Despite massive disruption from streaming, five major studios continue to dominate the global box office. These "majors" are defined by their longevity (all are over 100 years old) and their dual roles as financial backers and distributors.
: Widely considered the industry leader, Disney has expanded through massive acquisitions like Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012). This strategy allows them to create "synergy" by turning a single film into theme park attractions, toys, and video games.
Starting as a distributor, Netflix is now one of the most prolific production houses in the world. They’ve shifted the focus toward international productions, bringing global hits like Squid Game (South Korea) and Money Heist (Spain) to the mainstream.