Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Global Box Office Forecast to Reach $35.7 Billion in 2026
Global ticket sales are forecast to reach $35.7 billion in 2026, according to Gower Street Analytics.
That would be a 6.3% increase from 2025 and the strongest yearly box office since 2019.
The forecast was raised from $34.7 billion and uses actual results as well as estimates for the rest of the year.
North America is projected to contribute $10.5 billion, while markets outside China are expected to bring in $19.7 billion.
China is forecast to generate $5.5 billion, down 26% from its previous performance.
Five films have already passed $1 billion worldwide, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey and Toy Story 5.
The total would still be below the $42.3 billion recorded in 2019, and the forecast depends on results for the rest of 2026.
Gower Street Analytics forecasts that worldwide box office revenue will reach $35.7 billion in 2026.
The estimate is 2.9% higher than the company’s previous forecast and would be a 6.3% increase from 2025.
If achieved, the total would be the strongest since 2019, when worldwide revenue reached $42.3 billion.
The forecast includes $10.5 billion from North America, $19.7 billion from international markets excluding China, and $5.5 billion from China.
Five films have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, while horror films have also contributed to box office results.
- Who
- Gower Street Analytics issued the forecast.
- What
- It projects worldwide box office revenue of $35.7 billion in 2026.
- When
- The forecast was reported on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Worldwide, including North America, international markets excluding China, and China.
- Why
- Strong box office results from summer releases and major films contributed to the higher forecast.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gower Street Analytics announced its previous forecast of $34.7 billion ahead of CinemaCon.
North American box office reached a reported record $4.76 billion, while global box office reached $14.5 billion.
Gower Street Analytics’ revised forecast of $35.7 billion was reported.
- 2026 global forecast
- $35.7 billion
- Increase from previous forecast
- 2.9%
- North America projection
- $10.5 billion
- International excluding China projection
- $19.7 billion
- China projection
- $5.5 billion
- 2019 worldwide box office
- $42.3 billion
2 sources
What people are saying
Those figures would be an 18% hike for domestic over 2025, a nearly 14% jump for international sans China and about a 26% slide for China which has had a softer year so far as admissions and ticket prices have dropped (though horror has been having something of a heyday there)