The U.K. box office enjoyed its most successful year since the COVID-19 pandemic, with A Minecraft Movie leading the way to a £1.07billion ($1.45billion) total for 2025.

In addition to the lasting economic effects of the pandemic, the cinema industry has also suffered due to a global cost-of-living crisis, and 2023 talent strikes. Variety reports that while the figure remains around 21 per cent below pre-COVID levels, 2025 shows continued growth in cinema attendance, as well as 11 new or refurbished cinemas opened to the public.

Familiarity ruled the top 10 movies for the year, with all entries being either sequels, remakes, or films based on existing media. Top of the list was A Minecraft Movie, based on the hit video game, which made headlines for drawing raucous audiences earlier in the year. The Jason Momoa and Jack Black-led film made £56.8million ($76.9million), with a sequel in development.

Rom-com sequel Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy finished second with £46.3 million ($62.7million), closely followed by Wicked: For Good with £45.8million ($62million). The musical is still in cinemas, however, so may overtake Bridget Jones in overall gross.

Lilo & Stitch (£37.3million/$50.4million) and Jurassic World Rebirth (£36.1million/$48.7million) rounded out the top five, meaning that for the first time since 2020 (when cinemas were closed for the majority of the year) there are no superhero films in the top half of the chart.

James Gunn’s DC blockbuster Superman just missed out in sixth spot with £28.1million ($37.9million), while Marvel entry The Fantastic Four: First Steps finished tenth with £23.9million ($32.3million). The full top ten can be viewed below.

Top 10 Films in U.K. & Ireland in 2025:

1. A Minecraft Movie — £56.8million ($76.9 million)
2. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy — £46.3 million ($62.7 million)
3. Wicked: For Good — £45.8 million ($62 million)
4. Lilo & Stitch — £37.3 million ($50.4 million)
5. Jurassic World Rebirth — £36.1 million ($48.7 million)
6. Superman — £28.1 million ($37.9 million)
7. Avatar: Fire And Ash — £27.1 million ($36.7 million)
8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — £26.3 million ($35.6 million)
9. Zootopia 2 — £25.4 million ($34.3 million)
10. The Fantastic Four: First Steps — £23.9 million ($32.3 million)

Cinemas are perceived as being under threat from streaming; however Andy Leyshon, chief executive of the Film Distributors’ Association, told Variety: “It was good to see a box office increase in 2025, and having now witnessed a healthy level of theatrical stability over the last three years it is evident that the unique visual pleasure of a visit to the cinema remains the leading out-of-home entertainment choice for audiences.”

In December, a report stated that Gen Z audiences are going to the cinema more than ever, with a 25 per cent increase in 2025.