After it was reported that thedomestic box office had hit the $8.7 billion markin 2024, which represents a 3% decline from 2023’s final numbers, a Variety report, citing U.K.-based film industry research firm Gower Street Analytics, declared that theglobal box office generated around $30 billion last year. This marks a 7% decline from 2023 figures, but the six-month stretch in the second half of 2024 was extremely beneficial; it actually out-grossed 2023 by 5%. This late surge was led by films such asMoana 2,Wicked, and, to a degree,Mufasa: The Lion King.
The highest-grossing film of 2024 remainsInside Out 2, which has a total global haul of nearly $1.7 billion. Another Disney film, the R-rated superhero extravaganzaDeadpool & Wolverine, took the number two spot with over $1.3 billion.Disney became the only studio to pass the $5 billion mark in global revenue last year, thanks to hits such asInside Out 2andDeadpool & Wolverine, but alsoMoana 2,Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,Mufasa: The Lion King, andAlien: Romulus.Moana 2is set to become the third hit of 2024 to pass $1 billion in global revenue, whileMufasawill pass the $500 million mark worldwide this weekend.
Other major hits of the year includeDespicable Me 4($969 million),Dune: Part Two($714 million),Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire($571 million), andKung Fu Panda 4($547 million). Each film in the top 10 list is an IP-driven project. Interestingly,there is only one Chinese film in the top 10. China emerged as the world’s biggest movie-going market some years ago but was hit badly by the pandemic. The market witnessed a whopping 22% year-on-year decline and saw earnings of $5.8 billion in 2024. This is China’s lowest annual total in a decade, and 27% down from the pre-pandemic average.
The Prognosis for 2025 Is Looking Positive
Gower Street Analytics isprojecting a $33 billion haul in 2025, which will see tent poles such asCaptain America: Brave New World,Fantastic Four: First Steps,Avatar: Fire and Ash,Jurassic World: Rebirth,Superman, andMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The industry was affected in 2024 by the devastating strikes of 2023 and will take some more time to return to pre-pandemic norms. That being said, viewing patterns and audience behavior have changed drastically since then. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Moana sets out on another daring voyage, venturing into uncharted territories to save her island from a looming ancient danger. Joined by the demigod Maui and her steadfast friends, she braves perilous seas and encounters new allies along the way. Her quest leads to revelations about her ancestors and deeper insights into her bond with the ocean.
