Ticket to Ride: Recent Episodes
Paul Dergarabedian and Mike Polydoros
Join Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian and Cinema Marketing Agency President and Co-founder Mike Polydoros as they share an insider’s view of the business of Hollywood. Each week they break down and discuss the current trends, challenges and opportunities facing today's media marketplace.
Paul & Mike, after a one month hiatus, are back with a quick 20 minute feast of Thanksgiving and holiday box office bites including a recap of a very crowded Thanksgiving frame and a look ahead into the December movie marketplace.
This week Paul and Mike are live in front of the Showeast convention as they review the box office year to date. They are then joined by Neon's Elissa Federoff or B&B Theatres Brock Bagby to discuss the current state of the industry along with the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
A Swift-centric special episode finds Paul & Mike pondering this weekend’s results with a clear front runner for the top spot on the chart. TAYLOR SWIFT / THE ERAS TOUR is already taking the box office by storm with massive pre-sales and the potential for a blockbuster style $100M plus domestic debut. With no clear comps for the Swift film, the entire industry is playing the speculation game, but no question the real winner here are the movie theaters whose relevance and revenue generating power are on full display this weekend.
This week Paul and Mike discuss how, despite a down weekend, 2023 continues to bounce back nicely. They also discuss the impact that the WGA settlement may have on the release schedule and on the overall box office for the year.
This week Paul & Mike discuss the never ending appeal of the horror genre, the chances of a $9B+ domestic year and the electrifying effect that the "Taylor Swift Eras Tour" movie will have on the box office.
In this episode Paul & Mike discuss National Cinema Day and the impact it had on the weekend. They look at what made Summer 2023 a $4 Billion bonanza at the box office and how will the industry hold on to the momentum in light of release schedule challenges. They also have breaking news about a live podcast that is coming up!
Paul and Mike return after a two week hiatus to begin a new chapter of bi-weekly episodes and what an explosive weekend to ring in this new podcast era. After many weeks and countless tweets, the same day debuts of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” set off a chain reaction of moviegoing for the ages and we are there to breakdown the data, the coverage and the long term implications of this historic weekend for movie theaters.
This week Paul and Mike discuss the ebb and flow of a normal box office cycle and why this past week was pretty typical. They also take a look at why is so important to keep expectations in check when projecting opening weekend box office. They wrap up the show by looking ahead to a busy July and August at the multiplex.
Paul and Mike are joined by Sarah Timlick, Director of Sales Distribution & Development at Elevation Pictures to join in on the box office recap fun and then as an interviewee to offer expert insights on the Canadian movie landscape, her love of pop culture and movies with a special nod to “The Godfather.”
In addition to looking back over another Transforming Summer Box Office Weekend, Paul and Mike are joined by Alamo Drafthouse Chief of Staff and Strategy and Will Rogers Board President, Heather Morgan. Heather discusses her career path, what makes Alamo so unique in the Cinema Space and why Will Rogers is such an important charity.
This week Paul and Mike discuss the amazing debut of SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE and they examine what makes the SPIDER-MAN Franchise one of the most beloved in all of film history. They also discuss what to expect in the coming weeks from some of the most anticipated films of the summer and also spend some time discussing real life superhero Bruce Willis.
Paul and Mike discuss the dominance of “The Little Mermaid” over Memorial weekend and the importance of having a diverse slate of films (including four other notable newcomers) that along with the holdovers collectively represented a ‘something for everyone’ lineup of films in the Top 10.
This week Paul and Mike are joined by Cinema Foundation President and NATO Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jackie Brenneman who discuss the impact that movie theatres make not only in regards to film but to communities as well. They also discuss the challenges that the industry has recently faced and the opportunities that lie ahead. Paul and Mike also discuss the longevity of the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise and what the overall Summer Box Office may mean for the year 2023.
This week Paul and Mike discuss the strong second weekend hold of GOTG Vol 3 and how that is a pure reflection of audience enthusiasm for this well-reviewed film. The hosts also talk about indie film successes this past weekend and look ahead to “Fast X” and “The Little Mermaid” that are on the way in the month of May.
This week Paul and Mike discuss the summer movie season as it kicks off with the debut of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” adding yet another $100M opening to the MCU track record and the prospects for what could be a return to the glory days of a $4B summer for movie theaters with an amazing lineup of films on the horizon.
In Part 2 of this special episode, Paul & Mike take on a topic so big it required its own franchise. Listen in as the pair run through the highlights of an incredible week in Las Vegas while taking an in-depth look at each of the studio presentations, industry buzz and notable revelations that happened at the Super Bowl for movie theaters that is CinemaCon.
In Part 1 of this special episode, Paul & Mike take on a topic so big it requires a sequel as they run through the highlights of an incredible week in Las Vegas while taking an in-depth look at each of the studio presentations, industry buzz and notable revelations that happened at the Super Bowl for movie theaters that is CinemaCon.
In episode 23 of the Ticket to Ride podcast, Paul & Mike are live from the CinemaCon's Tuesday Night Poolside Party to breakdown the first couple of days of a statement convention where the studios are bringing the goods. They are joined by a couple of surprise guests including CinemaCon Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser.
This week Paul & Mike (aka Mario & Luigi) are spellbound by the historic second weekend hold of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" as it races toward membership in the 'billion-dollar club' while being equally impressed by the incredible diversity of genres represented on the movie marquee this past weekend. Meanwhile, as the industry prepares for next week's movie industry Superbowl that is the CinemaCon movie convention in Las Vegas, the pair discuss the YTD domestic box office tally that continues to mushroom week after week.
This week Paul and Mike discuss not only the tremendous record setting opening for SUPER MARIO BROS: THE MOVIE, but the over performance of the entire marketplace in general. In addition to SUPER MARIO, they discuss the success of AIR along with the great playability of both JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 and DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HERO AMONG THIEVES. They also take a look at the year to date and what that might mean for the box office year of 2023.
This week Mike is on the road and called in somewhere between Nashville and Cincinnati to discuss all things SUPER MARIO as it looks to be a big Easter windfall. Paul and Mike also discuss how DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS broke through just the fanboys and how the theatrical marketplace is shaping up nicely.
This week Paul and Mike start off by discussing MGM Distribution President Erik Lomis, his legacy and impact on the theatrical world. They then look back at the record breaking JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 weekend and the Wick franchise going forward. And finally, they welcome their 5th Beatle as CNBC’s Sarah Whitten joins them to discuss the state of the theatrical industry after the first quarter of 2023 and more importantly her expert pre-viewing take on DUNGEONS & DRAGONS!
This week Paul and Mike discuss how the theatrical marketplace is continuing to move back into a more “normal” cycle and how not every movie is destined to over achieve but that doesn’t mean theatres are in trouble. And to that point, they look ahead to what is shaping up to be a record opening for JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
Paul & Mike discuss the still lingering (but misguided) sentiment by some outside of the industry that theatrical exhibition is a dying business despite all evidence to the contrary. Strong overperformances by the latest installments from venerable movie franchises and renewed excitement surrounding the Oscars® demonstrate that the public is more interested in going to the movies than ever before and 2023 is indeed shaping to be a great one for theaters.
March Madness starts early as this week Paul and Mike discuss this weekend’s championship performance by CREED III. They are then joined by Producer Paul Brooks (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING and PITCH PERFECT Franchises) to discuss his next film, CHAMPIONS, which opens this Friday.
Following up on their interview last week with Kingdom Story Company President Brandon Gregory, Paul and Mike discuss how JESUS REVOLUTION and COCAINE BEAR provided much needed counter programing as the marketplace (along with ANT-MAN) was able to support 3 different types of films. They also take a quick look ahead at what looks like a very robust Month of March.
This week Paul and Mike are joined by Brandon Gregory, President of the Kingdom Story Company, which have produced such films as I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, I STILL BELIEVE, AMERICAN UNDERDOG and this weekend’s THE JESUS REVOLUTION. They discuss moviemaking in the faith marketplace and how Brandon’s love of cinema brought him to this place in his journey.
Paul & Mike move the discussion downfield and kickoff the episode with a shout out to the enormity of James Cameron's unprecedented achievement of having two $2 billion films released nearly 30 years apart sharing the weekend spotlight. Also, things are about to get MARVELous as "Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania" is set to make its debut this week and the duo discuss the importance of managing opening weekend expectations and focusing on the long game when it comes to the box office.
Listen in as Paul and Mike are joined by their very first interview guest, Scott “Movie” Mantz as they discuss the Oscar® nominees, predictions, and preferences as well as an in-depth recap of Scott’s impressions of the Sundance Film Festival and the top movies he screened while in Park City. Scott Mantz is a top Film Critic, Host, Q&A Moderator, Press Award Winner & Emmy-Nominated Producer.
Despite no new “wide” releases, this weekend at the Domestic Box Office more than doubled revenue of the same frame in 2022. Paul and Mike discuss this as well as the return of the Oscar® bounce, films that held the top spot for multiple weeks in history, a Bollywood success story and how the decision to move the industry to digital cinema almost 20 years ago paid off big this weekend.
This week Paul and Mike discuss the potential Oscar Best Picture nominees plus this weekend’s really strong crop of holdovers (including a 6th straight weekend at over $20 million for AVATAR: WAY OF WATER) and what the continued success of movies like A MAN CALLED OTTO and PLANE may mean for the long-term health of the North American Box Office. They also discuss what obscure Box Office facts tie James Cameron, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Saldana together.
This week Paul & Mike geek out over the better-than-expected box office results for the MLK holiday weekend as there was literally something for everyone at your local theatre. However, they simultaneously temper their unbridled optimism for the rest of the year with some fact-based analysis of where things sit after the first 2 weeks of the year. Also, Paul challenges Mike to a "M3GAN" viewing contest.
This week Paul and Mike examine the great opening for M3GAN and discuss the long history of the success of horror films at the box office. They also take a look at AVATAR: WAY OF WATER and debate the chances of the film overtaking TOP GUN: MAVERICK for the top spot for 2022. They wrap up the episode by looking at January 23 vs. January 22 and why there is continued optimism for the box office.
This week Paul and Mike discuss which films were naughty and which ones were nice at the holiday box office. They also take an in-depth look at AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER and where the total global gross could wind up as well a look at January 2023 vs. January 2022 in theaters and what we might expect moving forward in the New Year.
Paul and Mike talk about long running time films and the good old days when Mike managed a movie theater in Westwood, California which was a hub of moviegoing and where Paul spent his teen years going to the movies and also the perils of dealing with 35MM film prints, reels and platters!
Listen in as Paul and Mike discuss the weekend results for "Avatar: The Way of Water" and make a friendly wager as to what the film will earn from now through December 31, the importance of the holiday season at the box office and tease a bonus episode for the final week of 2022.
This week Paul and Mike take a look at some of the biggest December Box Office openers and look ahead to where AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER might fit into that group. They also give a quick lesson on box office multiples and why the Holiday Play period is so important. And finally they end the week by doing some Whale watching.
This week Paul and Mike examine the Post-Thanksgiving Weekend and put the numbers into historical context. A violent Santa and vintage Neil Young are under the spotlight as well as the importance of event cinema to theaters. They also take a look ahead to AVATAR: THE WAY OF THE WATER and what is shaping up to be James Cameron’s biggest opening of all time and debate over what is the greatest 3D movie of all-time.
Join Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian and Cinema Marketing Agency PaperAirplane President Mike Polydoros as they discuss the Thanksgiving Weekend at the box office. How did Thanksgiving 2022 stack up against previous years and how is 2023 starting to shape up?
Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian and Cinema Marketing Agency PaperAirplane President Mike Polydoros discuss the current theatrical landscape, and how the lack of Major Studio Content has created an opportunity for Event Cinema. They also look ahead to Thanksgiving weekend and what it could mean at the Box Office.