The box office finally feels like its old self again. Years after the pandemic brought the film industry to its knees, moviegoing is back thanks to sleeper hits like “Obsession” and “Backrooms” and successful sequels like “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “Toy Story 5” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
There have been a few costly misfires (RIP, “Moana” and “Masters of the Universe”), but domestic ticket sales are up 10% from 2025, according to Rentrak. And Hollywood is having its hottest summer since COVID, with revenues for the four-month season expected to surpass the $4 billion mark for the first time since the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon of 2023.
There’s still plenty to come, from “The Odyssey” to “Dune: Part Three” and “Avengers: Doomsday.” But before those blockbuster hopefuls land in theaters, here’s a look at what sizzled and fizzled during the first six months of the year.
The Good
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
