Revenue of the U.S. motion picture and video industry 2018, by source

In 2018, the U.S. motion picture and video production and distribution industry generated its highest revenue from domestic licensing of rights to television programs, which brought in over 15 billion U.S. dollars. Domestic licensing of rights to motion picture films generated around 12.5 billion U.S. dollars that year, marking a drop of almost five billion U.S. dollars from 2017.

Motion picture and video production industry: what does it comprise?

The motion picture and video production industry is engaged in the production of movies, videos, television programs, or television commercials. The motion picture and video distribution industry primarily acquires distribution rights and distributes film and video productions to movie theaters, television networks, and television stations. Both industries are listed as subcategories of the NAICS Code 5121 – Motion picture and video industries.

Industry development and key players in the United States

The U.S. motion picture and video production and distribution industry’s estimated total revenue amounted to 69.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up over five billion from the previous year. Since 2005, the estimated revenue has only rarely fallen below 60 billion U.S. dollars. Some of the most profitable businesses within the motion picture and video industry include WarnerMedia, Walt Disney, Sony Pictures, and Universal Studios.