The biggest winner of the 91st Academy Awards wasn’t the company with the most wins, but the one that stands to gain the most this time next year.
With a $71.3 billion merger between Disney and Fox expected to close in the coming weeks, all eyes are on the combined powerhouse studio and what that might mean for Oscar
Disney hauled in four Oscar wins on Sunday, taking home trophies for costume design and production design as well as the prize for animated short and original score. While it was a good showing for the House of Mouse, the real bonus will come from its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Owning the film arm of 20th Century Fox not only grants Disney a number of Marvel characters that had been sold off before it acquired Marvel in 2009, but also the powerhouse Fox Searchlight studio. Fox Searchlight is a sister company that operates independently from 20th Century Fox and has produced films like “The Shape of Water,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Birdman,” all of which won best picture at the Oscars in the last decade.
Together 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight won seven Oscars on Sunday, the most of any other company, including best actress and best actor, two of the most prestigious awards of the night.
Fox’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” had the most wins of any film with four Oscars, including for Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury. The film also took home trophies for sound editing, sound mixing and film editing.
From Fox Searchlight, “The Favourite’s” Olivia Colman hoisted the best actress Oscar at the end of the ceremony and “Skin” won for best short film.
Disney’s “Black Panther” earned three Oscars — for costume design, production design and score, while “Bao” took home the award for animated short.
In addition to the prestige of an Academy Awards, “Black Panther,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Favourite” together brought in more than $2.3 billion at the global box office, according to Comscore data.
Because of its Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar and Disney brands, the studio already set a new industry domestic box office record of $3 billion for 2018, while Fox grabbed $1.23 billion and a Disney/Fox combined worldwide box office is $10.2 billion worldwide.
Looking at its combined slate, Disney/Fox accounts for well over 20 films that will be distributed this year. So, clearly, the merger increases studio’s odds to win more awards next year.