Forgotten Island Buzz, CinemaCon Shakeups, and a Very Strange Wonka Future (Ep. 355)

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the biggest animation and industry stories coming out of CinemaCon 2026, including Drew’s early look at DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island. They also dig into a surprisingly strong box office weekend, Studio Ghibli’s return to theaters, and some truly unexpected developments in the world of Willy Wonka. Along the way, the two share insights on theatrical windows, upcoming animated projects, and what’s really happening behind the scenes in Hollywood animation.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Super Mario Brothers Galaxy nears $750M worldwide as the franchise crosses $2B total
• Pixar’s Hoppers continues a solid run, with digital and physical release plans coming soon
• Paramount commits to a 45-day theatrical window while Steven Spielberg pushes for longer exclusivity
• Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 lineup revealed, including Ponyo, Spirited Away, and anniversary screenings
• Warner Bros. Animation developing anime-inspired Scooby-Doo series Go-Go Mystery Magic
• Drew shares his spoiler-free reactions to DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island after CinemaCon screening
• Netflix’s Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory sets up a darker, heist-style Wonka story
• Updates on Disney Animation’s Hexed, including casting and creative changes

HOSTS
• Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia)
• Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored)

FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com - your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal theme park tickets. Plan smarter, save money, and make your next trip more magical.

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