What Are the Largest Movie Studios in the US? The Top 6

When it comes to the magic of cinema, movie studios play a pivotal role in bringing stories to life. From iconic blockbusters to indie favorites, the largest movie studios in the U.S. have shaped the film industry for decades. These entertainment powerhouses produce some of the most well-known movies and influence global pop culture.

In this blog, we’ll examine the top 6 largest movie studios in the U.S., exploring what makes them industry leaders and why they continue to dominate the box office.

Behind the scenes of The Godfather (1972)

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: 26.95 Billion

Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912, making it the world’s sixth-oldest film movie company and the second-oldest in America, behind Universal Pictures. It’s part of Hollywood’s “Big Five” film studios, which are all located within Los Angeles’s city limits. Paramount Pictures was established by Adolph Zukor when he released the first full-length drama shown in the US, Queen Elizabeth. First, Zukor founded Famous Players Film Company, and a year later, he started distributing his films through a new company called Paramount Pictures. In 1916, Zukor merged Famous Players with The Jesse L. Lasky Company, using Paramount Pictures as a distributor. Eventually, the Famous Player-Lasky Corporation consolidated with the distribution company, where Zukor was a significant stockholder, and all 3 became the modern-day Paramount Pictures.

Over the years, Paramount Pictures has produced and distributed many classic films and TV shows, including:

• Star Trek Franchise
• Transformers Franchise
• The Brady Bunch
• Happy Days
• Frasier
• The Godfather
• Titanic
• Mission: Impossible Franchise

Paramount Pictures has produced over 1,200 films with rights to an additional 2,800. As the longest-operating major studio in Hollywood, Paramount has been at the forefront of movie and television production since its inception.

Behind the scenes of 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: 4.91 Billion

Founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle, Mark Dintenfass, Charles O. Baumann, Adam Kessel, Pat Powers, William Swanson, David Horsely, Robert H. Cochrane, and Jules Brulatour, Universal Pictures is the oldest film studio in the US and the fifth oldest in the world. It’s also one of Hollywood’s “Big Five” studios. Universal is also the largest film production and distribution company worldwide in terms of annual revenue. Since its start, Universal has made over 3,200 films in genres ranging from exhilarating action and adventure to endearing romance. Universal’s production studios are in Universal City, California, with corporate offices in New York City.

In 2023, Universal was listed as the largest movie studio in the US based on box office revenue. Here are a few notable films produced or distributed by Universal Pictures that you may have heard about or watched:

• Fast and Furious Franchise
• Jurassic World Franchise
• Jurassic Park Franchise
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Jaws
• A Beautiful Mind
• Super Mario Bros
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Breakfast Club
• Schindler’s List

Universal Pictures has paved the way for creativity, innovation, and storytelling in the film and entertainment industry, from beloved animated classics to up-and-coming comedies. Its dedication to world-class filmmaking has earned it a spot as one of the top movie production companies worldwide.

Avatar (2009)

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: $1.89 Billion (Disney’s box office revenue, including Searchlight and 20th Century Studios)

For decades, 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) was a dynamic production company in the film industry. It was formed in May of 1935 in Century City, Los Angeles, CA, by merging Twentieth Century Pictures (founded in 1933 by Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck) and Fox Film Corporation (established in 1915 by William Fox). Bought by The Walt Disney Studios in 2019 for around $71 billion, it’s now one of 5 live-action film studios within Walt Disney Studios. 20th Century is often recognized by its logo and intro before their movies play, bringing a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

20th Century Studios has made over 2,000 movies, including the following popular films: 

• Avatar Franchise
• Star Wars Franchise
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Ice Age Franchise
• X-Men Franchise (until 2020)
• The Sound of Music
• Mrs. Doubtfire

20th Century Studio’s dedication to the craft of film has made it one of the top movie production companies in the world.

Harry Warner, Jack Warner, Al Jolson, Darryl F. Zanuck, and Al Warner on the Warners lot in 1927.

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: $12.2 Billion

A member of Hollywood’s “Big Five,” Warner Bros. was established in 1923 by the four Warner brothers, Harry, Sam, Albert, and Jack. It has been a household name in the industry for over a century, responsible for oldies like Casablanca and cult classics like The Matrix. Warner Bros. has always been a trendsetter, starting the obsession with gangster films in the 1930s with Little Caeser, Scarface, and The Public Enemy. Not only do their films amass multitudes of fans, but the studios’ Bugs Bunny cartoons quickly became a hit among families and adults in the 1960s and beyond. 

Here are some of the top-performing films distributed or produced by Warner Bros.:

• Harry Potter Series
• Joker
• The Hobbit
• Dune Franchise
• The Lego Movie
• Inception
• The Conjuring
• The Blind Side
• American Sniper

Warner Bros. consistently pushes the boundaries of storytelling and entertainment, from groundbreaking superhero films to timeless masterpieces. Warner Bros.’s legacy has inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences in the past and future.

Spiderman (2002)

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: $808 Million

Established in 1924 by brothers Jack and Harry Cohn and business partner Joe Brandt, Columbia Pictures is now a subsidiary of Sony Pictures, which Sony (a Japanese corporation) owns. What began on Hollywood’s Poverty Row (a region for small production companies) is now one of the largest producers and distributors in the world and a part of the “Big Five” in America. The Columbia Pictures logo, featuring a woman draped in fabric and holding a torch, symbolizes Columbia, a personification of the United States. It is one of the most iconic emblems in the film industry.

Columbia Pictures’ most recognized films include:

• Spider-Man Franchise
• Venom
• The Karate Kid Franchise
• When Harry Met Sally
• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Series
• Ghostbusters Franchise
• The Holiday
• Little Women (2019 version)

From the start, Columbia Pictures has been a pioneer in the industry for unforgettable movie experiences. As one of the largest movie studios in the US, it continues to deliver diverse and engaging stories to audiences worldwide.

Walt Disney, Founder of Walt Disney Studios

Image Source

2023 Annual Revenue: $88.9 Billion

In October 1923, Walt and Roy Disney founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood, California. Today, it’s one of the world’s largest movie studios and media companies and now encompasses various production businesses like Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and more. Walt Disney was a true artist from a young age, drawing cartoons for publications and learning about cel animation while employed by the Kansas City Film Ad Company. After starting Laugh-O-Gram Studio and failing to make a profit, Walt moved to the City of Stars in Southern California, where his brother was recovering from an illness. While there, Walt sold a Laugh-O-Gram-produced short film titled Alice’s Wonderland and signed a contract to create six additional similar movies. Over the decades, Walt Disney Studios has continued to be at the forefront of the film industry, creating familiar characters like Mickey Mouse and acclaimed animated movies like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, 101 Dalmations, and more. 

Disney has made over 700 movies, including:

• Bambi
• Avengers Series
• Inside Out Series
• The Lion King
• Frozen Series
• Black Panther Series
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Toy Story Series (since 1995)
• Finding Dory
• Iron Man Series
• Father of the Bride Series
• Hocus Pocus
• Tangled
• Remember the Titans

From enchanting animated classics to record-breaking blockbusters, Walt Disney Studios has shaped the film industry for generations. As part of America’s “Big 5” movie studios, Disney has redefined family entertainment and continues to deliver beloved stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. With a legacy built on magical storytelling, Walt Disney Studios remains a cornerstone of global cinema.

Do you want to work with a high-quality movie production company to create a box office hit? Avalanche Studios is a Utah-based company that offers full-service video production services, ranging from post-production to sound design. Our team of award-winning filmmakers, editors, and artists is determined to make your vision come to life. Contact us today to receive a quote and start your journey to becoming an inspiration in the film industry.