From CNBC: 2024-09-04 13:44:55

In a surprising turn of events, the summer box office totaled $3.6 billion, defying earlier predictions of a lackluster season. Disney and Marvel Studios were absent at the start, but hits like “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” revitalized the industry. Analysts anticipate a strong fall season to follow.

With the summer box office falling short in the initial months, the film industry faced uncertainty. The absence of a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in the lineup created a noticeable gap in the superhero-driven movie season, leading to lower ticket sales. However, late hits like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Inside Out 2” helped turn things around.

Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” set records and rejuvenated the summer box office, raking in a whopping $650 million domestically by Labor Day. This unexpected success injected new life into the industry, propelling the summer box office numbers to exceed expectations. The strong showing by animated films also helped boost overall ticket sales for the season.

Despite a rocky start, the summer box office saw a turnaround with the release of “Deadpool & Wolverine” in late July. The film shattered records for an R-rated movie, earning over $600 million domestically. Other major contributors to the summer box office success included “Despicable Me 4,” “Twisters,” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” alongside breakout hits from studios like Disney, Sony, and Paramount.

As summer draws to a close, box office analysts are optimistic about the momentum carrying over into the fall season. A solid lineup of upcoming releases, including “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Transformers One,” is expected to keep the box office numbers strong. While uncertainties remain, the industry is hopeful for a positive finish to the year.



Read more at CNBC: Summer box office buoyed by ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’