Universal Pictures and A24 lead shifts in film industry trends

The film industry is experiencing a shift in consumer behavior, with streaming services providing a second life for titles that underperformed at the box office. For instance, Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian’ and Warner’s ‘Supergirl’ saw significant viewership on streaming platforms after failing to meet theatrical expectations.

In contrast, Universal Pictures achieved a major milestone, becoming the first Hollywood studio to surpass $5 billion in global revenue during the 2026 fiscal year. This success was driven by massive hits including Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’, and ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.

Independent studio A24 also saw success with the horror film ‘Backrooms’, directed by Kane Parsons. The film, which transitioned from a YouTube-based creepypasta to a major theatrical and streaming hit, has become the highest-grossing film for the studio. Meanwhile, Marvel is attempting to revitalize its model with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, a high-budget production aimed at addressing recent shifts in audience engagement and the perceived fatigue of the superhero genre.