Overview
- Rentrak’s consolidated tally reported $4.76 billion in U.S. and Canada ticket sales for the May 1–Labor Day window, a nominal summer high noted in coverage on Sept. 7.
- Two tentpoles carried a large share of the haul: Sony’s Spider‑Man: Brand New Day has earned about $923 million domestically and roughly $2.4 billion worldwide, and Universal’s The Odyssey grossed about $589 million in North America.
- For the first time each core summer month—May, June, July and August—cleared $1 billion, and lower‑budget, Gen Z‑driven breakouts such as Obsession and Backrooms helped sustain attendance between blockbusters.
- Premium large‑format screenings drove outsized revenue, with IMAX and other PLF showings lifting grosses and average ticket prices even as total admissions remain below some pre‑pandemic benchmarks.
- Industry observers caution the milestone is qualified by inflation and a seven‑day longer season, note there are fewer wide releases and screens than in 2019, and say studios and exhibitors are already rethinking release timing, premium offerings and windowing ahead of December tentpoles.