Box Office Comeback in Full Swing, New York Production Spend Surges, ESPYs Honor Jason Collins, Daytime Emmys Crown 'Y&R' Again, Madonna Tops the Charts (July 13–17, 2026)

In this week's Friday Five, movie theaters are having their best year since the pandemic as unconventional hits like "Project Hail Mary," "Michael," and "Obsession" prove original stories can be blockbusters (Variety), New York's film and TV production spend surges 57% to nearly $1.06 billion while California holds its number one spot after doubling its incentive program (The Hollywood Reporter), the 2026 ESPY Awards deliver a night of joy and history as the Knicks celebrate their championship, Marcello Hernández becomes the first Latino ESPYs host in 25 years, and Robin Roberts presents a posthumous Arthur Ashe Courage Award to NBA trailblazer Jason Collins (ABC News), the Daytime Emmy nominations give soap fans plenty to cheer as "The Young and the Restless" tops the leaderboard for a third consecutive year (TVLine), and Madonna scores her 10th number one album on the Billboard 200 with "Confessions II," a triumphant return to the dance floor two decades after the original "Confessions on a Dance Floor" (Billboard), alongside other key developments shaping the entertainment industry.

Resources:

• Story 1 — Variety / Box Office Rebound

  https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/movie-theaters-rebound-box-office-obsession-project-hail-mary-1236810214/

• Story 2 — The Hollywood Reporter / NY-CA Production Spend

  https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/new-york-film-tv-spend-california-production-1236649240/

• Story 3 — ABC News / 2026 ESPYs

  https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/2026-espys-best-moments-sports-biggest-night/story?id=134809703

• Story 4 — TVLine / Daytime Emmy Nominations

  https://www.tvline.com/2214043/2026-daytime-emmys-nominations-full-list-nominees/

• Story 5 — Billboard / Madonna's Confessions II

  https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-confessions-ii-number-one-billboard-200-chart/