The Big Picture

The 2026 Movie Auction

January 14, 2026

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  • The hosts of "The Big Picture" officially kicked off their annual movie auction for 2026 films, beginning with a review of the rules and results from the previous year's competition. 
  • The 2025 auction review revealed that the participants struggled with the rules, particularly regarding sequel limits, and that the value of streaming-only films without Oscar buzz is low in this scoring system. 
  • The first major bid of the 2026 auction was for *The Odyssey*, which the participants immediately identified as the likely 'movie of the year' and drove the price up significantly past previous high bids. 
  • The participants engaged in a high-stakes, escalating auction for the film *The Odyssey*, with bids reaching over \$925, indicating strong perceived value for that specific title. 
  • The discussion revealed differing strategies regarding trailer consumption, with one participant expressing caution about watching second trailers to avoid spoilers, contrasting with the general excitement for upcoming blockbusters like *Dune: Part Three*. 
  • The auction participants demonstrated a willingness to spend significant amounts on films they believe will be major cultural or critical successes, such as *Dune: Part Three* (bid up to \$775) and *The Odyssey* (ultimately sold for \$926). 
  • The participants in "The 2026 Movie Auction" are actively bidding on and acquiring rights to highly anticipated 2026 films, including sequels like "Devil Wars Prada 2" and major event movies like "Disclosure Day." 
  • A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the perceived quality and box office potential of acquired films, with participants referencing Metacritic scores and box office performance as key metrics for their auction choices. 
  • The auction dynamics reveal strategic spending, with one participant (Chris Ryan) having significantly more remaining funds ($71) than the others ($25 for Amanda and $73/$74 for Sean, before final calculations), influencing the final acquisitions. 
  • The latter part of "The 2026 Movie Auction" episode features the hosts and guest, Chris Ryan, finalizing their movie auction picks and associated costs, including major titles like 'The Odyssey' and 'Dune 3'. 
  • The auction recap reveals specific financial allocations for various films, such as 'The Odyssey' costing $926 and 'Dune 3' costing $775, indicating the competitive bidding structure of the segment. 
  • The episode concludes with acknowledgments to producer Jack Sanders and a preview of the next episode, which will involve a visit to the 'Bone Temple'. 

Segments

Sponsor Read and Introductions
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of “The Big Picture” is sponsored by HBO Max and State Farm, and features hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins with guest Chris Ryan.
  • Summary: The episode opens with advertisements for HBO Max and State Farm. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins welcome guest Chris Ryan to begin the movie auction. The show’s premise is confirmed as a conversation show about auctioning films.
Casual Banter and Award Fatigue
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(00:00:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The participants are experiencing award season fatigue following a high volume of coverage, prompting a temporary shift away from recent awards discussions.
  • Summary: The conversation includes light banter about Chris Ryan’s hat and Bryce Harper’s stance on the MLB salary cap. The hosts admit to feeling exhausted from covering the recent awards season extensively. They plan to pause deep dives into award contenders until the Oscar nominations are announced.
Auction Rules Review
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(00:06:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The core auction rules mandate that each participant receives $1,000 to bid on five films per slate (January and July), with points awarded for achieving $100 million domestic gross, two Oscar nominations, and a maximum of two sequels.
  • Summary: Sean Fennessey re-explains the auction bylaws, noting that each person starts with $1,000 to acquire five movies for the current slate. Points are earned if a film grosses $100 million domestically, secures at least two Oscar nominations, or meets an 85 Metacritic score threshold. A rule limiting participants to no more than two sequels was noted, though Chris Ryan admitted to potentially breaking this rule last year.
Review of Last Year’s Auction
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(00:08:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The review of the previous year’s auction showed mixed results, with Chris Ryan’s Sinners emerging as a strong performer based on box office and critical reception, while Amanda Dobbins’ M3GAN 2.0 failed to meet expectations.
  • Summary: Sean Fennessey detailed his picks, noting that One Battle After Another was a major flop, but Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another showed promise for Oscar points. Amanda Dobbins lamented the failure of M3GAN 2.0 to reach $100 million domestic, while Chris Ryan’s Sinners earned significant points early on. The participants acknowledged that winning the game is secondary to personal interest.
Transition to 2026 Auction Start
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(00:34:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The participants expressed excitement for the 2026 slate, noting they had already seen two strong early releases, The Bone Temple and The Rip, and decided to prioritize highly anticipated end-of-year blockbusters in the initial bidding rounds.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed they are excited for the current year’s slate, having already seen two good movies: The Bone Temple and The Rip. They agreed that strategy should involve immediately bidding on major late-year releases like The Odyssey rather than waiting for the July slate. The auction order was set: Amanda Dobbins first, Sean Fennessey second, and Chris Ryan third.
Bidding War for The Odyssey
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(00:40:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Amanda Dobbins secured the first pick, The Odyssey, with a high bid of $660, signaling the film’s perceived status as the guaranteed top performer of the year.
  • Summary: Amanda Dobbins opened the bidding for The Odyssey at $100, immediately driving the price up against Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan. The participants agreed the film is expected to clear all performance thresholds, justifying the high initial investment. The final winning bid for The Odyssey reached $660.
Bidding War for The Odyssey (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Trailer Viewing Habits
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(00:47:05)
  • Key Takeaway: A participant established a personal rule for trailer consumption: first trailers are acceptable, but second trailers signal trouble for avoiding spoilers.
  • Summary: The speakers shared their current strategies for managing movie trailers to preserve the viewing experience. One participant noted they would watch the teaser for The Odyssey but avoid the full trailer. The discussion briefly diverted into habits while waiting in movie theaters, such as shopping on The RealReal app.
Trump Resistance and Social Media
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(00:48:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Ryan has been vociferously expressing political opposition to the current administration on the social media platform Blue Sky.
  • Summary: The conversation briefly shifted to political commentary, noting one participant’s strong, ethical, and loud resistance against the administration on Blue Sky. This segment highlighted the platform as a venue for political expression among the hosts and guests.
Athena Naming Discussion
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(00:48:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The name Athena was discussed in the context of naming a child, drawing a comparison to culturally specific naming conventions.
  • Summary: The possibility of naming a child Athena was debated, with one host noting it might be culturally appropriate for a Greek child, similar to naming an Italian-American child ‘Polly Walnuts.’ The auction clock continued running during this tangential discussion.
The Odyssey Auction Escalation (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Risk and Nolan’s Odyssey
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(00:53:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The high bid for The Odyssey was justified by one participant as a necessary risk, given Nolan’s commitment to practical effects and well-known source material.
  • Summary: The high valuation of The Odyssey was framed as a risk worth taking, despite the source material being well-known. The commitment to practical effects, including casting real sites and creatures like Scylla, was cited as a major draw for the film.
Greece Travel and Fandom
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(00:53:45)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts expressed a desire to visit Greece, referencing a trip taken by Rob Delaney and a positive, unplanned experience near the Acropolis.
  • Summary: One host shared a magical, unplanned night near the Acropolis during a honeymoon trip to the Greek islands. The conversation also referenced a trip taken by Rob Delaney, suggesting a potential future episode focus on Greece.
Sports vs. Cinema Value
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(00:55:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts unanimously agreed they would trade a potential Mets World Series win for securing ownership of The Odyssey in the auction.
  • Summary: The hypothetical trade of a Mets World Series title for The Odyssey was instantly accepted by all participants, illustrating the high value placed on this film property. This led to a brief discussion about Bradley Cooper prioritizing an Eagles Super Bowl over an Oscar.
Wuthering Heights Auction Begins (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Jacob Elordi’s Appeal
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(01:06:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Jacob Elordi is viewed favorably by the hosts, who noted his desire to avoid AI discussions in favor of romantic, non-work activities like kissing on a beach.
  • Summary: Jacob Elordi’s appeal was discussed, noting his perceived kindness and his quote about preferring beach time over discussing AI. The conversation also touched upon the racy nature of Wuthering Heights, referencing The Handmaiden as a benchmark.
Resident Evil Adaptation Details
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(01:09:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The upcoming Resident Evil adaptation is described as a spiritual, rather than direct, adaptation of the video game, focusing on a small Midwestern company town facing a zombie outbreak.
  • Summary: Zach Kreger’s Resident Evil film is expected to be a box office and critical success, though perhaps not hitting the 85 Metacritic threshold. The plot involves a female protagonist in a chemical company town dealing with zombies and puzzles, with minimal direct connection to the game’s story.
Dune Part Three Bidding Heats Up (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Toy Story 5 Value Play (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Devil Wars Prada 2 Bidding War
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(01:32:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The acquisition of “Devil Wars Prada 2” concludes with one participant spending $26, despite initial reluctance from others.
  • Summary: The bidding for “Devil Wars Prada 2” was brief, ending when one participant spent $26 to secure the film. This acquisition prompted a debate over the original film’s rewatchability, with one host claiming it was not in their top 50 most rewatchable films of the century. The segment also included a brief, unsuccessful quiz on quotes and the director of the original movie.
Director and Writer Deep Dive
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(01:33:45)
  • Key Takeaway: The director of “The Devil Wears Prada” was incorrectly identified as David Frankl, who actually directed films like “Marshall and Me” and not “Wedding Crashers.”
  • Summary: The participants attempted to identify the director of “The Devil Wears Prada,” incorrectly naming David Frankl, who was then associated with films like “Marshall and Me.” The screenwriter, Dan Reiss McKenna, was noted for writing “27 Dresses” and the underrated “Morning Glory.” They also briefly discussed Frankl’s filmography, including the poorly received 2016 film “Collateral Beauty.”
Cliff Booth Movie Bid Strategy
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(01:35:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The “Adventures of Cliff Booth” was placed on the board for $1 as a strategic move to potentially disrupt the opponent’s financial standing.
  • Summary: One participant placed a $1 bid on “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” as a strategic move, anticipating it might negatively impact another player’s ability to acquire higher-value items later. The discussion briefly touched upon David Fincher’s high quality even in his B-level work, citing “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” as an example. They also debated the Metacritic score of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Disclosure Day Bidding and Financial Status
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(01:41:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Steven Spielberg’s rumored alien invasion film, “Disclosure Day,” became a point of contention, with a bid of $71 being placed, highlighting the importance of major event movies.
  • Summary: The bidding escalated for “Disclosure Day,” Steven Spielberg’s rumored alien invasion film starring Emily Blunt and Colin Firth, reaching $71. The participant who secured “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” was noted for having significantly more money remaining ($71) compared to the others, allowing them to make aggressive bids. The conversation acknowledged that the game structure was becoming strained due to the financial disparity.
Narnia Prequel Acquisition and Rules Check
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(01:44:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The prequel “Narnia the Magician’s Nephew” was acquired for $18, prompting a rule clarification that prequels/sequels are generally disallowed unless they are the first adaptation of that specific source material.
  • Summary: The “Narnia the Magician’s Nephew” movie adaptation was acquired for $18, despite being a prequel to the main series. A rule check confirmed that this was permissible as it is the first in this specific adaptation series, unlike established sequels. The discussion also touched upon the high box office expectations for the Narnia film due to its IMAX window and casting.
Social Reckoning and Verity Bidding
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(01:47:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Aaron Sorkin’s “Social Reckoning” was acquired for $1, solidifying one participant’s commitment to Sorkin’s work, followed by a $5 bid on the Colleen Hoover adaptation “Verity.”
  • Summary: One participant secured “Social Reckoning” for $1, described as doubling down on their commitment to Aaron Sorkin’s projects. They then acquired “Verity,” a Colleen Hoover adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, for $5 after a brief bidding exchange. The segment included a tangent about the enduring popularity and potential saturation point of Colleen Hoover adaptations.
Final Picks and Recap
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(02:03:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The final picks included “The Mandalorian and Grogu” for $19, driven by family interest, and the final tally confirmed Chris Ryan’s significant spending advantage.
  • Summary: One participant chose “The Mandalorian and Grogu” for $19 as their final pick, motivated by their child’s enthusiasm for the characters, despite questioning the film’s box office prospects without existing Star Wars fan buzz. The episode concluded with a recap of the final acquisitions and their associated costs, highlighting the large sums spent on major titles like “The Odyssey” ($926) and “Dune 3” ($775).
Miscellaneous Movie Mentions
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(02:17:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Specific, often obscure or controversial, films like ‘Faces of Death’ and Daniel Goldhaber’s VHS adaptation were referenced in the context of movie freedom or viewing history.
  • Summary: The segment briefly touches upon freeing ‘Faces of Death’ and references Daniel Goldhaber’s adaptation of VHS, which the hosts watched at age 13 believing it was real. A mention of live-action Moana and the reality of the Bud Dwyer event also occurred.
Producer Thanks and Recap Setup
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(02:18:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Producer Jack Sanders was thanked for his work on the next episode, immediately preceding the final auction recap.
  • Summary: Thanks were extended to producer Jack Sanders for his work on the upcoming episode. A host then signaled the intention to recap the auction results before concluding the segment.
Auction Recap: Host’s Picks
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(02:18:11)
  • Key Takeaway: One participant secured ‘The Odyssey’ for $926, ‘Toy Story 5’ for $1, and ‘Narnia the Magician’s Nephew’ for $18, among other acquisitions.
  • Summary: One participant listed five acquired movies: ‘The Odyssey’ for $926, ‘Toy Story 5’ for $1, ‘Narnia the Magician’s Nephew’ for $18, ‘Digger’ for $5, and ‘Jack of Spades’ for $50.
Auction Recap: Amanda’s Picks
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(02:18:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Amanda acquired ‘Dune 3’ for $775 and ‘Project Hail Mary’ for $200, alongside several low-cost acquisitions like ‘The Social Reckoning’ for $1.
  • Summary: Amanda’s acquisitions included ‘Dune 3’ for $775 and ‘Project Hail Mary’ for $200. She also secured ‘The Social Reckoning’ for $1, ‘Verity’ for $5, and ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ for $19.
Auction Recap: Final Participant
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(02:18:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The final participant’s auction strategy involved spreading budget across period pieces and sequels, acquiring ‘Disclosure Day’ for $72 and ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ for $26.
  • Summary: The last participant’s five picks included ‘Wuthering Heights’ for $75, ‘Resident Evil’ for $72, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ for $26, ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ for $76, and ‘Disclosure Day’ for $72.
Episode Conclusion and Sign-off
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(02:18:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts thanked Jack Sanders again and announced the next episode would feature a visit to the ‘Bone Temple’ on Friday.
  • Summary: A final thank you was given to Jack Sanders for his work on the current episode. The hosts concluded by informing listeners they would return on Friday for a segment involving a visit to the ‘Bone Temple’.