Until recently, Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox has been widely viewed as a bad deal for the company. Since 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures became part of the Disney family, only a handful of their movies have been successful.
Amidst the successes of AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER and POOR THINGS came a long line of box office bombs, including DARK PHOENIX, STUBER, THE CALL OF THE WILD, SPIES IN DISGUISE, AMSTERDAM, and A HAUNTING IN VENICE among others.
However, the Fox Studios have been making a comeback in 2024. Since May 1st, Disney movies have accounted for 42% of the theatrical box office, with 20th Century Studios responsible for three of Disney’s four films during that period.
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, DEADPOOL VS. WOLVERINE, and ALIEN: ROMULUS have been strong box office draws that have breathed new life into each of these franchises. After a disastrous 2023, Disney’s turnaround in 2024 has led some to rethink the value of the Fox acquisition.
David A. Gross, who leads the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, told Variety that Disney’s Fox acquisition should be evaluated “over decades, not years.”