December 1, 2025 • 7 mins
A Thanksgiving weekend movie preview with Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory. Read Shepherd and Dana McKay are hosting the national show for Thanksgiving week while Ryan Gorman is on vacation.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Sean Robbins is the founder of Box Office Theory and
has a look at Wicked for Good and the other
holiday releases, including Now You See Me, Now You Don't,
the third movie in that franchise. Sean, thanks for joining
us today, so let's start with Wicked for Good. I
guess basically, give us your thoughts.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I read hy Dana, and thanks for having me. You know,
this is certainly a weekend that the entire industry, the
entire movie going population has looked forward to, I think
especially for the past year since the first Wicked has
blew away the world and have this incredible run both
in theaters and has developed an even longer life on
(00:40):
streaming since then. It's become a true phenomenon, and a
lot of fans of the Broadway play have been excited
to see this feature film conclusion. But I think there's
also a new audience out there that the movies have
introduced have been introduced to, and I think especially a
younger audience and a lot of families that will turn
out not just this weekend, but three Thanksgiving and through
(01:00):
the holidays. So it's definitely a big turnaround for the
box office overall after a pretty slow October historically speaking.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, I got to be honest, I actually haven't seen
any of the Wicked movies. I haven't seen the Broadway show.
I'm a big fan of the original Wizard of Oz,
and it's almost like I'm afraid to kind of see
what they've done with it. But it's become so so,
so so popular.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yeah. Absolutely, And I think that you're definitely not alone.
You know, the Wizard of Oz has been intending generations
for so long, and there are a lot of people
who maybe have heard of the Wicked Broadway play, but
they never got a chance to see it. And I
think that these movies are going to carry on that
torch from the Wizard of Oz to the play and
now through these films among other things that have been
(01:42):
associated with the ip with the franchise for years. So
it's definitely a generational type of event, all right.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Don't want to do any spoilers here, Sean, don't get
me wrong, But I've seen the trailer and I see Dorothy,
and I see a little ball ug called Toto, I
see a scarecrow. How much of the Wizard of Oz
are we going to see in this movie?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That's a great question, and no spoilers. I will honestly
say I have not seen the second film yet myself.
I'm going this weekend. However, that being said, from what
I have heard, I don't think it'll be a whole lot,
but it'll be just enough to kind of whet the
appetites of fans who want to see those references.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
What are the critics saying about Wicked for Good? I'm
seeing that some of the reviews maybe haven't been quite
as glowing this time around. Am I seeing that right?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, it's interesting. I think there are certainly we look
at critics responses, we look at audience responses. I'll be
very fascinated to see what that audience reception is. It
does sound like critics were not quite as glowing as
they were in the first film, but still generally positive. Overall.
We'll see what is in store when movie going audiences
(02:56):
get a chance to voice their opinion. Sometimes there is
a divide, and you know it just don't always agree
with critics. So that'll be certainly an important factor to
watch for in the sequels box office run.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
And what about Zutopia too? My son, my daughter, we
love the original Zootopia. That came out in twenty sixteen.
What are you hearing about Zoutopia two.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
That's another one that I think families are really eager for.
It has been a while since a big animated film
was in theaters. A few have come out here and there,
but really the last major studio animation was The Bad
Guys Too in late August, and you know, while that
was successful in its own right, a Disney animated sequel
at Thanksgiving is just kind of a tradition at this point.
(03:38):
It's when a lot of their biggest hits have opened.
It's around the timeframe. But the Frozen films played in
years recently, and I think you certainly Milana to last
Year opened at the same exact Thanksgiving window. Zutopia two
comes into a market that is starved for a big
animation family movie, especially once people have seen Wicked, or
maybe for the families that are out there who are
(04:00):
more interested in have younger kids that might be a
little too young for Wicked. Dutopia is going to be
the perfect option. And certainly, you know, just as a
sequel to a really beloved original movie from about eight
or seven years ago, I think there's anticipation to see
what Disney can do with this next chapter. So I
would look for big, big results at the box office
for that one as well.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We're talking to Sean Robbins, the founder of Box Office Theory,
about the holiday box office releases. The one that I'm
waiting for is Now You See Me, Now You Don't,
the third installment in the Four Horsemen saga. What are
you expecting from that movie? I'm really excited about this one.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Yeah, you know, that one's what we usually look at
as what's called a counter programmer in the industry. When
a big film comes out, like we could like Utopia,
there need to be other films in the market. And
Now You See Me as the perfect example of that
because it's this fun thriller, you know, slide of hand
magic film that has this ensemble cast. They're bringing back
(05:01):
the veterans like Jessie Eisenberg, like Woody Harrelson, and they're
also introducing some newer cast members, which I think is
going to aid in the appeal from not just adults,
but you know, perhaps young adults as well, having that
younger cast, and I think it's just going to be
that fun type of movie that's that's out there in
the marketplace and in movie theaters over the holidays to
really serve as you know, the other option if people
(05:23):
want to go and see more than one movie, if
they don't want to just see Wicked or's Utopia. Now
you see me as out there as well as things
like The Running Man and other films.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Are there any movies with a Christmas theme that are
coming out soon?
Speaker 2 (05:35):
That is a great question, and you know there are
years where that happens, and I would say this year
there aren't too many big examples. There are a few
re releases. I know Universal is re releasing Jim Carrey's
how to They're Sorry Christmas? Yeah, yeah, that one almost
a how To Train Your Dragon, but that's not right. Yeah,
(05:56):
that the Grinch films being re released in early December.
You know, I think you know most of the big
Christmas films that tend to get those re releases around now,
like The Nightmare Before Christmas, you know, maybe Christmas Vacation.
Usually they're not necessarily nationwide in every theater, but it
sounds like the Grinch tool will be available pretty widely.
(06:16):
But as far as new films, not really that many
this year to talk about on the calendar I.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Have one last question for you because I saw this
the other day. Now it doesn't come out until June,
but have you seen the trailer yet, speaking of animated
classics for Toy Story five.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yes, I have, and it's a very intriguing idea. It's
certainly very timely. It seems like the toys will be
taking on the new generation of technology that is competing
for children's attention.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yeah, the screens. I just thought the trailer was brilliant.
Have you seen it yet?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Right, I haven't seen it.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
So the new Toy Story five movie, which comes out
on June nineteenth, is it shows all the toys and
all that, and they're just completely shocked and scared, and
then they show a tablet that's like a gift. It's
a tablet that's being taken out of the box, and
it just it hit me, like it really hit me
because I'm like, oh my gosh, like that's what we're
(07:10):
living through right now. So I think it's going to
be an incredible movie. I'm really looking forward to that one.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
All right.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Sean Robbins, the founder of Box Office Theory, thank you
for spending a few minutes with us today to talk
about the holiday box office season Sean, thank you so
much and happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Happy holidays, Dana and Reid, thank you.
Sean Robbins is the founder of Box Office Theory and
has a look at Wicked for Good and the other
holiday releases, including Now You See Me, Now You Don't,
the third movie in that franchise. Sean, thanks for joining
us today, so let's start with Wicked for Good. I
guess basically, give us your thoughts.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I read hy Dana, and thanks for having me. You know,
this is certainly a weekend that the entire industry, the
entire movie going population has looked forward to, I think
especially for the past year since the first Wicked has
blew away the world and have this incredible run both
in theaters and has developed an even longer life on
(00:40):
streaming since then. It's become a true phenomenon, and a
lot of fans of the Broadway play have been excited
to see this feature film conclusion. But I think there's
also a new audience out there that the movies have
introduced have been introduced to, and I think especially a
younger audience and a lot of families that will turn
out not just this weekend, but three Thanksgiving and through
(01:00):
the holidays. So it's definitely a big turnaround for the
box office overall after a pretty slow October historically speaking.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yeah, I got to be honest, I actually haven't seen
any of the Wicked movies. I haven't seen the Broadway show.
I'm a big fan of the original Wizard of Oz,
and it's almost like I'm afraid to kind of see
what they've done with it. But it's become so so,
so so popular.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yeah. Absolutely, And I think that you're definitely not alone.
You know, the Wizard of Oz has been intending generations
for so long, and there are a lot of people
who maybe have heard of the Wicked Broadway play, but
they never got a chance to see it. And I
think that these movies are going to carry on that
torch from the Wizard of Oz to the play and
now through these films among other things that have been
(01:42):
associated with the ip with the franchise for years. So
it's definitely a generational type of event, all right.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Don't want to do any spoilers here, Sean, don't get
me wrong, But I've seen the trailer and I see Dorothy,
and I see a little ball ug called Toto, I
see a scarecrow. How much of the Wizard of Oz
are we going to see in this movie?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That's a great question, and no spoilers. I will honestly
say I have not seen the second film yet myself.
I'm going this weekend. However, that being said, from what
I have heard, I don't think it'll be a whole lot,
but it'll be just enough to kind of whet the
appetites of fans who want to see those references.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
What are the critics saying about Wicked for Good? I'm
seeing that some of the reviews maybe haven't been quite
as glowing this time around. Am I seeing that right?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, it's interesting. I think there are certainly we look
at critics responses, we look at audience responses. I'll be
very fascinated to see what that audience reception is. It
does sound like critics were not quite as glowing as
they were in the first film, but still generally positive. Overall.
We'll see what is in store when movie going audiences
(02:56):
get a chance to voice their opinion. Sometimes there is
a divide, and you know it just don't always agree
with critics. So that'll be certainly an important factor to
watch for in the sequels box office run.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
And what about Zutopia too? My son, my daughter, we
love the original Zootopia. That came out in twenty sixteen.
What are you hearing about Zoutopia two.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
That's another one that I think families are really eager for.
It has been a while since a big animated film
was in theaters. A few have come out here and there,
but really the last major studio animation was The Bad
Guys Too in late August, and you know, while that
was successful in its own right, a Disney animated sequel
at Thanksgiving is just kind of a tradition at this point.
(03:38):
It's when a lot of their biggest hits have opened.
It's around the timeframe. But the Frozen films played in
years recently, and I think you certainly Milana to last
Year opened at the same exact Thanksgiving window. Zutopia two
comes into a market that is starved for a big
animation family movie, especially once people have seen Wicked, or
maybe for the families that are out there who are
(04:00):
more interested in have younger kids that might be a
little too young for Wicked. Dutopia is going to be
the perfect option. And certainly, you know, just as a
sequel to a really beloved original movie from about eight
or seven years ago, I think there's anticipation to see
what Disney can do with this next chapter. So I
would look for big, big results at the box office
for that one as well.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We're talking to Sean Robbins, the founder of Box Office Theory,
about the holiday box office releases. The one that I'm
waiting for is Now You See Me, Now You Don't,
the third installment in the Four Horsemen saga. What are
you expecting from that movie? I'm really excited about this one.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Yeah, you know, that one's what we usually look at
as what's called a counter programmer in the industry. When
a big film comes out, like we could like Utopia,
there need to be other films in the market. And
Now You See Me as the perfect example of that
because it's this fun thriller, you know, slide of hand
magic film that has this ensemble cast. They're bringing back
(05:01):
the veterans like Jessie Eisenberg, like Woody Harrelson, and they're
also introducing some newer cast members, which I think is
going to aid in the appeal from not just adults,
but you know, perhaps young adults as well, having that
younger cast, and I think it's just going to be
that fun type of movie that's that's out there in
the marketplace and in movie theaters over the holidays to
really serve as you know, the other option if people
(05:23):
want to go and see more than one movie, if
they don't want to just see Wicked or's Utopia. Now
you see me as out there as well as things
like The Running Man and other films.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Are there any movies with a Christmas theme that are
coming out soon?
Speaker 2 (05:35):
That is a great question, and you know there are
years where that happens, and I would say this year
there aren't too many big examples. There are a few
re releases. I know Universal is re releasing Jim Carrey's
how to They're Sorry Christmas? Yeah, yeah, that one almost
a how To Train Your Dragon, but that's not right. Yeah,
(05:56):
that the Grinch films being re released in early December.
You know, I think you know most of the big
Christmas films that tend to get those re releases around now,
like The Nightmare Before Christmas, you know, maybe Christmas Vacation.
Usually they're not necessarily nationwide in every theater, but it
sounds like the Grinch tool will be available pretty widely.
(06:16):
But as far as new films, not really that many
this year to talk about on the calendar I.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Have one last question for you because I saw this
the other day. Now it doesn't come out until June,
but have you seen the trailer yet, speaking of animated
classics for Toy Story five.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yes, I have, and it's a very intriguing idea. It's
certainly very timely. It seems like the toys will be
taking on the new generation of technology that is competing
for children's attention.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yeah, the screens. I just thought the trailer was brilliant.
Have you seen it yet?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Right, I haven't seen it.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
So the new Toy Story five movie, which comes out
on June nineteenth, is it shows all the toys and
all that, and they're just completely shocked and scared, and
then they show a tablet that's like a gift. It's
a tablet that's being taken out of the box, and
it just it hit me, like it really hit me
because I'm like, oh my gosh, like that's what we're
(07:10):
living through right now. So I think it's going to
be an incredible movie. I'm really looking forward to that one.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
All right.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Sean Robbins, the founder of Box Office Theory, thank you
for spending a few minutes with us today to talk
about the holiday box office season Sean, thank you so
much and happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Happy holidays, Dana and Reid, thank you.
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