heavy metal band, the Scorpions, is heading into production. Warner Bros Discovery is set to handle U.S. distribution, Fox to handle international. (Deadline)
📈 Movie Stock Index
Market Close: Monday, June 30th, 2025
Total Value: $110,540.06
Today's Change: $314.13 (0.28%)
Total Gain/Loss (Since 05/12/25): $10,540.04 (10.54%)
A flat day for our movie stocks index (0.28%) but we ended in the positive. Apple (2.03%) and Paramount (2.95%) were the day's best performers. Amazon was the leader to the downside, finishing slightly lower (-1.75%).
Disclaimer: The MovieNewsPro Stock Index is a virtual index - there are no actual funds invested. Sector index total value dollar amounts are based on an initial hypothetical investment of $100,000 on May 12th, 2025. MovieNewsPro and/or its publisher may own stock or have interest in the companies mentioned. We are not licensed investment advisors and our information should not be used as investment advice. Invest wisely.
🏆 Upcoming Film Festivals
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czechia - July 4-12
FID Marseille, France - July 8-13
Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland - July 8-13
New York Asian Film Festival, US - July 11-27
Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Armenia - July 13-20
Fantasia International Film Festival, Canada - July 17-August 3
Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel - July 17-27
New Horizons International Film Festival, Poland - July 17-27
Waco Independent Film Festival, US - July 17-20
Burgas International Film Festival, Bulgaria - July 19-25
Malaysia International Film Festival, Malaysia - July 19-27
Cinema Rediscovered, UK - July 23-27
Comic-Con, US - July 24-27
Woods Hole Film Festival, US - July 26-August 2
BlackStar Film Festival, US - July 31-August 3
📺 Watch This Tonight
Clueless (1995)
Directed by Amy Heckerling
As if! Go see this legendary comedy while it's in the theaters if you can.
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MovieNewsPro is a film industry news monitoring service. All stories have been previously reported elsewhere and are not exclusive stories to MNP. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of reporting. MovieNewsPro uses a full array of technology to gather information, including machine learning, automation and artificial intelligence throughout its business monitoring, editing and reporting process.
