In this articleCMCSADISWBDwatch nowMoviegoers will find a wealth of familiar franchises on the big screen this year. It may not be enough to save the box office. New entrants from popular film series dominate the movie slate in the next 12 months. The 2026 schedule features releases from Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Toy Story, Super Mario Bros., Hunger Games, Scream, Scary Movie, Minions, Dune and Jumanji. Intellectual property like these established franchises has long been an important part of Hollywood, ...

Core Insights - Disney's Pixar animation studio experienced its worst opening ever with "Elio," which generated only $21 million in its first three days, marking a record low for the studio [1] - The underperformance of "Elio" aligns with a trend where original films from Pixar and other animation studios have struggled compared to sequels, with "Elemental" previously holding the lowest opening at $29.6 million [2] - The animation industry has seen a significant preference for sequels over original content, with less than a third of nearly 30 animated releases since 2022 being original stories [5] Industry Trends - The gap between original intellectual property and sequels has widened significantly, posing challenges for studios aiming to expand their IP portfolios [4] - Post-pandemic, studios have focused on familiar content, leading to an influx of franchise films, as audiences gravitate towards sequels that provide a sense of comfort [12] - Since 2016, original titles have consistently made up a small fraction of the highest-grossing domestic releases, with none of the top 20 films in 2024 being original storylines [13] Competitive Landscape - Increased competition from other studios like Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., and Paramount has made families more selective about which films to watch in theaters versus at home [10] - The release of "Elio" coincided with other successful live-action remakes, which continued to attract audiences, further impacting its performance [11] - The animation sector is facing existential threats from evolving streaming economics and new competitors, making sequels a safer investment for traditional studios [14] Future Opportunities - Original films like "Elio" may still find success through extended theatrical runs and streaming platforms, potentially leading to future installments and merchandising opportunities [15] - Historical examples, such as "Encanto," demonstrate that films can gain popularity post-release, suggesting a potential for original content to thrive in the long term [16]