Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a significant event for moviegoers and Hollywood, but this year’s box office numbers were disappointing. Warner Bros.’ “Furiosa” edged out Sony’s “The Garfield Movie” with a modest $32 million domestically, securing the top spot for the four-day weekend, according to estimates from Comscore. Final results are expected later this week.

Context of This Year's Box Office Performance

The performance of “Furiosa” marks the lowest-grossing No. 1 film for Memorial Day weekend since 1995’s “Casper,” excluding the years 2020 and 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted theater operations and halted production. Last year, Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” opened with $118 million domestically over the holiday weekend. In 2022, Paramount’s “Top Gun: Maverick” launched with a robust $160 million over Memorial Day weekend, eventually grossing over $700 million domestically.

Factors Contributing to the Slow Weekend

Comscore senior analyst Paul Dergarabedian attributed the slow Memorial Day weekend to several factors, including the disruption of release dates caused by last year’s Hollywood strikes and the absence of a first-quarter blockbuster holdover. “This was indeed a historically slow Memorial Day weekend for movie theaters,” Dergarabedian told NBC News. He emphasized that the disruption from the strikes, which delayed the production of many films, coupled with the lack of high-profile releases, contributed to the underwhelming box office performance.

No film this year has achieved a $100 million opening weekend, a milestone that had become common in the era of comic book blockbusters. Last year, for instance, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opened with $118 million domestically in early May, setting the stage for a strong summer movie season.

Impact of Hollywood Strikes on Releases

The strikes led studios to delay several major films. Paramount’s eighth “Mission: Impossible” movie, initially slated for release this June, has been postponed to next year. Similarly, Disney’s “Lion King” prequel, “Mufasa,” will now debut in December instead of the summer. The industry is anticipated to return to a more regular schedule next year, with hopes of revitalizing box office numbers.

Lack of Marvel Blockbusters

The absence of a Marvel movie this Memorial Day weekend also played a role in the sluggish box office. For over a decade, Marvel’s comic book films have typically kicked off the summer movie season with substantial spring releases. This year, however, Universal’s “The Fall Guy” and Paramount’s “IF” failed to make a significant impact, each grossing less than $100 million domestically since their releases.

Projections for Summer 2024

Experts predict that this summer’s total ticket sales might barely surpass the $3 billion mark, compared to last summer’s $4.1 billion domestic haul, driven largely by the success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” These films, released on the same weekend in July, collectively grossed hundreds of millions of dollars.

Upcoming Potential Hits

Despite the slow start, several upcoming releases offer potential to boost the summer box office. Universal’s “Despicable Me 4” (July 5), Universal and Warner Bros.’ “Twisters” (July 19), Disney’s “Inside Out 2” (June 14), and “Deadpool and Wolverine” (July 26) are expected to attract significant audiences.

Dergarabedian expressed optimism about the remainder of the summer movie season, stating that these anticipated releases “will allow the industry to hit the reset and get the industry moving in a positive direction.”

Industry Challenges and Future Outlook

The challenges faced by Hollywood this year, including disrupted production schedules and delayed film releases, highlight the industry's ongoing struggles to regain pre-pandemic momentum. The reliance on big-budget blockbusters and the absence of Marvel's usual Memorial Day weekend presence have underscored the need for a diverse and steady pipeline of films to maintain box office performance.

Moreover, the industry's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, including the increasing popularity of streaming services, will be crucial in driving future growth. As theaters continue to recover, a balanced mix of blockbuster releases and original content will be key to attracting audiences back to cinemas.