Disney cedes global market share crown to Universal – The Hollywood Reporter

Universal and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.”

Universal Pictures

Universal’s film empire is taking a major bow after taking first place in market share at the 2023 global box office, a feat no studio has been able to accomplish since Disney’s rise to dominance in 2016.

The 24 films released by Universal generated an estimated $4.91 billion in ticket sales worldwide, compared to an estimated $4.83 billion from the 17 titles released by Disney, resulting in a relatively close race in North America and at the foreign box office. Even a week ago, no one in Hollywood was sure Universal would prevail, especially overseas.

Universal’s total revenue included $1.94 billion in domestic revenue, while Disney’s total domestic revenue was $1.9 billion. Internationally, Universal prevailed with $2.97 billion. Disney’s overseas revenues were $2.92 billion.

The transfer of authority is a big win for Donna Langley, NBCUniversal Studio Group chairman and chief content officer. Known for her close relationships with major filmmakers, she had the skills and stature to lure Christopher Nolan into Universal’s fold when he was upset at Warner Bros.’ After announcing plans to release the 2021 lineup on livestream. .

Nolan is rated R Oppenheimer It led Universal’s highest-grossing films of 2023 with an astonishing $952 million in global ticket sales, a record amount for a biographical drama and Nolan’s best showing outside of his two films. The Dark Knight Movies, not adjusted for inflation.

“Universal seems to have found the perfect balance between franchise films, animation, horror and everything in between – and these originals are given every possible advantage through an ideal exhibition strategy that combines great relationships with filmmakers, great marketing and a strong distribution plan.” says Comscore senior box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

Universal’s roster includes titles from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination, and DreamWorks Animation. Lighting is forte Super Mariowhich grossed $1.36 billion worldwide (ranking second for the year behind Warners) Barbie). The film broke several records, including becoming the #2 animated film of all time behind Disney films Frozen. And 2023 Fast x It grossed $704.9 million in gross box office revenue to give Universal three of the five highest-grossing films of the year globally.

Langley, who also keeps Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum close, has always insisted on a diverse slate of films as well as franchise fare. Blumhouse Five nights at freddy’sIt scared the hell out of $290.9 million against a budget of just $20 million.

“In 2023, Universal once again delivers box office success with our eclectic slate of films. Our slate includes blockbusters like Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer And breaking the lighting record Super Mario Bros moviehorror films including the Blumhouse hit M3GAN“Comedies, dramas and family films from two of the biggest names in animation, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation,” Universal Pictures president of domestic distribution Jim Orr said in a statement.

From 2016 to 2022, Disney held first place in global market share (losing the domestic race to Sony in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 box office collapse). Universal hasn’t ranked No. 1 globally since 2015, when studio revenue reached a then-record $6.9 billion.

Ceding the crown to Universal was a particularly difficult year for Disney, one in which Marvel Studios and the company’s animation studios stumbled badly. In recent weeks as well Wonders And he wishes After it flopped at the box office, Disney CEO Bob Iger made no attempt to overlook the missteps. “We’ve lost focus,” the CEO declared on a Nov. 8 earnings call, where he promised investors that the company was making an effort at quality versus quantity.

If there is any consolation, it is that the market share contest was not a defeat, and that Disney – like Universal – was far ahead of the other major studios. It has been ranked as one of the top two studios for the past nine years, including seven at number one.

“Being the No. 1 studio in the world for seven of the past eight years in a row is nothing short of amazing, and something we’re all incredibly proud of,” says Tony Chambers, Disney’s president of worldwide distribution.

Other highlights: Disney released four of the top 10 grossing films globally in 2023, the most of any studio; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (one of the few superhero titles that works), the little Mermaid, racist And Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum obsession. Domestically, Disney had three of the top 10 films, the most of any studio as well. Guardians, Little mermaid And Quantum obsession.

Warner Bros. – Home Barbiethe year’s top-grossing company with $1.44 billion in ticket sales worldwide — ranked third in global market share with $3.84 billion, including $1.43 billion domestically and $2.4 billion overseas.

Sony came in fourth place with revenue of $2.09 billion worldwide, including early domestic estimates of $1.01 billion and $1.08 overseas.

Paramount’s global revenues were $2.03 billion in 2023, including $842 million domestically and $1.18 billion overseas.

Elsewhere, Lionsgate achieved a milestone to celebrate as its films generated more than $1 billion in global ticket sales for the first time in five years thanks to successful releases for its films. John Wick: Chapter 4, The Hunger Games: Song of Songbirds and Snakes And the latest opinion Franchise, among other titles. John Wick It was particularly outstanding, earning $440.1 million worldwide and north of $187 million domestically, the ninth-best showing of the year.

January 2, 1:20 p.m: Updated based on market share estimates for Sony, Paramount and Lionsgate.