2025 has proven to be a record-breaking year at the global box office, filled with dazzling blockbusters, beloved franchises, and surprising hits that have captivated audiences worldwide. But here's where it gets controversial: despite Hollywood's big names, the year was dominated by an animated marvel from China, while Western productions continued to perform strongly—raising questions about shifting global market power.
The standout film of 2025 was without doubt Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated feature that maintained its dominance throughout the year, ultimately earning the top spot with a staggering worldwide gross exceeding $2.2 billion. Meanwhile, Hollywood did not lag behind—securing five entries in the top 10—thanks to major releases like Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Lilo & Stitch, all of which made significant impact in theaters around the world.
And this is the part most people miss: Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron, arrived in theaters in December and quickly proved its blockbuster potential. It crossed the $1 billion mark in just under twelve days, becoming the tenth-fastest film to reach this milestone globally. With an impressive total of approximately $1.1 billion, it managed to climb into the top three highest-grossing films of 2025.
But Ne Zha 2's success remains unparalleled. Its exceptional box office run set a new record as the first animated movie ever to surpass $2 billion in worldwide earnings. It achieved a remarkable feat by crossing $1 billion in a single market—China—in under twelve days. This film not only claimed the top spot for highest grossers of 2025, but also established itself as one of the most profitable animated films in cinema history.
The gap between Ne Zha 2 and the second-place film, Zootopia 2, is quite substantial. Zootopia 2 has amassed approximately $1.59 billion globally and is expected to reach between $1.7 and $2 billion over its run. Although this might reduce the distance, it likely won't be enough to challenge Ne Zha 2's throne, sparking an intriguing debate about the future of animated versus live-action blockbusters.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest-grossing films worldwide in 2025:
- Ne Zha 2 – $2.25 billion
- Zootopia 2 – $1.59 billion
- Avatar: Fire and Ash – $1.10 billion
- Lilo & Stitch – $1.03 billion
- A Minecraft Movie – $958.28 million
- Jurassic World: Rebirth – $869.14 million
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – $790.5 million
- How to Train Your Dragon – $636.35 million
- F1: The Movie – $631.74 million
- Superman – $616.82 million
Stay connected with Koimoi for more exclusive updates, deep dives into box office trends, and stories that capture the evolving landscape of global cinema. Did your favorite film make the list? Or is there a surprise pick you think could have ranked higher? Share your thoughts—this year's box office results definitely spark some lively discussions!"
