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Audiences returned to theaters in fits and starts, but Hollywood’s overall box office still lags behind its pre-pandemic peaks. Yet lower ticket receipts don’t mean a weak crop of films. Veteran critic Bob Mondello argues that quality survives the slump and offers a shortlist of movies worth seeing.
Why box office figures don’t tell the whole story
Studio revenue has been uneven since theaters reopened. Pandemic-era habits, streaming releases and changing audience patterns slowed the rebound.
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- Hybrid release strategies moved many big titles to streaming.
- International travel and varied regional reopenings affected global totals.
- Smaller, more daring films found limited theatrical windows but strong critical attention.
Ticket sales, in short, are an incomplete gauge of a season’s artistic merits. Critics look for craft, daring and emotional impact—qualities that box office charts can miss.
Bob Mondello’s picks: where critics and moviegoers can meet
Mondello, a long-time film critic, has sifted through releases and singled out titles that stand out for acting, direction and storytelling. His selections emphasize films that reward viewing beyond the first weekend.
- Films praised for performances and screenplay.
- Directorial debuts that signal new voices in cinema.
- Smaller productions that deliver big emotional payoff.
Critic recommendations can guide viewers toward overlooked gems, especially in a season where marketing muscle doesn’t always equal artistic value.
How to access Bob Mondello’s full list and listen without ads
If you want the complete rundown of Mondello’s picks, NPR’s Consider This offers a sponsor-free episode through its membership program.
Ways to listen or subscribe
- Subscribe to Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes.
- Sign up at plus.npr.org to access exclusive content.
- Follow NPR’s film coverage for written reviews and audio features.
Contact and production credits for the episode
Listeners who have questions or tips can reach the show directly.
- Email: considerthis@npr.org
The episode was produced and assembled by a small team working behind the scenes.
- Producers: Chloee Weiner, Marc Rivers, Karen Zamora
- Audio engineering: Zo vanGinhoven, Ted Mebane
- Editors: Clare Lombardo, Sarah Handel
- Executive producer: Sami Yenigun
