The rise of Universal Studios: How they beat Disney as the top-earning studio of 2023
Disney as the highest-grossing studio at the 2023 box office. This is the first time since 2015 that Universal has achieved this milestone.
The success can be attributed to a diverse lineup of 24 films, including popular blockbusters such as «The Super Mario Bros. Movie,» "Oppenheimer," and "M3GAN." These movies collectively raked in an incredible $4.907 billion in ticket sales worldwide. On the other hand, Disney, which has been a dominant force in the global box office, had to settle for second place with earnings of $4.827 billion from 17 new releases.
The studio acknowledged that their decision to release seven fewer films in 2023 played a role in the $80 million difference between Universal and Disney's earnings. This unexpected turn of events has created a buzz in the film industry, with many industry insiders closely watching Universal's ascent and Disney's descent in the box office rankings. It remains to be seen how this will impact future strategies and releases for both studios.
In the words of a Universal Pictures spokesperson, «We are thrilled to have emerged as the highest-grossing studio of 2023. Our diverse lineup of films resonated with audiences worldwide, and we are grateful for their support. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and talent of our filmmakers, cast, and crew.»
As for Disney, they are not taking this setback lightly. A representative from the studio stated, «While we congratulate Universal on their success, we remain committed to delivering high-quality entertainment to our global audience. Our focus has always been on providing memorable and impactful storytelling, and we will continue to do so in the years to
