Original Content Pops…well, duh
We never thought we’d put “Sinners” and “Heated Rivalry” in the same sentence, but in many ways, their surprising successes make them the poster children for original content popping in 2025. Perhaps an overused buzzword, a slew of “original” movies and television series broke through the long-running programs and countless sequels and reboots. Besides the afforementioned Warner Bros. Discovery releases, original films such as “Marty Supreme,” “Weapons,” “One of Them Days,” “Materialists,” “Friendship,” and “The Monkey” all popped in theaters while original series such as “Pluribus,” “The Studio,” “The Beast In Me,” “Paradise,” “Adolescence,” “Task,” and, “The Pitt,” proved that breaking conventions can lead to massive viewership on the small screen.
What’s Next: You never truly know what’s going to hit, but 2026 will seeAlejandro Iñárritu and Tom Cruise’s “Digger,” Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” David Robert Mitchell’s “Flowervale Street,” Boots Riley’s “I Love Boosters,” and Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!,” among others, look to breakthrough in theatrs. Episodic players looking to break the mold include Apple TV’s“Widow’s Bay,” Richard Gadd’s “Half Man,” and “DTF St. Louis” with Jason Bateman and David Harbour.
Pop Stars take sides as Sydney Sweeney survives a “genes” PR nightmare
It all started with a jeans ad at the end of July. “Euphoria,” “White Lotus” and “Anyone But You” star Sydney Sweeney has long said she loves jeans and wears them all the time. Her ad for American Eagle found the actress discussing how genes are passed down to parents’ offspring and determine physical traits. And then, the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Unfortunately, a lot can be read into that statement, whether you believe it was intentional or not. The political controversy it sparked only grew as Sweeney stayed silent on the issue for months. She was even quiet after Trump came out in support of the jeans ad’s “message.” In November, things somehow got worse for Sweeney after she conducted what was supposed to be a clarifying interview with GQ. The interview was conducted on video, so nothing could be misconstrued, but Sweeney came across as indifferent to the controversy, calling Trump’s remarks “surreal” and remarking, “When I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.” Her blank stare at the interviewer even became a meme. In December, with the controversy not dying down, she had to clarify her stance once more, saying she was “against hate” and that “many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.” Sweeney, whose family appears to be more ideologically conservative, has long kept her own political views silent. Many actors have done that over the past 18 months as the nation endured a fraught election cycle. A decidedly different environment from 2020, when most talent publicly stated what issues or candidates they supported or who they were against. Many actors have kept their political beliefs quiet this year. Even the outspoken Jennifer Lawrence wondered if her previous comments hurt her career (um, no, Jennifer, they did not). Things are decidedly different in the music industry, where many pop stars aren’t keeping quiet. Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Chappell Roan, among others, have been quite vocal about their anger over the new administration’s policies. On the flip side, Nicki Minaj came out as a MAGA supporter in what many believe is an attempt to secure a pardon for her husband, a convicted sex offender.
What’s Next: Sweeney appears to have a breakout hit on her hands with“The Housemaid” and will return for“Euphoria’s” final season this spring. Expect more stars across the industry to become more vocal as the midterm elections get closer.
California gets its tax credit act together as international options steal business
Give credit where credit is due. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law doubling the state’s tax credit to $700 million a year on July 2. Less than six weeks later, the first round of funding was allocated to a slew of television programs. Film allocations were awarded weeks later. The program seems to be a success so far, with several television shows moving their new seasons to CA from other states and over 30 independent features getting assistance. Other states, including Georgia, New Jersey, and New York, have been increasingly competitive (the former increasing its allotment to $800 million in May) as productions head overseas.
What’s Next: The president still threatens tariffs against films shot overseas, an impossible idea to implement, and industry leaders in California want the state to increase the tax credit even higher.
Oscars go to YouTube, Disney steals the Grammys
Three years. That’s how long the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has to teach viewers how to watch the Oscars on a streaming outlet. As of 2029, the 101st Academy Awards will no longer be available on broadcast television. In a very surprising deal, AMPAS decided to ditch its longstanding partner, the Walt Disney Company and ABC. Oscar’s future now belongs on YouTube. Yes. The Oscars will be available worldwide on one outlet, the streaming video content site, YouTube. Reports vary on whether the Academy received substantially more money to partner with the Google company than its current Disney deal, but it’s known that Disney was hoping for a discount to re-up, considering how the ratings for the ceremony have cratered over the past 15 years.
What’s Next: Lots of jokes on competing awards telecasts, as well as the Oscars itself and months of explaining to older family members that you can watch YouTube on your TV screen. Oh, and don’t feel bad for ABC. They snagged the rights to the more lucrative Grammys from CBS beginning in 2027.
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Bluesky
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Threads
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Instagram
Sign Up For The Breakdown Newsletter
