Hollywood studios released a slate of major films in US cinemas on Thursday, positioning their summer tentpoles to capture audiences over the Independence Day weekend, the biggest domestic moviegoing period of the season. Exhibitors expected packed auditoriums through the long holiday.

The National Association of Theatre Owners has repeatedly identified the July Fourth frame as a pivotal test for the 2026 box office, following a summer of uneven results. Studios timed premieres and previews to Thursday to build momentum before Friday and Saturday grosses.

Analysts at Comscore and Box Office Mojo tracked early-evening returns from Thursday preview screenings, which typically signal a film's opening-weekend trajectory. Distributors from Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. counted on family audiences and repeat viewing over the four-day period.

The holiday weekend also coincides with the America250 semiquincentennial celebrations, which cinema operators hoped would boost foot traffic at multiplexes and downtown venues across the country. Chains including AMC and Cinemark promoted holiday programming and discounted tickets.

Strong Thursday previews often translate into a robust weekend for wide releases, according to Comscore. The Fourth of July corridor remains one of the most reliable windows for theatrical exhibition.