by Morgan Collins

In a year that has seen its fair share of challenges, the silver screen has provided a welcome escape for audiences worldwide. The box office has witnessed an unprecedented surge, with a lineup of high-grossing movies captivating audiences and making history.

A wave of relief to film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, the prolonged actors’ strike that has gripped Hollywood for the past few months has finally ended on November 9th. The resolution, achieved through intense negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and major film studios, signals a new era of collaboration and stability in the entertainment industry. Not only does this agreement benefit the key actors in Hollywood, but it also brings relief to fans eagerly awaiting the release of highly anticipated films and television series. As the entertainment industry collectively exhales after months of tension we can relax and appreciate the films that managed to be released during these grueling months. 

In the early days of the strike, the world was buzzing about the simultaneous release of the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer. The strong contrast between these two films grasped the world’s attention and launched the phrase “Barbenheimer.” Despite being polar opposites, these films both did incredibly well in the box office and attracted millions of viewers worldwide. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie experienced a large fan calling far before it was even released. Concluding its 2 month theater run, the Barbie movie received 635 million dollars in the U.S. and 1.44 billion dollars worldwide. This film has become the highest grossing film directed by a woman and has set the stage for similar movies to follow. Similarly, the movie Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, has also experienced a large fan base and high monetary income. Oppenheimer received over 948.7 million dollars internationally making it Nolan’s third highest grossing film. The income for these movies does not simply end at the box office, Barbie has recently been released to streaming services like HBO Max for $29.99 and released merchandise to many corporate stores such as Target. Like Barbie, Oppenheimer can be purchased for streaming via Amazon Prime Video for $19.99. Together both of these movies have created large quantities of “Barbenheimer” merchandise that has made millions of dollars. It is predicted that the excitement surrounding these movies will remain long after they leave the theaters, leaving viewers in their wake. 

This summer and early fall also saw many sequels to previously popular movies. Disney’s new movie, Haunted Mansion was released on July 28th of this year. This movie was an ode to Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride which was built in 1969 and the earlier 2003 film adaptation. This movie made 117 million dollars worldwide, doubling its production value. The film also created a surge of Haunted Mansion merchandise being sold at the Disney Parks and an increase in tickets sold allowing people to experience the attraction in person. Meg 2: The Trench, which was released on August 4th is another sequel introduced this past summer. Although receiving negative critical reviews and a 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie grossed 395 million dollars at the box office worldwide. This number is almost triple the amount that it cost to create the sequel. Finally, October 27th marked the release of the Five Nights at Freddy’s film adaptation based on the popular video game series. This film made over 250 million dollars and has surpassed the incomes of other horror films released this year. 

The resurgence of the box office is not only a testament to the quality of this year’s cinematic offerings but also to the enduring appeal of the moviegoing experience. Despite the strike and rise of streaming services, theaters continue to draw audiences seeking the communal thrill of watching a film on the big screen. In this day and age it is refreshing to see the movie experience revived and not an experience of the past.

 As the year draws to a close, the success of these high-grossing films has set the stage for an exciting future in cinema. With a diverse array of genres captivating audiences, filmmakers are proving that the magic of storytelling, combined with cutting-edge technology, can create unforgettable experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide. As we look forward to the next cinematic chapter, it’s clear that the power of film to entertain, inspire, and unite remains stronger than ever. With lights, camera, and action back in full swing, Hollywood looks poised to captivate audiences once again.