By Arlrose Atienza
A year ago, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said, “It’s an outdated concept,” when asked about filmmakers wanting to make movies seen in theaters. Sarandos also said this about the movie viewers, “What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home, thank you.” (Variety)
There is no argument when it comes to facts, and the fact is that COVID-19 inflicted massive damage and change across all aspects of global life from brick & mortar retail sales to the restaurant industry. The theaters were also hit hard, and the box office took a long time to recover. Thankfully, 2026 has seen the biggest increase in ticket sales since pre-pandemic and it’s showing that maybe people don’t want to just sit on their couches and watch tv.
Numerous films have not only been raking in the money, but multiple films have broken records in astounding fashion bringing audiences back into movie theaters and in a place where visual art can be felt in a communal experience once again.
While 2026 is not over quite yet, here are the top five grossing movies of the year thus far and every single one has joined the Billion Dollar Movie Club.
5 – THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – Global Sales = $1,013,045,939
A fun, family movie based on classic videogame IP. It’s no surprise that THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE made as much as it did with not only kids wanting to watch this colorful adventure but Gen-X and Millennials wanting to see it for nostalgia.
4 – MICHAEL – Global Sales = $1,021,854,017
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is a global phenomenon who is undeniably one of the most talented artists of all time but also a controversial figure. No matter what side you’re on when it comes to this infamous man, the fans showed up in droves to support the film starring none other than the popstar’s nephew Jafar Jackson keeping this Jackson family movie in the family.
3 – TOY STORY 5 – Global Sales = $1,129,119,859
The seemingly never-ending Pixar franchise released a fifth installment that some fans were hesitant of but thankfully after great word of mouth and incredible Rotten Tomatoes ratings (93% critics and 94% audience) people showed up. The film released June 19th and with September around the corner TOY STORY 5 is still playing in select theaters proving that the quality of the film still has people showing up months later.
2 – THE ODYSSEY – Global Sales = $1,462,186,605
Not a surprise with Christopher Nolan behind the helm of this classic book to film adaptation. THE ODYSSEY is a film that people are seeing for several reasons. Not only does it have a star-studded cast but it is the first feature film to ever be filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, which has done wonders for the higher priced ticket sales. THE ODYSSEY did several things many films have not done before, one of those being selling advanced tickets a year ahead of the movies release. To no one’s surprise those tickets sold old almost immediately, and over a month later people are still waiting to see this epic adventure on IMAX screens.
1 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day = $2,240,930,264
One of the most beloved comic book characters of all time, Spider-Man, has done it yet again but on a much grander scale. SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY has not only shattered 2026 records, but it is officially in the Top 5 Highest-Grossing Films of All Time sitting next to the likes of Avatar, Titanic and Avengers: End Game. From an incredible press tour to a story that is far more than just a superhero movie, SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY takes the cake for biggest box office hit of the year so far.
