The release of the video game GTA 6, whose projected revenue is estimated at $3.2 billion, will pull viewers' attention away from major series and film premieres in November, entertainment industry experts warn, according to infohub.kz.
The long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for November 19, 2026, will coincide with the launch of a whole slate of big-budget Hollywood films and series, creating unprecedented competition for audiences' free time. In the same window, viewers will also get the third season of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" (from November 11), the Johnny Depp film "Ebenezer" (November 13), the "Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" prequel (November 20), new seasons of "Yellowjackets" and "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," and the limited series "Blade Runner 2099." Analysts warn that the Rockstar Games project could significantly dent viewership for competing media platforms, The Hollywood Reporter writes.
Experts forecast that GTA 6 will sell 45 million copies in its first year and bring its creators $3.2 billion, surpassing the worldwide box office of "Avengers: Endgame." Some 29% of American gamers plan to buy the product, and completing just the main story campaign will take about 80 hours. Producer and The Game Awards founder Geoff Keighley called the upcoming release the biggest launch in the history of the entertainment industry, noting that the game will easily outpace the forthcoming blockbusters "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Dune: Part Three" in both revenue and audience attention.
Bart Spiegel, head of the media and entertainment practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, stressed that streaming services will bear the brunt, since console games compete directly for screen time on home televisions. At the same time, theatrical presales for the new "Hunger Games" remain high so far, while the launch of "Ebenezer" looks weak. The game's impact will also reach the music market: the official soundtrack of 34 songs has already racked up 26 million streams on Spotify, and a score by the group Justice will be released on December 11. Experts believe the buzz around the characters Jason and Lucia will last through the Christmas holidays.