The global entertainment industry has continued to go from strength to strength in 2024, with everything from the film industry to the gaming market posting bigger and better numbers. While the entertainment sector in general took a hit in recent years, things are bouncing back. In fact, many areas are now doing better than they were in 2019, illustrating the resilience and determination shown by entertainment professionals looking to get back on track.
The desire for entertainment has never been greater, especially with new technology making music, movies, games and various other aspects so much more accessible. All of these factors have combined to make 2024 an extremely good year for the entertainment industry — but don’t just take our word for it. Keep reading for a comprehensive, stat-driven breakdown compared to other years and what we can expect for the future.
How did the entertainment industry compare to previous years?
Getting a solid idea of how the entertainment industry performed in 2024 compared to previous years is impossible without doing targeted research. We’ve done the hard work here, exploring year-over-year revenue and looking ahead to the future. Get the lowdown below:
Film industry
The film industry was hit hard by social distancing rules and regulations in the early 2020s, but has bounced back in recent years with a steady stream of box office smash hit motion pictures.
The statistics speak for themselves, with the coffers taking in $38.99 billion in 2024 compared to $34.27 billion the year before. However, 2024 still hasn’t quite beaten 2019, which came in at $39.56 billion. That’s a very narrow gap, and most forecasters expect 2025 to set a new record.
Casino and gaming industry
One of the best performing entertainment niches in the last decade is the online casino and gaming markets, with sports betting and online slots being two particularly relevant areas. This sector has seen 2024 register $138 billion in revenue, up from $131.42 billion in 2023, exemplifying the solid growth over the past decade.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. With software developers consistently creating various brand new games and mechanics, the gaming industry is set to skyrocket. Playing online casino options are filled with notable positives, with everything from mobile compatibility to next-gen, likely fair games attracting players.
Gaming industry
The video game industry is another top-performing area, accounting for $475.05 billion in 2024, up from $428.32 billion the year before. The difference compared to 2019’s $285.19 billion is a profound example of the video game sector’s extraordinary performance over the past decade.
Video game revenue is projected to hit $691.31 billion by 2039, which puts into perspective the modern video game market.
Music industry
The music world has long been a global entertainment mainstay, with digital music revenue alone expected to account for $31.2 billion by 2024, up 8.1% over the past decade.
Add in the revenue generated by live concerts, festivals, commercial sponsorship deals and various other revenue streams, and there’s absolutely no denying the healthy state of the 2024 music industry.
Landmark 2024 entertainment moments
It’s all very well to examine the statistics related to the entertainment industry in 2024, but it can be difficult to experience a concrete example of success by numbers alone. On that subject, let’s break down some of the most significant entertainment moments from the past year:
Wicked Movie Adaptation
The evil film generated an insane amount of anticipation in early 2024 when it was first slated as an upcoming blockbuster, and its November release confirmed everyone’s excitement. Ariana Grande’s pivot to acting is a particularly exciting development, and fans will be excited to see her in the sequel slated for next year.
Charli XCX’s brat summer
Charli XCX: s “Brat” album was a cultural force worldwide, with the iconic neon green artwork and unapologetic lyrical content celebrating free expression and the right to be yourself without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Sold-out global tours, appearances everywhere from Glastonbury to SNL, and numerous celebrity speaking engagements propelled the British singer to new fame.
Gladiators 2
When Ridley Scott announced that there would be a Gladiator sequel, many diehard fans of the original ancient Roman epic starring Russell Crowe couldn’t believe their luck. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington all blew away the critics and ensured that the film retained the suspense and nail-biting of the legendary original.
