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U.S. Box Office Starts 2026 With Best Q1 Since the Pandemic at $1.77 Billion

Powered by a handful of hits, the rebound still trails 2019 levels.

Overview

  • Comscore reports $1.77 billion in domestic ticket sales by the end of March, edging past 2023 by about $20 million and running 22% ahead of 2025.
  • Project Hail Mary led the quarter with $177 million in 11 days, becoming Amazon MGM’s top-grossing film ever.
  • Other key drivers included Avatar: Fire and Ash with $153.8 million in 2026, Hoppers with $141.6 million, Scream 7 with $119.2 million, Goat with $101 million, Zootopia 2 with $90 million, and Wuthering Heights near $84 million.
  • The quarter remains 27% below the $2.41 billion posted in early 2019, a shortfall tied to fewer wide releases and changed viewing habits since the pandemic.
  • Forecasts point to a $9 billion–plus domestic year with a shot at $10 billion if major titles outperform, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s early April launch seen as a key test for a broader rebound.