In a surprising turn of events, Universal Studios has clinched the top spot in global box office market share for 2023, a position that has eluded any studio since Disney's reign in 2016.
The competition was fierce, with Universal's 24 releases raking in an estimated $4.91 billion globally, narrowly surpassing Disney's $4.83 billion from 17 titles.
Donna Langley, Chairman of NBC Universal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer, played a pivotal role in Universal's success, leveraging her strong ties with filmmakers. Langley's strategic moves, including luring Christopher Nolan to Universal after his fallout with Warner Bros., paid off handsomely. Nolan's Oppenheimer, an R-rated biographical drama, set a new record with $952 million in global ticket sales, marking a significant triumph for Universal.
Comscore Chief Box Office Analyst Paul Dergarabedian highlighted Universal's winning formula, stating, "Universal seems to have found the perfect balance of franchise films, animation, horror, and everything in between." Universal's diverse slate included hits like Illumination's Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed an impressive $1.36 billion globally, becoming the second-highest-grossing animated film ever, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jim Orr, Universal Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, emphasized the studio's 2023 success, saying, "In 2023, Universal once again found success at the box office with our eclectic slate of films." Notable contributions came from blockbuster releases like Oppenheimer, Illumination's Super Mario Bros. Movie, and horror hit M3GAN from Blumhouse.
Disney, which had held the top spot in global market share from 2016 to 2022, faced challenges in 2023, especially with Marvel Studios and animation stumbling. Despite this, Disney CEO Bob Iger acknowledged the setbacks and pledged to prioritize quality over quantity. Disney still held a strong position, ranking among the top two studios for the ninth consecutive year.
Warner Bros., driven by the success of Barbie with $1.44 billion in global ticket sales, secured the third spot in global market share with $3.84 billion. Sony followed at No. 4 with $2.09 billion, while Paramount brought in $2.03 billion in global revenue.
Lionsgate celebrated a significant milestone, surpassing $1 billion in global ticket sales for the first time in five years. Notable contributors included John Wick: Chapter 4, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and the latest Saw franchise.
In a year where the global box office landscape saw a shift in power, Universal's diverse and well-executed film slate propelled them to the forefront, ending Disney's seven-year streak as the reigning global box office champion.
