The 2024 U.S. box office closed at an estimated $8.72 billion, a 3% dip from 2023’s $9 billion but significantly better than the projected $8 billion. Despite challenges like a reduced number of tentpoles in early 2024 and lingering effects of industry strikes, the box office showed resilience, with late-year releases driving much of the recovery. By December 31, the U.S.-Canada box office had narrowed its year-over-year deficit to just 3%.
While the total number of movies grossing $100 million dropped slightly from 24 to 22, several major milestones were achieved. The year delivered five $100 million-plus opening weekends and maintained steady performance for films crossing $200 million and $300 million thresholds. PG-rated movies were especially strong, contributing $2.8 billion, up from $2.1 billion in 2023.
Walt Disney Studios
2024 Gross: $2.219 billion (+17% over 2023)
Disney dominated with the highest annual gross among studios, boosted by major hits like Inside Out 2 ($652.9M) and Deadpool & Wolverine ($636.7M). The studio’s success stems from its focus on fewer, higher-quality franchise films. While Mufasa underperformed, Disney still delivered two billion-dollar global hits.
- Top Films: Inside Out 2 ($652.9M), Deadpool & Wolverine ($636.7M), Moana 2 ($403.9M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine (67 days)
- Shortest PVOD Window: The First Omen (53 days)
- 2025 Outlook: High hopes for Captain America: Brave New World, Snow White, Thunderbolts, and Avatar: Fire & Ash.
Universal Pictures
2024 Gross: $1.88 billion (-3% from 2023)
Universal continued to deliver mass-appealing hits, with Wicked ($403.98M) leading the charge as the year’s third-highest-grossing film. Other notable successes included Despicable Me 4 and Twisters. The studio struggled with some underperforming genre films but found modest success with Focus Features’ Nosferatu ($48M).
- Top Films: Wicked ($403.98M), Despicable Me 4 ($361M), Twisters ($267.7M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Despicable Me 4 (34 days)
- Shortest PVOD Window: Several titles at 18 days, including Monkey Man and Lisa Frankenstein.
- 2025 Outlook: Anticipated releases include How to Train Your Dragon, M3GAN 3.0, and Wicked: For Good.
Warner Bros.
2024 Gross: $1.164 billion (-17% from 2023)
Warner Bros. delivered solid hits like Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice ($294.1M) and Dune: Part Two ($282.1M). However, big-budget films like Furiosa and Joker: Folie à Deux fell short of expectations. Next year’s lineup includes high-profile projects like Superman and Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17.
- Top Films: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice ($294.1M), Dune: Part Two ($282.1M), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ($196.3M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong (46 days)
- Shortest PVOD Window: Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim (14 days)
- 2025 Outlook: Strong hopes for Superman and Minecraft.
Sony Pictures
2024 Gross: $1 billion (flat year-over-year)
Sony had a balanced year, with highlights like Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($193.5M) and It Ends With Us ($148.5M). Despite lower grosses for Venom: The Last Dance, the studio remained profitable due to controlled budgets. Challenges persist with underperforming Marvel projects like Kraven the Hunter.
- Top Films: Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($193.5M), It Ends With Us ($148.5M), Venom: The Last Dance ($139.7M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Multiple titles at 46 days
- Shortest PVOD Window: Afraid (18 days)
- 2025 Outlook: Promising releases include Karate Kid: Legends and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Paramount Pictures
2024 Gross: $879.5 million (+5% over 2023)
Paramount saw success with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ($151.4M) and A Quiet Place: Day One ($138.9M). However, Transformers One struggled to resonate, reflecting a mixed year. The studio’s future depends on its ability to secure financing for franchises like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek.
- Top Films: Gladiator II ($164.5M), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ($151.4M), A Quiet Place: Day One ($138.9M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Mean Girls (39 days)
- Shortest PVOD Window: Multiple titles at 32 days
- 2025 Outlook: Anticipated titles include Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Lionsgate
2024 Gross: $252.2 million (-57% from 2023)
Lionsgate faced a tough year, with no major blockbusters. Underperforming films like Borderlands ($15.4M) dragged the studio down. However, potential bright spots for 2025 include Ballerina and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.
- Top Films: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ($39.9M), The Strangers: Chapter 1 ($35.2M), Imaginary ($28M)
- Longest PVOD Window: Megalopolis (56 days)
- Shortest PVOD Window: Never Let Go (14 days)
- 2025 Outlook: Optimism for Ballerina and Michael.
Amazon MGM
2024 Gross: $249.7 million (-8% from 2023)
Amazon MGM relied heavily on Red One ($96.7M) but struggled to deliver broader box office hits. The studio faces challenges balancing theatrical windows with Prime Video integration.
- Top Films: Red One ($96.7M), The Beekeeper ($66.2M), Challengers ($50.1M)
- 2025 Outlook: Potential breakout hits include The Accountant 2 and Mercy.
A24
2024 Gross: $201 million (+47% from 2023)
A24 had a standout year, led by Civil War ($68.6M), its second-highest-grossing film ever. The studio continues to attract younger audiences with original, high-quality films.
- Top Films: Civil War ($68.6M), Heretic ($26.6M), We Live in Time ($24.6M)
- 2025 Outlook: Excitement for Death of a Unicorn and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme.
Source: Deadline
