Disney has emerged as the leader in the domestic box office for 2024, capturing 25% of total ticket sales, which amounted to $8.74 billion—only a 3.4% decline from 2023. Notably, the second half of the year saw a remarkable recovery, thanks to blockbuster releases like Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine, Pixar's Inside Out 2, and Disney Animation's Moana 2.
Despite early challenges due to Hollywood labor strikes that delayed major releases, the latter half of the year turned the tide, shrinking a projected billion-dollar deficit to just $300 million. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, remarked on the impressive comeback, highlighting the resilience of theaters.
Disney's Inside Out 2 became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning over $650 million domestically and surpassing $1 billion globally. Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine set records as the highest debut for an R-rated film, also crossing the $1 billion mark.
Looking ahead, industry analysts predict a franchise-heavy lineup for 2025, with anticipated hits like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Jurassic World: Rebirth. With strong performances from established franchises, the outlook for the box office remains optimistic.