2023 Domestic Box Office Reaches $9 Billion – The Hollywood Reporter

Whew.

Domestic box office receipts managed to clear $9 billion after all, despite a dismal fall season at movie theaters, according to Comscore. This is the best showing in the post-pandemic period, with revenues in the United States and Canada up 20 percent compared to $7.5 billion in 2022.

But movie ticket sales are still sharply lower than in pre-pandemic times, when domestic revenues topped $10 billion each year starting in 2009 and $11 billion each year starting in 2015 and ending in 2019, the last year before the advent of… Corona Virus. Comscore believes 2023 domestic revenue will reach $9.03 billion-$9.05 billion for 2023, down approximately 21 percent from 2019’s $11.4 billion.

In terms of box office trends, 2023 will be remembered as a year of massive change as audiences rejected tried-and-true staples, such as superhero fare – Wonders It was the biggest stumble in Marvel Studios’ history – instead embracing originality or genres that had previously suffered.

The prominent example of the New World Order was the Barbenheimer phenomenon. One punch from director Greta Gerwig Barbie And global Oppenheimerdirected by Christopher Nolan, saw its July and August box office receipts reach pre-pandemic levels.

“Another box office goal was set and achieved in 2023 as the domestic year crossed the $9 billion threshold, largely due to a landmark $4 billion summer movie season powered by Barbenheimer and a unique year in which alternative content, niche films and international cinema achieved success.” Significant “Mark in an unprecedented show of strength that adds to the bottom line,” says Paul Dergarbedian of Comscore.

He’s referring to films like Angel Studios’ hit pic Freedom’s voice, which derived much of its strength from religious and conservative audiences. The film came out of nowhere to gross $184.1 million domestically, placing it as the 10th highest-grossing film of 2023.

Taylor Swift: Tour for the Ages It was another unicorn. The pop diva decided to bypass the Hollywood studio system and bring her concert footage directly to movie theaters through a deal with AMC Theaters. An unimaginable achievement Tour of the ages It earned $179.6 million domestically to finish 11th on the top 20, ahead of Indiana Jones and the Connection of Destiny ($174.5 million) and Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 ($172.1 million).

Barbie, from Warner Bros., was the highest-grossing film of the year and the only film to cross the $600 million mark domestically on its way to $636.2 million. It was also the No. 1 picture worldwide having grossed $1.44 billion.

Super Mario Bros movie, released in the spring, was the first big surprise hit of the year. It earned $574.9 million domestically and $1.36 billion globally to become the highest-grossing video game of all time in a major win for Universal.

There was more good news in store for Universal, culminating with the studio ending Disney’s long-running winning streak and narrowly winning the domestic market share race with an estimated $1.94 billion in ticket sales from January 1 to December. February 21, 2023, according to unofficial estimates. (Universal may also be first in global market share after Disney held the top spot for seven straight years).

Disney’s 2023 domestic revenue is estimated at $1.9 billion, though final numbers for all studios won’t be revealed until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Other international titles for 2023 include Christopher Nolan Oppenheimer — an adult biographical drama that runs just over three hours long — grossed an impressive $326 million domestically and $952 million worldwide, while Fast x It grossed $704.9 million worldwide (it was weak in North America but did well internationally).

Back on the list of top-grossing films domestically, Sony Spider-Man: Across the Universe In third place ($381.3 million), followed by Disney and Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ($359 million). Disney also ranked No. 6 and No. 7. With the little Mermaid ($298.1 million) and Avatar: Water Roadwhich, despite being released at the end of 2022, grossed $283.1 million in 2023.

Lionsgate John Wick: Chapter 4 It ranked ninth in the top 10 domestically with $187.1 million in ticket sales.

If Hollywood executives aren’t setting off fireworks during 2023, it’s because they’re bracing for a turbulent ride at the domestic box office for 2024 after a slew of high-profile tentpoles were postponed to 2025 due to lengthy writers and actors strikes.

In a major blow to post-pandemic recovery efforts, domestic box office receipts in 2024 could come in lower than 2023. If forecasts hold true, domestic box office in 2024 could reach $7.5 billion to $8 billion, several directors say Studios executives. Who spoke with Hollywood Reporter (A few are more optimistic in their belief that $8 billion to $8.5 billion is possible.)