This week, The Walt Disney Studios reached a major milestone as it crossed $2 billion at the domestic box office. That makes Disney the first studio to cross the threshold this year and it is only the second time that any studio has surpassed $2 billion since 2019 (with Disney also achieving the feat in 2022). The studio expects to cross the $5 billion mark globally this weekend as it debuts Mufasa: The Lion King and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Disney’s massive year at the ticket booth was powered by the company’s creative strength and storytelling to craft three of the top five highest-grossing films domestically in 2024. Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2 became the highest grossing animated film of all time, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine followed suit by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 was the highest 5-day opening of all time and the highest Thanksgiving opening weekend box office ever. The studio also released hits such as 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Romulus, as well as smaller films such as A Real Pain, which had an award-winning debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
We spoke with Alan Bergman, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment, to learn more about Disney’s record year, the strategies behind the successes, and what audiences can expect from The Walt Disney Studios in 2025.
One of the company’s building opportunities was “improving the output and economics of our film studios.” How has this year been a success in that area?
We remain focused on quality while making sure we have the right volume across theatrical and streaming, and the results speak for themselves. We had a great year in 2024 and will lead the industry once again at the box office thanks to the exceptional performance of Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2, and other big releases like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Romulus.
We finish off the year with two fantastic yet completely different films, Mufasa and A Complete Unknown. We also had a strong streaming slate from Echo and Agatha All Along to Skeleton Crew and Dream Productions, which just came out. It shows the power of our brands which can deliver compelling storytelling to our audiences all around the world.
What kind of a mix are you looking for in the slate?
Our goal is to offer something for all audiences. We have seven world-class production studios and work with the best directors, producers, writers, and actors in the world, and we aim to put together a broad slate of originals, sequels, and spinoffs. We know that our Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars branded content is able to drive experiences and engagement far beyond the big screen, including in our parks, consumer products, streaming, and more — and no other company is better able to bring that to life than Disney.
Speaking of animation, it was a pretty big year led by Inside Out 2 and Moana 2. What’s your view on that?
Animation is obviously a cornerstone of the Walt Disney Studios and the company, and something that audiences closely associate with us. The success of Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 shows without a doubt that animation remains a huge draw for viewers. Our animation studios continue to have a unique ability to create compelling franchises like these, which were both introduced to audiences less than a decade ago.
Whether it’s an original or a sequel, it ultimately it comes down to having a great story to tell. That is what keeps them in the zeitgeist and is why Moana, for example, was the most viewed movie across all streaming platforms last year. We are fortunate to have incredibly talented teams at both Disney Animation and Pixar that bring these wonderful films to life.
Mufasa: The Lion King debuts this weekend. What can you tell us about it?
The story is so surprising and full of heart — a fresh perspective on one of Disney’s most iconic tales. We have a phenomenally talented director in Barry Jenkins and wonderful music from Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s a visual masterpiece. I am excited for people to finally have the chance to experience it this holiday season.
Disney has also seen critical acclaim from smaller films such as A Real Pain and A Complete Unknown, among others. How do films like these fit into the strategy?
We could not be prouder of these films and the Searchlight team that continues to put together a slate of incredible movies from the very best filmmakers in the world. Searchlight has a unique role within our studio, and this is what we mean when we say we have something for everyone. These are high-quality, lower-budget films that appeal to more mature audiences. And of course, we’re film fans, and it’s very gratifying when these movies find themselves in the awards conversation.
What can audiences expect from The Walt Disney Studios in 2025?
We have a highly anticipated slate of films and series ahead. On the film side, Marvel Studios’ has Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. We have Snow White from Disney Live Action in March, Lilo & Stitch in May, plus Freakier Friday and Tron: Ares later in the year. Disney Animation has Zootopia 2 and Pixar has a new original called Elio.
We have the third Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, in December, and 20th will also put out The Amateur and Predator: Badlands, and I’m really excited about Deliver Me From Nowhere, our Bruce Springsteen biopic. We also have some great Disney+ series from our brands including Marvel’s Daredevil and the second season of our highly rated Star Wars series, Andor. So those are just a few of the projects we have coming in the next year.