6B • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 OMAHA WORLD-HERALDLIVING

NEW YORK (AP) — Ev-ery movie year offers up aparade of hits and flops. Butin 2019, no winner was inthe same galaxy as the WaltDisney Co. And the biggestloser might have been any-one less thrilled about thebox-office domination offranchise films.

When the year closed outTuesday, the top 10 films inU.S. and Canada theaterswere all intellectual proper-ty-backed movies. That, initself, isn’t new. It’s the thirdyear in a row that the year’s10 biggest ticket-sellershave all been sequels, re-makes and superhero films.

But in today’s IP-drivenmovie world, one studio is ina league of its own. In 2019,Disney dominated Ameri-can moviegoing more thanany studio ever has before— roughly 38% of all domes-tic moviegoing.

The year’s top five filmswere all Disney movies, andit played a hand in the sixth.Disney’s Marvel Studiosproduced the Sony Picturesrelease “Spider-Man: FarFrom Home.”

Disney banked about $13billion in worldwide boxoffice in 2019, including arecord number of $1 bil-lion releases. Once “StarWars: The Rise of Skywalk-er” ($724.8 million throughSunday) inevitably reachesthat milestone, it will markthe studio’s seventh such$1 billion movie in 2019.The others were: “Aveng-ers: Endgame” (the highestgrossing release ever, notaccounting for inflation,with $2.8 billion), “The LionKing,” “Captain Marvel,”“Aladdin,” “Toy Story 4” and“Frozen 2.”

Disney’s unprecedentedmarket share includes filmsfrom 20th Century Fox, the84-year-old studio that Dis-ney gobbled up in March ina $71.3 billion acquisition.

Despite Disney’s con-siderable firepower, over-all ticket sales in U.S. andCanada theaters were down4.4% from the year beforethrough Sunday, accordingto data firm Comscore. Theupper echelons of the boxoffice may be stratospher-ic, but the lower realms —where critics’ scores arerotten and word of mouth isfaster than opening week-end — are dismal. The mov-ies are increasingly a ze-ro-sum game. You’re either“The Lion King,” or you’re“Cats.”

“There’s plenty of capac-ity to bring people to themovie screen,” said Cath-leen Taff, distribution chieffor Disney. “What I thinkwe’re doing is competing fortheir time. If it’s not great,they do have other options.But when it is great, peopleshow up. And we’ve seenthat this year with seven $1billion movies.”

Disney’s considerablerole in today’s moviegoinghasn’t been without crit-ics. They have lamented itsmega-blockbusters as prod-ucts, not cinema. BeforeMartin Scorsese’s criticismsof Disney’s Marvel mov-ies sparked headlines, helamented the monopolizingof the multiplex, disturbedby the sight of “Avengers:Endgame” playing on 11 of atheater’s 12 screens.

If the big-screen expe-rience is narrowing, thesmall screen is expanding.Streaming services prolifer-ated in 2019 with the launchof Apple TV Plus (althoughit pushed back its first bigmovie release) and Disney

Plus. Amazon also reshapedits release strategy, short-ening the theatrical windowfor some of its movies to justtwo weeks. Netflix rolled outits most ambitious releaseslate, including a host ofawards contenders, led byScorsese’s “The Irishman”and Noah Baumbach’s “Mar-riage Story,” that played inonly limited theaters. Theso-called streaming warswill only grow in 2020 whenNBCUniversal launches itsservice, Peacock, and War-nerMedia debuts HBO Max.

While some may see adownturn in ticket sales asindicative of streaming’s im-pact, John Fithian, the pres-ident and chief executive ofthe National Association ofTheater Owners, believesstreaming is disruptive tobroadcast TV, cable andhome markets like DVDs,but not to movie theaters.

“This may sound count-er-intuitive, but with thelaunch of Disney Plus, HBOMax and Peacock, we’remore confident of the symbi-otic relationship of stream-ing and theatrical than wewere before,” Fithian said.“The people who streamalso go to the movies a lot.”

Disney, Universal andWarner Bros. also remaindevoted to the traditionaltheatrical window. Netflixwill soon be competing withstudios that can offer botha robust theatrical releaseand a streaming life — al-beit not one with the samenumber of viewers at homethat Netflix can promise.

Those services have cer-tainly added pressure to thetheatrical release, and quitea few in 2019 weren’t up tothe challenge. The year’smost glaring bombs includ-ed bold bids at technologicalinnovation (“Gemini Man”),mishandled franchise fina-les (“Dark Phoenix”), re-makes that failed to connect(“Charlie’s Angels”), pres-tige dramas doomed by con-troversy (“Richard Jewell”),toy movies that didn’t click(“Playmobil: The Movie”)and, you know, “Cats.”

But some Hollywood ex-ecutives point to successessuggesting a vibrant me-dium. Jordan Peele’s “Us,”for Universal, was the high-est grossing original mov-ie. Others like Lionsgate’s“Knives Out,” Fox’s “Ford vFerrari,” STX’s “Hustlers”and Sony’s “Once Upona Time ... in Hollywood”were also both critical andglobal hits. Bong Joon Ho’s“Parasite” and Lulu Wang’s“The Farewell” gave the arthouse a boost.

“I don’t think that the4% to 5% drop means thedomestic audience wantsto stay home on the couch.I think it’s just like every-thing else in this industry

since it began: We have cy-cles,” said Jim Orr, distri-bution chief for Universal.“Generally, the box office isstill trending up, and I thinkthat will continue over time,especially because you cando films like ‘Us’ and filmslike (the R-rated comedy)‘Good Boys’ and people willstill come out in force.”

Last year’s box office,which followed a two-de-cade low in 2017, set a re-cord with $11.9 billion inticket sales. Disney, themarket leader for the lastfive years, again led theway with “Black Panther,”“Avengers: Infinity War”and “Incredibles 2.”

Revenues have largelybeen on the rise thanks toincreasing ticket prices.2019’s estimated $11.4 bil-lion in ticket sales rank sec-ond all time, not accountingfor inflation. But admissionshave been gradually declin-ing since 2005.

Overseas business, how-ever, is booming. Interna-tional box office for the firsttime crossed $30 billion in2019. Either next year or in2021, China will likely sur-pass North America as theworld’s top movie market.

Lately, homegrown mov-ies have been China’s topdraws. This year, only twoU.S. productions — “Aveng-ers: Endgame” and “Fastand Furious: Hobbs andShaw” — cracked the coun-try’s top 10 films. A pair ofChinese blockbusters ledthe way, each with about$700 million in box office:

the science-fiction adven-ture “The Wandering Earth”and the animated fantasy

“Ne Zha.”All of these factors — a

rare alignment of Disney

juggernauts, expandinghome-entertainment op-tions, a more inward-lookingChina — mean a potentiallydimmer outlook for 2020.Many in the industry ex-pect the year’s ticket salesto drop a few percentagepoints again. No one fore-casts a similar year fromDisney. The studio will stillhave a strong slate, but onewithout an “Avengers” or“Star Wars” movie.

“2020 is going to be amore typical year, where thewealth will be spread quitea bit more,” said Paul Der-garabedian, senior mediaanalyst for Comscore. “Thesky is not falling, but we’redefinitely going to have tochange our expectations for2020. It’s not going to be justabout one studio dominating,but it’s going to be about allthe studios bringing some oftheir biggest brands.”

James Bond, WonderWoman and The Rock arecoming in 2020. But greatervolatility may be on the way,too.

Disney dominated 2019 box office thanks to ‘Endgame,’ remakesStudio had the topfive highest-grossingmovies of the year

M A R V E L S T U D I O S

“Avengers: Endgame,” which is now the highest-grossing movie of all time, was one of six movies released by Disney to earn morethan $1 billion in 2019. The recently released “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” will likely become the seventh.

Actress Sara Gilbert hasfiled for legal separation fromher wife of five years, singerand songwriter Linda Perry.

Gilbert filed the separationdocuments in Los AngelesSuperior Court on Friday. Thepapers cite irreconcilabledifferences as the reasonfor the split, and requeststhat neither woman receivespousal support.

No details were given oncustody arrangements for

the couple’s 4-year-old son,Rhodes.

Gilbert, the 44-year-old starof “The Conners,” former starof “Roseanne” and creatorand former co-host of daytimetalk show “The Talk,” begandating Perry in 2011 and theymarried in 2014.

Perry is the 54-year-oldformer singer of 4 NonBlondes who has written hitsfor Christina Aguilera, GwenStefani and Pink. — AP

Actress Sara Gilbert separates from singer Linda Perry

T H E A S S O C I A T E D P R E S S /

Sara Gilbert, left, and Linda Perry

NOW PLAYINGListings also available online at www.omaha.com

SHOWTIMES FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

TWIN CREEKHighway 370 & 36th St. 402-898-SHOW

www.marcustheatres.com

Showtimes Valid for Wednesday Only!

STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC)(8:15 AM, 9:15, 10:20, 1:15, 2:20), 6:10,7:45, 8:55, 10:00JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL C(DP, CC) (12:05 PM, 3:55), 5:00

STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC)(8:00 AM, 8:30, 11:30, 12:00, 3:00,3:30), 6:30, 7:00, 10:00, 10:30LITTLE WOMEN B (DP, CC) (9:35 AM,12:45, 3:55), 7:05, 10:15SPIES IN DISGUISE B (DP, CC)(8:15 AM, 10:55, 1:35), 4:10, 6:50, 9:25UNCUT GEMS E (DP) (10:10 AM, 1:20),4:30, 7:40, 10:50BOMBSHELL E (DP, CC) (9:45 AM,12:40, 3:30), 6:25, 9:15CATS B (DP, CC) (9:30 AM, 12:10,2:50), 5:30, 8:20, 11:00STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC) (10:00 AM,12:30, 1:30, 4:00), 5:00, 7:30, 8:30, 11:00JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL C(DP, CC) (9:00 AM, 10:25, 1:25, 2:30),4:25, 7:25, 9:00, 10:25RICHARD JEWELL E (DP, CC)(8:20 AM, 11:20), 6:00KNIVES OUT C (DP, CC) (10:50 AM,1:50), 4:50, 8:00, 11:00FROZEN II B (DP, CC) (8:25 AM,11:00, 1:35), 4:10, 6:45, 9:20

Theatre Rentals and Group Sales402-953-6243

VILLAGE POINTE304 N. 174th St. 402-898-SHOW

www.marcustheatres.com

Showtimes Valid for Wednesday Only!

STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC)(8:30 AM, 12:00, 3:30), 7:00, 10:30STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP) (8:00 AM,11:30, 3:00), 6:30, 10:00LITTLE WOMEN B (DP, CC) (8:15 AM,11:30, 2:45), 6:00, 9:15SPIES IN DISGUISE B (DP, CC)(8:10 AM, 10:50, 1:30), 4:10, 6:50, 9:30UNCUT GEMS E (DP) (8:15 AM, 11:30,2:45), 6:00, 9:15BOMBSHELL E (DP, CC) (8:15 AM,11:05, 1:55), 4:45, 7:35, 10:25CATS B (DP, CC) (8:00 AM, 10:40, 1:20,4:00), 6:40, 9:20STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP) (9:00 AM,10:00, 12:30, 1:30, 4:00), 5:00, 7:30, 8:30,11:00STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC) (9:30 AM,10:30, 1:00, 2:00, 3:15), 4:30, 5:30, 8:00,9:00, 9:30, 11:30BLACK CHRISTMAS C (DP, CC)9:00 PM, 11:25JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL C(DP, CC) (8:00 AM, 9:00, 11:00, 12:00,2:00, 3:00), 5:00, 6:00, 8:00, 11:00RICHARD JEWELL E (DP, CC)(9:15 AM, 12:15), 6:30KNIVES OUT C (DP, CC) (8:30 AM,11:30, 2:30), 5:30, 8:30, 11:30FROZEN II B (DP, CC) (8:45 AM,11:30, 2:15), 5:00, 7:45, 10:30

Theatre Rentals and Group Sales402-953-6243

2110 S. 67th St. 402-932-9858aksarbencinema.com

www.facebook.com/aksarbencinema

Locally Owned and OperatedShowtimes Valid for Today Only!

SPIES IN DISGUISE B (DP)(10:00 AM)STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP) (12:30 PM,3:45), 7:00, 10:15LITTLE WOMEN B (DP) (10:00 AM,1:00, 4:00), 6:50, 9:45SPIES IN DISGUISE B (DP)(11:30 AM, 1:55, 4:20), 6:45, 9:10UNCUT GEMS E (DP) (10:00 AM, 1:00,4:00), 7:00, 10:00BOMBSHELL E (DP) (11:45 AM, 2:15,4:45), 7:15, 9:45CATS B (DP) (11:15 AM, 2:15, 5:00),7:30, 9:55STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP) (10:15 AM,11:15, 1:30, 4:45), 8:00, 9:00JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL C(DP) (1:35 PM, 3:00, 4:25), 6:00, 7:10, 9:55FROZEN II B (DP) (10:30 AM, 1:05,3:45), 6:15, 8:45

Events & Party RentalsCall 402-502-1914

RUTH SOKOLOF THEATER1340 Mike Fahey St. 402-933-0259

www.filmstreams.org

Showtimes Valid for Today Only!UNCUT GEMS E (DP) 3:40 PM, 6:35,9:30A HIDDEN LIFE C (DP) 4:30 PM,8:15

MAJESTIC CINEMA OF OMAHA(Formerly 20 Grand)

14304 West Maple Rd. 402-898-SHOWwww.marcustheatres.com

Showtimes Valid for Wednesday Only!

STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC)(9:10 AM, 10:40, 11:40, 12:50, 2:20, 3:20),4:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:10, 9:40, 10:40LITTLE WOMEN B (DP, CC) (9:40 AM,12:55), 4:10, 7:25, 10:40SPIES IN DISGUISE B (DP)(8:30 AM, 11:15, 2:00), 4:45, 7:30, 10:15UNCUT GEMS E (DP) (9:55 AM, 1:15),4:30, 7:45, 11:00BOMBSHELL E (DP, CC) (10:20 AM,1:10, 4:00), 6:50, 9:40CATS B (DP, CC) (10:55 AM, 1:40),4:25, 7:10, 9:55STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP) (8:20 AM,12:00, 3:40), 7:20, 11:00STAR WARS: THE RISE OFSKYWALKER C (DP, CC) (8:45 AM,9:40, 10:00, 10:20, 11:10, 12:35, 1:20,1:40, 2:00, 2:50), 4:05, 5:00, 5:20, 5:40,6:30, 7:45, 8:30, 9:00, 9:20, 10:10JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL C(DP, CC) (9:05 AM, 10:20, 12:15, 1:25,3:20), 4:30, 6:25, 7:35, 9:30, 10:40RICHARD JEWELL E (DP, CC)(9:10 AM, 12:15), 6:15KNIVES OUT C (DP, CC) (9:30 AM,12:40, 3:50), 7:00, 10:10A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THENEIGHBORHOOD B (DP, CC)(3:25 PM), 9:20FROZEN II B (DP, CC) (10:25 AM,1:10, 3:55), 6:40, 9:25

Theatre Rentals and Group Sales402-953-6243

★ No Passes✘ Extra Special AttractionN Special EngagementDP Digital ProjectionCC Closed CaptioningRWC Rear-Window CaptioningOC Open CaptioningDVS Descriptive Video Service✓ Rocker Loveseat Seating( ) Bargain Times

DUNDEE THEATER4952 Dodge Street 402-933-0259

www.filmstreams.org

Showtimes Valid for Today Only!HONEY BOY E (DP) 1:15 PM, 9:30MICROPARASITE E (DP) 3:30 PM, 6:30ENGLISH SUBTITLES;MICROLITTLE WOMEN B 1:00 PM, 4:00,7:00, 9:5535MM

0000104341-03

FREE GENERAL ADMISSION

2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE(402) 342-3300 | www.joslyn.org

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On view through January 19Word and Image:The Saint John’s BibleTicketed exhibition.

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM featuresworks from antiquity to the presentwith an emphasis on 19th- and 20th-century European and American art.A fun, relaxing, and artful destinationfor the whole family.

Just west of downtown Omaha. Café, Museum shop, and free parking.Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am–4 pm; late until 8 pm on Thursday.

Closed Wednesday, January 1 for the holiday.

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