Trend Details

2023 Box Office: Universal Triumphs after Years of Reign by Disney

Universal’s gigs have raked $4.91 billion in movie ticket sales at the global box office, slightly higher than Disney’s projects garnering $4.82 billion. By: Cassia Ling

All hail to Universal’s film empire for its prevail in market share at the 2023 global box office. After domineering for 7 years, Disney gets dethroned by Universal as 2023 marks the first for Universal’s succession, a feat no other studio has been able to supersede.

The 24 films released by Universal have generated an estimated $4.91 billion in worldwide ticket sales, a tad bit higher than that of Disney’s 17 projects which garnered $4.83 billion. Universal and Disney’s domestic revenue tallies to $1.9 billion, which accentuates to Universal raking $2.97 billion internationally compared to Disney’s $2.92 billion in offshore revenue.

The conquest marks a major one for Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Studio Group and chief content officer. Throughout her tenure, she has congregated close connections with acclaimed filmmakers, one including Christopher Nolan which she has successfully charmed him into Universal after a strife with Warner Bros, avowing its plans to launch slate day-and-date on streaming in 2021.

Nolan’s R-rated Oppenheimer celebrates its triumph being Universal’s top-grossing film, garnering a whopping $952 million in global ticket sales, which commensurate to a record sum of a biographical drama and Nolan’s best showing films outside of his two Dark Knight movies, not adjusted for inflation.

Ceding the throne to Universal also marks a difficult year for Disney, where Marvel Studios and the company’s animation studio had dwindled with the launches of The Marvel and Wish in the box office. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger takes accountability and explains, “We lost focus,” on earnings call on November 8, where he has vowed to investors to put in effort into its quality over quantity.

Came in third in the race follows Warner Bros., home of Barbie as the year’s highest grossing film, garnering $3.84 billion in global market share and placing fourth, Sony with $2.09 billion. On the other hand, Paramount rakes $2.03 billion in global revenue, and Lionsgate has also achieved more than $1 billion after 5 years, with popular releases John Wick: Chapter 4, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the latest Saw franchise.

To never miss a story — sign up for Viral Weekly free newsletter to stay up-to-date with compelling TV and Film news and views.

Back to Listing