🎬 Netflix Finally Opened Up... 👀

👋 Good morning! Welcome aboard the Dailies.

Whether you're a seasoned subscriber or a new arrival, we're thrilled to have you here. Twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, we'll deliver the most important industry scoops directly to your inbox.

🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Netflix Unlocks the Box

• Disney And Netflix Streaming Shuffle

• Paramount's Big Decision

• Japan's Cinematic Milestone

• Last Looks 👀: Bite-sized scoops on developing stories/projects

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

• Martini Shot 🍸

PLUS, stick around ‘til the end of the email to see how you can win a FREE 1-year subscription to the Criterion Collection. 👇

But first, it’s Thursday, so let’s take a look at what people were watching this week… 👀

MOST STREAMED THIS WEEK

📊👀 Netflix Unlocks the Box: Netflix, breaking away from its usual secrecy, has for the first time unveiled viewership data for 99% of its catalog, revealing insights into over 18,000 titles globally. The report, spanning January to June 2023, aims to provide a clearer picture of audience preferences, beyond the Top 10 lists. This move, hailed as a significant leap in transparency, comes after pressure from Hollywood guilds for more openness in streaming data. The report, unique in its comprehensive nature, still raises questions about methodology and the true measure of content success.

🎥🌐 Disney And Netflix Streaming Shuffle: In a bold move, Disney is licensing all seasons of 'Grey's Anatomy' from Netflix, for its upcoming Disney “one-app.” This marks the medical drama's first appearance on a Disney streaming platform, since the show has been exclusive to Netflix for quite some time. In return, Netflix is securing a window on 14 Disney series, including favorites like 'Lost' and 'This is Us', as part of a licensing deal. This strategic play sees Disney and Netflix reshaping the streaming landscape, offering classic series alongside new hits, signaling a savvy balance between exclusive content and shared licensing.

🎥💼 Paramount's Big Decision: Sell Up or Break Apart? Paramount Global is at a major crossroads. Shari Redstone, who's in charge of the show but not day-to-day, is mulling over a huge choice – either sell off Paramount lock, stock, and barrel, or just part ways with her controlling stake through National Amusements Inc. There have been some talks with the likes of Skydance Media's David Ellison and Gerry Cardinale from RedBird Capital. With Paramount facing a bit of a pickle, thanks to declining ad revenue and a streaming side that's bleeding cash, splitting it up might be the answer. Analysts speculate that the break-up could unlock significant value, but the road ahead is anything but clear in today's topsy-turvy media landscape.

🇯🇵🎥 Japan's Cinematic Milestone: In a groundbreaking moment for Japanese cinema, two films, Hayao Miyazaki's ‘The Boy and the Heron’ and Takashi Yamazaki's ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ made U.S. box office history by simultaneously securing top 3 spots. Studio Ghibli's ‘The Boy and the Heron’ set a new record for GKIDS with a $12.3M opening weekend, while ‘Godzilla Minus One’ clinched third place with $8M in its second weekend. This milestone, achieved during a period typically quiet for Hollywood releases, highlights a growing appetite for diverse, international content among U.S. audiences and signifies a potential shift in cinematic trends, echoing historical shifts like those seen in the 1970s.

Development 🗒️

• Netflix secures a new heist comedy starring Ryan Reynolds. (more)

• Amazon MGM Studios secures the spy thriller 'Best of Enemies,' starring Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale. (more)

• Lena Dunham's new Netflix romantic comedy ‘Too Much’ will star Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe. (more)

• Prime Video greenlights 'Obsession,' a series adaptation of Catherine Ryan Howard's novel '56 Days.' (more)

• Nicolas Cage wraps filming for the psychological thriller 'The Surfer' in Australia. (more)

• Uma Thurman is set to join Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi in ‘Oh, Canada.’ (more)

• Marvel Studios announces ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ animated series. (more)

• Amazon MGM Studios is developing Lucy Score's bestselling romance novel 'Things We Never Got Over.' (more)

• Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, and Aidan Gillen have been cast in Allan Ungar's action comedy ‘London Calling.’ (more)

• Netflix and See-Saw Films are producing 'Apple Cider Vinegar,' a series about wellness scams, starring Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Aisha Dee. (more)

• Dwayne Johnson is set to lead in the MMA biopic 'The Smashing Machine,' directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24. (more)

• Naomi Scott is set to star in the upcoming sequel to Paramount Pictures' successful horror film 'Smile.' (more)

• Sony secures global theatrical distribution for Apple Original Films' 'Wolfs' with George Clooney and Brad Pitt, and 'Project Artemis' starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. (more)

Releases 📅

• Focus Features announces a May 10, 2024, release for the Amy Winehouse biopic 'Back to Black.' (more)

• Netflix's ‘Bridgerton’ S3 is set to return in two parts, with Part 1 premiering on May 16 and Part 2 on Jun. 13, 2024. (more)

• Kristen Wiig's new comedy series ‘Palm Royale’ on Apple TV+ set to debut on Mar. 20. (more)

• ‘Saw XI’ is set for a fall 2024 release. (more)

• Universal announces an Oct. 25, 2024 release for Blumhouse's ‘Wolf Man,’ starring Christopher Abbott. (more)

✅ Renewed & Canceled ❌

• ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ is renewed for S2 at Netflix. (more)

• ‘Love Is Blind’ is renewed for S6 and S7 at Netflix. (more)

• ‘Hightown’ will end with S3 on Starz. (more)

Business 🤝

• Amazon MGM Studios and Alan Ritchson's AllyCat Entertainment strike multiyear first-look film deal. (more)

• David Oyelowo secures a first-look deal with Apple TV+. (more)

• Steven Yeun and producer Christina Oh launch Celadon Pictures, focusing on developing feature films and television projects. (more)

Other News 🚨

• The Critics Choice Awards 2024 nominations have been announced. (check them out 👉 here. 👈)

• Jonathan Majors' domestic abuse case sees release of digital evidence, including a 911 call and bodycam footage, to the public. (more)

• Netflix is expanding its gaming slate with 86 titles by year-end, including new games based on familiar IPs like ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ and ‘Squid Game,’ among others. (more)

What to watch this weekend? 👀

THEATRICAL 🎥

• Wonka: Timothée Chalamet plays a young Willy Wonka in this ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel.

• American Fiction: Comedy-drama starring Jeffrey Wright.

• Zone of Interest: Jonathan Glazer’s historical drama based on the 2014 novel of the same name.

STREAMING 📺

• The Family Plan: (Apple TV+) Mark Wahlberg’s latest action-comedy.

• Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget: (Netflix) Stop-motion animated comedy sequel to ‘Chicken Run’ (2000).