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2026 Box Office Hits $1.77B, Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

4/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The domestic box office grossed $1.77 billion in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing 2023's figures by $20 million.
Key films contributing to this total included Amazon MGM’s “Project Hail Mary,” which earned $177 million, and Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which grossed $153.8 million.
Despite this growth, the 2026 box office is projected to reach only around $9 billion, falling short of pre-pandemic totals.
In 2026, five films exceeded $100 million, compared to seven films in 2019.

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Story summary

The domestic box office grossed $1.77 billion in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing 2023's figures by $20 million.
Key films contributing to this total included Amazon MGM’s “Project Hail Mary,” which earned $177 million, and Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which grossed $153.8 million.
Despite this growth, the 2026 box office is projected to reach only around $9 billion, falling short of pre-pandemic totals.
In 2026, five films exceeded $100 million, compared to seven films in 2019.