KPop Demon Hunters Sweeps the Annies While Toy Story 5 Steps Into the Spotlight (Ep. 347)

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed week in animation, from awards-season shakeups to shifting box office math and a first real look at Pixar’s next big sequel. Along the way, they spotlight a streaming acquisition that could become a Halloween favorite, a few strategic release-date moves, and close with a heartfelt remembrance of a behind-the-scenes legend whose work helped shape modern animation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• KPop Demon Hunters dominates the Annie Awards with 12 wins, including Best Feature, while Zootopia 2 goes home empty-handed despite its box office strength

• Corrected Presidents Day numbers boost GOAT’s opening and reshape its rivalry with Wuthering Heights in weekend two

• Pixar debuts the first official Toy Story 5 trailer, centering Jessie and introducing a toys-versus-tech conflict

• Sony begins development on an animated Venom project with Tom Hardy producing

• TMNT: Mutant Mayhem 2 moves its release date up by a month

• Netflix acquires I Am Frankelda, Mexico’s first stop-motion animated feature, for a fall debut

• A tribute to Jane Baer, whose career included Sleeping Beauty, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, and more

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia (instagram.com/JimHillMedia) | X: @JimHillMedia (twitter.com/JimHillMedia) | Website: JimHillMedia.com

• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored (instagram.com/drewtailored) | X: @DrewTailored (twitter.com/DrewTailored) | Website: drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

• Facebook: facebook.com/JimHillMediaNews

• Instagram: instagram.com/JimHillMedia

• TikTok: tiktok.com/@JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia (patreon.com/jimhillmedia).

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency (strongmindedagency.com)

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, their team can help you secure great ticket prices and plan smarter. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com (unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_…).

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. (jimhillmedia.com/sponsor)

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