Global Box Office Poised to Reach $33 Billion in 2025, Marking a Strong Rebound

The global box office has faced challenges in recent years. The COVID pandemic, which temporarily shut down cinemas, and the growing popularity of streaming services have made it difficult for theaters to bounce back.

Some films, like Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick, or this year’s hits like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, have helped boost ticket sales, but analysts remain cautious.

While there’s been steady improvement, the recovery is still ongoing. According to Variety, 2025 could mark the first year of significant global growth. In this report, we’ll break down the key data and insights from the original article.

The global box office is projected to reach $33 billion in 2025, an 8% increase from the estimated $30.5 billion in 2024. North America is expected to lead with $9.7 billion, a 9% rise from 2024, while international markets (excluding China) are forecasted to hit $16.8 billion, up 7%. China’s box office alone is predicted to contribute $6.6 billion.

According to Gower Street Analytics, 2025 is shaping up to be a strong year, fueled by major releases from both big studios and independent filmmakers. CEO Dimitrios Mitsinikos predicts growth, though numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels.

While still 14% below the 2017-2019 average, these figures reflect a 1% improvement over 2023’s performance when adjusted for current exchange rates. Breaking down international revenue, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) is expected to bring in $9.1 billion, Asia Pacific (excluding China) $5.3 billion, and Latin America $2.4 billion.

The 2025 box office is expected to be driven by blockbuster releases like new Avatar films, Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, the next Mission: Impossible, a new Jurassic World, and additions to the John Wick and Conjuring franchises. James Gunn’s Superman will also mark a fresh start for the DC Universe, while Disney’s Zootopia 2 is anticipated to match the billion-dollar success of its predecessor.

Rob Mitchell, Gower Street’s director of theatrical insights, highlights the diverse slate of films from renowned directors like Bong Joon-ho, Ryan Coogler, Osgood Perkins, and Joseph Kosinski, adding variety to the mix.

Looking ahead to 2026, the box office could see an even bigger year with highly anticipated films, including new installments in the Avengers, Spider-Man, Star Wars, Toy Story, and Shrek franchises, along with a new project from Christopher Nolan.

Of course, these forecasts could shift due to changes in release schedules or unexpected global events. What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments!