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It was a season of upsets at the multiplex. Mid-budget originals outperformed expectations while several big-ticket sequels struggled to find an audience beyond opening weekend.
The breakout hits
Word of mouth did the heavy lifting this year. Audiences rewarded fresh ideas, and theaters reported strong repeat viewing for event-style releases.
What it means for next year
Studios are already reshuffling release calendars, with more originals getting prime dates and fewer franchise entries crowding the same weekends.