2026 Box Office Outlook: Streaming-Theatrical Battle Just Heating Up

For better or worse, the domestic box office is changing. While the pre-pandemic film calendar was dominated by super hero movies, the current box office calendar has more room for director auteurs and A-list actors to make their marks. This episode explores how expectations around theatrical windows are changing — as "Zootopia 2" enjoys an especially long and lucrative run in theaters. Meanwhile, Netflix is trying to buy Warner Bros. while simultaneously flip-flopping on a 7 vs. 17 vs. 45-day window for films in theaters.  This "MediaTalk" episode makes the case for the unique role that theaters play for audiences and filmmakers. What will 2026 bring? How are studios adapting their release and marketing strategies in a streaming-first world?  More S&P Global content: MediaTalk | Season 2 EP 14 - The Summer Box Office Begins - https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/podcasts/mediatalk-s2-ep-14 Featured experts: Wade Holden, senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Mac Mathews, associate director of editorial, design and publishing at S&P Global Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James