For the first time in eight years, Universal Pictures generated the highest box office revenue worldwide, pushing Disney out of the top spot.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal’s estimated global 2023 ticket sales reached $4.91 billion, whereas Disney’s estimated global 2023 ticket sales are 4.83 billion.
Universal topped Disney domestically, earning $1.94 billion in the U.S. alone, while Disney’s domestic earnings hit $1.9 billion.
Universal has not held the No. 1 spot since 2015. Its 2023 movie slate is being attributed to reclaiming the top slot.
Universal’s features were derived from their proper division as well as their specialty houses, including DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features, and Illumination.
Universal released majorly successful titles like, “The Super Mario Bros Movie,” “Oppenheimer,” and “M3GAN.”
Universal has also had a partnership with Blumhouse for years, per The Wrap.
Blumhouse is home to the video game-based cultural phenomenon, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (FNAF), according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Despite having just a $20 million budget, FNAF made $290.9 million.
NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairwoman and Chief Content Officer Donna Langley stated, “Universal once again found success at the box office with our eclectic slate of films,” via the Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, Disney’s content has been subject to boycotts and parental rights concerns.
SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of "ladies," "gentlemen," "boys," and "girls" in its theme parks in order to create "that magical moment" for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. pic.twitter.com/OWsGTUoeCA
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) March 29, 2022
In 2022, Disney came under fire for pushing gender theory into its content and “commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community” in leaked employee videos, per Fox News.
By the summer of 2023, Disney had multiple movies that underperformed, including their live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” and another installment of the Indiana Jones franchise, according to Screen Rant.
Disney’s “The Marvels” opened in November and produced the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s worst opening weekend amid boycotts over the film’s “woke” agenda, per Forbes.