Originally appeared on E! Online
Moviegoers were changed for good this year.
Several blockbuster sequels cast a spell on theater audiences in 2025, and you won’t be surprised to learn that the top 15 money-making films of the year include Zootopia 2, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Captain America: Brave New World and Wicked: For Good—which each earned over $440 million worldwide.
And live action adaptations of popular franchises also came in hot, with Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie becoming the third- and fourth-highest grossing movies of the year, as they each took in about $1 billion at the box office.
But the sequel that claimed the No. 1 global spot is a flick that many Americans haven’t yet seen, considering it made just $23 million in the U.S.
So, which one took the crown as the highest-grossing movie of 2025? That would be Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated film that raked about $2.2 billion worldwide (that’s nearly double the runner-up, Zootopia 2, which banked about $1.3 billion).
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And no, the cartoon wasn’t made by Disney, DreamWorks or Pixar, but rather Chengdu Coco Cartoon and Beijing Enlight Media as a sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha. Directed and written by Jiaozi (also known as Yu Yang), the movie is inspired by the Chinese mythological character Ne Zha, a demon child voiced by Lü Yanting and Joseph Cao in Mandarin and Crystal Lee and Griffin Puatu in English.
Ne Zha 2 broke the world record for the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, topping Inside Out 2—which claimed the spot last year with $1.7 billion in ticket sales.
Martin Zabala/Xinhua via Getty Images
In addition to being record-breaking, it’s simply rare for an international film to reign supreme at the box office, as past winners include Barbie in 2023 (raking in $1.4 billion), Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022 ($2.3 billion) and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 ($1.9 billion).
But Ne Zha 2 has blown audiences away. As The Guardian put it in March, “Epic battle scenes and spellbinding graphics—and a dose of symbolism—have enticed Chinese audiences to the cinema in their millions.” Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter‘s review praised its “endless action sequences,” stating, “The sequel is certainly a stupendous achievement in terms of its animation, and clearly has great cultural resonance in its native country.”
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
Not to mention, it got a boost in August when A24—known for such Oscar winners as Moonlight, Lady Bird and Everything Everywhere All at Once—released an English dub in the U.S. with none other than Wicked’s Michelle Yeoh voicing Nezha’s mom Lady Yin, alongside fellow voice actors Aleks Le, Vincent Rodriguez III, Rick Zeiff and William Utay.
And this month, the hit became available to stream on HBO Max, so there’s still time to watch the biggest movie of 2025 before that ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
If you’re looking for more movies to add to your queue, grab some popcorn and read on to check out more recent and upcoming releases you don’t want to miss.
Eternity – November 26, 2025
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Zootopia 2 – November 26, 2025
This sequel to the Oscar-winning 2016 animated hit promises a return to Animal Metropolis with familiar faces Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) along with some new characters like Gary D’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and quokka therapist Dr Fuzzyby (Quinta Brunson).
Where to Watch: In theaters
Hamnet – November 27, 2025
Based on the award-winning 2020 novel by Maggie O’Farrell and directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the story of how William Shakespeare endured family tragedy to create his masterpiece, Hamlet. Starring Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Joe Alwyn.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
Oh. What. Fun. – December 3, 2025
This fresh twist on the classic holiday-comedy features a star-studded cast as one big dysfunctional family, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Merrily We Roll Along – December 5, 2025
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez star in the live stage filming of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth‘s musical.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Jay Kelly – December 5, 2025
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup and Laura Dern star in this “heartbreaking comedy” from writer-director Noah Baumbach.
Where to Watch: In theaters Nov. 14 and streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – December 9, 2025
The 2023 horror hit gets the sequel treatment, with returning stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lilllard joined by new characters played by Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Merv – December 10, 2025
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – December 12, 2025
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc for his most dangerous case yet, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Glenn Close, Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis and Kerry Washington.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Ella McCay – December 12, 2025
An all-star cast (Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri) leads this comedy about an idealistic young woman juggling her family and work life.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Avatar: Fire and Ash – December 19, 2025
Director James Cameron delivers the third film in his blockbuster Avatar franchise, promising a darker storyline as Jake and Neytiri’s family clash with the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet,Oona Chaplin, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Housemaid – December 19, 2025
Based on the best-selling novel by Freida McFadden, this thriller follows a young woman (Sydney Sweeney) who accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar) and soon finds herself trapped in a seductive game of secrets and scandal.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Is This Thing On? – December 19, 2025
Directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, this comedy-drama follows a middle-aged comedian navigating an impending divorce.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – December 19, 2025
SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on a seafaring comedy-adventure, complete with ghost pirates.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Goodbye June – December 24, 2025
It’s nearly Christmas when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings, and their exasperating father, into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut and stars alongside Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Marty Supreme – December 25, 2025
Timothée Chalamet takes the lead in this 1950s-set sports drama about a young man with a dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Song Sung Blue – December 25, 2025
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Anaconda – December 25, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in this comedy adventure about two friends who travel to the Amazon to film a remake of their all-time favorite snake movie, and find themselves facing off against an actual giant anaconda.
Where to Watch: In theaters
People We Meet on Vacation – January 9, 2026
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry‘s bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Primate – January 9, 2026
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
horror and survival.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Rip – January 16, 2026
BFFs Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for this action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house and along with it some serious trust issues. Also starring Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – January 16, 2026
Ralph Fiennes stars in this spin-off of the post-apocalyptic franchise, in which the inhumanity of the survivors becomes even more terrifying than the infected.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Send Help – January 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star in this dark comedy about two office colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
GOAT – February 13, 2026
From the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes this animated comedy set in an all-animal world that follows Will, a small goat who gets the chance to play roarball – a dangerous, full-contact game dominated by the fiercest foes. Featuring Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters