Samwise Film & TV Marketing Newsletter
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Four New Releases Lead Crowded $100M-Plus Weekend at the Box Office
Four new releases hit theaters this weekend, led by Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Encore with an estimated $26 million—Disney’s nostalgia re-release bolstered by an exclusive first look at Avengers: Doomsday footage. Sony’s Resident Evil held firmly in second with $23.5 million, lifting its domestic total to $103.6 million in just two weekends. A24’s Primetime and Paramount’s Heart of the Beast each debuted near $20 million, while Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island earned $11.5 million. The weekend marks the second-strongest late-September frame in box office history, with total chart revenue exceeding $100 million.
Universal Becomes First Studio to Cross $5 Billion at the 2026 Global Box Office
Universal Pictures has become the first studio to reach $5 billion in global box office revenue in 2026, a milestone confirmed Sunday by the studio. The record-breaking year was anchored by Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which surpassed $1.7 billion worldwide, alongside summer entries including Forgotten Island and the Resident Evil reboot. The achievement reflects a production and distribution strategy that leveraged marquee original IP alongside franchise revivals throughout the calendar year. With the fall slate still ahead, Universal is positioned to extend its record further. No other studio had crossed the $5 billion threshold at press time.
Netflix to Publicly Report Box Office Results for Six Theatrical Releases
Netflix has announced plans to publicly disclose box office results for six of its theatrical releases, marking a significant transparency shift for the streaming giant. The slate includes La Bola Negra, Cliff Booth, and Narnia, alongside three additional titles. For years Netflix resisted sharing ticket revenue with industry tracking services, leaving exhibitors and analysts to rely on third-party estimates. The move comes as the streamer expands its theatrical strategy and faces increasing pressure from studios and theater chains demanding parity with standard reporting practices. Official figures are expected to be shared with tracking services beginning in early 2027.
Avengers: Doomsday Presales Cross $50 Million Three Months Before December Release
Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday has crossed $50 million in ticket presales more than three months before its December 18 theatrical debut, setting a new benchmark for presale velocity at this stage of a release. More than 70% of tickets sold are for Infinity Vision premium large-format screens, reflecting strong demand for the enhanced theatrical experience Disney introduced with the Avengers: Endgame Encore re-release this weekend. The campaign has centered on continuity with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, positioning Doomsday as a generation-defining culmination. Disney has not confirmed a final marketing spend, but the presale pace suggests a campaign at significant scale.
Bipartisan Federal Film and TV Production Incentive Bill Introduced in Congress
A bipartisan coalition has introduced the Motion Picture and Television Economic Restoration Act (MPTERA), legislation that would create a 20% federal tax credit for qualified domestic film and television production expenditures. The bill targets runaway production by making U.S.-based shoots more cost-competitive with foreign jurisdictions offering comparable or larger incentives. Supporters argue the measure would generate significant domestic economic activity and preserve skilled below-the-line production jobs. The legislation has drawn backing from both major studios and independent producers. It now advances to committee for review, with no floor vote timeline confirmed.
Weekend Box Office Top 20 — September 27, 2026
| # | Title | Studio | Wknd Gross | Cumulative | Wk # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avengers: Endgame Encore | Disney | $26.0M | $26.0M | 1 |
| 2 | Resident Evil | Sony | $23.5M | $103.6M | 2 |
| 3 | Primetime | A24 | $20.5M | $20.5M | 1 |
| 4 | Heart of the Beast | Paramount | $20.0M | $20.0M | 1 |
| 5 | Forgotten Island | Universal | $11.5M | $11.5M | 1 |
| 6 | Practical Magic 2 | Warner Bros. | $6.0M* | $55.5M* | 3 |
| 7 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Sony/Disney | $4.2M | $872M* | 9 |
| 8 | The Odyssey | Universal | $3.7M | $1,703M* | 11 |
| 9 | Coyote vs. Acme | WB/Lionsgate | $1.7M | $65.0M* | 5 |
| 10 | End of Oak Street | Universal | $1.1M* | $51.3M | 7 |
| 11 | Michael | Universal | $0.9M* | $399.0M* | 16 |
| 12 | Project Hail Mary | Amazon MGM | $0.6M* | $342.0M* | 17 |
| 13 | The Mandalorian & Grogu | Disney | $0.5M* | $188.0M* | 5 |
| 14 | Obsession | Lionsgate | $0.4M* | $280.0M* | 21 |
| 15 | Toy Story 5 | Disney/Pixar | $0.3M* | $645.0M* | 14 |
| 16 | Backrooms | A24 | $0.3M* | $301.0M* | 7 |
| 17 | Bad Boys 5 | Sony | $0.2M* | $143.0M* | 6 |
| 18 | Murder, She Wrote | Universal | $0.2M* | $88.0M* | 4 |
| 19 | Heart Eyes 2 | Warner Bros. | $0.1M* | $54.0M* | 5 |
| 20 | Devil Wears Prada 2 | Disney/Fox | $0.1M* | $410.0M* | 22 |
* Sunday estimate; actuals Monday. Source: Deadline. Positions 6–20 trajectory estimates.
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