The Town with Matthew Belloni
Tom Cruise and the New Age of Celebrity Profiles
Matt is joined by Zach Baron, GQ's senior special projects editor and host of new show ‘One More Question,’ to discuss the modern celebrity press tour, the art of celebrity profiles, interviewing Tom Cruise, what celebs want out of the media in 2026, and the state of access journalism (02:22). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for Zach Cregger’s new film ‘Resident Evil’ (33:40). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Zach Baron Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2026 Emmys Instant Reactions: Is Apple Really the New HBO? What Happened to Netflix?
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap the 2026 Emmys and give their takes on the biggest narratives coming ou)t of the show, including Apple’s big night with 'Widow’s Bay,' its ascent in the prestige TV genre over the past few years, its competition with HBO, Netflix’s recent struggles to make a splash, Disney’s quiet year, and the new power ranking of TV streamers (01:51). Matt finishes the show by recapping his trip to TIFF and predicting which movie will win the People’s Choice Award (29:28). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo SAP GROW. AI cloud ERP for any size business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How to Run a Specialty Studio in 2026, with Searchlight President
Live from TIFF, Matt is joined by the president of Searchlight Pictures, Matthew Greenfield along with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss how to run a specialty film division in 2026, what it's like being a part of the Disney machine, how to know if a movie is theatrical, how they compare themselves to their competitors, and how they choose sequels to greenlight (00:00). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Matthew Greenfield, Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
‘Resident Evil’ and the Tightrope of Relaunching Old IP
Matt is joined by Oliver Berben, CEO of Constantin Film, to discuss the upcoming ‘Resident Evil’ film, how Zach Cregger got involved, how Constantin gained control of the IP, the international film business, franchise management, Constantin’s involvement in Marvel, and how European companies stay relevant in America (01:47). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Practical Magic 2’ (30:44). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Oliver Berben Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Four Big Stories: Emmys ’26, Summer Box Office Pushback, Fed Tax Credit Odds, and ‘60 Minutes’ 2.0
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss a slew of topics from around town, including the biggest narratives around this year's Emmy Awards, a new report offering skepticism about this summer's huge box office, the chances of a federal tax credit passing, and whether the changes to ‘60 Minutes’ are a good idea (00:00). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo SAP GROW. AI cloud ERP for any size business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The 2026 Summer Box Office Winners, Losers, and Head-Scratchers
Matt is joined by Puck’s box office expert Scott Mendelson to judge their early summer box office predictions by looking at the biggest hits, misses, and questions from the 2026 summer slate. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (02:53) 'Mortal Kombat II' (05:41) 'Mandalorian & Grogu' (06:51) 'Masters of the Universe' (09:09) 'Scary Movie 6' (11:55) 'Disclosure Day' (13:46) 'Toy Story 5' (15:55) 'Supergirl' (17:53) 'Minions & Monsters' (22:15) 'Moana' (27:09) 'The Odyssey' (33:31) 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' (37:11) 'The End of Oak Street' (42:35) Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Scott Mendelson Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Bob Iger, James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau and More Featured in New Disney+ Documentary ‘Disney Worldbuilders.’ Now Streaming on Disney+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did Donald Trump Just Save Filmmaking in America?
Matt is joined by Film USA cofounders Tony Armer and Katie Pryor to discuss President Trump’s public endorsement of a federal tax credit for film production in the United States, how this could reshape filmmaking in America, how it could transform the filmmaking industry, how the tax credit would work, the odds of this passing, what needs to happen next, and more (02:08). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘By Any Means,’ starring Mark Wahlberg (26:57). Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Tony Armer and Katie Pryor Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo SAP GROW. AI cloud ERP for any size business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Five Biggest Hollywood Storylines for the Rest of 2026
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to examine the biggest industry narratives heading into the final stretch of the year. Can Netflix break its slump? How much will Netflix vs. YouTube continue to escalate? How disruptive will 'Grand Theft Auto VI' be? Who will get World Cup rights in 2030? Will Congress pass a federal tax incentive (01:30)? Matt finishes the show with a prediction about a new venture from AMC Theatres (30:32). Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. This episode is brought to you by Accenture. https://Accenture.com/Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Disney's Biggest Swings and Misses, Plus Iger vs. Eisner—With the Acquired Guys
Matt is joined by the hosts of the Acquired podcast, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, to discuss their two-part series on the history of The Walt Disney Company; what surprised them the most during their deep research; Disney's most precarious investments, biggest missteps, and best acquisitions; where Disney is today; and how it's positioned for the future (02:08). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for 'Coyote vs. Acme' (34:57). Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. Bob Iger, James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau and More Featured in New Disney+ Documentary ‘Disney Worldbuilders.’ Now Streaming on Disney+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
America vs. the U.K.: Who Makes Better TV Shows?
Live from the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Matt is joined by veteran TV execs Patrick Holland, Jane Root, and Dimitri Doganis to discuss why the U.K. is so good at making hit TV shows, how producers can own more of their shows, YouTube’s influence, and, of course, Harry and Meghan (02:01). Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Patrick Holland, Jane Root, and Dimitri Doganis Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. Bob Iger, James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau and More Featured in New Disney+ Documentary ‘Disney Worldbuilders.’ Now Streaming on Disney+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The WarnerMount PR War and the 'Dune 3' Ticket Crash
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Rob Bonta canceling the scheduled talks between Paramount and California over the Warner Bros. merger, the strategy behind this cancellation, and whether California is overplaying its hand. They also discuss the 'Dune 3' ticketing debacle that outraged fans after ticketing apps for IMAX 70 mm showings of 'Dune: Part Three' crashed (02:11). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about a celebrity starting their own talk show (25:05). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. Nominated for 7 Emmy Awards, ALL HER FAULT is streaming on Peacock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mailbag! Marvel’s Future, Johnny Depp’s Comeback, L.A.’s Recession, and Awkward Celeb Interactions.
(00:00) Matt opens up the summer mailbag to answer listener questions about Marvel’s future after 'Avengers: Doomsday,' the X-Men casting, Netflix’s need to lure big filmmakers, whether Johnny Depp’s comeback will work, why Meghan and Harry’s failed in Hollywood, worries that L.A. could become the next Detroit, and Matt's and Craig’s most awkward celebrity interactions. Host: Matt Belloni Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. Nominated for 7 Emmy Awards, ALL HER FAULT is streaming on Peacock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Business Secrets Behind the ‘Love Island’ Juggernaut
Matt is joined by David George, the CEO of ITV America, to dive into the massive success of 'Love Island,' how it became one of the biggest brands in unscripted TV, why they sold the show to Peacock, the market for selling reality shows nowadays, how much the show is really worth, sharing Fiji hotels with ‘Survivor,’ and more (02:31). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for 'Insidious: Out of the Further' (30:36). Host: Matt Belloni Gust: David George Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show. For Your Emmy Consideration in Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What Will It Take to End the Paramount–Warner Bros. Standoff?
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Paramount’s threat to leave California if it doesn’t get a settlement, the discourse’s effect on David Ellison’s ability to get a deal done, how an extended delay could negatively impact Hollywood, and what needs to happen to get this deal done (02:01). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about a new Disneyland attraction (31:57). Host: Matt Belloni Gust: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES. For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Where Have All the Action Heroes Gone? With 'John Wick' Producer Basil Iwanyk
Matt is joined by producer Basil Iwanyk (John Wick, The Town, Sicario, The Expendables) to discuss the struggling state of the action movie market in America, why most studios have abandoned the original action movie business, casting an action star, and more (02:28). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘The End of Oak Street’ (32:05). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Basil Iwanyk Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Stefano Sanchez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Nominated for 25 Emmy Awards, including OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show. For Your Emmy Consideration in Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Hour with Ina Garten
The Shawn Ryan Show
Notes from the Edge
Stuff You Should Know
The Permanent Questions With David Brooks
This American Life