The Bobby Bones Show: Movie Mike’s Movie Podcast – “Evolution of the Highest-Grossing Animated Movies Ever + Movie Review: The Long Walk + Trailer Park: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”

Date: September 21, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Movie Mike dives deep into the illustrious history of the highest-grossing animated films, explores their shifts in technology, storytelling, and cultural impact, and contextualizes their box office dominance over time. The show continues with a spoiler-free review of the much-anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's The Long Walk, and wraps up with insights and speculation about the upcoming “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” in the Trailer Park segment.

Evolution of the Highest-Grossing Animated Movies

(Main segment: 02:56 – 27:33)

Introduction and Segment Purpose

• Movie Mike examines the only 10 films to ever hold the title of “highest-grossing animated movie” in history.
• Each film is discussed in terms of production, industry context, behind-the-scenes drama, and legacy.
• Mike highlights how technological advances, studio wars, and changing audience expectations shaped the animated box office.

The Ten Titles and Their Industry Impact

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – Disney

   • Budget: $1.4–$1.5 million
   • Revenue: Equivalent to $8.5 billion (adjusted)
   • Insights: “If Snow White would have failed, Disney would have failed... the studio could have gone kaput.” (Movie Mike, 04:34)
   • Marked the world's first full-length animated feature.
   • Overcame industry skepticism – referred to as “Disney’s folly” pre-release.

2. Aladdin (1992) – Disney

   • Budget: $28 million, Box Office: $418 million
   • Robin Williams' Genie casting controversy: He agreed to a far smaller paycheck on the condition his character wouldn’t dominate marketing, a promise Disney didn’t honor.
   • “You realize when you work for Disney, why the mouse only has four fingers—he can’t pick up a check.” (Robin Williams, via Mike, 07:16)

3. The Lion King (1994) – Disney

   • Budget: $45 million, Box Office: $768 million
   • The “B-Team” did animation; Disney invested more heavily in Pocahontas, which underperformed by comparison.
   • Launchpad for Elton John’s family musical career.

4. Finding Nemo (2003) – Pixar

   • Budget: $94 million, Box Office: $867 million
   • First fully CGI animated record-holder.
   • Discussion on the tense early 2000s Disney-Pixar relationship and Steve Jobs' role: “Pixar started putting out banger after banger. They needed the money and the distribution, but Disney needed their art.” (Movie Mike, 13:36)

5. Shrek 2 (2004) – DreamWorks

   • Budget: $150 million, Box Office: $928 million
   • First non-Disney/Pixar record-holder. Parodies Disney fairy tale tropes; success was crucial to DreamWorks’ survival.

6. Toy Story 3 (2010) – Disney/Pixar

   • Budget: $300 million, Box Office: $1.067 billion
   • First animated film to cross the $1B mark.
   • Almost ended with the incinerator scene: “That was the actual ending. Could you imagine?...It would have been bold and would have had a lasting effect...me as an adult now would love it.” (Movie Mike, 20:14)
   • “Why would you give away such cool toys? I still don’t forgive Andy for that.” (Movie Mike, 21:56)

7. Frozen (2013) – Disney

   • Budget: $150 million, Box Office: $1.287 billion
   • “Let It Go” turned Elsa from villain to complex protagonist, reshaping the film’s trajectory and success.

8. The Lion King (2019, CGI Remake) – Disney

   • Budget: $260 million, Box Office: $1.65 billion
   • Debates about whether it qualifies as animated or live-action.
   • Mike’s take: “I just didn’t really connect with the characters ... It is hard to connect to a character like that.” (Movie Mike, 24:14)

9. Inside Out 2 (2024) – Disney/Pixar

   • Budget: $200 million, Box Office: just under $1.7 billion
   • Success contrasted with weaker Pixar entries in the Disney+ era.
   • Emphasized careful approach to sequels and evolution of emotions/storylines.
   • “Pixar...withholds from making sequels unless they believe there is truly a story there worth telling.” (Movie Mike, 25:38)

10. Nezha 2 (2025) – China

    • Budget: $80 million, Box Office: $2.2 billion+
    • First non-English, non-Western film on the list. Epic, folklore-driven Chinese feature with “Avengers Endgame-level depth.”
    • “When I see it now as the number 5th highest grossing movie of all time, that is a force to be reckoned with.” (Movie Mike, 27:15)
    • Mike’s personal anecdote: “When I went to go see it, I was the only person in that theater. It felt like I had my own private screening. It was awesome.” (Movie Mike, 27:18)

Spoiler-Free Movie Review: The Long Walk

(Segment: 30:21 – 38:10)

Story, Themes & Approach

• Adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel (written as “Richard Bachman”).
• Premise: 50 teenage boys in a dystopian walk-or-die competition, overseen by Mark Hamill’s character.
• Mike expected more horror and brutality, but “got something better” in its character focus.

Key Review Points

• “What you really got was seeing all of these young men bond in a way that I have not seen on screen in a really long time. It kind of reminded me of watching all the kids in The Sandlot…” (Movie Mike, 31:57)
• Surprising emotional resonance: “I was not expecting to go into The Long Walk thinking I’m about to watch one of the saddest things I have ever watched.” (Movie Mike, 35:32)

Cast & Performances Highlights

• David Johnson (“number 23”): “He has the number 23…on screen was so powerful and how inspiring his character was…” (Movie Mike, 33:44)
• Cooper Hoffman: “Keeping everybody in line…son of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.”
• Mark Hamill’s Major: “One dimensional...wanted him to be more of a villain...he was kind of just there and existing.” (Movie Mike, 36:27)

Narrative Qualities

• Parallels to Hunger Games, but The Long Walk pre-dates.
• Mike’s unique take: “If you took just the audio…and just listen to it as if it were a podcast, I think it would work 100%...it’s about how these characters make you feel.” (Movie Mike, 37:09)

Final Verdict

• “Really entertaining and engaging...not the best movie of the year, but for The Long Walk, I give it four out of five boots.” (Movie Mike, 37:56)

Trailer Park: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

(Segment: 41:01 – 50:34)

Industry Trends and Format

• “How do we feel about fast sequels?” Major studios are shooting movies back-to-back and releasing them in quick succession.
• Praise and caution: Great when both parts are intentionally filmed, negative when one story is artificially split for extra cash (e.g., Hunger Games, Harry Potter).

Franchise & Story Details

• 28 Years Later released in June, will stream on Netflix 92 days post-theater; The Bone Temple arrives in January 2026.
• “In this situation I love it...as a society we become more and more impatient, especially when it comes to movies.” (Movie Mike, 41:32)

Trailer & Official Synopsis Highlights

• “Many of the things we take for granted will one day pass away completely.” (trailer quote, 43:19)
• The infected are no longer the greatest threat: “The inhumanity of the survivors can be a strange and more terrifying thing.” (official synopsis, 46:41)
• Casting News: Cillian Murphy confirmed to reprise Jim, but not shown in trailer.
  • “I hope they keep him out of all the trailers. I hope there are no press photos. Because I think that’s going to be a pretty cool moment.” (Movie Mike, 47:32)

Notable Moments

• “If you can organize these productions in a way where you can just gather all these actors...get them out back to back. I think that is a pretty good move. It is a little risky…But I think that’s going to be the key in the future to keeping audiences engaged.” (Movie Mike, 42:41)
• Hopes for more action in the sequel; the villainy of humanity a central theme.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That was the actual ending [incinerator scene for Toy Story 3]. Could you imagine?...I think at the time I would have hated it. Now, 15 years removed...that would have been bold and would have had a lasting effect.” (Movie Mike, 20:14)
• On Nezha 2: “It feels on the scale of Game of Thrones...so much character development and also a very ambitious runtime. Probably the longest animated movie I’ve ever seen in theaters.” (Movie Mike, 26:54)
• “If you love animation like me, which I think if you’ve gotten to this point of the episode, you are. Check it out.” – Encouraging listeners to try international animation. (Movie Mike, 27:22)

Listener Shoutout

(50:38 – 52:53)

• Shoutout to Matthew on X (Twitter) for listening to the pod with a Topo Chico: “That is the perfect combination…Watching a movie and having a Topo Chico is pretty peak for me.” (Movie Mike, 51:35)
• Encouragement for listeners to reach out on social or YouTube for future shoutouts.

Episode Summary at a Glance

• Animation Box Office Deep-Dive: Historical, financial, and creative breakdown of the 10 highest-grossing animated films, including industry-shaping milestones and colorful backstories.
• Review – The Long Walk: Thoughtful, emotional assessment of the Stephen King adaptation; praised for character focus and unexpected depth.
• Trailer Park – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: Fast-succession franchise filmmaking, industry trends, and speculation on one of 2026’s biggest horror releases.

For further details, recommended listening: [specific segments]

• Evolution of Highest-Grossing Animated Movies: (02:56 – 27:33)
• The Long Walk Review: (30:21 – 38:10)
• Trailer Park – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: (41:01 – 50:34)

Compiled and structured to capture Movie Mike’s enthusiastic and insightful tone for listeners new and returning alike.