Where Have All The Comedies Gone?
For indie filmmakers trying to break into the business, this lane looks wide open.
Welcome to MovieNewsPro for Wednesday, July 9th. Here's what you need to know.
🎬 Today's Take
Released back in 1959, Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis is widely regarded as one of the best comedies, if not THE best comedy ever made. With a fast paced script and tight direction from Billy Wilder, it was snappy, witty without being mean-spirited, and sexy.
Comedies were king during the golden age of Hollywood, and while their popularity has ebbed and flowed over the years, they've often been seen as a smart return on investment. They usually don’t require massive sets, large casts, spectacular explosions, stunts, or special effects. And when they hit, they really hit: The Hangover Part II brought in $586 million worldwide, according to The Numbers.
But let’s face it—that's not what theater audiences are being offered these days, or at least not what studios are greenlighting. According to the excellent Price Point Substack by Roy Price, comedies have accounted for only 1.9% of the box office so far in 2025. That’s a steep drop from the steady 15–20% share seen from the mid-’90s up until COVID.
Some may quibble with the data and argue that kids films (Lilo and Stitch, Minecraft, Minions, etc) count as comedies too (and maybe they do). But in my view Hollywood execs are still ignoring a golden opportunity: smart comedies with a dash of sex appeal. They might not make movie stars like Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis anymore, but I have still have faith that comedies can make a comeback. For indie filmmakers trying to break into the business, this lane looks wide open.
🎥 News Around Town
Turner Classic Movies' operations unit will be spun off into Warner Bros.' new global operations unit. However David Zaslav will retain creative control over TCM's programming and strategy. (IndieWire)
New Filmmakers LA is offering grants to filmmakers at any stage of the production process. (IndieWire)
Sony Pictures has hired a new Senior VP of Domestic Sales, Ross Klein. Klein comes over from Paramount. (Deadline)
Even though the Paramount/Trump deal may be settled, there are still plenty of gray clouds surrounding the merger of Paramount and Skydance. (Variety)
📈 Movie Stock Index
Market Close: Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
Total Value: $113,235.68
Today's Change: $976.68 (0.87%)
Total Gain/Loss (Since 05/12/25): $13,235.65 (13.24%)
Theater chains struggled (Cinemark, Imax and Marcus all closed in the red) but the movie stock index still closed up 0.87%. Cineverse (7.70%) and Starz Entertainment (6.10%) continue to shine, and they helped drag the index into the positive.
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
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
Directed by William Friedkin
The homoeroticism is off the charts, Willem Dafoe is at his best, and the Wang Chung soundtrack is killer.
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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.
