In the world of box office reporting, the true story is often told months after the final credits roll. While the 2025 calendar year was dominated by early hits like Lilo & Stitch and Minecraft, the long-term endurance of late-year releases has significantly altered the pantheon of success. From the staggering domestic performance of China’s Ne Zha 2 to the inevitable rise of Avatar: Fire and Ash, this list tracks the films that didn’t just open big, but stayed big. These titles represent the absolute peak of 2025’s creative and commercial output, reflecting a global audience that rewarded both high-concept innovation and the comfort of beloved franchises.
1. Ne Zha 2 (~$2.25 Billion)
The undisputed champion of the year is the Chinese animated sequel Ne Zha 2, which shattered nearly every domestic record in Asian cinema history. Grossing over $2 billion in China alone, it utilized cutting-edge animation to retell ancient folklore, drawing massive crowds for months. Its international expansion in late 2025 added another several hundred million to its tally, making it the only film of the year to cross the rare $2 billion threshold and cementing its place as the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time.
2. Zootopia 2 (~$1.81 Billion)
Disney’s return to the world of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde proved that the appetite for high-quality, smart animation is at an all-time high. Zootopia 2 utilized a multi-generational appeal and a razor-sharp script to dominate the holiday season, eventually surpassing the $1.5 billion mark in early 2026. As the highest-grossing animated film released in the West this year, it reaffirmed Disney’s dominance in the family market and secured a permanent spot in the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time.
3. Avatar: Fire and Ash (~$1.48 Billion)
While it started its run in late December, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash has lived up to the franchise’s reputation for incredible longevity. By March 2026, the film has climbed to the #3 spot for the year, fueled by a massive international footprint and a near-monopoly on IMAX and PLF (Premium Large Format) screens. Though it currently sits as the lowest-grossing entry in the Avatar trilogy, its nearly $1.5 billion haul is still a monumental success that most studios can only dream of achieving.
4. Lilo & Stitch (~$1.038 Billion)
The summer of 2025 belonged to a small blue alien and his “Ohana” as Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch became a genuine crossover sensation. By leaning into the 90s nostalgia of Millennial parents while delivering a modern, high-tech visual spectacle, the film became the first live-action remake in several years to cross the $1 billion mark. It remains a shining example of how to execute a remake with heart, successfully translating hand-drawn charm into a photorealistic Hawaiian paradise.
5. A Minecraft Movie (~$961 Million)
Warner Bros. successfully tapped into the world’s most popular video game with A Minecraft Movie, proving that “the cube” is as profitable on screen as it is on a computer. Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, the film overcame a divisive first trailer to become a massive hit with Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. While it narrowly missed the billion-dollar milestone, its nearly $960 million global haul established a new blueprint for how to handle sandbox-style intellectual property in a cinematic format.
6. Jurassic World Rebirth (~$869 Million)
Scarlett Johansson led the charge in Jurassic World Rebirth, a film that successfully stripped the franchise of its “theme park” tropes to deliver a gritty, survivalist action thriller. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the movie focused on a small mercenary team navigating a world where dinosaurs are a permanent part of the ecosystem. Its strong performance in international markets, particularly Europe and South America, ensured that the Jurassic brand remains a Top 10 fixture for Universal.
7. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (~$733 Million)
Anime’s mainstream ascent reached its highest peak yet with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. As the first part of a concluding movie trilogy, it drew millions of fans to premium screens, resulting in a staggering $785 million global gross. Its success proved that high-quality, serialized animation is no longer a “niche” market but a primary driver of the global theatrical box office.
8. How to Train Your Dragon (~$636 Million)
Universal’s live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon relied on stunning visual effects and the timeless emotional core of Hiccup and Toothless to secure its place in the top ten. Released in early summer, the film maintained steady “legs” throughout the season, appealing to both original fans of the 2010 animation and a new generation of dragon-lovers. Its final tally of $636 million proved that there is still plenty of fire left in the Berk saga.
9. F1 (~$633 Million)
Apple Studios achieved a historic win with F1, the highest-grossing non-franchise, original film of the year. Starring Brad Pitt and utilizing revolutionary in-car camera technology, the movie became the definitive “Dad-core” hit of 2025, drawing audiences who craved practical stunts over CGI spectacle. Its $631 million gross marked a major milestone for streaming-first studios, proving they can compete at the highest level of the traditional theatrical market.
10. Superman (~$624 Million)
Closing out the top ten is James Gunn’s Superman, which served as the official launchpad for the new DC Universe. While it was the lowest earner on this elite list, its $616 million haul was hailed as a significant victory, successfully outgrossing the previous year’s superhero offerings. By prioritizing character depth and a hopeful tone, Gunn’s reboot restored faith in the Man of Steel and ensured a bright future for the upcoming slate of DC films.