The UK and Ireland theatrical market earned £1.07 billion ($1.45 billion) in 2025, up 1% from 2024 and representing the highest box office earnings since the pandemic, according to Comscore Movies.
Warner Bros. “Minecraft movietopped the annual chart with $76.9 million, followed by UniversalBridget Jones: Mad About the Boywith $62.7 million. Universal's Wicked: For Good, still in theaters, came in third with $62 million.
While the figure remains 21% below 2019's pre-pandemic level, when annual box office receipts regularly topped $1.76 billion, 2025 marked the third consecutive year since the pandemic that box office receipts topped $1.43 billion. As a result, the territory enjoys an advantageous position compared to many European markets.
There were 224 jam-packed releases in more than 250 theaters this year, up from 200 in 2024, as the industry fully recovered from production delays caused by COVID-19 and strikes in Hollywood. Universal's Downton Abbey: Grand Finale opened in more than 750 theaters in September.
Universal took the top distributor spot for the first time since 2021, capturing 25.1% market share and total gross revenue of $363.5 million from 35 new releases. Disney came in second with 23.1% market share and $333.8 million, and Warner Bros. took third place with a share of 18.5% and $266.2 million.
During the year, the site added 11 new and refurbished cinemas with over 80 screens, including three Vue sites and two each from Odeon and Everyman cinemas.
Event cinema remained strong with ten releases topping $1.3 million, marking the second-highest annual total of $59.4 million behind only 2019. “Six Musicals” became the highest-grossing theatrical film of all time with $8.3 million, second only to “Taylor Swift: A Tour of the Ages” in overall event cinema history.
British and Irish productions brought in $272.7 million, accounting for 19% of the total box office. “Bridget Jones: Crazy About a Boy” led the local production, followed by Universal's “Downton Abbey: Grand Finale” with $24.8 million and Sony's “28 Years Later” with $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 there was only a slight increase in box office receipts year-on-year, 2025 undoubtedly marked a significant further step in the sector's recovery from the challenges of recent years,” said Phil Clapp, chief executive of the British Film Association.
Andy Leyshon, chief executive of the Film Exhibitors Association, added: “It was pleasing to see box office growth in 2025, and now that we have witnessed a healthy level of theatrical stability over the past three years, it is clear that the unique visual pleasure of going to the cinema remains the leading entertainment choice for audiences out of home.”
Top 10 films in UK and Ireland in 2025:
- “Minecraft Movie” (Warner Bros.) – £56.8 million ($76.9 million)
- Bridget Jones: Crazy About a Boy (universal) – £46.3 million ($62.7 million)
- “Wicked: For Good” (Universal) – £45.8 million ($62 million)
- Lilo & Stitch (Disney) – £37.3 million ($50.4 million)
- Jurassic World: Rebirth (universal) – £36.1 million ($48.7 million)
- “Superman(Warner Bros.) – £28.1 million ($37.9 million)
- “Avatar: Fire and Ash(Disney) – £27.1 million ($36.7 million)
- Mission: Impossible: Final Reckoning (Paramount) – £26.3 million ($35.6 million)
- Zootopia 2 (Disney) – £25.4 million ($34.3 million)
- Fantastic Four: First Steps (Disney) – £23.9 million ($32.3 million)
Top 10 British/Irish films in UK and Ireland in 2025:
- Bridget Jones: Crazy About a Boy (universal) – £46.3 million ($62.7 million)
- Downton Abbey: Grand Finale (Universal) – £18.3 million ($24.8 million)
- 28 Years Later (Sony) – £15.5 million ($21.07 million)
- Roses (Disney) – £10.3 million ($13.9 million)
- We Live in Time (Studio Channel) – £8.7 million ($11.8 million)
- Salt Path (Black Bear) – £8.1 million ($10.9 million)
- “Six The Musical” (Universal) – £6.1 million ($8.3 million)
- “I Swear” (Studio Channel) – £6.09 million ($8.2 million)
- Chorale (Sony) – £4.1 million ($5.5 million)
- Top Man (Entertainment) – £4.04 million ($5.4 million)
