Moviegoers were changed for good this year.
Big movie sequels were a huge draw for audiences in 2025. As you might expect, the year’s top 15 highest-grossing films included titles like 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—all of which brought in over $440 million around the world.
Live-action remakes of beloved series were big hits this year. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Warner Bros.’ The Minecraft Movie both earned around $1 billion in theaters, making them the third- and fourth-highest-grossing films of the year.
The movie that topped the worldwide box office isn’t well-known in the U.S., having only earned $23 million domestically.
In 2025, the top-grossing movie was Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated film that earned around $2.2 billion globally. This was almost double the earnings of the second-highest-grossing film, Zootopia 2, which made about $1.3 billion.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been keeping an eye on all the latest entertainment, and I wanted to share something a little different! The buzzworthy new animated film isn’t from the usual suspects like Disney or Pixar. It actually comes from Chengdu Coco Cartoon and Beijing Enlight Media, and it’s a follow-up to their incredibly popular 2019 film, Ne Zha. The movie is beautifully directed and written by Jiaozi, who also goes by Yu Yang. It’s based on the fascinating Chinese mythological figure Ne Zha, and the voice acting is fantastic – Lü Yanting and Joseph Cao lend their voices to the character in Mandarin, while Crystal Lee and Griffin Puatu bring him to life in the English dub.
Ne Zha 2 became the highest-grossing animated movie ever, surpassing Inside Out 2. Last year, Inside Out 2 held the record with $1.7 billion in ticket sales.
Beyond its impressive numbers, it’s unusual for a foreign film to top the box office charts. Recent examples of films that have done so include Barbie in 2023, earning $1.4 billion, Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022 ($2.3 billion), and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 ($1.9 billion).
However, Ne Zha 2 has been a huge success with viewers. According to The Guardian, it features “Epic battle scenes and spellbinding graphics—and a dose of symbolism—have enticed Chinese audiences to the cinema in their millions.” The Hollywood Reporter also highlighted its “endless action sequences,” calling the sequel “a stupendous achievement in terms of its animation” and noting its strong cultural impact in China.
The film gained even more attention in August when A24, the studio behind acclaimed movies like Moonlight, Lady Bird, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, released an English-dubbed version in the U.S. The voice cast included Michelle Yeoh (known for Wicked) as Nezha’s mother, Lady Yin, along with Aleks Le, Vincent Rodriguez III, Rick Zeiff, and William Utay.
Okay, seriously, you HAVE to see this movie! It was THE biggest thing of 2025, and now it’s finally on HBO Max! If you haven’t watched it yet, you absolutely need to before the year ends – don’t let 2026 roll around without experiencing this masterpiece!
Want to find some new movies to watch? Get comfy with some popcorn and check out these recent and upcoming releases you won’t want to skip!
After death, people have a week to choose how they’ll spend eternity. Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) finds herself in this situation, torn between her husband (Miles Teller) and her childhood sweetheart (Callum Turner), who passed away years ago and has been waiting for her.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2016 Oscar-winning animated film brings viewers back to the vibrant world of Animal Metropolis. Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) are joined by exciting new characters, including Gary D’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and the quokka therapist, Dr. Fuzzyby (Quinta Brunson).
Where to Watch: In theaters
Inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel and directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, Hamnet explores the personal tragedy in William Shakespeare’s life that fueled the creation of Hamlet. The film stars Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Joe Alwyn.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
This new take on a traditional holiday comedy boasts an impressive cast playing a wonderfully chaotic family. The ensemble includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
The Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of the musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth is now available as a live stage recording, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Featuring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, and Laura Dern, this film is a bittersweet comedy written and directed by Noah Baumbach.
Where to Watch: In theaters Nov. 14 and streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.
The popular 2023 horror film is getting a sequel! Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, and Matthew Lillard are all returning, and they’ll be joined by new cast members Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.
Where to Watch: In theaters
After Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) separate, their dog Merv becomes withdrawn, leading them into a hilariously uncomfortable situation: they have to co-parent their pet.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Daniel Craig is back as detective Benoit Blanc, and this time, he’s facing his trickiest case yet. He’s joined by an impressive group of actors, including Glenn Close, Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, and Kerry Washington.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
This funny movie features a fantastic cast, including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, and Ayo Edebiri. It tells the story of a hopeful young woman trying to balance the demands of her family and her job.
Where to Watch: In theaters
James Cameron’s latest Avatar film continues the epic story, this time with a more intense plot. Jake and Neytiri’s family faces conflict with a new group called the Mangkwan Clan, or the Ash People. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This thrilling movie is based on the popular novel by Freida McFadden. It stars Sydney Sweeney as a young woman who takes a live-in housekeeping job for a rich couple, played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, and quickly becomes entangled in their dangerous web of secrets and lies.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This comedy-drama, directed by Bradley Cooper and featuring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, tells the story of a comedian going through a divorce as he reaches middle age.
Where to Watch: In theaters
SpongeBob and his friends from Bikini Bottom embark on a hilarious adventure at sea, facing off against spooky ghost pirates!
Where to Watch: In theaters
Just before Christmas, a family is thrown into turmoil when their mother’s health suddenly declines. The story follows four adult siblings and their difficult father as they grapple with complicated relationships and the possibility of loss. The film marks Kate Winslet’s first time directing, and features a stellar cast including Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Timothée Chalamet stars in this sports drama set in the 1950s, playing a young man determined to become a top table-tennis player. Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion also appear in the film.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Inspired by real events, this film follows two struggling musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) who unexpectedly find both romance and a renewed sense of purpose when they team up to create a fun and energetic tribute to Neil Diamond, proving it’s never too late to pursue your passions and find love.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This funny adventure film stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as two friends who journey to the Amazon rainforest to remake their beloved snake movie, only to encounter a real, enormous anaconda.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry‘s bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
horror and survival.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Close friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team up again in this action-packed thriller. The story follows a group of Miami police officers who find millions of dollars in a hidden, abandoned building, which creates tension and distrust within the team. The film also stars Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
In this new installment of the post-apocalyptic series, Ralph Fiennes takes the lead. The film focuses on how truly frightening people can be to each other, even more so than the dangers of the infected themselves.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This dark comedy features Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as two coworkers who are the sole survivors of a plane crash, leaving them stranded on a deserted island. They have to put aside their differences and learn to cooperate if they want to make it off the island alive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The creators of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse bring you a hilarious animated comedy set in a world entirely populated by animals. The story centers on Will, a little goat, who gets a shot at playing roarball – a tough, full-contact sport usually played by much bigger and stronger opponents. The film stars Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi will star as Catherine and Heathcliff in a new film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell, who previously made Saltburn.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Neve Campbell is back as Sidney Prescott in the latest Scream movie, fighting to keep her family safe from a new Ghostface. The film also features Courteney Cox, along with rising stars Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding, plus Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, and some unexpected guest appearances.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This animated movie is based on the classic Dr. Seuss book and stars Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, and America Ferrera.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs and wrote a fresh adaptation of the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein. The story follows a solitary Frankenstein (Christian Bale) who journeys to 1930s Chicago, hoping a brilliant scientist will build him a companion (Jessie Buckley). The film also stars Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Pixar’s latest movie features Mabel, a character who loves animals and has invented a way to transfer a person’s mind into incredibly realistic robotic animals. This lets people experience the world as animals and truly understand them!
Where to Watch: In theaters
This sci-fi adventure, based on the popular novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), features Ryan Gosling as a teacher who finds himself on a spaceship far from Earth. As he regains his memories, he discovers his task: to figure out why the sun is fading and find a solution.
Where to Watch: In theaters
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2025-12-29 16:18