Category Archives: Business

Wicked: For Good was Wickedly Good and Topped the Weekend Box Office

Wicked: For Good

Wicked: For Good was the top film at the weekend box office by a wide margin. The movie grossed an estimated $150 million domestically and $76 million internationally for a debut weekend of $226 million. That improves upon the first film which grossed $112 million domestically its opening weekend and then went on to gross just under $475 million domestically and $758.7 million worldwide. Will the sequel cross the billion dollar mark? It’s possible the film could be frontloaded with fans who saw the first and want to see the second half which could result in a tumble. But, with the holiday weekend coming it should do well though faces a challenge with Zootopia 2 opening this week.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t dipped to second place with an estimated $9.1 million, a 56.6% drop from the opening weekend. It has now grossed $36.8 million domestically in two weeks. It over doubled its internal debut take with $55.2 million over the week to bring its international gross to $109.4 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $146.2 million.

Predator: Badlands held on to third place with $6.3 million to bring its domestic gross to $76.3 million. Over the week, the film grossed $13.3 million internationally to lift that to $83.3 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $159.6 million.

The Running Man dropped to third place with $5.8 million domestically where it has grossed just $27 million after two weeks. Internationally, the movie added $10.1 million over the week to bring that to $21.3 million and a worldwide gross of $48.3 million.

Rounding out the top five was Rental Family which grossed $3.3 million domestically.

In other comic related movies…

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc added $600,000 to its domestic total which is now $42.5 million. Over the week, it grossed $8.4 million internationally and now stands at $131.5 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $174 million.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie – Infinity Castle grossed about $100,000 domestically over the week and now its total is just under $134 million. Internationally, the movie has grossed $527.7 million. Its worldwide gross is just under $661.7 million.

Initial numbers has 50 movies grossing $182,031,713 from 27,347 theaters for an average of $6,656.37. That compared to last week’s 66 movies grossing $73,872,102 from 37,074 theaters for an average of $1,992.56.

CRWN Studios Expands Into Distribution

CRWN Studios

CRWN Studios, a logistics and publishing services company based in Portland, Oregon, is expanding its operations to include distribution. After more than a decade supporting independent publishers, artists, and creators with manufacturing, crowdfunding fulfillment, and e-commerce infrastructure, CRWN is now bringing that same capability to publishers seeking wider retail reach.

This expansion positions CRWN as a full-service partner for publishers and independent creators who want to enter both the U.S. and U.K. trade markets while retaining control of their audience, catalog, and financial terms.

As part of this move, CRWN Studios has hired Terry Helman (formerly of Diamond Book Distributors), who joins as Director of Sales. Helman will oversee sales strategy and publisher relations, drawing on decades of experience with graphic novels, comics, and tabletop/RPG categories.

Several former Diamond Book Distributors clients including Living the LineGoodman GamesPegamoose Press, and Lionwing Publishing have already signed on with CRWN for distribution, alongside publishers who previously partnered with CRWN for direct fulfillment, such as Dragons & BeastiesArchmage StudiosRoll for Combat, and independent creators Marie EngerSimon RoyDon AustinTavis Maiden, and many more to soon be announced.

CRWN Studios has already begun servicing retail and wholesale accounts across the U.S. and U.K., with support for all major book retailers and a new direct-order portal for comic shops, bookstores, hobby retailers, and specialty stores. Warehousing, catalog management, fulfillment, and trade logistics are all operated from CRWN’s Portland facility.

As part of onboarding, new distribution clients are integrated into Firebrand Technologies for title management and ONIX data feeds, with review copies available via Edelweiss, and print and digital catalogs launching in 2026.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Wins the Weekend Box Office with a Series Low

Now You See Me: Now You Don't

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t took the top spot at the weekend box office, but did it with the lowest debut of the trilogy of films. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t opened with an estimated $21.3 million domestically and $54.2 million internationally for a worldwide opening of $75.5 million. That domestic opening is the lowest for the series.
Now You See Me opened in 2013 with $29.4 million and went on to gross $117.7 million domestically and $351.7 million worldwide. Now You See Me 2 in 2016 debuted with $22.4 million at the domestic box office and went on to gross $65.1 million domestically, $269.8 million internationally, and $334.9 million worldwide. With this film’s third film being a bit under the second film’s debut, there’s a good chance it’ll have a similar run though likely to fall short of that worldwide with some tough competition coming in the next few weeks.

The Running Man debuted in second place with $17 million domestically and $11.2 million internationally for a worldwide debut of $28.2 million. It’s hard to compare this one to 1987’s original which debuted with $8.1 million domestically and went on to gross $38.1 million domestically with no international gross reported, but this can’t be considered good. But, let’s be honest, Stephen King adaptations have a very shaky history at the box office.

Predator: Badlands dropped 67.5% to come in third place in its second week after debuting in first. The movie grossed $13 million to bring its domestic total to $66.3 million. Internationally, it grossed $30 million over the week to bring that to $70 million for a worldwide gross of $136.3 million.

Regretting You slipped to fourth place from second with $4 million domestically where it has now grossed just under $45 million. Internationally, it grossed $18.4 million over the week to bring that to $37.5 million for a worldwide total of $82.5 million.

Black Phone 2 wrapped up the top five with $2.7 million domestically to bring that to $74.7 million. Over the week, it grossed $9.8 million internationally to bring that total to $53.1 million. Worldwide it has grossed $127.7 million.

In other comic related movies…

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc dropped to ninth place. It added $1.6 million to its domestic total which is now $41.2 million. Over the week, it grossed $7.1 million internationally and now stands at $127.1 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $168.3 million.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie – Infinity Castle grossed $186,000 domestically over the weekend and now its total is at $133.9 million. Internationally, the movie has grossed $596.1 million. Its worldwide gross is just under $730 million.

Initial numbers has 66 movies grossing $73,872,102 from 37,074 theaters for an average of $1,992.56. That compared to last week’s 67 movies grossing $81,327,290 from 37,309 theaters for an average of $2,179.83.

IDW Announces Three New Hires and Two Promotions

From the sewers of New York to boldly exploring strange new worlds, IDW Publishing has big plans for 2026. And, as everyone knows, building comics takes teamwork. IDW has announced new talented people to the company while also recognizing the hard work of two exceptional employees.

Left to right: Jake Thomas, Darran Robinson, Corey Wells, Ryan Balkam, Cassandra Jones. Art by Megan Levens

Jake Thomas joins the team as Group Editor. With 11 years at Marvel and four years at Humanoids, Jake brings his passion for comics to the TMNT line while also supporting other lines, like GODZILLA and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG.

IDW proudly welcomes Darran Robinson and Corey Wells to the company. As Art Director, Darran will focus primarily on designs, logos, and much more for various IDW comics and projects. He worked at DC for almost eight years, and also worked on design projects for Disney, WWE, Activision, and more. As Fan Engagement Coordinator, Corey will expand IDW’s community engagement through social media, videos, events, and much more. Corey’s previous experience includes working in comic book shops (Fantom Comics, Showcase Comics) and TKO Studios.

Ryan Balkam has been promoted from Speciality Sales Manager to Director of Sales. With more than two years of experience at IDW, Ryan will focus on sales analysis, publishing and retailer strategies, and much more. During his time at IDW, he heavily promoted TMNT’s best-selling relaunch, crafted the hit TMNT #13 blind bag program, and built the engaging Whatnot partnership.

Cassandra Jones received a promotion from Editorial Assistant to Associate Editor. With almost two years at IDW, Cassandra will continue to help craft and coordinate comics from the STAR TREK and MONSTER HIGH lines, as well as select horror comics from the IDW DARK imprint.

Predator: Badlands Takes the Trophy of First Place at the Weekend Box Office

Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands was top of the box office in its debut weekend with an estimated $40 million domestically. It earned the same amount internationally for a worldwide debut of $80 million. It’s a petty solid opening for the nearly 40 year old franchise.

  • Predator (1987) – $12 million domestic opening, $59.7 million domestic, $98.3 million worldwide
  • Predator 2 (1990) – $8.8 million domestic opening, $30.7 million domestic, $57.1 million worldwide
  • Alien vs. Predator (2004) – $38.3 million domestic opening, $80.3 million domestic, $177.4 million worldwide
  • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) – $10.1 million domestic opening, $41.8 million domestic, $130.3 million worldwide
  • Predators (2010) – $24.8 million domestic opening, $52 million domestic, $127.2 million worldwide
  • The Predator (2018) – $24.6 million domestic opening, $51 million domestic, $160.5 million worldwide

Now, the question is how much the film has as far as legs to see if it can top previous worldwide grosses.

Regretting You held on to second place with $7.1 million domestically to lift that total to $38.6 million. Internationally, the movie grossed $19.1 million of the week to bring that to $32.4 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed just under $71 million.

Black Phone 2 dropped to third place from first last weekend with $5.3 million. Domestically, the movie has grossed $70.1 million since its debut. Over the week, it grossed $7 million to bring its international total to $50.3 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $120.4 million.

Sarah’s Oil debuted in fourth place with $4.5 million domestically.

Nuremberg debuted in fifth place with $4.1 million domestically.

In other comic related movies…

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc dropped to sixth place. It added $3.6 million to its domestic total which is now $38 million. Over the week, it grossed $11.8 million internationally and now stands at $120 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $158 million.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie – Infinity Castle grossed $275,000 domestically over the weekend and now its total is at $133.5 million. Internationally, the movie has grossed $457.8 million. Its worldwide gross is at $591.4 million.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps remained at $274.3 million domestically. Internationally, it has grossed $247.6 million. Worldwide, the movie is at $521.9 million.

Initial numbers has 67 movies grossing $81,327,290 from 37,309 theaters for an average of $2,179.83. That compared to last week’s 70 movies grossing $57,345,639 from 44,146 theaters for an average of $1,299.

Crunchyroll adds Titan Books to its Digital Library

Crunchyroll Manga

Crunchyroll Manga has now partnered with Titan Books to bring subscribers even more titles to its growing manga library, including ATOM: The BeginningBurst AngelKamen Rider KuugaCorpse BladeSpeed Grapher, and more.

Titan Books joins other celebrated publishers, including AlphaPolis, COMPASS, Square Enix, VIZ Media, and Yen Press, with more to come in the future, making manga even more accessible than ever before all together in one ultimate service. 

See the complete list of Titan Books now available to read on Crunchyroll Manga below:

  • ATOM: The Beginning 
  • Burst Angel
  • Corpse Blade
  • Cosmic Censorship
  • Dopeman
  • Farewell, My Odin
  • Gamma Draconis
  • Hen Kai Pan
  • Kamen Rider Kuuga
  • My Name Is Zero
  • Outsiders
  • Ryuko
  • Shadows of Kyoto
  • Sherlock
  • Somali and the Forest Spirit
  • Speed Grapher
  • Sword of the Titans
  • The Elegant Courtly Life of the Tea Witch
  • The Godless World of Onee-Chan
  • The Great Yokai War: Guardians
  • The Poetry of Ran
  • Toxic Super Beasts
  • Villain Actor
  • Welcome to Ghost Mansion
  • Working for God in a Godless World
  • Yan

Launched on October 9, Crunchyroll Manga is a premium add-on service that lets fans dive into hundreds of comics created in Japan. The ad-free experience is available to read across iOS and Android apps, as well as on Crunchyroll.com/manga. 

Funko announces Concerns and Uncertainty if It’ll Survive Another Year

Funko

Funko, once the 800lb gorilla in collectibles has painted a bleak picture and future after a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

During the second quarter of 2025, Funko dropped $41 million from the previous quarter. It’s loss was just under $1 million in the third quarter but in the same period in 2024 the company saw an $8.9 million profit. The year over year revenue has dropped from $292.8 million to $250.9 million year-over-year. The losses are coming from the United State market, where the company once had its strongest customer base. It’s a stunning change in just one year.

In its SEC filing, the company said there was substantial doubt about its ability to continue for the next twelve months. The company has negotiated terms on multiple outstanding loans after earlier losses.

There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to pressure on our financial covenants arising from the current tariff retail environment and potentially insufficient working capital and potential non-compliance with other covenants as defined within the Fourth Amendment, as defined herein.

In connection with preparing the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2025, management evaluated the Company’s future liquidity, forecasts of the expected effects of announced tariffs and other facts and conditions, and ability to comply with the covenants under the Credit Agreement, and determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.

Multiple factors have been given as to the company’s troubles. The retail environment including a slowing of restocking, lower inventory levels, and orders being canceled. Tariffs have also impacted things and reduced net sales and margins. Tariffs have also cooled spending by consumers. Tariffs are mentioned 28 times in one of the filings consisting of 131 pages.

We are subject to risks related to the retail industry including, but not limited to, potential negative impacts of global and regional economic downturns, changes in retail practices, and our ability to maintain and further develop relationships with our retail customers and distributors.

The effects of recently implemented tariffs, and the potential imposition of modified or additional tariffs or export controls by other countries, continue to have an adverse effect on future net sales, margins and profitability. The Company anticipates continued supply chain challenges, cost volatility, and consumer and economic uncertainty due to these rapid changes in global trade policies.

Current macroeconomic factors remain very dynamic, including greater political uncertainty, new or increasing tariffs and general uncertainty over U.S. trade and tariff policies, unrest or instability in the United States, Central and Eastern Europe (including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War), the Middle East (including the Israel–Hamas War), and certain Southeast Asia regions as well as financial instability, rising interest rates and heightened inflation that could reduce our net sales or have impacts to our gross margin (as defined below), net income and cash flows.

There’s also speculation the company has flooded the market with too many releases from too many properties. There’s only so much consumers can buy, stores can stock, and collectors can display.

Joe Simon, the company’s new CEO, did have a positive tone noting an improved third quarter with sales meeting internal expectations and gross margin exceeding projections. Simon highlighted the company’s Bitty Pop! line as well as the new strategy on rapid product launches to take advantage of trending pop culture moments. They are also focusing on growing markets not impacted by tariffs.

We are reviewing strategic alternatives. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any strategic alternative, that any such strategic alternative will result in additional value for our stockholders or that the process will not have an adverse impact on our business.

Funko is exploring multiple options including the sale of the company as well as other changes to address its financial challenges.

  • Monitor the pricing strategy and minimize increasing costs.
  • Gain a positive cash flow through cost reductions and increasing the sales of higher margin products.
  • Raise additional cash through the issuance of equity or debt or assessing potential amendments.

The collapse of Funko might have a ripple effect as Gamestop has seen growth in its collectible vertical including Funko as well as numerous pop-culture stores which have relied on the product line. Gamestop saw a  63% year-over-year increase in Q2 2025 collectible sales.

BOOM! Studios Gets the Publishing Rights to My Little Pony

My Little Pony

BOOM! Studios has announced that it has licensed from Hasbro the publishing rights to the longtime fan-favorite IP that taught us all the friendship is magic, My Little Pony.

Teased at New York Comic-Con 2025, fans can look forward to all-new stories in the My Little Pony universe coming from BOOM! Studios in late 2026, along with a BOOM! Direct Reserve Campaign collecting the previous runs of My Little Pony comics launching on Kickstarter early 2026.

BOOM! announced they received the license for Jem and the Holograms in October, around New York Comic Con. Both were previously at IDW Publishing which also had the rights to G.I. JOE, M.A.S.K., and Transformers, all three are now at Skybound.

Sweet Shop Launches the Beta of its Digital Comic Store with 24 Publishers

Sweet Shop

Sweet Shop is one step closer to launching its destination for comics and manga readers of all ages and interests. The company launched an invite-only beta, with apps pending approval in app stores, featuring a diverse selection of titles from 24 leading publishers across the industry.

There’s a comic book for everyone and Sweet is focused on giving readers all the tools they need to find it. Features available at launch include in-app purchases, offline reading, and the ability to download DRM-free PDFs, among others.

Soon users will also have the ability to give and receive recommendations, access sales and bundles, create reading lists, and more.

Sweet Shop was launched without venture capital money and has vowed it will not accept AI comics.

The 24 publishers are:

Image Comics
IDW Publishing
Dark Horse Comics
Oni Press
Fantagraphics
Magma
Kodansha
Mad Cave Studios

Good Trouble Comics
Panick Entertainment
Devil’s Due Studios
WhiteAsh Comics
Manga Mavericks Books
Ignition Press
Ablaze
Improper Books

Silver Sprocket
Glacier Bay
Second at Best Press
Invader Comics
Avery Hill
Rekcah
Alien Books
Living the Line

TokyoPop Expands E-Commerce Strategy to Include Canada

TokyoPop

Publisher TokyoPop has announced the availability of products ordered directly through its website to fans and readers in Canada. This marks an expansion of its e-commerce strategy and includes a broad catalog of manga, light novels, art books, and branded merchandise. You can browse all of items currently available at their website.

Canadian fans also will be able to participate in all TokyoPop website promotions and contests.

TokyoPop publishes an extensive array of manga including acclaimed titles offered under its LoveLove imprint as well as licensed graphic novels and manga inspired titles for franchises by Ubisoft, Capcom, Disney, and forthcoming releases by Mattel.

TokyoPop has also debuted a new line of branded merchandise that includes advent calendars, playing cards, SD figurines and tote bags based on popular anime, manga, and manhwa properties including Attack on Titan, Dr. Stone, Fairy Tail, Tokyo Ghoul, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Sword Art Online, On or Off and Star Crossed. These are available for direct purchase from its website.

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