Has Universal proven that studios don’t need blockbusters?

Universal Pictures has not a single blockbuster movie on its 2014 slate.

So why is it posting some of its most impressive numbers for years?

Once upon a time, Universal Pictures had its slate for 2014 pretty much sorted.

It took a while, but Universal eventually announced that it was putting the film back to April 2015.

Yet, against general odds, Universal is having a really successful year.

So whats gone right in 2014, without those big movies?

Thus far in the US, Universal has released four films.

Three of them have hit.

Dont be surprised if a sequel follows.

Even beyond that, Universals slate for the rest of the year is peppered with potential hits.

In truth, its not looking like a candidate anyway, but it does seem an intriguing movie.

Thats when lots of Universal big guns are already primed and loaded.

Projects such asEverestand Guillermo del TorosCrimson Peakalso look promising.

As things stand looking ahead, 2014 is a blip in Universals strategy.

But hopefully some broader lessons can be learned from it anyway.

Might it put a few more $20m-40m movies into production off the back of that?

We can but hope, and we can but also hope others follow suit.

The signs arent positive looking at the release lists for 2015 and 2016.

But the numbers for 2014 surely cant be entirely ignored.