LOS ANGELES – Hollywood is closing out its best summer since the pandemic, as an eclectic mix of blockbusters, sequels and original films wooed moviegoers back to the theaters.

The US and Canadian box office generated US$4.6 billion (S$5.8 billion) in ticket sales from the first weekend in May through Aug 30, according to measurement firm Rentrak.

Ticket sales are up 26 per cent above last summer, thanks to blockbusters like Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Universal’s The Odyssey and Pixar’s Toy Story 5.

Analysts estimate the total box office for 2026 could top US$10 billion.

The summer season, which officially ends Labor Day, Sept 7, is unlikely to surpass the inflation-adjusted, all-time high of US$6.8 billion set in 2013, when blockbusters like Iron Man 3 and Despicable Me 2 captivated moviegoers.

Still, this summer, the local cineplex seemed to offer something for everyone.

Two horror movies made by directors who got their start on YouTube – Backrooms and Obsession – attracted an unprecedented number of Gen-Z moviegoers.

Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Scary Movie brought women back in force, while young men found themselves reflected in Peter Parker’s struggles with isolation in Spider-Man.

“We are seeing literally every single age group, every single demographic, out in theatres,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures.

The film industry appears to have regained its footing after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the simultaneous writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023.

“The impact of the strikes on the studios was more lasting th...