Ticket to Ride

The Ticket to Riders welcome special guest Scott "Movie" Mantz for a an exciting discussion across a wide range of cinephile topics.  Hear about the making and release of the 1999 horror classic 'The Blair Witch Project', which Mike was involved in distributing during his time at Artisan Films and Scott watched by himself at home one night, from a VCR tape that was handed to him without any further instructions.  The team also breaks down this summer's wide and varied movie releases, which has offered something for everyone.
Scott also introduces his own new podcast series titled "Consider This with Scott Mantz,"  featuring interviews the filmmakers and celebrities behind top new movies that are worthy of consideration for industry awards and classics from the last 30 years that you'll remember, and may want to watch again after you hear what Scott and his guests have to say about them.
Press play and have fun.

Sparks fly as the TTR team lights the fuse on a special Independence Day edition of the podcast. Thaddeus, Mike & Paul discuss the challenge that the holiday presents in terms of making apples-to-apples historical box office comparisons, speculate on the JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH potential weekend & 5-day performance, and walk down memory lane discussing the monumental impact that the first JURASSIC PARK film made on both your hosts and the industry at large.
Press play for more sharp takes, big trends, and a few surprise predictions.

This week, the Ticket to Ride trio time-travels through blockbuster history and lands in Barcelona—literally.
Paul and Thaddeus kick off the episode celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws and reflect on how it rewrote the rules of summer movie releases forever. Mike drops in straight from CineEurope, where he gives us the inside scoop on his time there.
All this, AND more in this episode, which blends nostalgia, industry insight, and optimism for what's next.

In this episode, the Ticket to Ride trio breaks down the Memorial Weekend battlefield and what it means for the summer ahead. With high-stakes titles like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Lilo & Stitch, Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth on the horizon, the crew debates how theaters—and audiences—are navigating the crowd.
Inside the episode:
– Memorial Day Weekend: a crucial litmus test for cinema’s summer momentum
– Opening weekend vs. the long game: why playability might just be the real king
– Marketing muscle, premium formats, and the evolving strategy to win eyeballs
– The fickle audience factor—and how even “can’t-miss” movies still have to fight for attention
– What happens when multiple tentpoles go head-to-head?
– Plus: why strong holdovers might quietly become this summer’s secret winners
Whether you're a studio exec, exhibitor, or box office nerd, this one’s for anyone trying to decode the why behind the what opened big this weekend.

In this episode, the Ticket to Ride goodfellas discuss April's surge in moviegoing, Mike's passion for hockey, how the success of 'Sinners' bodes well for Ben Affleck's upcoming 'Accountant 2' and the sunny outlook for the upcoming summer, which kicks off with a packed release schedule in May.
Inside the episode:
– How 'A Minecraft Movie' turned into an unexpected juggernaut
– 'Sinners' is a prime example of the potential for filmmaker-driven, original content
- Bold choices in release scheduling that paid dividends for studios - see: 'The Hunger Games' gamble to open on March 23, 2012

In Part 2 of our Ticket To Ride Podcast, hosts Paul Dergarabedian (Comscore), Mike Polydoros (Paper Airplane), and Thaddeus Bouchard (ScreenDollars) uncover last week's spectacle that was CinemaCon 2025 —from the significant industry issues like theatrical windows, dynamic pricing, and evolving movie marketing to unforgettable moments like Universal’s live orchestra, Tom Cruise’s surprise appearance, and Disney’s Fantastic Four & Wicked reveals.
We’re also spotlighting the movies that really stole the show—Running Man, Deliver Me From Nowhere, Jurassic World, Avatar, and more.
Big questions. Bold opinions. And the kind of insider takes you won’t hear anywhere else
Listen to Part 1 here: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VM7Zu91juSb
Subscribe for future episodes!
#CinemaCon2025 #TicketToRidePodcast #BoxOfficeDebate #MovieMarketing #TheatricalWindows #TomCruise #SpringsteenBiopic #RunningManReboot #UniversalStudios #ParamountPictures #DisneyMovies #ScreenDollars

In Part 1 of our CinemaCon 2025 recap episode, our electrifying hosts Paul Dergarabedian (Comscore), Mike Polydoros (Paper Airplane), and Thaddeus Bouchard (Screendollars) break down the latest — from everything that happened in Las Vegas, Minecraft’s historic $162M opening, and the most exciting new movie announcements from Sony, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Angel Studios and more.
Whether you were on the ground at Caesar's Palace or following the action from afar, this episode is your all-access pass to the very latest news coming out of the movie business.
Check back TOMORROW to watch Part 2 of our CinemaCon episode for a deep dive into CinemaCon’s biggest surprises.  Also be sure to subscribe to get all our updates on the movies.

#TicketToRidePodcast #CinemaCon2025 #MinecraftMovie #BoxOfficeRecap #Superman2025 #BradPittF1 #SpiderManBrandNewDay #ProjectHailMary #MovieNews #FilmIndustry #ScreenDollars

What keeps your local cinema thriving? If that thought has ever crossed your mind, then join your unabashed hosts Paul Dergarabedian, Mike Polydoros, and Thaddeus Bouchard for a very special episode of the "Ticket To Ride" Podcast, recorded LIVE at CinemaCon 2025, in Las Vegas, where they explore why independent theaters remain the lifeblood of the movie-going experience.

Joining them on this quest are two special guests from Cinema United (formerly NATO - National Association of Theatre Owners), Michael O'Leary (President and CEO), and Colleen Barstow, sharing an inside look at what's shaping the world of cinema and the future of the movie-going experience. From breaking down recent box office trends to personal stories of running indie theaters, this episode delivers genuine insights.

#CinemaCon2025 #BoxOffice #TicketToRidePodcast #MainStreetCinemas #CinemaUnited

When it comes to the box office, ups and downs go with the territory as we’ve watched this year's early advantage over last year take a tumble in the past few weeks.  Your intrepid hosts Paul, Mike & Thaddeus say "Buckle Up, Keep Calm and Carry On," with an optimistic attitude based on the lineup of new movies ahead.  Inevitably, the current dip in ticket sales will correct itself and the rollercoaster car of 2025 will turn upwards, as it always does in this industry.
#BoxOffice #2025Movies #FilmDiscussion #MovieBuff #HollywoodMovies #MovieBusiness #TicketToRidePodcast

Paul, Mike & Thaddeus recap results from Superbowl weekend and look ahead to the promise of a very romantic weekend ahead, with “Captain Paddington” on the schedule for Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend and the possibility to gross $100M+ for only the 2nd time in '25.  Both “Silence of The Lambs” and “Wayne’s World” get a shout out for having the heart to open at the multiplex on February 14th.

#TicketToRidePodcast #Comscore #boxoffice