Box office rebounds in first half of 2026 with hits like "Super Mario Galaxy" and "Michael"
Domestic ticket sales rose 10% year-over-year as several high-budget releases topped $1 billion, while a handful of titles underperformed, according to industry data.
Domestic box-office revenue is up 10% from 2025, and the summer season is projected to exceed $4 billion, the strongest since the 2023 "Barbenheimer" weekend, industry tracker Rentrak reported. The rebound is driven by a mix of franchise sequels and surprise successes.
Illumination and Nintendo’s "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" earned roughly $1 billion worldwide on a $110 million budget, confirming continued audience interest in the Mario franchise despite lower critical scores than its predecessor. Amazon MGM Studios’ adaptation of Andy Weir’s "Project Hail Mary" grossed $683 million from a $200 million budget, benefitting from a March release with limited competition and strong word-of-mouth.
Lionsgate’s musical biopic "Michael" also reached $1 billion globally on a $155 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing musical biopic and the top-earning film about a real-life figure, despite mixed reviews that noted its selective portrayal of the singer’s life.
Indie horror "Obsession," made for $750,000, generated $426 million worldwide, driven by strong attendance among Gen Z viewers and sustained box-office performance over four weekends.
Conversely, several releases fell short of expectations. The superhero film "Supergirl" earned $115 million against a $170 million budget, hindered by poor reviews and limited brand recognition. Amazon MGM’s documentary "Melania" posted $16.7 million on a $40 million production cost, while Disney’s "The Mandalorian and Grogu," based on a streaming series, made $340 million from a $165 million budget, becoming the lowest-earning "Star Wars" theatrical entry.
Warner Bros.’ "The Bride!" recorded $23.9 million on a $90 million budget, and Pixar’s original animated feature "Hoppers" earned $372 million from a $150 million budget, both failing to match the performance of recent franchise sequels. Other modest performers included the comedy "The Breadwinner" ($20 million on $25 million) and the post-apocalyptic thriller "Bone Temple" ($58.5 million on $63 million).
Steven Spielberg’s "Disclosure Day" achieved $228 million worldwide from a $110 million budget, receiving solid reviews but attracting fewer younger viewers than low-budget YouTube-originated titles.
Analysts note that the mix of blockbuster sequels, biopics, and low-budget genre films is reshaping box-office dynamics as studios balance high-cost franchises with cost-effective productions.