Universal is the first studio YTD to cross the $4 billion mark globally in box office earnings, according to industry reporting. The studio’s domestic haul sits at $1.53 billion alongside $2.48 billion internationally, marking the fifth time in history the company has reached this threshold and its first time doing so since 2023, based on studio data.
Blockbuster Drivers Powering Universal Past Four Billion
A string of high-performing releases fueled the studio’s climb to the $4 billion mark. Universal and Focus Features account for five of the top ten highest-grossing films globally this year, including three spots in the top five, according to box office tracking figures. Michael stands at No. 2, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie claims No. 3, and The Odyssey holds No. 4. Further down the list, Obsession secured the No. 9 spot, while Minions & Monsters rounded out the top ten.
Notably, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Michael represent two of the only three films to cross the $1 billion threshold worldwide so far, according to verified totals. Meanwhile, Focus Features’ Obsession reached $475M globally, marking the highest-grossing worldwide release ever for both Focus Features and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
Global Box Office Dominance and International Reach
Universal led the global weekend box office for 10 separate weekends, driving consistent ticket sales across both domestic and overseas markets. Beyond its own domestic releases, the studio serves as the international distributor for three of the top five highest-grossing films worldwide, including The Odyssey, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Michael.
This widespread international footprint helped Universal outpace rivals after Disney initially became the first to cross $3 billion worldwide in 2026 among all the Hollywood majors at the end of June. Last year, Warner Bros. claimed the first-to-$4-billion milestone before Disney ultimately won the annual race, setting a precedent for tight studio competition that Universal has now upended.
The Odyssey Nears Billion-Dollar Milestone on IMAX Strength
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is closing in on the $1 billion mark, sitting at a running global cume of $911M three weekends into its theatrical run, according to box office data. The film’s third global weekend pulled in $136.2M, heavily supported by $68M from IMAX screens alone. That haul marks the second highest-grossing weekend ever for the large-format exhibitor.
The film captured nearly all IMAX screens globally during a weekend that also saw Spider-Man: Brand New Day push its global gross to $927M, with the exception of China, Japan, and Korea, where Nolan’s film has not yet launched.
Did you know? Obsession secured its place in history not just as a box office hit, but by breaking records to become the highest-grossing worldwide film ever for both Focus Features and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, pulling in $475M.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Universal cross the $4 billion mark?
Universal crossed the $4 billion global box office milestone, driven by strong international and domestic ticket sales across multiple blockbuster releases.
How many films have crossed $1 billion globally?
Only three films have crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide, with Universal releases accounting for two of them: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Michael.
What are the highest-grossing Universal films of the year?
Universal and Focus Features hold five of the top ten global spots, led by Michael at No. 2, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at No. 3, and The Odyssey at No. 4.
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