Knock on Wood

Inspired by the Vulture Movie Fantasy League, we are launching the first-ever Knock on Wood Movie Fantasy League, which will encompass films currently scheduled for theatrical release between April 1 and September 30, 2026.

Each player has 100 imaginary dollars to go towards your team of new release films. A dollar amount has been assigned to each upcoming theatrical film based on earnings potential. No streaming-exclusive films are included. Your “team” must be comprised of exactly eight films, and you cannot exceed your imaginary $100. You can, however, be under $100 if you so choose.

There are two ways to earn points: through box office performance and critical reception. You can check out the numerical specifics here, but essentially, you get points for every million dollars earned, plus bonuses for ending up at No. 1 on the domestic box office (keyword domestic, meaning US and Canada only…the same goes for dollars earned) and in the top 10. The critical performance of a film is just as important, with Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, Letterboxd, and IMDb scores all taken into account. Points from critical performance will only be awarded once, after two box office weekends, to ensure stabilization.

Choose your strategy carefully, or play purely based on vibes (as I tend to do with games like this!). Only one entry per person is allowed. If you enter before April 1, all films are fair game. Any entry afterward cannot include films already released. If a film is delayed, it cannot be replaced. If you have any questions, you can reach us at franchiseparadiso@gmail.com.

See a list of eligible movies here, and draft your team here. I encourage you to do your own research for the most well-rounded, educated guesses, but it is certainly not necessary. Good luck, and don’t forget to subscribe to our email list for semi-weekly updates, beginning the second week of April!