Culture
Every item from Trenri daily that fell into Culture, latest first.
May 2026 Β· 55
Park Chan-wook presides over 79th Cannes opening as first Korean jury president
At the 79th Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony on May 12 at the Palais des Festivals, director Park Chan-wook appeared as the first Korean jury president in the festival's 79-year history. Demi Moore, Chloe Zhao, Stellan Skarsgard, and others joined the jury, which will select the Palme d'Or from 22 competition films by May 23.
Peter Jackson receives honorary Palme d'Or; opening film is The Electric Kiss
Elijah Wood took the stage at the opening ceremony to present Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson with an honorary Palme d'Or. The opening film was Pierre Salvadori's French period comedy La Venus Electrique, or The Electric Kiss, with 88-year-old Jane Fonda and Gong Li declaring the festival open.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 tops Mother's Day weekend for second straight week with $118.8M global
At the North American box office on May 8-10, The Devil Wears Prada 2 held the top spot with $43M domestic and $118.8M global added. Mortal Kombat 2 opened with $63M globally, including $40M domestic, while Michael crossed $240M cumulative in its third week.
K-drama global viewing hours jump 42%; May slate including The Wonder Fools ramps up
According to FlixPatrol, global K-drama viewing rose 42% YoY and now accounts for more than 30% of non-English viewing hours. My Royal Nemesis premiered May 8 and The Legendary Kitchen Soldier on May 11, while The Wonder Fools, starring Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo, is set for May 15 and expected to rank high on global non-English charts.
Billboard Hot 100: Jennie x Tame Impala's 'Dracula' charts for 31st week; BTS album holds No. 5
On the May 6-12 Billboard Hot 100, Ella Langley's Choosin' Texas reached No. 1, while BLACKPINK Jennie's Tame Impala collaboration Dracula held at No. 18 in its 31st charting week. BTS stayed in the Billboard 200 top five for a sixth straight week, with Arirang at No. 5.
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' rules box office two weeks
The Devil Wears Prada 2 added $43M over May 9β10, surpassing $433M globally. Korea saw $1.3M and 195,513 admissions, topping the weekend and hitting $8.2M cumulative since April 29.
Cannes opens May 12, Park Chan-wook as jury head
The 79th Cannes Film Festival runs May 12β23 with director Park Chan-wook leading the jury. Opening film: Pierre Salvadori's French historical drama 'The Electric Kiss'. Peter Jackson and Barbra Streisand receive honorary Palme d'Or.
aespa, BTS, NewJeans May comebacks
aespa returns May 29 with 'WDA|LEMONADE' (G-DRAGON feature). BTS sustains momentum with follow-up track '2.0'. NewJeans teased a surprise May return, breaking pre-order records.
Netflix May slate: 'Lord of the Flies', 'The Boroughs'
Netflix dropped 'Lord of the Flies' (four-part limited series) on May 4; 'The Boroughs' (Duffer Brothers sci-fi thriller) follows May 21. Also coming: 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' season 2 and Rafael Nadal doc 'Rafa'.
NBA Playoffs: Thunder threaten Lakers sweep
Oklahoma City Thunder lead LA Lakers 3-0 in the Western semis; Game 4 May 11 (Prime Video 22:30 ET). New York Knicks swept Philadelphia 76ers in the East; Detroit leads Cleveland 2-1 heading into Game 4.
Mortal Kombat II vs Devil Wears Prada 2 Box Office Battle
New Line's Mortal Kombat II opened to $17 million from 3,503 theaters Friday, in tight weekend contention with 20th Century's Devil Wears Prada 2, both competing for $40β42 million weekend.
Devil Wears Prada 2 Reaches $233M Global; Meryl Streep Comeback Resonates
Meryl Streep's return in Devil Wears Prada 2 opened North America with $77 million and global $233 million, pacing at $143 million cumulative in 10 days, with Mother's Day boost expected.
Michael Jackson Biopic Cumulative $424M Global; Musical Biopic Record Stand
Michael Jackson biopic Michael continues strong momentum with cumulative global approaching $424 million, maintaining musical biopic opening record.
Netflix Remarkably Bright Creatures Released May 8
Sally Field-led Netflix mystery drama Remarkably Bright Creatures, directed by Olivia Newman, debuted May 8 and entered weekend top 10 among 25 new weekly releases (15 films, 10 series).
Ella Langley 'Choosin' Texas' Reclaims Billboard Hot 100 #1 for Eighth Week
Country artist Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' returned to #1 on the May 9 Billboard Hot 100 for week eight, exemplifying 2026 country music strength.
2026 Met Gala Features Mirror Masks, Money Eye Patches, and AI-Inspired Viral Moments
The 5/5 Met Gala generated viral moments including Sarah Paulson's money eye mask, Katy Perry's six-fingered mirror mask, Eileen Gu's bubble dress, and Jordan Roth's mannequin look. An 'AI Met Gala' meme spread across social platforms, including absent celebrities.
aespa Releases LEMONADE Album on 5/29; SYNK World Tour August Launch
aespa will release their comeback album LEMONADE on 5/29 and launch their SYNK: COMPLæXITY world tour beginning 8/7 across five continents. NewJeans is filming a new musical narrative prequel in Copenhagen following their ADOR return.
BTS Arirang World Tour; Seven May U.S. Shows
BTS will perform the Arirang World Tour across seven U.S. dates: May 16-17 and 19 in Stanford, California; May 23-24, 27-28 in Las Vegas. These performances mark symbolic resumption of group-unit activities.
Netflix Achieves 10 Number-One Films in 2026; Apex and Thrash Lead May
Netflix has cycled through 10 number-one films in just the first five months of 2026. Australian outback psychological thriller Apex and hurricane/shark survival film Thrash dominated May's top position.
Variety's May Streaming Highlights Include Wuthering Heights and Send Help
Variety's May streaming selections feature new 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Send Help,' and Sally Field-led 'Remarkably Bright Creatures.' Mother's Day-themed drama dominated May's standout releases.
Devil Wears Prada 2 Delivers $233.6M Global Debut
The film exceeded tracking with a $77 million North American opening, marking the year's second-largest global debut after Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
BTS Track 'Swim' Holds Billboard Global Top Three for Sixth Consecutive Week
BTS continues global chart dominance, with 'Arirang' maintaining presence on Billboard 200 in its sixth week.
Jungkook Becomes First Korean Artist in U.S. Educational Children's Book Series
Jungkook's inclusion in Capstone Brain Candy Books marks a historic milestone for Korean representation in American educational IP.
ADOR Signals Positive Direction in NewJeans' Minji Activity Discussions
ADOR reports that internal negotiations regarding Minji's future activities are progressing favorably.
Conner Storrie and Hudson Williams 'Heated Rivalry' Moment Goes Viral
Fan-engaging spontaneous poses and casual attire moments captured viral social media traction.
Prime Video Launches Citadel Season 2 on May 6
Citadel Season 2 premiered on Prime Video May 6. Global spy IP expansion continues.
Netflix Releases 'Countdown: Rousey vs. Carano' Same Day
Thriller 'Countdown: Rousey vs. Carano' launched on Netflix May 6, generating buzz from star casting.
Wuthering Heights, After $241 Million Box Office, Direct to HBO Max
Director Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights,' after $241 million theatrical run, moves directly to HBO Max.
Sam Raimi's 'Send Help' Goes Straight to Hulu After $94 Million Box Office
Thriller 'Send Help' moves to Hulu following $94 million theatrical run, signaling horror/thriller IP recovery.
Spider-Noir Live-Action Series (Nicolas Cage) Joins May Prime Slate
Prime Video's live-action 'Spider-Noir' series enters May slate, expanding Marvel multiverse IP.
Devil Wears Prada 2 tops global box office
Weekend opening $233M+; yields #1 position in some markets only to 'Michael'.
Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' opens with $39.5M
Music biopic highest opening projected, $700M global target.
Pulitzer Fiction: Daniel Kraus for 'Angel Down'
One-sentence WWI novel wins fiction category.
Pulitzer Drama: Bess Wohl for 'Liberation'
Contemporary feminist political retrospective captures drama category.
Broadway weekly gross $39.26M
Week ending May 3: 40 productions, 321,960 attendees.
'Devil Wears Prada 2' Opens at $233.6 Million Globally
'Devil Wears Prada 2' opened globally at $236.6 million, with international markets contributing $156.6 million, securing second position for season openings.
'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Crosses $2 Billion Franchise Milestone
'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' has surpassed the $2 billion cumulative franchise milestone, marking the first time a video game adaptation series has achieved this feat.
'Michael' Jackson Biopic Sets Record Opening at $217 Million
The Michael Jackson biopic achieved a global opening of $217.4 million, with $97 million from North America, establishing a biopic opening record.
Star Wars Day May 4 Returns to Global Trending
May 4 continues its tradition as Star Wars Day, with Disney+ viewing surges and merchandise campaigns claiming top global trending positions on social media.
'Raja Shivaji' and 'Ek Din' Debut Simultaneously at Indian Box Office
'Raja Shivaji' and 'Ek Din' both opened May 1 and simultaneously entered India's box office top charts.
Golden Tempo Wins 152nd Kentucky Derby
On May 2nd, Golden Tempo won at Churchill Downs with jockey Jose Ortiz, while Sherry Deva became the first female trainer to win the Derby.
Oh, Mary! Sets Broadway Box Office Record Through May 3rd
With Maya Rudolph's addition, 'Oh, Mary!' set a Broadway box office record during its week ending May 3rd.
Dave Matthews Band Headlines Memphis Riverbeat Festival
Dave Matthews Band led the May 3rd Riverbeat Music Festival lineup in Memphis.
F1 Miami Grand Prix Held May 3rd
Mercedes' Antonelli and Russell extended their winning streak in Miami, establishing the season's momentum shift.
Met Gala 2026 Opens May 4th
Co-hosted by BeyoncΓ©, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, the Met Gala opened May 4th with the "Costume Art" exhibition. "Fashion is Art" serves as the dress code.
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Tops U.S. Box Office at $77 Million
Global cumulative of $233.6 million from May 1-3 U.S. opening. 'Hokum' places fifth at $6.4 million; 'Animal Farm' and 'The Mummy' follow.
Met Gala 'Fashion Is Art'; CondΓ© Nast Gallery Opening
Expressionist, abstract, mythological, and cinema-tribute looks flourish. BeyoncΓ©, Teyana Taylor, and Naomi Osaka receive praise.
Zendaya, TimothΓ©e Chalamet Absent from Met Gala
Priyanka Chopra and other A-list attendees' scheduling conflicts with 'The Drama' promotion noted.
PBS NewsHour May 1 Edition: Strait of Hormuz and May Day Labor Focus
NPR and PBS synchronize coverage of labor rallies and Iran tensions.
NPR Roundup May 1: U.S. Press Freedom Ranks 64th Globally
Press Freedom Day headline; mass protests, Middle East tensions, and tariff debates dominate discussion.
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Premieres May 1
Cast and theme song 'Runway' featuring Lady Gaga and Doechii expected at Met Gala appearances.
Euphoria Season 3 Releases April
TikTok micro-recap content related to Euphoria Season 3 entered April trend rankings.
'Top 5 Horror Movies' Meme Format Spreads
TikTok transformed the format into relatable existential anxieties (sleeplessness, account scrutiny, shipping delays), claiming April's #1 engagement share.
'Remember Who You Are' Nostalgia Trend
Dexter & The Moonrocks' 'Freakin' Out' accompanies generational reminiscence montages, indexing Gen-Z nostalgia sentiment.
Met Gala May 4 'Costume Art' Theme Confirmed
BeyoncΓ©, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams serve as co-chairs. Vogue YouTube and TikTok livestream scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.
April 2026 Β· 150
Met Gala 2026 Held Under 'Costume Art' Theme; Fashion Transforms into Museum Gallery
MoMA spring exhibition 'Costume Art' theme; dress code 'Fashion Is Art.' Attendees: BeyoncΓ©, Sabrina Carpenter, Rihanna.
Jewelled Nails Emerge as Signature Season Trend from Met Gala Runway
Rihanna, Naomi Watts, and Tyla showcased gem-studded manicures alongside sculptural gowns, establishing jewelled nails as season's defining beauty trend.
Anok Yai Stuns in Gold Shimmer 'Crying Statue' Look
Anok Yai applied full-body gold shimmer coating with realistic tear streaks, 'crying statue' concept goes viral on social media.
Netflix Releases 'Man on Fire' Series April 30
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars in series adaptation of 1980 original novel, 2004 Tony Scott film. Positions as April's blockbuster finale.
2026 US Box Office Forecast to Recover to $9B Range
2026 US theatrical box office projected to reach $9B. Netflix-Warner Bros. deal risks shortening theatrical windows and dampening recovery.
'Michael' Jackson Biopic Debuted to $97 Million Domestically
The 'Michael' Jackson biopic opened across 3,955 screens with $97 million in domestic revenue and $24,500 per-screen averageβa record for music biographical films.
'Michael' Achieves Record Global Opening of $217 Million
The biopic's global opening of approximately $217.4 million surpassed Oppenheimer ($180.4 million) and Bohemian Rhapsody ($141.7 million)βthe largest music biography opening ever.
'Bhooth Bangla' Crosses 1.21 Billion Rupees in India
The horror-comedy starring Akshay Kumar crossed 1.21 billion rupees by April 28, driving Indian box office momentum.
Global Box Office Tracking Toward Post-Pandemic Peak of $35 Billion
The global box office is recovering toward approximately $35 billionβthe largest annual total since the COVID-19 pandemic. Music biopics and Japanese anime are driving recovery.
TIME Names Most Influential Fashion and Beauty Brands of 2026
TIME released its 2026 list of the most influential fashion and beauty companies, reflecting luxury-wellness polarization trends.
Netflix Global Subscribers 301 Million β 2025 Revenue $45.18B (+16%)
Ad-tier revenue nearly doubles to $3B run rate. 2026 guidance targets double-digit growth.
Spotify Q1 β¬4.53B Revenue, MAU 760M β Second-Best Gross Margin
EPS $4.04 beats consensus $3.72. Operating income guidance miss plus AI and marketing cost concerns triggered post-earnings β13% move.
BTS 'Swim' Hot 100 Number-One Debut β Group's Seventh #1
Chart entry 4/4. World tour begins April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex. 'Choosin' Texas' (Ella Langley) logs longest 2026 run at 8 weeks non-consecutive #1.
Disney+/Hulu Combined 195.7M Subscribers β 2025 Operating Income $450M
Disney+ standalone 131.6M. Combined platform achieves first black-year margin. Comcast adds HBO Max and Disney+ to April StreamSaver bundle.
The Mummy (4/17), Super Mario Galaxy April Theater Release
Lee Cronin-directed The Mummy reimagined as super horror. Super Mario Galaxy Movie expected to replicate 2023 franchise hit performance. A24 also debuts The Drama with Zendaya and Pattinson in April.
Euphoria Season 3 Debuts April 13
Euphoria Season 3, featuring returning leads Zendaya and Hunter Schafer, premiered April 13 on HBO Max, anchoring April's final week viewership.
Hackers Season 5 Concludes
HBO Max released the Season 5 finale of Hackers on April 9, sustaining viewership momentum through the final week of April.
Marty Supreme Debuts on HBO Max April 24
Best Picture contender Marty Supreme premiered on HBO Max streaming April 24.
Half Man Premiere on HBO Max April 24
Scottish director Richard Carson's new film Half Man premiered on HBO Max April 24, emerging as a spring season highlight.
Alien Franchise Complete Library Release
HBO Max added the complete Alien franchise, including the 1979 original and all sequels, to its April catalog.
'Michael' Debuts with $97 Million; Worldwide Gross $217 Million+
Director Antoine Fuqua's 'Michael' opened with $97 million, marking the eighth-largest April debut and the sixth-largest Lionsgate opening. Worldwide total exceeds $217 million.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie: $386.4 Million in 26 Days
Super Mario Galaxy Movie added $21.2 million in its fourth week, reaching $386.4 million cumulative. Project Hail Mary added $13.2 million in its fifth week.
Stanley Cup First Round Game 4: Five Simultaneous Matchups
Five Stanley Cup first-round Game 4 contests took place simultaneously on the 26th. NBA playoffs are recording their highest viewership since 1993, averaging 3.84 million viewers.
BTS ARIRANG Maintains Billboard 200 #1 for Third Week
BTS's ARIRANG held the #1 position on the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks as of April 18. 2026 represents a mega cycle for K-pop, with BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, NewJeans, and BIGBANG simultaneously active.
Coachella W2: Sabrina Carpenter in Custom Dior
Sabrina Carpenter performed Coachella W2 in a custom Dior outfit, which she reinterpreted for the Met Gala on May 4.
Netflix Q1 Revenue $12.25B (+16.19%)
Advertising tier attracts 60%+ of new subscribers; advertiser base grows 70%.
Spotify Premium Subscribers Reach 293 Million
Q1 revenue β¬4.53B (+8%); MAU at 761 million (+12%).
Super Mario Series β First Video Game Franchise to Hit $2B
Mario Galaxy (April 1 release) pushes franchise cumulative to $2B.
The Mummy (Lee Cronin) Opens April 17
Supernatural horror reimagining dominates late-April box office.
Netflix Targets $3B Advertising Revenue for 2026
Roughly double 2025; operating margin guidance at 31.5%.
'Michael' Biographical Film Opens April 24
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Jaafar Jackson. Michael Jackson biopic.
Netflix KormΓ‘kur Action Thriller Premieres
Starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton; released April 24.
ENHYPEN 'Blood Saga' U.S. General Sale Begins
General release commences April 24 at 10:00 a.m. U.S. local time.
LE SSERAFIM Pre-Release April 24
Full comeback 'PUREFLOW pt 1' scheduled for May 22.
Coachella 25th Anniversary; Sabrina Carpenter Headlining
Dual weekends April 10β12 and 17β19; Justin Bieber and Karol G also headline.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Achieves $191 Million North American and $373 Million Global
Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivered $191 million in North America and $373 million globally, setting 2026's largest opening and driving strongest post-pandemic box office performance.
Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Opens April 24 Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Director Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael,' starring Jaafar Jackson, opens in the U.S. on April 24.
Australian Outback Thriller with Charlize Theron Launches April 24 on Netflix
A wilderness thriller starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana debuts on Netflix on April 24.
Coachella Week 2 (April 17-19) Headlined by Sabrina Carpenter
Coachella's second weekend (April 17-19) featured Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G as headliners, driving April TikTok content momentum.
BTS ARIRANG World Tour Continues with Tokyo Dome Dates April 17-18, Tampa April 25-28
BTS ARIRANG World Tour proceeds at Tokyo Dome April 17-18 and Tampa April 25-28, maintaining global K-pop momentum.
Apple TV+ 'Criminal Record' Premiere
New mystery drama launches April 22 on Apple TV.
Netflix 'This Is a Gardening Show' Global Release
Lifestyle and gardening documentary series launches same day.
ABC 'Abbott Elementary' Season Finale
8 p.m. broadcast marks pivotal moment in North American sitcom competition.
Coachella 2026 Week 2 Content Surge
Clips from Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and KAROL G headliners circulate widely.
Euphoria Season 3 Trends Continue
Character edits, audio quotes, and outfit recreations dominate TikTok discourse.
HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk faces arrest warrant
Seoul Police Agency filed arrest warrant citing capital market law violations; IPO fraud allegations involve approximately 190 billion won.
Spanish film 'Sirat' streams April 21; critic pick
Numero includes Sirat in its April must-watch list, reflecting streaming market diversification.
Miniseries 'Unchosen' premiere April 21
New drama miniseries debuts, competing concurrently with 'Apex' and 'Stranger Things: Tales from 85'.
Detroit News: already a shocking pop culture yearβand it's only April
Q1 accumulated major stories including celebrity family scandals, reflecting dense media cycles.
TikTok viral: dachshund 'Rolo the Sausage' gets humorous voice-over
Fierce barking dubbed with calm narration went viral; ranked #1 daily viral video April 20.
Devil Wears Prada 2 Opens to $156.6M Globally; $77M Domestic
The sequel achieved 76% female viewership with 74% expressing strong likelihood to recommend.
The Mummy Reboot Arrives April 17; Lee Cronin Directs Supernatural Horror Reimagining
Starring Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and May Calamawy.
Netflix Bloodhounds Season 2 Global Drop on April 3
K-pop icon Rain takes the lead villain role, Baek Jeong, commanding a global underground boxing league.
IU Leads Perfect Crown on Disney+ (April 10)
The K-pop idol star in a spring mystery drama, generating major buzz ahead of the season.
North American Box Office Cumulative YTD $2.8B; +14% Year-over-Year
April's cumulative box office marks the strongest quarter since the pandemic, underscoring theatrical recovery.
Coachella W2 (April 17-19) Features Trio of Headliners; BIGBANG Confirms 20-Year Tour
BIGBANG drew the weekend's largest crowd with 'Bang Bang Bang' and 'Fantastic Baby,' officially confirming a 20-year world tour. Karol G delivered a 20-song setlist with mariachi and Yandel; Madonna reprised her 2006 Gucci purple corsetry look.
BTS 'ARIRANG' Achieves Three Consecutive Billboard 200 No. 1sβK-pop Breakthrough
BTS's 'ARIRANG' held the Billboard 200 summit for three consecutive weeks as of April 18, a K-pop first. The album represents the 23rd chart-topper by K-pop artists in eight years.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Holds Box Office No. 1 for Third Straight Week
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie dominated U.S. box office April 17-19, earning $35M domestically (down 49% from the prior weekend) for a cumulative $355.2M. Project Hail Mary placed second at $20.4M; Lee Cronin's 'The Mummy' debuted third at $13.5M.
Apple TV Remains Ad-Free Outlier; Comcast StreamSaver Bundle Hits $35/Month
MediaPost's April 17 analysis noted Apple TV as the sole major streamer without an ad-supported tier. Concurrently, Comcast added Disney+ and HBO Max to its StreamSaver bundle at $35 per monthβthe top five-service tier.
Netflix Q1 Tops Consensus; Co-founder Hastings Steps Down June
Netflix posted Q1 revenue of $12.25B, beating consensus, and reaffirmed a $30B ad-revenue doubling target. Simultaneously, co-founder Reed Hastings announced he will leave the board at June's meeting.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Wins Third Consecutive Weekend, $355.2M Cumulative
Film earns $35 million weekend (-49%), extending run atop box office for third straight week with $355.2 million cumulative.
Project Hail Mary Places Secondβ$285.2M Cumulative
Project Hail Mary earns $20.4 million weekend (-15%), holding second place with $285.2 million total.
BTS 'ARIRANG' Repeats at Billboard 200 No. 1 for Third Week
BTS holds No. 1 on Billboard 200 dated April 18. Morgan Wallen ranks No. 2; Ye at No. 3.
Hot 100: Ella Langley 'Choosin' Texas' Tops Singles Chart
Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' leads Hot 100. BTS 'Swim' ranks No. 5. Olivia Dean and Bruno Mars place 2β3.
Taeyong Γ Anderson .Paak Collaboration (April 17)
NCT Taeyong partners with Anderson .Paak on new single April 17. April K-pop lineup includes CORTIS, TXT, KISS OF LIFE, MONSTA X, NMIXX comebacks.
North American box office: 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' claims #1 for three weeks
The film earned $35 million in weekend three, down 49% from the prior week, for a cumulative $355.2 million. It dominated the April 17β19 weekend box office.
'Project Hail Mary' sustains appeal; global total reaches $573 million
In week five, the film dropped only 15%, signaling strong word-of-mouth. Domestic total: $285 million; global: $573.1 million. Starring Ryan Gosling and distributed by Amazon MGM.
Lee Cronin's 'The Mummy' debuts in third place with $13.5 million
Cronin's horror feature 'The Mummy' debuted at #3 for the April 17β19 weekend, marking a strong moment for genre-driven releases.
Coachella Week 2 livestream schedule announced
YouTube will stream Bieber, Carpenter, and Karol G performances globally. Additional artists include ANYMA, Disclosure, KATSEYE, BINI, and Central Cee.
Euphoria S3, The Boys S5, and Coachella converge for 'culture super-week'
Euphoria's Season 3 premiere aired April 12 on HBO; The Boys S5 dropped simultaneously. Combined with Coachella Week 2, April became TikTok's defining culture moment.
'Mummy' Horror Reimagining Opens April 17
Director Lee Cronin's horror reimagining 'Mummy,' starring Jack Reynor and Laia Costa, premieres April 17 and aims to dethrone Super Mario Galaxy's three-week run atop the box office.
BTS 'Arirang' Breaks a Decade Record in Opening Week
BTS's new album 'Arirang' moved 532,000 units (physical and digital) in its first week plus 641,000 equivalent album units, marking the band's strongest weekly tally in ten years.
Coachella 2026 Second Weekend Features Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G
Coachella's second weekend runs April 17β19 with headline acts Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Taylor Swift is expected to attend as a guest.
Super Mario Galaxy Film Crosses $800M Globally
The Super Mario Galaxy movie has surpassed $800 million worldwide ($384 million domestic) while retaining the number-one position for three consecutive weeks.
Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Sets Music Biographical Film Record
The Michael Jackson biographical film 'Michael' posted a record-breaking $97 million opening weekend, the largest debut for any music biopic.
Coachella Weekend 2 (April 17β19) Adds Kacey Musgraves; Anyma Performs New Show
Weekend 2 lineup adjustments include Kacey Musgraves joining the Mojave tent. Anyma compensates for a Weekend 1 weather cancellation by debuting the new ΓDEN show on the main stage. Set times released April 15.
The Strokes Take Political Stand at Coachella
The Strokes performed a politically charged video montage Saturday on the main stage covering Gaza and Iran bombing campaigns, MLK imagery, and U.S. regime change. The statement became Weekend 2's central talking point.
Bieber, SZA, Madonna Drive Coachella Buzz
Justin Bieber hosted SZA for 'Snooze' collaboration, dueted with Big Sean, and climbed 'Mount Bieber' with Billie Eilish. Madonna made a surprise appearance, driving social conversation.
Euphoria Season 3 Dominates TikTok
Euphoria Season 3, which premiered April 12, drove weeks of TikTok content via character cuts, outfit recreations, and audio snippets, anchoring social discussion across multiple verticals.
April Box Office Anchored by Super Mario Galaxy; Spring Slate Follows
BoxofficePRO identifies Super Mario Galaxy Movie as April's tentpole. Light counter-programming includes The Drama and You/Me/Tuscany. Late April features Blumhouse's The Mummy and Lionsgate's Michael biopic.
Netflix Posts $12.25B Q1 Revenue, $5.28B Profit
Netflix's Q1 revenue of $12.25 billion (up 16% YoY) and net income of $5.28 billion beat expectations. The company reaffirmed its 2026 ad revenue target of $3 billion.
Coachella Week One: Star-Studded Cameos and K-pop Surprise
The opening weekend (April 10β12) featured Will Ferrell, Susan Sarandon, and Samuel L. Jackson alongside Sabrina Carpenter; Big Bang members (G-DRAGON, Daesung, T.O.P) performed the same weekend.
StudioMonowa Launches as KoreaβJapan Content Powerhouse
CJ ENM, TBS, and U-Next formally launched 'StudioMonowa' in April, pioneering simultaneous planning and broadcast of KβJ dramas.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026: Eight Legends Inducted
On April 14, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan, and four other artists were named to the 2026 class, commanding global headlines.
Euphoria Season 3 Kicks Off, Fuels Weekly TikTok Trends
Euphoria Season 3 premiered April 12, spawning character edits and outfit recreations that fuel weekly TikTok trend cycles.
NewJeans books Copenhagen 4/13β17: 3-member era comeback
Hanni, Haerin, Hyein trio. ADOR return's first global visual push.
MODYSSEY debuts 4/13: 7-member multinational K-pop rookie
Hunggui, Fanzily, Lizao, Linlin, Suren, Yichun, Rowan.
Star Wars: Maul β Shadow Lord new episode Disney+
4/13 drop. American Idol Season 9 live broadcast same night.
Coachella Week 1 wraps; 4/17 Week 2 begins
4/10β12 complete. Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, KAROL G headline.
BTS U.S. tour May schedule highlights
Stanford, Las Vegas dates revealed. "2.0" music video, "Hooligan" comeback follow-up marketing.
Coachella Weekend 1: Sabrina, Bieber, Karol G
Friday: Sabrina Carpenter. Saturday: Justin Bieber. Sunday: Karol G closes out. Debut artists: KATSEYE, BINI, Noga Erez.
Olivier Awards 50th Anniversary: Paddington Dominates
Seven wins for Paddington: The Musical (tied with Matilda and Hamilton). Rachel Zegler, Rosamund Pike, Jack Holden win acting honors.
Box Office #1: Super Mario Galaxy $69M Weekend
Week two, Super Mario Galaxy leads with $69M. Project Hail Mary $24.5M (week four), The Drama $8.7M (week two).
New Release: You, Me & Tuscany Opens $8M
Universal's romantic title opens to $8M. Charli XCX's Faces of Death $1.7M; Exit opens sub-500 screens with $1M+.
Euphoria Season 3 April 12 Premiere
After a four-year hiatus, Euphoria S3 launches. Character redesigns, costume reimaginations, and sampled audio drive TikTok anticipation.
Super Mario Galaxy Week Two: $69M, Cumulative $308.1M
Super Mario Galaxy Movie holds box-office #1 in its second weekend (April 10β12) with $69 million (-48%), reaching a cumulative $308.1 million and surpassing both $300M and global $600M milestones.
Project Hail Mary Week Four: $24.5M, $256.6M Cumulative
Project Hail Mary (#2, -23%) earned $24.5 million in its fourth weekend. The Drama (week two, $8.7M) and You Me & Tuscany (debut, $8M) round out the top tier.
Masters Final Round: McIlroy Edges Cameron Young for Back-to-Back
After round three on April 11, McIlroy and Cameron Young shared the lead at -11 (205), with Scheffler matching at -11 (65). McIlroy won by one stroke on April 12 for consecutive titles.
'Perfect Crown' Premiere: IU, Byeon Woo-seok in Constitutional Monarchy Swap
MBC premiered 'Perfect Crown' on April 10, starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok in a role-reversal romance spanning a constitutional monarchy and a conglomerate heiress with a royal heir.
Netflix 'Bloodhounds 2' Drops April 3
Starring Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Be, and Choi Si-won, 'Bloodhounds 2' released on Netflix April 3. 'If Wishes Could Kill' followed on April 24.
Coachella 2026 Week 1 opens April 10
KATSEYE, Disclosure, Anyma, Sabrina Carpenter headline. Sold-out festival; GRWM and outfit content viral preview.
MBC Perfect Crown bows April 10 with IU, Byeon Woo-seok
9:40 p.m. KST Friday-Saturday schedule. Constitutional-monarchy alternate-reality romance fuels global K-drama momentum post-breakout hits.
Netflix Thrash drops April 10
Category 5 hurricane cannibals horror. Turn of the Tide Season 3, Temptation Island Season 2 simultaneous release.
Beef Season 2 cast announced for April 16 bow
Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny. Country club blackmail ignites new tensions.
Bridal Fashion Week NYC opens April 8-10
CFDA calendar official. Bridal collections and Coachella luxury previews converge media exposure.
Netflix Unchosen debuts at No. 1 with 10.4M views
A psychological thriller about awakening inside a cult, topping the English TV chart.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens at $75M
April 10 launch topples Project Hail Mary and Super Mario Galaxy. Number one at the box office.
Coachella W1 April 10β12: Sabrina Carpenter headlining
K-pop lineup includes BIGBANG and KATSEYE; five acts streamed live across seven YouTube stages.
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 scores 2.8M views at No. 7
Netflix animation debut top-15 entry; first IP spin-off signal.
Netflix global subscribers hit 325 million
A net gain of 24 million since end of 2024. Netflix ended quarterly subscriber disclosures and accelerated revenue focus.
Hulu Debuts 'The Testaments' Series April 8
Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' sequel, 'The Testaments,' dropped on Hulu April 8.
Korean Blockbuster 'Royal Guard' Hits Streaming 76 Days After Release
The record-breaking Korean film 'Royal Guard'βwhich posted the country's second-largest all-time box office at 16.69 million tickets and 1.569 billion wonβlanded on Coupang Play on April 23, just 76 days after its February 4 debut.
Apple TV+ Releases Jonah Hill-Directed 'Outcome' in April
Apple released 'Outcome,' directed by and starring Jonah Hill opposite Keanu Reeves, as an April original-line marquee title.
Netflix Rolls Out Survival Thriller 'Thrash' April 10
Netflix launched 'Thrash,' directed by Tommy Wirkola and starring Phoebe Dynevor, on April 10.
Variety's April Must-Watch: 'Marty Supreme', 'Crime 101', 'Sirat'
Variety flagged Oscar nominee 'Marty Supreme,' acclaimed 'Crime 101,' and 'Sirat' as must-watch April OTT releases.
Devil Wears Prada 2: $77M domestic, $233.6M global opening weekend
First female-skewing summer tentpole. April 7 marks peak pre-marketing phase as box-office tracking refreshes weekly.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie week 5: $11.2M
Holds momentum into week five; family box-office anchor. Illumination-Nintendo-Universal partnership pays off.
Netflix 'Bloodhounds 2' drops April 3
Udo Kang, Lee Sang-yi, B-cast. Underground boxing league noir. K-action line stays strong.
Netflix 'We Are All Trying Here' arrives April 18 (12 episodes)
Goo Kyo-hwan and Ko Yun-jung star in jealousy and rivalry psychodrama. April K-drama critics' pick.
Wireless Festival London cancelled; Kanye headliner barred
Full cancellation, full refunds. UK Home Office ban on Kanye West the direct cause.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie: $191 million US, $372.5 million global in five days
Deadline: Super Mario Galaxy Movie opened to $191 million in five days domestically and $372.5 million globally, marking 2026's largest opening. The weekend gross totaled $130.9 million.
Zendaya's 'The Drama' opens to $14 million domestically
That same weekend, 'The Drama' starring Zendaya drew $14 million domestically for second place.
KISS OF LIFE returns domestically April 6 after roughly 10 months
Girl group KISS OF LIFE released their single album "Who Is She" on April 6, resuming domestic activities after approximately 10 months.
JYP's youngest boy group KickFlip launches "My First Kick" post-debut
JYP Entertainment's newest boy group KickFlip unveiled "My First Kick" on April 6, marking their first activity following debut.
K-pop April release concentration avoids June elections and World Cup
Korea Times noted K-pop releases clustered in April to sidestep June's regional elections and the North American World Cup.
Netflix drops 'Bloodhounds 2' all seven episodes, April 3
Netflix released all seven Bloodhounds season-two episodes on April 3. Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi return; rapper/actor B (Jung Ji-hoon) joins as antagonist.
UK blocks Ye; Wireless Festival cancels entirely
Home Office revoked Kanye West's travel permit as inconsistent with 'public good.' The July 10β12 Wireless festivalβwhere he headlined all three daysβwent fully cancelled and refunded in early April, as sponsors bolted.
April K-drama slate: Perfect Crown, Yumi's Cells 3
Soompi curated April's K-drama lineup: Bloodhounds 2 (April 3), Perfect Crown (April 10 with IU and Byun Woo-seok), Yumi's Cells 3, Gold Land, The Scarecrow, and Sold Out on You.
Box Office Mojo: April 5 daily chart
Box Office Mojo and The Numbers published April 5's domestic chart. Easter Sunday ad spend and family draws fueled series titles like Super Mario Galaxy.
Euronews: April 5 evening news bulletin
Euronews released its April 5 evening news bulletin, leading with Iran war week six, BAPCO fire, and the NCAA championship.
BTS's ARIRANG hits Billboard 200 number one
BTS landed ARIRANG at number one on Billboard 200, notching K-pop's 23rd chart-topper in under eight years. Full-album streaming data led the charge.
Netflix, Spotify launch 16 video podcasts to U.S. audience
Netflix and Spotify rolled out full-length video versions of 16 Spotify Studios and The Ringer podcasts to U.S. viewers. The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and true-crime series are included.
Mission: Impossible arrives April 3 on Prime Video
Mission: Impossible landed on U.S. Prime Video April 3. The Boys final season premieres April 8.
Spotify Premium ticks up to $12.99
Spotify raised Premium a buck to $12.99/month in February; it led price-hike chatter through April, driving churn and VPN-search upticks.
Box Office tracker: April 3β5 weekend roundup
Box Office Mojo and The Numbers tracked the April 3β5 North American weekend despite wartime jitters. Major wide releases pressed ahead.
Marty Supreme streaming April on HBO Max
Oscar-nominee Marty Supreme featuring TimothΓ©e Chalamet hits HBO Max in April; April's heavyweight streaming debut.
Crime 101 lands Prime Video; $71M box office falls short of $90M budget
Bart Layton director, Hemsworth and Berry leads. Crime 101 streams April on Prime Video. Theatrical run netted $71M; OTT second-life potential.
Apple original Outcome pairs Jonah Hill director, Keanu Reeves star
April Apple TV+ release. Jonah Hill directs, Keanu Reeves plays an actor tangled in extortion scandal.
T.O.P drops full album ANOTHER DIMENSION April 3
April 3: T.O.P unveils full-length ANOTHER DIMENSION with lead single Desperado. Same day MONSTA X releases full album Unfold, title track heal.
fromis_9 Japan mini, KINO (PENTAGON) mini drop April 1
fromis_9 Japanese version mini LIKE YOU BETTER ships April 1; same day KINO mini Lost and Found, lead Taxi.
KISS OF LIFE returns April 6 with 'Who is she' after roughly ten months
Four-member girl group KISS OF LIFE returned April 6 with single album "Who is she," marking their first domestic release in roughly ten months.
JYP's KickFlip debuts 'My First Kick' April 6βyoungest JYP boy group
JYP Entertainment's youngest boy group KickFlip dropped "My First Kick" April 6, capturing first-love awkwardness and brightness.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER releases 8th mini 'A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns' April 13
TOMORROW X TOGETHER dropped their eighth mini-album "7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns" April 13, their first post-BigHit Music re-signing, marking entry into a "second chapter."
NCT WISH debuts first full album 'Ode to Love' April 20; ten tracks
SM Entertainment's six-member NCT WISH dropped their debut full album "Ode to Love" (ten tracks) April 20, anchored by the title track and spanning multiple genres.
Belift Lab's ILLIT returns April 30 with fourth mini 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI'
Five-member ILLIT from Belift Lab made a comeback April 30 with their fourth mini-album "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI."
BTS launches fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' and Gwanghwamun concert after four-year gap
BTS released fifth album 'ARIRANG' on March 30 after four years, staging Gwanghwamun Plaza performances, Sungnyemun and N Seoul Tower projections, and a Netflix global concert reaching 130 countries.
Wicked: For Good hits Peacock after $525M global run
Variety reports the musical grossed roughly $525 million globally before joining Peacock on March 20, driving late-March OTT traffic.
DreamWorks' Bad Guys 2 enters Netflix
TheWrap notes DreamWorks' sequel Bad Guys 2 joined Netflix globally in March, commanding top family animation chart placement.
The Numbers publishes March 30 daily box office chart
The Numbers released its daily domestic box office leaderboard for March 30, capturing Easter-week theater standings.
Chilean architect Smiljan RadiΔ named 2026 Pritzker Prize laureate
The Pritzker Prize announced March 12 that Chilean architect Smiljan RadiΔ Clarke won the 2026 award β Latin America's fifth laureate.