The film industry is about to test a new hypothesis this fall: can a large volume of small films outweigh the absence of a single big one? This comes as theaters face a quiet period following the success of major hits like Weapons, which grossed $148.8 million globally.
The 2025 box office has been a story of pleasant surprises, where originality has been handsomely rewarded. The incredible $828 million earned by Jurassic World Rebirth and the strong performance of films like Sinners have demonstrated that audiences are eager for new and compelling stories.
This successful formula is being put on hold as the industry enters a period with a barren release schedule. In September, nine new titles are set to debut, but none are expected to be breakout hits. An executive noted that while no single film looks huge, “the volume will counteract it,” a theory that will soon be tested.
The industry will return to its more traditional blockbuster model in October with the release of Tron: Ares. This will be followed by a series of major films designed to draw huge crowds, including Zootopia 2 and Predator: Badlands.