• by Wayne Friedman , August 19, 2024

Nearing the end of the big summer theatrical movie season, U.S./Canada summer box-office revenues are down 11% compared to a year ago, with 9% lower movie studio national TV ad spending for the same period. 

Season-to-date, from May 3 through August 18, total box-office revenue has fallen 11% to $3.3 billion, according to IMDb Box Office Mojo. National TV ad spending is tracking with a similar trendline -- down 9% to $310.2 million, according to EDO Ad EnGage.

The biggest movies this summer so far include Walt Disney’s “Inside Out 2,” with a $642.2 million U.S./Canada domestic box office and Disney’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” next at $545.8 million, followed by Universal Pictures' “Despicable Me 4” ($340.4 million) and “Twisters” ($238.4 million).

The top summer movie a year ago season-to-date was Warner Bros.' "Barbie" at $636.2 million.

Lower box-office results also come with lower average release gross revenue -- to $14.2 million versus $19.5 million -- and with more releases this year: 235 versus 193.

The highest-spending studios this year are Warner Bros. at $65.3 million, followed by Walt Disney with $55.8 million; Paramount Pictures, $25.4 million; Universal Pictures, $61.9 million; Sony Pictures, $40.8 million and 20th Century Studios, $20.9 million.

This year there have been 72,810 airings and 39.6 billion impressions versus 104,440 airings and 52.8 billion impressions a year ago.