Hollywood is making a strategic retreat this fall, pulling back on major releases to set the stage for a winter onslaught of blockbusters. This comes after a successful run for films like Weapons, which defied expectations to earn $148.8 million worldwide. The next six weeks, however, will be a period of relative calm.
The box office narrative of 2025 has been refreshingly unpredictable. The colossal success of Jurassic World Rebirth ($828 million) and the strong performance of original horror films have proven that audiences are eager for new experiences and will reward studios that provide them.
This period of high-profile hits is now being followed by a deliberate lull. The release calendar for the coming weeks is light on tentpole films, with theaters relying on a collection of smaller, more niche offerings. The fifth Conjuring film is the most notable release, but the market will depend on volume to stay afloat.
The winter onslaught will begin in earnest on October 10 with Tron: Ares. This will be followed by a rapid succession of major titles, including Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, promising a huge finish to the year.