Part 4/18:
The narrative did see a glimmer of hope with Predator: Badlands, which overperformed expectations. Its opening weekend brought in $40 million—a significant jump from initial estimates—providing a much-needed boost. However, this success is largely an anomaly; the industry remains desperate, with theaters posting staggering losses, such as AMC's nearly $300 million quarterly deficit. This overreaction underscores the fragility of Hollywood’s current economic state.