Tag: Warner Bros

As Super Bowl LX approaches on February 8, 2026, Hollywood’s usual Big Game marketing frenzy looks different this year. Some of the biggest names in film; Netflix, Apple Original Films, Sony, and Warner Bros. etc  are reportedly opting out of traditional Super Bowl advertising for their upcoming releases.

The move is striking because for decades, the Super Bowl has been the ultimate stage to debut movie trailers, with over 100 million viewers tuning in worldwide. Traditionally, a well-timed Big Game spot can spark massive social media buzz, drive trailer views, and generate early ticket sales. But this year, these studios are taking a different path.

Reports confirm that Netflix is skipping Super Bowl ad slots for its upcoming films, while Apple Original Films is also sitting out, favoring other promotional channels. Sony Pictures will not be buying movie ad space during the Big Game, and Warner Bros. is absent as well, despite its history of high-profile Super Bowl campaigns. Instead of spending millions on 30-second TV spots, these studios are focusing on digital-first marketing, using online trailers, social media campaigns, and targeted fan events to reach audiences without the massive price tag.

Not all studios are sitting on the sidelines. Disney, Universal, and Paramount are expected to lead the Super Bowl film marketing charge this year, with trailers for major blockbusters. Fans can anticipate promos for Toy Story 5, The Mandalorian & Grogu, and Super Mario Galaxy, among others. This split shows a strategic divide in Hollywood, with some studios viewing the Super Bowl as an essential launchpad while others are betting on digital-first campaigns and extended hype-building.

Several factors explain the shift. Skyrocketing costs make a 30-second Super Bowl ad increasingly expensive, with average prices hitting $8 million, not including production or talent fees. Digital platforms like YouTube and social media allow studios to reach their audiences more precisely. Meanwhile, many franchises are adopting strategies that favor sustained hype through social campaigns, trailers, and exclusive previews rather than relying on a single broadcast moment.

Even without Netflix, Apple, Sony, and Warner Bros. participating, the Super Bowl will still feature high-profile trailers and teasers. For studios that do advertise, the game remains a chance to set the tone for their biggest releases of the year. The takeaway is clear: Hollywood is experimenting with where, when, and how to reach audiences. The Super Bowl remains important, but it is no longer the automatic marketing must-have for every studio.

Warner Bros. Discovery has officially announced a global 25th anniversary celebration for Harry Potter, marking 25 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first film in the iconic franchise.

The year-long celebration, scheduled for 2026, will feature cinema re-releases, global fan events, immersive experiences, special merchandise, and studio tour activations, reinforcing the franchise’s enduring cultural and commercial impact.

Released in 2001, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone introduced audiences to the wizarding world and went on to launch one of the most successful film franchises of all time. Over eight films, the series grossed more than $7.7 billion worldwide, becoming a defining cultural moment for an entire generation.

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the 25th anniversary celebration is designed to honour both long-time fans and a new generation discovering the films for the first time.

As part of the anniversary rollout, Warner Bros. Discovery has outlined several global activations:

• Butterbeer Season: A travelling Butterbeer experience will appear in select cities worldwide, offering themed drinks, merchandise, and fan activities.
• Harry Potter’s Birthday (July 31): Official celebrations tied to Harry’s birthday will take place across Harry Potter retail locations and partner venues.
• Back to Hogwarts Campaign: The annual fan celebration will be expanded in 2026 as part of the anniversary programme. These events are expected to run across North America, Europe, Asia, and other major markets.

One of the centre pieces of the celebration will be the global theatrical re-release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The film is scheduled to return to cinemas between August 27 and September 3, 2026, with screenings featuring previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage, offering fans a deeper look at how the original film was made.

In addition, selected locations will host “Shared Reality” immersive screenings, blending the movie with enhanced visual elements for a more interactive viewing experience.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will also mark the milestone with a special anniversary feature running from May to September 2026.

Visitors will be able to explore original sets, props, and costumes from the first film, with new exhibits highlighting the early creative decisions that shaped the franchise.

Warner Bros. Discovery will roll out 25th anniversary-branded merchandise throughout 2026, featuring a commemorative logo inspired by the magical imagery of the films.

Major global brands, including LEGO, Loungefly, Crocs, Hallmark, and others, are set to release special collections. Exclusive items will also be available at official Harry Potter stores in cities such as London, Tokyo, and across the United States.

Netflix has publicly stated that Warner Bros. movies will continue to be released in theaters, even as discussions and reports around a potential Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery deal continue to dominate Hollywood conversations.

The announcement has sparked industry-wide debate, not because Netflix supports theatrical releases but because of how it plans to approach them, and what that approach could mean for the long-term future of Warner Bros. films.

Netflix’s Commitment to Theatrical Releases

Netflix executives, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos, have emphasized that the company has no intention of removing Warner Bros. movies from cinemas. According to Netflix, theatrical releases remain an important part of Warner Bros.’ identity and value as a studio.

This statement is significant. Netflix built its reputation on a streaming-first model, often giving films limited theatrical runs before moving quickly to digital release. Warner Bros., on the other hand, is one of Hollywood’s most historically theatrical studios, responsible for major cinema franchises and box-office-driven storytelling.

By committing to theatrical releases, Netflix is signaling that Warner Bros. movies will not become streaming-only titles.

What “Staying in Theaters” Really Means

While Netflix says Warner Bros. films will remain in cinemas, industry observers note that traditional theatrical windows may change.

Instead of long exclusive cinema runs lasting several months, Warner Bros. movies could follow a shorter theatrical window before becoming available on streaming. Netflix has previously described long windows as outdated and not consumer-friendly.

This suggests a future where:

• Warner Bros. films still premiere in cinemas
• Theaters remain part of the release strategy
• Streaming access may arrive earlier than in the traditional model

For audiences, this could mean faster access at home. For cinemas, it raises questions about box-office sustainability.

What This Means for the Future of Warner Bros. Movies

1. Warner Bros. Keeps Its Big-Screen Identity

Warner Bros. has built its legacy on theatrical storytelling from franchise films to prestige cinema. Netflix’s position indicates that the studio’s cinematic DNA will remain intact, at least in the near future.

This matters for filmmakers who still design movies for the big screen and for audiences who value the theatrical experience.

2. A Hybrid Release Model Becomes the New Normal

Rather than choosing between theaters and streaming, Warner Bros. movies may increasingly follow a hybrid release strategy debuting in cinemas, then transitioning more quickly to Netflix.

This approach could redefine how success is measured, shifting focus from box-office totals alone to a combination of:

• Theater performance
• Streaming engagement
• Global audience reach

3. Franchise Films Face a Turning Point

Major Warner Bros. properties  including long-running franchises  could be most affected. These films traditionally rely on extended theatrical runs to build cultural impact and revenue.

If theatrical windows shrink, Warner Bros. may need to rethink:

• Marketing strategies
• Budget expectations
• How blockbuster success is defined in a streaming-driven era

A Defining Moment for Warner Bros. and Hollywood

Netflix’s pledge to keep Warner Bros. movies in theaters is more than a reassurance; it represents a transitional moment for Hollywood.

If the strategy succeeds, Warner Bros. could become the model for how legacy studios survive in a streaming-first world without abandoning cinema. If it fails, it may accelerate the decline of traditional theatrical dominance.

Either way, the future of Warner Bros. movies is likely to look different; not absent from theaters, but reshaped by a changing entertainment economy.

The battle for Hollywood is officially a corporate battle. Just days after Netflix appeared to win the bidding war for major parts of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), rival bidder Paramount Skydance has escalated the fight, launching a bold hostile takeover bid for the entire company.

Led by CEO David Ellison, Paramount Skydance is now going over the WBD Board of Directors’ heads and taking a massive, all-cash offer directly to WBD shareholders. This dramatic move throws the entire future of two media giants and the streaming world into immediate uncertainty.

The Heart of the Battle: The Bidding terms

The core of the dispute lies in what is being bought and how much it’s worth.

The Netflix Deal (Currently Board-Approved)

What it Buys: Only WBD’s Studio and Streaming assets, including the Warner Bros. film studio, HBO, and HBO Max.

What is Left Out: WBD’s Global Networks (like CNN and TNT) would be spun off into a separate, new company.

Value: Roughly $27.75 per WBD share in a mix of cash and Netflix stock.

The Paramount Skydance Bid (Hostile Offer)

What it Buys: The Entire Warner Bros. Discovery Company, keeping the film studios, streaming services, and the Global Networks together.

Value: $30.00 per share in all cash.

Total Enterprise Value: An impressive $108.4 billion, including WBD’s current debt.

Paramount Skydance argues that its offer is superior and more certain for shareholders, delivering an estimated $18 billion more cash than the complicated Netflix proposal.

Why the Hostile Move? The Strategy Behind the Bid

When a company goes “hostile,” it means the existing management and board have rejected the offer, so the bidder must appeal directly to the owners the shareholders to force a sale.

Paramount Skydance is pushing three main arguments to convince WBD shareholders to reject the Netflix deal:

• More Cash, Less Risk: The $30.00 per share is a higher price, and the all-cash structure removes the risk and complexity of receiving volatile Netflix stock as part of the payment.
• Regulatory Advantage: Paramount argues that a Netflix-WBD deal which would merge two massive content libraries and streaming subscriber bases would face intense and lengthy antitrust scrutiny from regulators. A Paramount-WBD merger, being smaller, might have a “quicker path to completion.”
• Keeping the Company Together: Paramount believes that keeping all of WBD’s assets together (studios, streaming, and cable networks) provides a stronger, more stable business, arguing the separate “Discovery Global” company created by the Netflix deal would be saddled with uncertainty.

What Happens Next?

The hostile bid signals that this fight is far from over. Paramount Skydance has formally launched a tender offer that is set to expire in January 2026.

About a month ago, Hollywood was shaken when the announcement was made that the Ellison family backed Paramount Skydance’s plans to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery. If the deals go through, Paramount ($18.6B) and David Ellison will become the kings of Hollywood, sitting on Warner Bros.’ ($42.3B) valuable IP.

In the early hours of October 12, it was reported that Warner Bros. had rejected Paramount Skydance’s acquisition price, stating it was too low per share.

According to Bloomberg, Paramount’s initial bid of $20 per share was not attractive to Warner Bros. Discovery despite its stock price being around $17 on Friday’s market close.

David Ellison will allegedly re-evaluate his bid, looking for additional funds and backing while taking his bid directly to WBD shareholders.

This will be Ellison’s second big move in Hollywood this year. Earlier this year, David Ellison’s Skydance completed its merger with Paramount at $8 billion. Skdance Media is now the parent company to Nickelodeon, MTV, CBS and more, including properties like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek.

Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to split into two companies (Warner Bros. the Studio and Discovery Global for all the TV properties); companies like Paramount, Skydance, and Netflix are in a bidding war to acquire all of its properties, with more expected to announce their interest in the coming months.