Part 3/10:

Mainstream media are now openly debating whether 2023 is the worst year Hollywood has seen in decades. Some compare it to historically difficult years like 1931 and 1948, but consensus suggests this year may indeed be the bleakest in at least a hundred years. The numbers paint a disturbing picture: box office revenues are plunging, attendance has dropped by nearly 40-50%, and studios are hemorrhaging money.

Disney, often viewed as a bellwether for the industry, has suffered a particularly severe blow. With losses running into hundreds of millions each quarter, Disney's decline is seen as emblematic of broader industry failings. Disney's struggles are especially notable because they mark what many believe to be its worst year in a century—since the company's inception.