"Rogue One" propels Walt Disney Disney Studios to $7 billion box office record
Thanks to hits like “Finding Dory” and this weekend’s “Rogue One,” Walt Disney has reached a box office milestone.
As of Monday, Walt Disney Studios became the first movie studio to cross the $7 billion mark at the global box office for one calendar year. Of course, owning Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar doesn’t hurt when it comes to selling tickets.
On Sunday, when “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” had brought in more than $290 million, the company’s annual total sat at $6,988.3 million, and Monday’s receipts for the “Star Wars” prequel were expected to easily bridge the gap to $7 billion.
Three of the studio’s 2016 releases -- “Finding Dory,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Zootopia” -- grossed more than $1 billion each at the global box office, while “Jungle Book” came close at $966.6 million.
“This historic achievement is possible because all of our film studios are bringing their absolute best to the table, telling great stories of all kinds that resonate with audiences across borders, gender, and generations,” studio chairman Alan Horn said in a statement. “These films work because each one has not only something for everyone, but everything for someone.”
While “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” opened in December of last year, $736.6 million of its $2 billion global total came in after the start of 2016.
“Rogue One” has yet to open in South Korea or China.