Date: December 20th, 2025 8:57 PM
Author: citrine lay skinny woman
No, the claim is not true—it's a significant exaggeration based on outdated or misinterpreted data.
Box Office Revenue
Pre-COVID: Global theatrical box office reached a record $42.5 billion in 2019 (sources: Comscore, Hollywood Reporter, Box Office Mojo).
Post-COVID recovery:
2023: ~$33.9 billion
2024: ~$30 billion (down slightly due to fewer releases from 2023 strikes and uneven performance in markets like China)
2025 projection: $33–34 billion (on track for growth)
The industry took a massive hit during COVID (dropping to ~$21 billion in 2021), but it's recovering steadily, though still ~20–30% below 2019 peaks. It's not "less than $8bn"—that's wildly inaccurate (even U.S. domestic alone was ~$8.7 billion in 2024). Theatrical isn't "dead"; big hits like Inside Out 2 ($1.7B) and Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.3B) proved event movies still draw crowds, but mid-budget films and consistent releases have shrunk.
Streaming and Overall Entertainment Revenue
Streaming has exploded and is highly profitable:
The global video streaming market was worth hundreds of billions in 2024 (e.g., ~$674 billion total, including subscriptions and ads).
Major platforms like Netflix alone had tens of billions in revenue, with growing ad tiers boosting profits (Netflix's ad-supported plan often generates higher ARPU than pure subscriptions in some cases).
Hybrid models (subscriptions + ads) are thriving, with ad revenue projected to make up ~28% of streaming income by 2028.
Traditional linear TV advertising has declined (global TV ad spend dipped post-pandemic and is flatter now, around $130–140 billion annually vs. higher peaks pre-streaming dominance), but overall video/entertainment ad revenue has shifted to digital/CTV/streaming, which is growing rapidly. Subscriptions from millions of users worldwide easily offset much of the "bleed"—the industry adapted, not collapsed.
Is the Industry "Dead" or "Fucked"?
No—theatrical is challenged and evolving (fewer films, more reliance on blockbusters), production slowed in 2024 (post-strikes, economic caution), and jobs have been hit hard (high unemployment in crew/creative roles). But total entertainment/media revenue (theatrical + streaming + TV) is massive and growing in many segments. AI will disrupt (e.g., VFX, writing), but it's not "reaping" yet—the industry is transforming, not dying.
In short: Struggling in parts? Yes. Dead and bleeding out irreparably? Far from it. Recovery is ongoing, driven by hits and streaming profitability.
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5811706&forum_id=2)#49526414)