The U.K. and Ireland theatrical market generated £1.07 billion ($1.45 billion) in 2025, marking a 1% increase over 2024 and representing the strongest box office performance since the pandemic, according to data from Comscore Movies.

Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” topped the annual chart with $76.9 million, followed by Universal’s “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” at $62.7 million. Universal’s “Wicked: For Good,” still in release, placed third with $62 million.

While the figure remains 21% below 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, when annual box office regularly exceeded $1.76 billion, 2025 marked the third consecutive post-pandemic year to surpass $1.43 billion. The result positions the territory favorably compared to many European markets.

The year saw a record 224 saturation releases playing in 250-plus cinemas, up from 200 in 2024, as the industry fully recovered from production delays caused by COVID-19 and the Hollywood strikes. Universal’s “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” led with an opening in over 750 cinemas in September.

Universal claimed the top distributor spot for the first time since 2021, achieving a 25.1% market share and $363.5 million in total gross from 35 new releases. Disney ranked second with 23.1% market share and $333.8 million, while Warner Bros. placed third with 18.5% share and $266.2 million.

The territory added 11 new and refurbished cinemas comprising over 80 screens during the year, including three Vue sites and two each from Odeon and Everyman.

Event cinema remained robust with ten releases surpassing $1.3 million, generating the second-highest annual total of $59.4 million, behind only 2019. “Six The Musical” became the highest-grossing theater title ever at $8.3 million, behind only “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in overall event cinema history.

British and Irish productions contributed $272.7 million, accounting for 19% of total box office. “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” led local productions, followed by Universal’s “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” at $24.8 million and Sony’s “28 Years Later” at $21 million.

The top 10 films accounted for 33% of total revenue, demonstrating improved market diversity compared to 38.6% in 2024 and marking the best diversity since 2017.

“Although it saw only a small year-on-year increase in box office, 2025 undoubtedly marked a significant further step in the sector’s recovery following the challenges of recent years,” said Phil Clapp, chief executive of the U.K. Cinema Association.

Andy Leyshon, chief executive of the Film Distributors’ Association, added: “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.”

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

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

Top 10 British/Irish Films in U.K. & Ireland in 2025:

  1. “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” (Universal) — £46.3 million ($62.7 million)
  2. “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” (Universal) — £18.3 million ($24.8 million)
  3. “28 Years Later” (Sony) — £15.5 million ($21.07 million)
  4. “The Roses” (Disney) — £10.3 million ($13.9 million)
  5. “We Live In Time” (Studiocanal) — £8.7 million ($11.8 million)
  6. “The Salt Path” (Black Bear) — £8.1 million ($10.9 million)
  7. “Six The Musical” (Universal) — £6.1 million ($8.3 million)
  8. “I Swear” (Studiocanal) — £6.09 million ($8.2 million)
  9. “The Choral” (Sony) — £4.1 million ($5.5 million)
  10. “Better Man” (Entertainment) — £4.04 million ($5.4 million)