logo
episode-header-image
Jul 22
17m 31s

Did kids movies save Hollywood?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Films for children and young adults are giving a major boost to cinemas. The recent A Minecraft Movie smashed records, making $301 million globally in its opening weekend - the biggest ever for a video game adaptation.

In 2024, Inside Out 2 led the global box office earning $1.69 billion, followed by Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda.

Now, film studios are following these trends; fast-tracking sequels, producing more animations, and adapting popular video games into stories geared towards family audiences.

We speak to film producers, box office analysts and cinema operators about the strategies behind this shift and its impact on the industry.

If you'd like to contact the show, send an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet

(Picture: General view of a roadside billboard along the Sunset Strip promoting A Minecraft Movie, in April 2025, in West Hollywood, California, US. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Yesterday
Small country: Big tariffs
We head to Switzerland, a small but very successful country with a population of just 9 million.And now coping with some of US President Donald Trump’s highest tariffs. In August the original threat of 31% tariffs was raised to 39%. Two months on, efforts to negotiate with Washin ... Show More
17m 30s
Oct 7
Should we expect more airline delays?
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing.But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays?Presented and produced by Rus ... Show More
17m 28s
Oct 7
The cost of a shutdown
For the first time in nearly seven years, federal operations have been drastically curtailed as the US government shuts down. As it enters a second week, we look in detail at how the collapse in funding for government services is affecting America at large - from the Federal work ... Show More
19m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
The Return of Religious Films to Hollywood
Christian filmmakers have surprised Hollywood with a series of box office hits and now investors are pouring in millions. WSJ’s John Jurgensen explains how their successes could change the entertainment industry. Further Reading:  - Religious Movies Are Sweeping Hollywood. Rich I ... Show More
22m 12s
Jul 11
Hollywood legend Barry Diller opens up via ‘Who Knew?’
Kim Masters talks to Barry Diller about his memoir, Who Knew? The legendary studio exec reflects on his quick rise at ABC and how helped transform the third-ranked broadcast network into a force to be reckoned with. He also remembers a much happier time at Paramount, where he pre ... Show More
30m 1s
Aug 12
Risk, Reward, Repeat: Why Neon CEO Tom Quinn Bets Big on Bold Films
Neon couldn't burn any brighter than it is now. The film production and distribution company acquired the rights to six consecutive Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival: Parasite (2019), Titane (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Anatomy of a Fall (2023), Anora (2024), ... Show More
38m 37s
Aug 2024
‘Sing Sing’ director Greg Kwedar models pay equity; streamers still struggle
Kim Masters and Matt Beloni discuss Hollywood’s second quarter earnings reports. Disney turned an early profit for streaming service ESPN+, but amusement park attendance still worried Wall Street. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery cites struggling TV business for $9 Billion loss. ... Show More
43m 59s
Nov 2024
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY — George Miller makes one for the grownups
The first BABE was a family-friendly megahit. So for the sequel, why did director George Miller thrust his sweet porcine hero into a family-unfriendly nightmare?  Host Rico Gagliano takes a trot down the mean streets of BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, telling the story of its rise and box ... Show More
35m 5s
Aug 2024
Peter Jackson: Lord of the Films
How did Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson become one of only four filmmakers worth a billion dollars, and one of just three billionaires from New Zealand? BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng find out how a childhood obsession with movies led to a boom ... Show More
46m 21s
Jul 15
Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA?
Despite being, ya know, Hollywood, more and more movies and TV shows are shooting outside of Tinseltown. Dozens of U.S. states and many countries offer subsidies for film production. This has drawn filmmakers away from L.A. and led to historically low levels of shooting activity ... Show More
9m 17s
Mar 2025
The Four Hottest Topics Around Town: ‘Mickey 17’, Warner Bros., Trump, and Apple TV+
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the hottest narratives around town and give their optimistic and pessimistic views of each. These narratives include: Hollywood is catering its content to Trump’s audience, movies like ‘Mickey 17’ leaving theaters so quickly are ... Show More
33m 26s
Apr 2025
‘A Minecraft Movie’ Is the Most Important Movie of the Year So Far. And These Flicks Are the Best …
Sean and Amanda cover the absolute box office phenomenon ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ a video game adaptation starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. They explore the event film of the year and discuss why the theatergoing experience of the film is such a great thing for the industry at lar ... Show More
1h 30m
Apr 2025
The birth of Bollywood movies
Millions of people around the world love to watch the magical, musical, dance-filled films from India. The industry is nicknamed Bollywood. And its roots go back over 100 years, to a silent, black and white movie made by a man named Dadasaheb Phalke. Join Joy and co-host Senna as ... Show More
27m 12s