Canal+ Buys UGC | CONJURING Delivers Best Global Horror Opening Weekend of All Time

This week on the Boxoffice Podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk review The Conjuring: Last Rites, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and Caught Stealing while breaking down box office results and previewing upcoming releases like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. They also discuss the shifting release calendar through 2027 before Daniel sits down with Julien Marcel, CEO of Cine Group and publisher of Boxoffice Pro France, to unpack Canal+’s acquisition of UGC and its impact on French and global exhibition.






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What to Listen For


00:00 Intro 


01:01 Movie Recaps: Conjuring Last Rites & Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale


03:59 Review of Caught Stealing (Austin Butler)


07:02 Box Office Results: Conjuring Last Rites Record-Breaking Debut


12:01 Hamilton Finally Hits Theaters


15:03 Upcoming Release Preview: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle


18:17 Anime Momentum: Chainsaw Man & Sony’s Strategy


19:19 Release Calendar Shifts (2026–2027: Paw Patrol, Superman, Bluey, Star Wars, Spider-Verse, Shrek 5)


22:43 Summer 2027 Tentpole Lineup


23:39 Sponsor Message


24:02 Interview with Julien Marcel (UGC & Canal+ Deal)


25:02 UGC’s Role in French Exhibition & Distribution


26:18 Canal+ Background & Strategic Integration


28:18 French Media Windows & Canal+ Influence


30:00 Fragmented Ecosystem & Succession in French Exhibition


33:02 Outlook: French/US Pipelines, Cinema Innovation & Challenges