NEW YORK — Sony and Marvel's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has surpassed $1 billion globally, becoming the fourth film in 2026 to reach that milestone. It joins Universal's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," Lionsgate's "Michael" and Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 5" — a run that confirms the theatrical business has stabilized after years of disruption.
Universal's "The Odyssey" is closing in on $1 billion as well, having grossed $912 million globally through Sunday. The film is expected to remain in theaters through at least mid-September, putting it on track to become the fifth billion-dollar title of the year.
Hollywood projects a return to a $10 billion domestic box office year in 2026, supported by a sharp increase in wide releases. Studios are putting out 115 to 120 films this year, up from 94 in 2024 and in line with the approximately 120 films that debuted in 2019. Warner Bros. Sony and Paramount have all expanded their slates, and new distributor Black Bear has entered the market.
Amazon MGM Studios has re-entered theatrical distribution in a meaningful way, pulling select productions back from streaming. Its film "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling, has grossed $683 million globally and surpassed "Oppenheimer's" final domestic gross of $330 million. Amazon stock trades at $272.26.
The 2026 performance builds on a strong 2025. "Lilo & Stitch" was the first U.S. production to hit $1 billion that year, with China's animated sequel "Ne Zha 2" and Disney's "Zootopia 2" also posting major global numbers.
For Sony, Disney and Comcast — Universal's parent — billion-dollar releases drive studio earnings directly and extend the licensing value of their intellectual property. The exhibition industry benefits as well: higher ticket sales and concession revenue strengthen cinema chains that faced severe pressure in recent years.
Studios are no longer treating streaming and theatrical as competing priorities. The stronger box office results of the past two years have prompted a recalibration, with more titles receiving full theatrical runs before moving to streaming platforms — a strategy that maximizes revenue across both windows.
