2026 has seen five Hollywood movies sell more than $1B in movie tickets worldwide for the first time since 2019. They are, SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY, THE ODYSSEY, TOY STORY 5, MICHAEL and THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE. Note that the benefits have been shared across studios, with the top five films coming out of Sony/Marvel, Universal, Disney/Pixar, Lionsgate and Universal again. Top theatre chains are also reporting their highest revenues ever, based on increasing ticket sales and add-on sales of concessions and novelty items such as collectible popcorn buckets. The availability of subscription packages for frequent moviegoers is encouraging more regular attendance, including by Gen-Z and younger audiences who are more likely to be motivated by the opportunity to get out of the house for entertainment at bargain pricing.
There is also an increasing trend towards moviegoers choosing to see movies in the biggest and best format available. There is particular interest in unique cinematic experiences, such as watching an updated version of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the Sphere Las Vegas with a display that wraps “up, over and around you”. COSM has played IT, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE and THE MATRIX at its original location in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Park, with recently-opened venues in Dallas and Atlanta and plans for two more in Detroit and Cleveland. 25 U.S. movie theatres have played weeks of sold-out shows of THE ODYSSEY using their 70MM IMAX projection equipment. Even the local cineplex is getting into the game with their own premium large format auditoriums with laser projection, immersive surround sound and video, and even seats that are synchronized to move with the action on the screen.
