Every year, studios release dozens of blockbuster films — but only a handful actually become licensing powerhouses.

In this episode of Born to License, David Born shares his hot take on the 2026 theatrical slate and answers the question every licensee, licensor, and retailer should be asking right now: which movies will really drive consumer products sales?

Drawing on real industry experience, David rates the licensing potential of major 2026 releases and explains why some box office hits fail at retail — while others dominate shelves worldwide.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The biggest licensing lesson from 2025’s surprise hit K-Pop Demon Hunters
• Why licensing success requires betting on properties before audiences do
• David’s licensing score (out of 10) for 2026’s biggest films, including:
  • Toy Story 5
  • Spider-Man: Brand New Day
  • Avengers: Doomsday
  • The Mandalorian & Grogu
  • Minions 3
  • Super Mario Galaxy
  • Moana (Live Action)
  • Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
• Which studio David believes will win the licensing battle in 2026
• Why evergreen IP often outperforms tentpole-driven franchises

If you work in licensing, retail, brand strategy, or entertainment, this episode will change how you look at theatrical releases — and what actually matters when it comes to consumer products.

🎧 Next episode: Why you need to start preparing now for Licensing Expo — and the biggest mistakes brands make every year.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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Sony’s $450M acquisition of Peanuts shocked a lot of people — but for those who understand licensing, the $1.1B valuation makes perfect sense.

In this episode of Born to License, David Born breaks down why Peanuts is worth over a billion dollars, what that valuation really means inside the licensing industry, and how evergreen IP is built, protected, and monetized at scale.

Using real-world examples — from Snoopy T-shirts to small businesses like Plum Deluxe — this episode pulls back the curtain on licensing approvals, brand protection, and why the systems behind billion-dollar IP exist for a reason.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Sony’s Peanuts acquisition validates the power of evergreen IP
• What a $1.1B valuation actually means operationally in licensing
• How Peanuts generates $3.2B in retail sales across 1,200+ licenses
• Why licensing approvals take time — and why that’s a good thing
• How small brands can successfully license billion-dollar IP
• Why Peanuts continues to resonate with Gen Z without blockbuster films

This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about brand equity, licensing strategy, IP protection, or how iconic brands like Peanuts stay culturally relevant for over 75 years.

🎧 Next episode: David shares his movie predictions for 2026 — and which theatrical releases will (and won’t) drive licensed product sales.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: hello@borntolicense.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

2026 could be the most transformative year in licensing history. From the potential Netflix-Warner Bros. mega-merger to one of the most stacked theatrical lineups we've seen in years, the licensing landscape is about to change dramatically.

In this episode, David Born breaks down everything you need to watch in 2026: the consolidation dominating headlines, the exodus of licensing talent reshaping the competitive landscape, and the massive theatrical releases that will drive consumer products - from Super Mario Galaxy and Toy Story 5 to Avengers Doomsday and Narnia.

Plus, David explores the trends that will define the year ahead: AI's impact on licensing, the explosion of characters in advertising, retailers desperate for differentiation, and the continued power of nostalgia brands. Whether you're a licensor, licensee, or retailer, this episode gives you the strategic insights you need to navigate 2026 successfully.

Key Topics:

• Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal and consolidation ripple effects
• The biggest theatrical releases of 2026 and their licensing implications
• Where displaced licensing talent will land—and how it will reshape the industry
• AI, digital licensing, and emerging trends you can't ignore
• Public domain chaos, dynamic royalty models, and emerging markets
• Major licensing events and why you need to be there

Mentioned in this episode: Super Mario, Pixar's Hoppers, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Mandalorian & Grogu, Masters of the Universe, Toy Story 5, Supergirl, Moana (live-action), Spider-Man, Narnia, Avengers Doomsday, and more.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: hello@borntolicense.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!