Part 3/12:
The first quarter of 2025 revealed troubling signs: a 7% decline compared to 2024, with March alone experiencing a staggering 50% drop from the previous year. This period was rife with box office flops like Betterman, Captain America: Brave New World, Snow White, and Mickey 17. Although some returns emerged in the second quarter—notably Minecraft, which grossed over $900 million, and domestic hit Sinners—most recent blockbusters, such as the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake and Mission Impossible 8, weren't filmed in Hollywood. This reflects a broader trend: Hollywood productions are increasingly relocating, fueling fears of deindustrialization akin to Detroit's auto industry decline.