Overview

• North American ticket sales from May through Labor Day totaled about $3.67 billion, essentially matching 2024 after an early surge faded into six straight down weekends from mid‑July, according to Comscore.
• Foreign markets, especially in Asia, delivered weaker returns as China and other territories cut back on Hollywood fare, undercutting the overseas cushion studios once relied on.
• Only Disney’s Lilo & Stitch surpassed $1 billion worldwide this summer, a far slimmer top tier than in recent pre‑pandemic years.
• JustWatch reported a rise in people preferring to wait for streaming, increasing from roughly 25% earlier in the season to more than 36%, which hit mid‑size theatrical releases hardest.
• Studios voiced new anxiety about theatrical demand even as outliers emerged, with Warner Bros.’ Weapons and Apple/Warner Bros.’ F1: The Movie outperforming expectations and a Jaws re‑release outgrossing two new films over Labor Day.