$1.44B
Barbie
GRETA GERWIG: Gilbert Flores
In February 2023, Beyoncé became the top Grammy winner of all time, with 32 Grammys.
32
Beyoncé
BEYONCé: Christopher Polk
“The Eras Tour” concert film
has grossed more than
$250 million globally
$250M+
Taylor Swift
SWIFt: Michael Buckner
TREND 4
Empresses of Entertainment
Taylor, Beyoncé and Barbie Take Center Stage in 2023
Counts based on films released WIDE IN THEATERS from January 2018 to December 2023.
Note: films that were classified as having more than one Arena were credited to each arena. CHART RANKED ON ACTUAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2023 AND 2022 RELEASES.
Top Theatrical-Wide Arenas -
based on Actual Growth in 2023 vs. 2022
Films in the Crime space were up +80% year-over-year and matched 2019's total.
+71%
Counts based on films released WIDE IN THEATERS from January 2018 to December 2023.
Note: films that were classified as having more than one Arena were credited to each arena. Chart ranked on 2023 Releases.
Top Theatrical-Wide Arenas -
based on # of Releases in 2023
of all Theatrical Wide releases in 2023 were categorized as Literary Adaptations or Remakes
46%
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2023
Luminate Year-End Film & TV Report
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Barbie is WB's highest-grossing worldwide release of all time.
Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023 ($1.44B YTD).
Beyoncé also had a record-breaking year.
2023 has been
"The Year of Taylor."
Theatrical-Wide Releases: Films in the Crime space were up +71% year-over-year and matched 2019's total. Comedy also had a stronger year in 2023, but still trails pre-COVID levels. However, the biggest story in terms of year-over year growth was Foreign Language films. Eleven made it to wide-release in 2023 an increase of +450% over 2022 as theaters looked to fill screens during the dual strikes.
Theatrical-Wide Releases: Films based on existing IP continue lead the pack in terms of sheer number of films released. Literary Adaptations topped all other arenas in 2023, while Remakes finished second — proving Studios are still betting on proven IP (and their built-in fan bases) to draw audiences back to the theaters. There was a notable uptick in films in the Family arena (31) as well as films in the Thriller arena (30), and both continue to climb back to pre-pandemic levels.