The box office may be officially saved. Don’t ever say YPulse can’t see the future! We told you 2026 would be the year Gen Z saved the box office, and maybe changed it for good, with their growing movie and IRL experience obsessions colliding. Earnings on movies this year have proved theatre-going is absolutely back, as 2026 looks to be finally kicking the post-pandemic lull. Five movies already this year have or are approaching $1B, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which released just this past weekend. That movie in particular is a bright spot, winning the highest opening weekend ever ($360M domestically), and restoring some hope for superhero movie success. (Which, by the way, YPulse alsopredicted.) Others like the breakout indie Obsession, Project Hail Mary, The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, and Backroomshave also had massive success—many of which have been Gen Z-driven. (Hollywood Reporter)
🔮 YPulse predicted: Fandoms will save the movie theater—or change it for good.
