Something To Celebrate: Chicago's Music Box Theatre & Studio Ghibli
Independent theaters that invest in curating thoughtful, distinctive films are increasingly rare, yet they're essential to the cinematic landscape.
It's Friday, June 27th. Here's what's happening.
🍿 Today's Take
The ongoing challenges facing the movie theater industry have been well documented (particularly in our previous coverage at MovieNewsPro). To briefly recap: studios and streamers are quickly releasing films directly to home audiences, coinciding with the rapid decline in cost of high-quality, large-format televisions. It's a great time to watch movies at home.
At the same time, multiplexes have become saturated with repetitive reboots and formulaic superhero franchises, leading to a sense of audience malaise in the marketplace. This is a serious problem for movie theater owners. As we reported Tuesday, in a recent report, half of theater exhibition execs believe that the cinema business has less than 20 years left.
However, there are reasons for optimism if you know where to look. The Music Box Theatre in Chicago is an oasis for movie lovers in a desert of tired old studio fare. Music Box is currently hosting a 40th-anniversary celebration of Studio Ghibli, presented in collaboration with the Japanese Arts Foundation. The Destination Ghibli: Celebrating 40 Years festival begins today and runs through July 3rd. This historic venue—with its expansive screen and commitment to film presentation—is featuring many of Ghibli’s most acclaimed works, including many in 35mm.
Independent theaters that invest in curating thoughtful, distinctive, and culturally enriching films (such as the Music Box in Chicago) are increasingly rare, yet they're essential to the cinematic landscape. If you're in Chicago, or have access to an arthouse or independent theater in your area, please support these institutions. Movie houses like Music Box are cultural gems and deserve to be celebrated.
🎥 Extras
Arthouse/indie fave Kino Lorber has launched a new streaming service on The Roku Channel. (IndieWire)
Sony Pictures has struck a three-year overall deal with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company Artist's Equity. (ScreenDaily)
Amazon MGM Studios has inked a deal with Sony Pictures for international distribution starting with Luca Guadagnino's After The Hunt. (TheWrap)
💼 Job Opportunity
Creative Development Executive
Apple Original Films
(HollyList)
Disclaimer: We do not verify the accuracy or availability of posted job opportunities, nor do we receive compensation. They are simply positions we find interesting. Be careful, be smart and good luck!
📈 Movie Stock Index
Market Close: Friday, June 27th, 2025
Total Value: $110,225.93
Today's Change: $2,034.30 (1.91%)
Total Gain/Loss (Since 05/12/25): $8,361.66 (8.36%)
Studio/streaming tech company Cineverse (14.83%) roared today after reporting earnings in the morning. The movie index as a whole advanced today, up $1,864.25 (1.72%). We're up $10,225.91 (10.23%) since May 12th.
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
Doc Edge Film Festival, New Zealand - June 18-July 31
Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, US - June 18-28
Brussels International Film Festival, Belgium - June 20-28
Mediterrane Film Festival, Malta - June 21-29
Biarritz Film Festival Nouvelles Vagues, France - June 24-29
Docs Ireland, Ireland - June 24-29
Palm Springs ShortFest, US - June 24-30
Nantucket Film Festival, US - June 25-30
Oak Cliff Film Festival, US - June 26-29
FilmFest Munich, Germany - June 27-July 6
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
📺 Watch This Tonight
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Classic Miyazaki, with breathtaking visuals and complex characters that you can invest in.
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Disclaimer/Transparency
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.
