In this article, foul-mouthed superheroes and family-friendly content supported the domestic box office in the final months of 2024. Full-year ticket sales decreased by only 3.4% from 2023, totaling $8.74 billion, a significant improvement from the nearly 27% decline observed midway through 2024. The release of films like Disney and Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Disney Animation’s “Moana 2,” and Universal’s “Wicked” after June helped boost ticket sales, reducing a billion-dollar deficit to just $300 million, according to Comscore data.
Despite the challenges faced by theaters in 2024, a strong comeback starting in June, attributed to the residual effects of strikes and production delays earlier in the year, was described as remarkable by Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. The disruption in the production calendar caused by Hollywood labor strikes in the previous year led to major blockbuster releases being postponed to the second half of 2024, with some even pushed to 2025 and 2026.
The initial decline in ticket sales in the first half of the year was disappointing following steady annual growth post-pandemic. However, industry analysts anticipate a rebound in 2025 and the potential to surpass the $10 billion mark in 2026. The upcoming years are filled with blockbuster franchises and films based on popular existing intellectual property, indicating a positive outlook for the industry.
Disney, in particular, benefited from franchise films in 2024, with three of the top four highest-grossing films of the year attributed to the company. “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” were among the successful releases, with the former becoming the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassing $1 billion globally.
The superhero genre, including Marvel, is expected to see a resurgence with major releases planned for 2025. Warner Bros. and other studios are also gearing up for significant film debuts in the coming years. The success of franchise-driven films in 2024 indicates a positive trend for the industry, with high expectations for the years ahead.
Disney’s strong performance in 2024 was highlighted by the success of “Moana 2,” which set records during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Alongside other successful releases, Disney contributed significantly to the domestic box office, capturing a substantial market share. Universal and other studios also had notable performances, collectively contributing to the industry’s total box office earnings.
The late-year moviegoing rally in 2024 has set a promising stage for theaters in 2025, with a more stable release calendar expected to drive even bigger results for theatrical exhibition. The momentum generated by successful releases in 2024 is anticipated to carry forward into the following year, setting the stage for continued growth in the industry.
