The Dark Knight (2008), Barbie (2023), the Harry Potter franchise, The Last of Us (TV). Why they are popular: Warner Bros. balances auteur-driven films (Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig) with massive franchise management. Their recent pivot to releasing films simultaneously in theaters and on Max (formerly HBO Max) has made them a flashpoint for the future of distribution.
Before Netflix and YouTube, there were the "Big Five." While the industry has consolidated, the remaining major studios still command the highest-grossing productions on the planet.
A24 has solidified its position as the premier "prestige" indie studio with hits like Everything Everywhere All At Once . Neon and Blumhouse Productions follow closely, specializing in international festival winners and cost-effective horror respectively.