Studios almost left this Christmas staple on the cutting‑room floor. Executives initially saw it as a “small” seasonal comedy with limited box‑office upside, and internal budget fights kept the project hovering in limbo around an $18 million price tag.

The fear was simple: why spend real money on a kid‑driven holiday film that would vanish from theaters by January?

That cautious logic aged terribly. Once released, the movie exploded past expectations, pulling in roughly $475–$500 million worldwide and camping at the top of the box office for weeks.

That’s a return of more than 25 times its production budget, putting it among the most profitable holiday releases in modern studio history.

What some decision‑makers viewed as disposable seasonal content quietly became a financial engine that still prints money through re‑runs, streaming, and merchandising every December.

The story behind the numbers is part of why fans feel so attached to it. This was not a four‑quadrant superhero bet with guaranteed franchise upside; it was a character‑driven family comedy built on specific jokes, one child star, and a very particular vision of Christmas chaos. The fact that it nearly got shelved—and then turned into a half‑billion global phenomenon—makes every rewatch feel like a win against studio risk‑aversion.

When you press play each year, you are not just revisiting nostalgia; you are revisiting the rare moment when a “small” movie out‑performed the system that almost killed it.

Anne Hathaway has quietly confirmed that 2026 is going to be her year, and she did it in the most Anne way possible: with a soft-launch in her Instagram bio.

Instead of a traditional studio announcement, the Oscar-winning actor updated her profile text with a simple list of titles and dates, effectively revealing a four-film run that reads like a mini festival of her work spread across the year.

For fans, the bio now doubles as a watchlist, mapping out exactly when they will see her next on the big screen.

According to the update, Hathaway will kick off 2026 with “Mother Mary,” slated for an April release. The film, backed by A24, casts her as a fictional pop star in a psychological, music‑driven drama that has already started building buzz through early trailer drops and stills. Positioned in the spring, it sets the tone for a year where Hathaway leans hard into challenging, high‑concept material while still anchoring major studio projects.

Just weeks later, she pivots from pop icon to fashion-world nostalgia with “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” now dated for May 1, 2026. The sequel brings her back as Andy Sachs, returning to the universe that helped define her mid‑2000s stardom and remains a staple in meme culture and rewatches. For millennials who grew up quoting the original, the firm release date signals that the long-rumored follow‑up is no longer hypothetical—it’s locked in, with Hathaway front and center.

Summer belongs to “The Odyssey,” marked for July 17, 2026. Billed as an ambitious, big‑screen reimagining of the classic tale, the project reunites Hathaway with large‑scale, auteur‑driven filmmaking and promises mythic stakes, prestige casting, and blockbuster spectacle. Its prime July slot suggests confidence from the studio and positions Hathaway as a key face of the 2026 summer season, not just a supporting player in someone else’s tentpole.

Finally, Hathaway’s bio points to “Verity,” arriving October 2, 2026, rounding out the year with a dark, suspense‑driven turn. Adapted from a hit thriller novel, the film casts her in a psychologically intense role that leans into obsession, secrets, and unreliable narratives—terrain that plays to her ability to toggle between vulnerability and menace in a single scene. Coming at the start of awards season, “Verity” also gives her a potential late‑year prestige vehicle after a run of crowd‑pleasing releases.

What makes this reveal so striking is the casualness of it. In one short line, Hathaway essentially published a studio slate: four movies, four distinct genres, and a timeline that keeps her on screens from spring through fall. For Hollywood, it underlines her staying power as a true marquee name; for fans, it’s an invitation to mark their calendars and prepare for a year where Anne Hathaway isn’t just part of the conversation—she is the conversation.

Celia Carver’s romantic short film ‘After Party‘ earned well-deserved acclaim at the Houston Comedy Film Festival 2025, where it took home the award for Best Romantic Film. The festival celebrated Carver’s impressive debut as an executive producer, writer, and lead actress playing the wife, opposite Jasper as her husband, Gabe. Her authentic storytelling and strong onscreen chemistry helped ‘After Party‘ stand out among the festival’s diverse slate of independent films.

Accepting her award, Carver expressed heartfelt thanks to her cast, crew, and the festival community for their support. She reflected on the challenges of balancing multiple creative roles while championing diversity and simplicity in her production approach. Carver specifically credited her collaboration with director Shana Lauren McInnes and actor Jasper for bringing depth and warmth to the project, underscoring how important trusted partnerships are for new filmmakers.

Her acceptance speech also resonated with the festival audience as she shared advice about perseverance, fairness, and casting open-mindedly. Carver encouraged emerging creatives to focus on strong storytelling, foster inclusive teams, and stay adaptable through the inevitable challenges of filmmaking. Her victory not only marks a major milestone but also highlights the potential of bold, thoughtful voices in the indie romantic comedy space.

Overall, Celia Carver’s award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival is a testament to her vision and dedication. It signifies the rising prominence of new talent willing to lead with authenticity and heart. With After Party’s success, audiences and peers alike eagerly anticipate her future projects, expecting more engaging stories told with her fresh perspective and heartfelt humor.