Box Office Buzz: 'Mother Mary' Surges, 'The Mummy' Falters; CinemaCon Debates Release Windows and Warner Bros.' Strategy

Variety · 2026-04-20
Box Office Buzz: 'Mother Mary' Surges, 'The Mummy' Falters; CinemaCon Debates Release Windows and Warner Bros.' Strategy

Hollywood's box office is seeing a mixed bag of results, with "Mother Mary" emerging as a promising new contender while "Lee Cronin’s The Mummy" struggles to find its audience. This weekend’s performance highlights audience preferences, as established hits like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Project Hail Mary" continue their strong runs. Meanwhile, CinemaCon in Las Vegas buzzed with industry-shaping discussions, particularly concerning theatrical release windows and the future strategies of major studios like Warner Bros. Brent Lang of Variety reported on these trends, noting the ongoing tension between traditional exhibition and the growing influence of streaming platforms. The industry is navigating a complex landscape, balancing the financial imperatives of production with the desire for both original storytelling and the allure of established franchises, all while adapting to evolving audience viewing habits.