Geekonomy

Any given Friday. The three most interesting facts from the Economy of Pop Culture of the last 7 days. Here are the ones from this week.

1) 2024 U.S. Box Office finals at $8.7 Billion: how the Studios stand.

The 2024 U.S. box office totaled $8.72 billion, down 3% from $9 billion in 2023. However, this result exceeded initial expectations of $8 billion, despite the significant impact of strikes that affected the film industry throughout the year. The main trends that characterized the 2024 market include:

• Early 2024 lagged 20% behind 2023 but recovered to end only 3% down.
• Fewer $20M+ openings (34 vs. 40 in 2023), but $100M+ openings held steady (5 titles).
• PG-rated films drove $2.8B (+33% from $2.1B in 2023).
• $100M+, grossing films dropped to 22 (from 24), but $200M+ (8) and $300M+ (5) remained consistent.

Top Studios performance:

• Disney ($2.219B, +17%): Key films: Inside Out 2 ($652.9M), Deadpool & Wolverine ($636.7M), Moana 2 ($403.9M). Achieved two $1B+ global titles and dominated with high-quality franchise films.
• Universal ($1.88B, -3%): Key films: Wicked ($403.98M), Despicable Me 4 ($361M), Twisters ($267.7M). Strength in family and genre films, but some misses (The Fall Guy $92M).
• Warner Bros ($1.164B, -17%): Key films: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ($294.1M), Dune: Part Two ($282.1M), Godzilla x Kong ($196.3M). Major bets (Furiosa, Joker: Folie à Deux) underperformed.
• Sony ($1B, even): Key films: Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($193.5M), It Ends With Us ($148.5M), Venom: The Last Dance ($139.7M). Strength in mid-budget and co-financed projects despite Marvel missteps (Kraven the Hunter).
• Paramount ($879.5M, +5%): Key films: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ($151.4M), A Quiet Place: Day One ($138.9M), Gladiator II ($164.5M). Challenges with co-financing and franchise sustainability.
• Lionsgate ($252.2M, -57%): Down significantly without major franchises (John Wick, Hunger Games).

Outlook for 2025

• Industry faces challenges in recovering former frequent moviegoers in a streaming-heavy market.
• Anticipated films (Jurassic World: Rebirth, Superman, Avatar: Fire and Ash) expected to drive growth.
• Projected domestic box office: $9B, still below pre-Covid records.

Source Deadline

2) Comic Book adaptations coming to Theatres and Streaming in 2025.

It’s been years since there were so few new titles.

This is likely because simply featuring a superhero in a film is no longer enough to guarantee success; the content needs to be genuinely compelling. After a string of flops, Sony seems to have definitively closed its Spider-Man-related cinematic universe, following three films released in 2024.

Meanwhile, with the end of the DC Extended Universe—and the major failure of Joker: Folie à Deux—DC Comics superheroes are starting almost from scratch, beginning with James Gunn’s new Superman. As for Marvel, three new titles are expected—a slight uptick before settling into a rhythm of two films per year, as planned by Disney CEO Bob Iger.

For 2025, the lineup consists almost entirely of American blockbusters, with a complete absence—at least so far—of French, Japanese, or Italian titles, which had consistently appeared in recent years.

So, 2025 is set to feature a variety of films adapted from comic books, with a notable focus on American superhero narratives. The lineup includes three Marvel productions: "Captain America: Brave New World" (February 12), "Thunderbolts" (April 30), and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" (July 25). Additionally, DC Comics will introduce a new Superman film, "Superman: Legacy," scheduled for release on July 11. Beyond the major franchises, adaptations such as "Hellboy: The Crooked Man" and "The Crow" are also anticipated. This selection reflects a strategic shift in the industry, emphasizing quality and compelling storytelling to engage audiences.

Here is the list of comic book adaptations for theaters and streaming scheduled for release in 2025:

Captain America: Brave New World. Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, becomes embroiled in an international incident and must uncover the motives behind a nefarious global plan. Directed by Julius Onah, the film stars Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, and Rosa Salazar.

Daredevil: Born Again. This TV series follows Matt Murdock as he confronts Wilson Fisk when their past identities begin to surface. The series features Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher.

Thunderbolts. A group of supervillains is recruited to undertake missions for the government. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Rachel Weisz.

Superman: Legacy. The story follows Superman as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing, embodying truth, justice, and the human way in a world that views these ideals as old-fashioned. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Marvel's iconic family, the Fantastic Four, returns to the big screen. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, and Pedro Pascal.

Gen V (Season 2). A spin-off from 'The Boys,' this TV series explores the first generation of superheroes aware that their powers stem from Compound V, testing their physical and moral boundaries as they compete for the school's top ranking. The series stars Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, and Maddie Phillips.

Ironheart. This mini-series centers on teenage genius inventor Riri Williams, who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. The series features Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, and Alden Ehrenreich.

Watchmen: Chapter II. In an alternate 1985 America, a group of retired superheroes investigates a conspiracy after one of their own is murdered. Directed by Vinton Heuck and Brandon Vietti, the film stars Troy Baker, Adrienne Barbeau, and Michael Cerveris.

The Toxic Avenger. A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Directed by Macon Blair, the film stars Jane Levy, Peter Dinklage, and Elijah Wood.

Red Sonja. An adaptation of the comic book, Red Sonja, a vengeful warrior known as a 'She-Devil with a sword.' Directed by M.J. Bassett, the film stars Rhona Mitra, Robert Sheehan, and Matilda Lutz.

The Sandman (Season 2). Upon escaping after decades of imprisonment by a mortal wizard, Dream, the personification of dreams, sets about to reclaim his lost equipment. The series stars Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, and Patton Oswalt.

Revival. One miraculous day in rural Wisconsin, the deceased rise from their graves, yet appear and act unchanged. Officer and single mother Dana Cypress must solve a murder case where everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect. The series features Melanie Scrofano, Steven Ogg, and David James Elliott.

What If...? (Final Season). Exploring pivotal moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and turning them on their head, leading the audience into uncharted territory. The series features Jeffrey Wright, Terri Douglas, and Matthew Wood.

Bat-Family. Follows Batman, Alfred, and Little Batman as they navigate life as a super family.

Wonder Man. Hollywood actor Simon Williams is thrust into the world of superheroes as he gains powers of his own, becoming the new superhero Wonder Man. The mini-series features Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ben Kingsley, and Demetrius Grosse.

Source IMDB

3) CES: Sony Group deepens investments in booming Anime sector.

Sony is significantly increasing its investments in the rapidly expanding anime industry, which is projected to become a $60 billion market by 2030. At the recent CES 2025, Sony announced several new projects, including an anime adaptation of the popular video game "Ghost of Tsushima" set to be directed by Takanobu Mizuno and animated by Kamikaze Douga, with a release planned on Crunchyroll in 2027.

Additionally, Sony revealed plans for film adaptations of its successful games "Horizon Zero Dawn" and "Helldivers 2". The "Horizon Zero Dawn" movie is in early development by Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Productions, aiming to explore the origins of the protagonist, Aloy, in a futuristic world. "Helldivers 2" will be produced by Sony Pictures.

These initiatives underscore Sony's commitment to leveraging its diverse entertainment assets to capitalize on the growing global demand for anime and related content. The company has been actively expanding its presence in the anime sector, notably through its acquisition of Crunchyroll and strategic partnerships with other industry players.

Also during the presentation at CES, a new trailer for the second season of The Last of Us, coming out next April on HBO, was shown.

By deepening its investments and expanding its content offerings, Sony aims to strengthen its position in the entertainment industry and meet the evolving preferences of audiences worldwide.

Source The Hollywood Reporter