Disney has become the first Hollywood studio to surpass US$3 billion at the worldwide box office in 2026, reinforcing its dominance in cinemas through a mix of animated hits, legacy franchises and established brands.
According to Deadline, the milestone comes on the back of a strong first half of the year led by Toy Story 5, which delivered the second-biggest global opening in Pixar history with US$312 million. The animated sequel has already climbed past US$367 million worldwide, giving Disney another major theatrical success.
The studio’s momentum hasn’t relied on a single blockbuster. The Devil Wears Prada 2, released under 20th Century Studios, has earned US$677.6 million globally, pushing the fashion-comedy franchise beyond the US$1 billion lifetime mark. Other contributors include Hoppers, which brought in US$372 million worldwide, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu with more than US$323 million, and thriller Send Help, which added another US$94 million to the studio’s annual haul.
Disney has also continued to benefit from the staying power of its late-2025 releases, with Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2 still drawing audiences into 2026. Notably, every Disney theatrical release this year has opened at the top of the box office.
The latest figures further cement Disney’s position as Hollywood’s most consistent theatrical performer. The studio has finished as the world’s highest-grossing film studio in nine of the past ten years, highlighting the enduring appeal of its biggest franchises despite changing audience habits and an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.
The second half of 2026 could widen Disney’s lead even further. Its upcoming slate includes the live-action Moana, Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Hexed, and Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Disney is also preparing a premium large-format cinema initiative called Infinity Vision, which will debut alongside the re-release of Avengers: Endgame Encore before carrying into Avengers: Doomsday later this year. The special presentation is set to feature exclusive footage and content for select premium cinema screens.
With several major releases still scheduled for the remainder of the year, Disney is well-positioned to build on its strong box office performance in 2026.
