The dinosaurs have roared back to life at the box office, and Hollywood might finally be catching its breath. This week we're celebrating Jurassic World Rebirth's spectacular performance - a whopping $2.3 million in New Zealand alone and $335 million globally. After months of underwhelming theatrical releases, this prehistoric powerhouse signals what could be a turning point for cinema attendance.

Our prediction battle continues with Brendan extending his winning streak to three consecutive weeks, correctly anticipating the dinosaur phenomenon while Ross played it too safe. But the real story here is how desperately the industry needed this win. We're witnessing what could be the beginning of a theatrical comeback, with James Gunn's Superman following suit by defying toxic pre-release online criticism to earn both critical acclaim and impressive box office numbers. The Man of Steel's successful flight path (83% critics, 93% audience on Rotten Tomatoes) proves quality filmmaking can still overcome social media negativity.

Looking ahead, we explore the nostalgic horror reboot/sequel "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which brings back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. alongside a new generation of hook-fleeing teenagers. For those with more specialized cinematic tastes, we highlight "The Divine Sarah Bernhardt," Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," and the limited-run concert film "Roger Waters: This Is Not A Drill." We close with cautious optimism about upcoming releases like Fantastic Four and Tron: Aries, hoping the current momentum continues. What films are you most excited to see on the big screen? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your movie night photos!

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

Movie theaters find themselves at a fascinating crossroads where critical acclaim doesn't necessarily translate to box office success. Disney Pixar's Elio has become their worst opening film worldwide despite positive reviews, while horror sequel Megan 2.0 and the new Karate Kid reboot similarly struggle to find their audiences. This troubling trend reveals how quickly major cinema chains reduce screenings after just one disappointing week, creating a downward spiral where films become increasingly difficult for audiences to discover.

The New Zealand film industry faces similar challenges. Coca, a powerful Māori story that took its director 20 years to bring to screen, significantly underperformed with just $111,000 in its opening week despite its cultural significance during Matariki. Yet there's hope on the horizon—Tina continues its remarkable run, sitting just $60,000 shy of becoming the fifth highest-grossing New Zealand film ever, compelling theaters to bring it back by popular demand months after initial release.

Looking ahead, Jurassic World Rebirth promises dinosaur thrills for families during school holidays, while October will bring the powerful Pike River mining disaster film that's expected to become this year's second-highest-grossing Kiwi production. For movie lovers seeking variety beyond blockbusters, theaters now offer ballet performances and Broadway-inspired shows. The podcast concludes with a lighthearted crisis—the beloved orange chocolate Jaffas candy is being discontinued, prompting cinema-goers to wonder what sweet treat could possibly replace this iconic movie-watching tradition. Want to support the films you love? Remember that your opening weekend attendance might determine whether a movie survives on screens long enough for others to discover it!

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

Why do critically acclaimed female-led action films struggle at the box office? This question takes center stage as we dig into the surprising commercial failure of "Ballerina," the Ana de Armas-starring John Wick spin-off that opened to a mere $363,730 despite strong reviews. The film's underwhelming performance highlights a troubling pattern for female action heroes on the big screen.

From "Atomic Blonde" to the Alicia Vikander "Tomb Raider" reboot and recent "Mad Max: Furiosa," we examine how these films consistently receive positive critical reception but fail to translate that into ticket sales. What does this mean for upcoming female-led blockbusters like "Jurassic World Rebirth" starring Scarlett Johansson? The disconnect between critical praise and audience support raises fascinating questions about viewer preferences and Hollywood's future direction.

We transition to celebrating Matariki weekend with the release of "Koka," a significant New Zealand film featuring the first feature use of the East Cape iwi Ngati Porou dialect. This road trip drama follows an elder Māori woman and a troubled young delinquent as they journey through the East Cape, confronting personal demons and reconnecting with cultural roots. Horror fans can look forward to Danny Boyle's "28 Years Later," continuing the zombie apocalypse saga three decades after the original outbreak, while families have Pixar's "Elio" to anticipate for the upcoming school holidays.

Join us as we wrap up with box office predictions for "Koka" and reflect on the exciting state of New Zealand filmmaking. Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a dedicated cinephile, there's something for everyone hitting theaters this weekend. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts for weekly updates on all things cinema!

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!