At a Glance
- Avatar: Fire and Ash earned $88 million over the holiday weekend.
- Marty Supreme tops the indie slate with $27.1 million in four days.
- U.S. box-office total for 2025 sits at $8.76 billion, matching 2024’s $8.75 billion.
- Why it matters: These numbers show Hollywood’s resilience and the rising power of PG-rated blockbusters.
Hollywood’s 2025 year-end was a mixed bag of triumphs and challenges. The biggest draw was James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which dominated ticket sales during the Christmas-to-Sunday stretch. At the same time, A24’s surprise hit Marty Supreme proved that original, indie-style films can still command major box-office returns.
Avatar: Fire and Ash – A Blockbuster in the Making
James Cameron’s latest Pandora adventure opened softer than its 2022 predecessor but held steady in its second weekend. The film collected $88 million over the four-day holiday period and $64 million on the weekend alone, according to studio estimates. While the first-week drop was a modest 28 %, Way of Water fell 53 %.
In just two weeks, Avatar: Fire and Ash has racked up $217.7 million in North America. The $400 million-budget picture has already earned $542.7 million overseas, putting it on track to be the third film in the franchise to cross $2 billion if it sustains momentum through New Year’s.
Marty Supreme – Indie Powerhouse
A24’s biggest-budget release, Marty Supreme, is a 1950s-set table-tennis drama that amassed $27.1 million over the four-day holiday weekend, dwarfing its $70 million production cost and marking a rare win for a wholly original film. The film also benefited from star-powered promotion, with Timothée Chalamet appearing atop the Sphere in Las Vegas, showcasing the actor’s drawing power beyond his peers.
Industry Snapshot – A Rough Year, A Solid Finish
Hollywood’s year-end box-office totals are roughly on par with the disappointing $8.75 billion earned in 2024. With only three days left in 2025, the total stands at $8.76 billion, according to Comscore. By contrast, the 2019 total was $11.4 billion.
Paul Dergarabedian said:
> ‘It was a really solid end to a tumultuous year. It’s been a roller-coaster ride. I think the best news for the industry – I know we kind of say this every year – but if you look at the lineup for 2026, it’s pretty incredible.’
The pandemic-free 2025 season was also marked by a surge in PG-rated films. Domestically, PG titles generated $2.87 billion, while PG-13 movies collected $2.78 billion. The three biggest blockbusters were all PG-rated: Zootopia 2 ($1.42 billion globally), Lilo & Stitch ($1.04 billion), and A Minecraft Movie ($958.2 million).
Disney’s Milestone and Upcoming Titles
Disney became the first studio since 2019 to cross $6 billion worldwide in 2025, propelled by Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and Avatar: Fire and Ash. The studio’s success underscores the strength of family-friendly content.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises a rebound with titles like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the live-action Moana, Toy Story 5, and The Mandalorian and Grogu. The upcoming week, when schools are out, is expected to be one of the busiest in theaters.
Other Notable Releases
- The Housemaid (Lionsgate) earned $46.7 million in two weeks.
- David (Angel Studios) gathered $49.8 million in two weeks.
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Paramount) made $38.2 million in two weeks.
- Song Sung Blue (Focus Features) debuted with a four-day haul of $12 million and an “A” CinemaScore.
Song Sung Blue may enjoy strong legs thanks to its “A” CinemaScore and a cast that includes Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman.
Top 10 Domestic Box Office
| Rank | Film | Domestic Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | $64 million |
| 2 | Zootopia 2 | $20 million |
| 3 | Marty Supreme | $17.5 million |
| 4 | The Housemaid | $15.4 million |
| 5 | Anaconda | $14.6 million |
| 6 | David | $12.7 million |
| 7 | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants | $11.2 million |
| 8 | Song Sung Blue | $7.6 million |
| 9 | Wicked: For Good | $5.3 million |
| 10 | Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 | $4.4 million |
The final domestic figures, released Monday, factor in estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.
Key Takeaways
- Avatar: Fire and Ash pulls in $88 million over the holiday, aiming for a third $2 billion franchise entry.
- Marty Supreme proves original indie films can win big, grossing $27.1 million in four days.
- The 2025 U.S. box-office total of $8.76 billion matches 2024, with PG-rated titles leading the pack.
Hollywood’s 2025 season may have been rough, but the holiday surge and PG-rated blockbusters signal a hopeful path for the industry’s future.
