The future is "walled gardens." We are moving from 100 studios to about 5 major universes (Disney, Warner/Discovery, Netflix, Amazon, Apple). To survive, a production must either be a massive IP event or a cheap niche hit.

On the opposite end of the scale from Disney is A24. This "indie" darling has become a brand in its own right, known for producing avant-garde, artist-driven films like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Hereditary . They represent the "prestige" side of popular entertainment, proving that niche, high-concept stories can achieve massive commercial success. Animation: A League of Its Own