Another year, another massive haul at the box office. With the rise of streamers reshaping how and where movies are accessed, one thing is clear: people still want to see blockbuster films on the big screen. From newfound classics to sequels of beloved movies, 2025 was a major year in cinema that showcased the specificity of what audiences are looking for when they spend money on a ticket.
This year, the top 10 biggest earners worldwide had much in common, not the least of which was that they all had a connection to the past. Whether as a sequel or a specific IP, familiarity was a major factor in why these films busted through to the top. Furthermore, they’ve all been in ongoing discussions to plan for their future beyond this year. So, which one is the year’s big winner? The answer might surprise you, but it shouldn’t!
Editor’s note: These numbers were pulled on January 1st, 2026, from Box Office Mojo.
10
‘Superman’
Worldwide Box Office: $616,784,465
The James Gunn era at DC was going to be dependent on the success of his adaptation of Superman. Likely for him, the start of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters is soaring to great heights. Instead of an origin story, Gunn brought David Corenswet into the universe through a new tale. Clark Kent must balance his Kryptonian heritage with his human life in Metropolis. Facing public scrutiny and a villainous Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who frames him for an incident, Superman is forced to embrace his true self with help from Lois Lane (Rachel Bosnahan) and fellow metahumans, ultimately proving that kindness and truth remain vital in a complex world. Balancing the blockbuster theatrics we desire in a superhero film with a more comically vibrant approach to the character, Superman brought the signature Gunn superhero essence to a beloved franchise with ease, with the financial returns reflecting it.
A lighter, charming take on a classic hero story, the fun, colorful, and earnest exploration of Superman resonated with audiences. Beyond Corenswet’s sensational performance, Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen was so well received that he’s earning an HBO series, similarly to Colin Farrell‘s The Penguin. Furthermore, Milly Alcock’s cameo as Supergirl has fans hyped for her solo feature. As for the Man of Steel, he’ll be receiving a follow-up film, Man of Tomorrow, in 2027.
9
‘F1: The Movie’
Worldwide Box Office: $631,627,111
There is absolutely a specific demographic that seeks out sports films, but there’s one sport that seems to have a particularly massive following, and that is Formula One racing. So imagine adapting the sport into a massive, big-budget film. Of course, it’s going to be a box office smash! Directed by Joseph Kosinski, F1: The Movie follows legendary, retired Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who is coaxed back to the sport 30 years later to mentor a hotshot rookie, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), for a struggling team, APXGP, owned by his old teammate, Rubén Cervantes (Javier Bardem). The film follows Sonny’s emotional journey of redemption as he navigates a comeback, clashes with the young driver, and tries to save the team from collapse, blending realistic F1 action with classic underdog sports-movie themes.
A story of mentorship and rivalry, F1 captured the sport’s allure through extraordinary speed. Racing sequences were adapted from the real-life races, with F1 teams and drivers appearing throughout, including Lewis Hamilton. Considered Apple Studio’s first box-office hit, the film was a souped-up, energetic film that gave audiences the need for speed and much more. The love of motorsport rivaled that of many other films in the field, such as Rush, Gran Turismo, and Ferrari, yet none had the appeal quite like this film. What worked wonders was bringing in a box office name like Pitt to appeal to non-F1 fans and transform them into diehards who wake up before dawn to catch the latest real-life races. Apple has already begun to think about turning the film into a franchise.
8
‘How to Train Your Dragon’
Worldwide Box Office: $636,351,148
Disney isn’t the only studio eager to bring their classic animated IP to the live-action world. Based on the 2010 film, which was based on the 2003 novel, How to Train Your Dragon tells the story of misfit and overlooked Viking teen Hiccup (Mason Thames), son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), as he befriends Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, defying his village’s dragon-slaying traditions to unite Vikings and dragons against an ancient threat. They form an unlikely bond that challenges everything his people believe about dragons. Directed by the original’s visionary Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon reminded audiences about the beauty of magic. By exploring friendship, understanding, overcoming prejudice, and finding strength in unity, the live-action adaptation united audiences in the theater, helping it become the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
As one of three animated-to-live-action adaptations, How to Train Your Dragon landed steadfastly in the middle. Bringing the original film’s adoration to the new iteration, How to Train Your Dragon doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel but enhances the viewing experience, giving the story to a new generation and to those who may not care for animated films. Thames not only proves he’s a strong leading actor, but he also showcases how he’s destined to be one of Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars of the future. A sequel based on this film is slated for a 2027 release.
7
‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba— The Movie: Infinity Castle’
Worldwide Box Office: $718,473,620
Coming straight from Japan, manga fans were delighted by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. The epic first part of the Demon Slayer cinematic saga, the film follows the Demon Slayer Corps as they enter Muzan Kibutsuji’s ever-changing stronghold for their final battle against him and the remaining powerful demons. As the heroes are scattered across the realm, the film serves as a direct sequel to the fourth season of the anime series. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, the feature film dominated the domestic and Japanese box offices. As an R-rated animated film, it was the first non-American animated film to gross over the $700 million mark.
An almost more polished iteration of the anime, Infinity Castle was praised for its action sequences, visuals, and engaging story. A bloody good time, fans have considered it to be the best Ufotable production ever. With two more parts around the corner, the franchise is destined to rake in the bucks while wowing audiences around the globe.
6
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
Worldwide Box Office: $851,695,254
Before the final weekend of the year, Avatar: Fire and Ash was sitting at number 11 overall. But then, audiences went to see the James Cameron epic, jumping up all the way to number six. To say that’s not a success is an understatement. The third entry in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as they cope with grief while encountering a new, aggressive, fire-worshipping Na’vi tribe known as the Ash People. Led by the ruthless Varang (Oona Chaplin), conflict escalates on Pandora as Jake’s children confront their own destiny. A deep look into family, loss, and a society’s destructive path, Avatar: Fire and Ash has continued to prove that the franchise is more than a visual wonder — it’s a world-building phenomenon.
With a new backdrop filled with volcanic landscapes, the third film explores a much darker part of the Na’vi, bringing out a more violent side, contrasting with the previous battles with the human race. Avatar: Fire and Ash delves into an examination of our own cycle of violence through the lens of entertainment. Furthermore, the major plot point regarding Spider’s (Jack Champion) ability to breathe Pandora’s atmosphere leads to a world of possibilities for the next two films.
5
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’
Worldwide Box Office: $869,146,189
As part of the franchise that truly welcomed summer blockbusters into the pop culture lexicon, whether it was good or not, Jurassic World Rebirth was destined to be in the top 10 in worldwide grossing. If only the product lived up to the numbers. The seventh film in the franchise brings a covert team hired by Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) and led by Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), with Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), on a mission to an abandoned InGen island near the original Jurassic Park site to collect DNA from three colossal dinosaurs — land, sea, and air — for a life-saving pharmaceutical drug. Their mission gets complicated when they encounter a stranded civilian family, forcing both groups to survive mutated dinosaurs and uncover a sinister, decades-old secret hidden on the island. A modernized copy-and-paste of the original, the audience didn’t seem to mind as they raced to see the newest dinosaurs terrorize the innocent and the devious alike.
Not only did Jurassic World Rebirth fare well domestically, but it set franchise records internationally in India and achieved strong box office in China, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Germany. Having the backing of a beloved franchise helped the film overcome criticism. For those seeking nostalgia, Jurassic Park Rebirth met those needs with a plot similar to Jurassic Park and a new set of characters. The spectacular was there, as were Bailey’s little glasses, but you could sense a bit of fatigue, even if it were the start of a new potential trilogy. Based on box office performance, audiences were satisfied with the product.
4
‘A Minecraft Movie’
Worldwide Box Office: $958,149,195
In a time when video games are the newest, buzziest IP to adapt for film and television, it should have come as no surprise that Minecraft would make its way to the big screen. If you had any doubt that it would’ve been a draw, well, you were very wrong. A Minecraft Movie follows four misfits — Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) — from the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho, that are pulled through a portal into a cubic world and must embark on a quest back to the real world with the help of a “crafter” named Steve (Jack Black). A campy good time (though critics didn’t play along), A Minecraft Movie was a smash hit for kids and adults alike.
Thanks to Minecraft‘s scope and reach, the film achieved box office success because of what it was. The dazzling visuals and implausible plot kept audiences entertained enough to overlook the plot’s flaws. Now, when it comes to going viral, the film caught the attention of boisterous reactions and disorderly conduct from viewers, particularly Gen Z American and British adolescent boys, thanks to the “Chicken Jockey” trend. With so much hype surrounding the film and the box office success, A Minecraft Movie will be coming back for more with a 2027 sequel.
3
‘Lilo & Stitch’
Worldwide Box Office: $1,038,027,526
When it comes to live-action reboots of Disney films, we’ve learned it can be entirely hit or miss. After the debacle that was Snow White, there were fears that all future live-action remakes could be in jeopardy. Then came the exquisitely charming Lilo & Stitch, which instantly allayed the fears. With some adjustments from the animated film here and there, the sci-fi comedy shared the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo (Maia Kealoha) who adopts the chaotic alien Experiment 626, lovingly known as Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders). Exploring themes of family, friendship, and belonging, the new film forever reminded us that ohana means family.
The retelling found instant success thanks to the stellar CGI of the titular character and the warmth it conveyed. As a pre-summer hit, Lilo & Stitch welcomed families and Disney fans to reignite their imaginations. Despite the major changes, including the creation of a new character, Tūtū (Amy Hill), the removal of the infamous scene of Pleakley’s (voiced by Billy Magnussen) drag disguise, and Gantu’s absence, the film’s ability to resonate is why the live-action film succeeded. And yes, a sequel is in the works.
2
‘Zootopia 2’
Worldwide Box Office: $1,464,212,160
When Disney has a successful animated film, expect them to churn out more. After the success of the first film, Zootopia 2 was inevitable. In the sequel, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) team up once again as they pursue reptile Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) across Zootopia, as they try to clear their names after being framed for a conspiracy involving a wealthy lynx family and the displacement of marginalized animal communities in Zootopia. The undercover animated crime comedy is filled with pop culture references against real-world themes. With positive reviews, audiences flocked to the cinema, allowing Zootopia 2 to become the second-highest-grossing film of the year and the seventh-biggest animated film of all time, well surpassing the original.
As one of the biggest franchises in recent Disney history, Zootopia 2 continues on the legacy of the first film while earning its own identity. Led by the endearing buddy-cop duo, the film uses real-world tropes with sophisticated storytelling, and its heart and soul is its ability to teach while entertaining. To help the film find its fantastic footing was the vibrant voice cast, which featured Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, Patrick Warburton, and the return of Shakira as Gazelle. The massive success has already earned a third film that is in the beginning stages of development.
1
‘Ne Zha 2’
Worldwide Box Office: $2,150,000,000
After the massive international phenomenon that was Ne Zha in 2019, the sequel was ready to continue its worldwide success, and it did so in sweeping fashion. Ne Zha 2 secured the worldwide box office title by nearly a billion dollars. Let’s just say it was a great year for the Chinese follow-up. The film follows Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing, where, after a sacrifice, only Ne Zha’s body can be recreated, although he carries Ao Bing’s spirit within. Ne Zha calls on this spirit in his fight against Master Shen. Released in the first month of the year, coinciding with Chinese New Year, Ne Zha 2 received a warm reception and broke numerous box office records in China and abroad.
Director Jiaozi ensured the film would be extraordinary by making it the most expensive production to date, with a total cost of 600 million yuan. The risk was well worthwhile. Using the 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods by Xu Zhonglin as the launch point, the production team made significant adaptations and incorporated family and friendship elements, resulting in a distinct film series from the original work and ultimately creating a story that stood on its own. Receiving universal praise in China and Western media, Ne Zha 2 is seeking award-season recognition for its stunning visuals and heart-racing adventure. A well-crafted sequel, it’s safe to say that with the impact the film made, including an English-speaking version led by Michelle Yeoh, more Ne Zha is destined to come.
Ne Zha 2
- Release Date
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January 29, 2025
- Runtime
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144 minutes
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Lü Yanting
Young Nezha (voice)
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Joseph
Youth Nezha/Jie Jie Shou Zuo (voice)