U.K. and Ireland Box Office Sees Strongest Post-Pandemic Result Yet in 2025
The U.K. and Irish box office market generated a significant £1.07 billion ($1.45 billion) in revenue in 2025, marking the strongest performance since the pandemic, according to data from Comscore Movies.
Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" topped the annual chart with a respectable $76.9 million, closely followed by Universal's "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" at $62.7 million. Another Universal hit, "Wicked: For Good," placed third with $62 million, still in release.
Although the figure remains 21% below pre-pandemic levels, when annual box office exceeded $1.76 billion in 2019, 2025 marked the third consecutive post-pandemic year to surpass $1.43 billion. This performance positions the territory favorably compared to many European markets.
A total of 224 saturation releases played in 250-plus cinemas, up from 200 in 2024, as the industry recovered fully 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 a 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.
Industry experts welcomed the results, with Phil Clapp, chief executive of the U.K. Cinema Association, stating that "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."
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."
The top 10 films in U.K. and Ireland in 2025 included "A Minecraft Movie" (Warner Bros.) at $76.9 million, followed by "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" (Universal) at $62.7 million.
The U.K. and Irish box office market generated a significant £1.07 billion ($1.45 billion) in revenue in 2025, marking the strongest performance since the pandemic, according to data from Comscore Movies.
Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" topped the annual chart with a respectable $76.9 million, closely followed by Universal's "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" at $62.7 million. Another Universal hit, "Wicked: For Good," placed third with $62 million, still in release.
Although the figure remains 21% below pre-pandemic levels, when annual box office exceeded $1.76 billion in 2019, 2025 marked the third consecutive post-pandemic year to surpass $1.43 billion. This performance positions the territory favorably compared to many European markets.
A total of 224 saturation releases played in 250-plus cinemas, up from 200 in 2024, as the industry recovered fully 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 a 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.
Industry experts welcomed the results, with Phil Clapp, chief executive of the U.K. Cinema Association, stating that "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."
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."
The top 10 films in U.K. and Ireland in 2025 included "A Minecraft Movie" (Warner Bros.) at $76.9 million, followed by "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" (Universal) at $62.7 million.
... but like, what's up with all these big studios gettin' all that cash? It seems too suspiciously convenient, ya know? Like, Universal just happens to be at the top spot for the first time since 2021 and then Disney comes in second... coincidence much? 
but 21% below pre-pandemic levels still means it's not quite back to normal and how come Universal took the top spot with "A Minecraft Movie" is that just a surprise or was there something specific that made it stand out?
I'm loving the box office growth in the UK and Ireland this year 
! $1.45 billion is a sick amount of cash 
, and it's awesome to see Universal taking the top spot for the first time since 2021 
. "A Minecraft Movie" killing it with $76.9 million 
, even though it's still below pre-pandemic levels 
. The addition of new and refurbished cinemas is a great move too 
!
Box office growth is still super slow 
. Like, £1.07 billion is a decent number I guess but it's 21% down from pre-pandemic levels 
. It's like the whole world is just still recovering from COVID-19 and stuff... 
at least they're doing something right, but Disney is still killing the game 
It's awesome to see films like "A Minecraft Movie" and "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" killing it on the big screen, especially with local productions contributing a decent chunk of change (19% isn't too shabby). But what I'm really stoked about is the diversity in top 10 films - we're seeing more variety and less reliance on one or two massive hits. That's a step in the right direction for a healthier industry 
And let's be real, who doesn't want to catch a flick at that new cinema with over 80 screens? 
. Event cinema is still going strong, with some big releases doing amazingly well... who knew "Six The Musical" would be so popular? 
! and can we talk about how cool it is that they added new cinemas and screens? like 11 new ones? that's a huge deal for the industry 
. and I'm intrigued by the fact that British & Irish productions contributed £272.7 million to the box office? what's next, more UK content taking over? 
Universal taking top spot and all that jazz is great too 
! It's all about progress, I guess 
. And it's awesome that we're getting more cinemas popping up, too! Like, who doesn't love going to the cinema with friends on a Friday night? 
Just thinking about it... £1.07 billion is a big number! 
. I'm glad to see "A Minecraft Movie" did so well, that game is super popular among kids! 
But still 21% below pre-pandemic levels... let's keep hoping for better days ahead 
but i guess it's a step in the right direction? £1.07 billion is like, better than expected or whatever. and yeah, Universal killing the game with "Downton Abbey" 
anywayz, 2025 might not be the highest yet but it's def a step in the right direction after all those pandemic struggles 
and i love how british & irish productions are doing their thing, too! "bridget jones: mad about the boy" is giving me life 
