This week on the Boxoffice Podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk review The Conjuring: Last Rites, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and Caught Stealing while breaking down box office results and previewing upcoming releases like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. They also discuss the shifting release calendar through 2027 before Daniel sits down with Julien Marcel, CEO of Cine Group and publisher of Boxoffice Pro France, to unpack Canal+’s acquisition of UGC and its impact on French and global exhibition.

Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro 

01:01 Movie Recaps: Conjuring Last Rites & Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

03:59 Review of Caught Stealing (Austin Butler)

07:02 Box Office Results: Conjuring Last Rites Record-Breaking Debut

12:01 Hamilton Finally Hits Theaters

15:03 Upcoming Release Preview: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle

18:17 Anime Momentum: Chainsaw Man & Sony’s Strategy

19:19 Release Calendar Shifts (2026–2027: Paw Patrol, Superman, Bluey, Star Wars, Spider-Verse, Shrek 5)

22:43 Summer 2027 Tentpole Lineup

23:39 Sponsor Message

24:02 Interview with Julien Marcel (UGC & Canal+ Deal)

25:02 UGC’s Role in French Exhibition & Distribution

26:18 Canal+ Background & Strategic Integration

28:18 French Media Windows & Canal+ Influence

30:00 Fragmented Ecosystem & Succession in French Exhibition

33:02 Outlook: French/US Pipelines, Cinema Innovation & Challenges