From CNBC:

Warner Bros. is expected to headline the 2024 box office with the release of “Dune: Part Two” on March 1, following a slew of sequels, prequels, and spinoffs from popular franchises. Studios are hoping that these upcoming franchise offerings will find favor with audiences, especially with the high anticipation surrounding new entries from popular animated franchises.

A much-anticipated stand-alone film, “The Batman,” generated over $750 million in global ticket sales in 2022, and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3” secured around $845 million worldwide in the past year, indicating that carefully crafted new entrants from popular brands can be successful in attracting audiences.

The film lineup of 2024 represents a staggering array of sequels, franchises, and known IP, including venerable movie brands such as the hotly anticipated “Deadpool 3,” the first R-rated Disney-Marvel film to be released in theaters, and a Mad Max prequel, among others. If executed properly, these films could potentially find favor with audiences.

Despite the high anticipation surrounding the release of “Dune: Part Two” and a collection of new entries from popular animated franchises, entertainment experts are unsure if the return to familiar stories will be enough to lure audiences back into theaters this year. The post-pandemic domestic box office has struggled to fully regain audiences, leading to uncertainties about the recovery of the film industry in 2024.



Read more: What’s ahead for franchises, theaters