Since the pandemic, Hollywood has struggled to draw moviegoers back to theaters. However, with this summer’s lineup, some in the industry believe that could change.
Market analysts at the BBC noted that Inside Out 2, produced by Disney, earned $1.69 billion at the global box office in 2024, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. It was followed by Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda. The same report highlighted that The Minecraft Movie, starring Jack Black and currently in theaters, has become the most successful video game adaptation based on its opening weekend performance. However, that ranking could shift depending on how the film performs over the rest of its theatrical run.
As producers aim for box office success, the family movie genre is becoming increasingly appealing. These films are often sequels or remakes, tapping into nostalgia that resonates with parents, grandparents, and younger audiences familiar with the original stories. The live-action remake of the animated classic Lilo & Stitch was released in May, grossing around $341 million globally during its opening weekend.
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Similarly, fans of How to Train Your Dragon were also treated to a live-action remake of that family film this spring as well.
What’s coming out this summer and fall?
In early August, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan will return to the big screen in Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 film Freaky Friday. Later in September, Disney will re-release the original Toy Story, which has since spawned four sequels following its 1995 debut.
The Bad Guys 2, the sequel to The Bad Guys (2022), will be released on August 1. The film follows the reformed animal outlaws as they’re pulled out of retirement for one last heist—this time teaming up with an all-female crew known as the Bad Girls.
In November, two major sequels will hit theaters: Zootopia 2 and Wicked: For Good. The latter is the second installment in the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, and is set to premiere on November 21.
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