From “Supergirl” and “The Death of Robin Hood” to “The Odyssey” and “Moana,” Hollywood’s blockbuster machine shows no signs of slowing down. Beyond the marquee releases, however, a quieter transformation is underway. Studios are rethinking how content is created, distributed and monetized as emerging technologies, evolving business models and changing audience behaviors reshape the entertainment industry.

Nowhere is Hollywood’s shift more visible than in the rise of micro-series, a mobile-first storytelling format piquing the interest of both creator-economy innovators and Hollywood veterans. During an NAB Show session discussing the surge of microdramas, vertical video and creator-led, short-form programming, former NBCUniversal Chairman Susan Rovner observed how traditional Hollywood is in “a moment of contraction,” while micro-series represent a place of growth due to their low production costs, rapid post-production cycle and direct-to-fan distribution. Built around 60- to 90-second episodes, these productions prove that while audiences still crave compelling stories, the difference is how they consume them.

That same audience-first mindset is influencing how studios think about intellectual property and fandom. Today’s franchises are no longer confined to theaters or streaming platforms. From collectibles and merchandise to community-driven engagement, studios are discovering new ways to extend the life of their stories beyond the screen. As Eric Robles, showrunner for Netflix’s “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85,” noted during another NAB Show session on today’s franchise economy, “fans want the film storytelling embedded in products and services. They can see the distinction between something that’s just a money grab versus something that authentically represents the artwork.”

Meanwhile, AI is accelerating transformation behind the camera. Koh Terai, CEO of AI filmmaking platform Martini, argued that the industry often conflates two distinct developments: generative AI and autonomous AI agents. While headlines focus on automation, he emphasized that today’s most successful workflows still place creators at the center. “It’s not binary; it’s a spectrum,” he said, describing a future where filmmakers blend traditional production, AI-assisted workflows and synthetic media.

While these developments represent only part of Hollywood’s ongoing evolution, they point to a new studio model: agile, audience-centric and technologically enabled. The future of film production may look different, but creativity remains the industry’s most valuable asset.

Signal of the Week

Want to learn more about micro-dramas and vertical videos, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in the entertainment industry? Check out this session from NAB Show 2026’s Creator Lab, where studio executives explore how this recent surge is creating new opportunities for creators and platforms.

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