2026 Global Box Office Forecast Hits $35.7B, Best Year Since 2019, Says Gower Street

Gower Street Analytics has raised its 2026 worldwide box office forecast to $35.7 billion, up 2.9% from the estimate presented at CinemaCon in April. The updated projection, based on Rentrak actuals and Gower estimates, would mark a 6.3% increase over 2025 and the strongest annual total since 2019’s pre-pandemic high. The upward revision signals growing confidence in theatrical recovery, driven by a robust release slate and sustained audience demand in key markets. While the industry still faces challenges from streaming competition and shifting consumer habits, the new figure suggests that blockbuster franchises and event cinema are helping to stabilize global ticket sales. Gower Street’s forecast is closely watched by studios and exhibitors as a benchmark for the health of the movie business. If the $35.7 billion target is reached, it would confirm that the box office has largely rebounded from the COVID-19 downturn, though still below the record $42.5 billion seen in 2019. The next few quarters will be critical, with major releases from Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal expected to drive momentum into the holiday season. All eyes are now on whether the final numbers can match this optimistic outlook.