Hollywood
Worldwide 2015 box office sets new record with $38+ billion
MUMBAI: The global box office crossed the $38 billion benchmark, making 2015 the highest-earning year at the global box office in movie history according to Rentrak.
An incredibly strong line-up of movies inspired audiences worldwide to flock to cinemas in 2015 and with Rentrak data culled from more than 125,000 screens in more than 25,000 theaters across the globe, the industry posted its biggest overall revenue in worldwide box office history, with a total of $38 billion-plus projected for the year.
“The importance of the international marketplace to the overall success of the motion picture studios, the exhibition business and the movies themselves cannot be overstated, with key territories across the globe plus North America providing the collective horsepower to push us near the $40 billion mark for the first time ever. Following hot on the heels of a record-breaking first-time ever $11 billion-plus year at the box office in North America, this global record proves that going to the movies is a beloved pastime that is enjoyed throughout the world, with moviegoers from a wide array of backgrounds and cultures all coming together for the shared in-theater experience,” said Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.
A vast lineup of films in 2015 including this summer’s mega-hit Jurassic World, the action-packed Furious 7, the superhero-filled Avengers: Age of Ultron, the family-friendly Minions and of course the record breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens, helped to fuel this incredible year’s record performance. Notably, global hits came from virtually every studio and included the latest James Bond installment Spectre, the action-packed Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, the final film in The Hunger Games franchise,Mockingjay, Part 2, Ridley Scott’s hit science fiction drama The Martian and Dwayne Johnson in San Andreas among many others.
Below is a list of the top five highest-earning films at the Global box office in 2015:
Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
