Key Takeaways:
- The 2025 box office revenue in the U.S. and Canada is expected to total $8.87 billion, a 1.5% increase from last year’s $8.74 billion.
- Theatrical attendance is running below last year’s levels, with an estimated 760 million tickets sold as of Dec. 25.
- The quality and frequency of movie releases led to dips in the calendar, putting extra pressure on other movies to perform.
- Female-focused films were few and far between, with only a few big blockbusters targeted towards women.
- Established intellectual property (IP) still topped the charts, with nine of the top 10 domestic films tied to an existing title.
- The 2026 box office prospects look promising, with several big films set to release, including Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey" and Disney and Marvel Studios’ "Avengers: Doomsday".
Introduction to the 2025 Box Office
The 2025 box office has been a mixed bag, with some big hits and some notable flops. Despite the success of films like "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and "Wicked: For Good", the overall revenue for the year is expected to be only 1.5% higher than last year’s total. Theatrical attendance is also down, with an estimated 760 million tickets sold as of Dec. 25, compared to over 800 million last year. This decline in attendance and revenue has left theater owners and industry experts searching for answers.
The Impact of Movie Releases on Box Office Performance
One of the main reasons for the decline in box office revenue and attendance is the quality and frequency of movie releases. Industry experts and theater owners say that the lack of depth in the release schedule and the struggle of smaller titles to break through have put extra pressure on other movies to perform. This has led to dips in the calendar, making it harder for films to succeed. Even big-name stars like Margot Robbie and Dwayne Johnson couldn’t prop up attendance for films like "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" and "The Smashing Machine", which both flopped.
The Lack of Female-Focused Films
Another issue facing the box office is the lack of female-focused films. Industry experts say that female moviegoers were underserved in 2025, with only a few big blockbusters targeted towards women. Films like "Wicked: For Good" and "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl" were some of the few successes, but they were not enough to make up for the lack of other female-focused films. This is a concern for the industry, as female moviegoers are a key demographic for many films.
The Success of Established Intellectual Property
Despite the challenges facing the box office, established intellectual property (IP) still topped the charts in 2025. Nine of the top 10 domestic films were tied to an existing title, such as a video game, novel, or comic book. This is not surprising, as viewers are often drawn to familiar titles and are more likely to take a chance on a movie they know and love. Films like "A Minecraft Movie" and "Lilo & Stitch" were huge successes, and their established IP was a major factor in their success.
The Success of Family-Friendly Films
Family-friendly films were also a bright spot in 2025. Films like "A Minecraft Movie", "Lilo & Stitch", and "Zootopia 2" were all huge successes, and their PG ratings helped to bring in young audiences. This is a positive trend for the industry, as family-friendly films can be a reliable source of revenue. Disney, in particular, had a big year, crossing $6 billion at the global box office and marking its biggest year since 2019.
The Future of the Box Office
As 2025 comes to a close, industry insiders and theater owners are looking to 2026 with optimism. Several big films are set to release, including Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey" and Disney and Marvel Studios’ "Avengers: Doomsday". However, there is also uncertainty surrounding the impending Warner Bros. deal and what it will mean for movie releases. Cinema owners fear that a takeover by Netflix could limit or eliminate the theatrical exclusivity of Warner Bros. films, while a takeover by Paramount could lead to a decrease in the number of films released. Despite these concerns, the 2026 slate looks promising, and the industry is hoping for a return to form.