The year 2025 isn’t quite in the rearview when you’re in the business of awards prognosticating, box office analysis, or podcasting about movies.
“screen Talk” co-hosts Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio’s first episode of the IndieWire podcast does, however, take a look back at the winners and sinners of 2025. Flame-outs from David Zaslav to kogonada with “A Big Bold Stunning Journey” are measured up against highlights from the year, including the Marty Supremacy of Timothée Chalamet or the everywhere-all-at-onceness of Renate Reinsve. For every disappointment like Amazon Studios’ “After the Hunt” came a home run like Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy’s slate of films over at Warner Bros. We rank our picks on this week’s episode.
Warner Bros.’ 2025 Success & the Future of Hollywood: prioritizing Audience & Quality
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The film industry is undergoing a dramatic shift, and a recent analysis by industry observer goetz points to Warner Bros.’ 2025 successes as a potential roadmap for future success. Rather than blaming streaming services for Hollywood’s current challenges, Goetz argues that studios need to refocus on understanding the modern consumer – one who prioritizes quality, convenience, and choice – and are willing to take calculated risks on talent and innovative projects. The key takeaway? “Good” is no longer enough; audiences demand elevated experiences.
Warner Bros.’ Winning Formula in 2025
goetz specifically highlighted Warner Bros.’ strong performance in 2025,crediting De Luca and Abdy for taking risks that resonated with audiences. Their slate included a diverse range of films: “A Minecraft Movie“, “Sinners”, “One Battle After Another”, “Weapons”, the latest “Superman” film, “Final Destination: Bloodlines“, and “The Conjuring: Last Rites“.
Goetz emphasized that this success wasn’t accidental. It stemmed from a intentional focus on what the audience wanted.He believes the lesson for other studios is a combination of “guts and banking on talent and making smart budget decisions.” This suggests a willingness to greenlight projects that deviate from established formulas, coupled with strategic investment in both creative personnel and financial planning.
The Consumer is in Control: Beyond Blaming Streaming
Contrary to popular narratives,Goetz doesn’t believe the rise of streaming services caused Hollywood’s current woes. Rather, he praises Netflix for being the first to truly “listen to the consumer.” This observation is crucial. the power dynamic has shifted.
as goetz succinctly puts it,people no longer go to “the movies”; they go to a movie. Similarly, they don’t watch “TV networks”; they watch a show. This highlights a essential change in consumption habits. Audiences are no longer passively accepting what’s offered; they are actively seeking out specific content that meets their needs and desires.
A New Era for Film: Elevated Experiences & Changing Habits
Goetz predicts a significant evolution in the film landscape. He believes the frequency of theatrical releases will decrease, with audiences becoming more selective about which films they choose to experiance in cinemas.
“There are evolutions.They are going to see far fewer films. The films they are going to see are the ones that are elevated. They are experiences,” Goetz stated, citing “Sinners“,”Wicked: For Good“, and “Oppenheimer” as examples.
He identifies three key factors driving audience behavior:
* Cost: The overall expense of going to the movies (tickets, concessions, transportation) is a significant consideration.
* Convenience: The ease of accessing content at home through streaming services is a major draw.
* Choice: The sheer volume of available content provides audiences with unprecedented control over their entertainment options.
Quality is the New standard
The success of films in 2025 underscored a critical point: “quality is the new table stakes.” Goetz argues that the definition of “great” has evolved. Simply being “good” is no longer sufficient to capture audience attention. Films must offer something truly remarkable – a compelling story, stunning visuals, innovative concepts, or a unique emotional experience – to justify the time and expense of viewing.
Interestingly, despite the changing landscape, Goetz’s film testing business continues to thrive, demonstrating the ongoing need for studios to understand audience reactions and refine their projects before release.
Listen to the podcast in the episode below.