Here’s every movie to make $1B+ since Ted Sarandos was insanely incorrect about the theatrical experience. Long live the cinema!
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos sparked plenty of debate in April 2025 when he argued that the traditional theatrical model had become an ‘outdated concept‘ for many moviegoers. Sarandos pointed to declining box office numbers as evidence that consumer habits had changed, arguing that Netflix was simply delivering movies the way audiences now wanted to watch them. “Folks grew up thinking, ‘I want to make movies on a gigantic screen and have strangers watch them [and to have them] play in the theater for two months and people cry and sold-out shows… It’s an outdated concept,’” Sarandos said. He added that the experience still works for some people, but argued that “most of the country cannot go to a multiplex and walk to it.”
The months since have blown his argument out of the water. Box office revenue is on track to cross $10B this year for the first time since the pandemic, and while theaters have continued to produce billion-dollar blockbusters and breakout hits across nearly every genre, Netflix has struggled to generate films with the same kind of lasting cultural footprint. Its major exception has been KPop Demon Hunters, which became a genuine pop-culture phenomenon. And, somewhat ironically, Netflix eventually brought the film to theaters, where its sing-along release topped the domestic box office.
With that being said, here’s every movie that has crossed $1B at the global box office since Netflix’s co-CEO declared the traditional theatrical model outdated.
The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan once again turned an ambitious auteur-driven film into a global theatrical event with The Odyssey. The epic surpassed $1B worldwide before going on to become the highest-grossing film of Nolan’s career.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland’s latest outing as Spider-Man has once again proven the character’s immense theatrical draw. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already the highest-grossing film of the year and is pacing to end as a top 3 theatrical grossing release ever.
Michael
Michael Jackson’s status as potentially the biggest entertainer in history translated to the big screen with Michael where the film ultimately grossed over $1B worldwide.
Lilo & Stitch
Disney struck gold with its live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which became one of 2025’s biggest theatrical success stories and finished with $1.038B worldwide. It’s one of the only recent live-action remakes from them to cross this.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Despite poor reviews, Mario remained a theatrical powerhouse with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie grossing $1B, following up the enormous success of 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron once again demonstrated why betting against Avatar at the box office is rarely a good idea. Avatar: Fire and Ash grossed $1.49B worldwide. The franchise is currently by far the highest-grossing trilogy of all time.
Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 wasn’t merely another billion-dollar Disney sequel, it became one of the highest-grossing animated films ever made. The sequel finished with $1.87B worldwide.
This list will continue to be updated as Netflix’s CEO becomes further incorrect. For more movie news, check out our site.
