Heading into the summer, Hollywood was bullish that several promising blockbusters would be able to propel ticket sales above $4 billion for only the second time since the pandemic. But as the season winds to a close, it’s clear the domestic box office will fall short of that lofty benchmark.

Overall revenues from May 1 to Aug. 24 have reached $3.53 billion, according to Comscore. Popcorn season is typically the most profitable period for the movie business, with revenues regularly accounting for around 40% of the annual box office. But domestic ticket sales have only surpassed the $4 billion figure once since COVID lockdowns, during the glory days of “Barbenheimer” in 2023.

Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” is the highest-grossing film of the summer with $421 million in North America and $1.03 b

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