It’s 2025, and the box office is buzzing louder than a cinema-goer’s phone on silent mode. This year’s top-grossing films, ranging from superhero sagas to heartwarming bears, are generating buzz faster than a Marvel post-credit scene. So, grab your popcorn, buckle up, and let’s roll through the biggest cinematic hits of the year—with some juicy behind-the-scenes tidbits, unexpected facts, and where to stream them once they leave the big screen.
The Top 10 Box Office Hits of 2025
1. Captain America: Brave New World—$141.1 million
Sam Wilson flew in, shield-first, and claimed box office glory.
Anthony Mackie officially takes the Cap mantle, and while the movie bravely conquered the charts, critics couldn’t resist throwing some rotten tomatoes at it. Harrison Ford, stepping into the role of Thaddeus Ross, reportedly kept calling Mackie “Falcon” on set out of habit. Talk about stirring up controversy.
Did you know the film’s biggest action scene was filmed on location in Washington, D.C.? The crew had to shut down parts of Pennsylvania Avenue for three nights straight. And the much-hyped cameo? That was kept under wraps by filming it on a closed set with only five crew members.
Where to watch: The movie still plays in most major theatres and will land on Disney+ by late April 2025.
2. Dog Man—$78.7 million
Who let the Dog Man out? The entire box office.
Based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved book series, Dog Man is tail-wagging fun for the whole family. Pete Davidson, who voices the titular character, adds a touch of bark and bite to the screen. Thanks to its comic-book aesthetic, the slapstick animation style reportedly took twice as long to render as a typical animated feature.
Here’s a quirky fact: every character’s footsteps were created using shoes filled with dog kibble. Sound designer Mark Mangini said it gave the perfect crunch without sounding too human.
Where to watch: Catch Dog Man in theatres or pre-order on Amazon Prime Video for its digital release in March.
3. One of Them Days—$45.9 million
Two queens, one wild ride.
The chemistry between Keke Palmer and SZA was so intense that crew members joked about the need for hazmat suits on set. Rumour has it they improvised nearly 40% of their lines—making each take funnier than the last.
One behind-the-scenes nugget? The infamous broken laptop scene wasn’t scripted. Keke Palmer accidentally knocked it off the table, but the director loved the moment so much they kept it in.
Where to watch: Still in cinemas, with a Peacock release expected by May 2025.
4. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera—$35.5 million
The Den is back—and it’s purring with action.
Gerard Butler returns, gruffer than ever, while O’Shea Jackson Jr. adds some cool factor. Butler insisted on doing many of his stunts until production had to steal him away from the action after a pulled hamstring.
Fun fact: the film’s climactic bank heist was filmed in an actual decommissioned bank in Madrid. The vault? Fully functional, but the cast wasn’t allowed to touch it without supervision.
Where to watch: Theatrical release only, with Netflix securing streaming rights for summer 2025.
5. Flight Risk—$28.9 million
Fasten your seatbelts—or don’t. This one’s a bumpy ride.
Mark Wahlberg plays a pilot with more baggage than an airport carousel. On set, director Mel Gibson insisted on filming in real aircraft interiors, which led to more than a few turbulent takes. Wahlberg admitted in an interview that he developed a genuine fear of flying during production.
One thing you probably didn’t notice? Every passenger in the background was a stunt actor, ready to brace for impact in the film’s chaotic final act.
Where to watch: In theatres now, with an Apple TV+ release scheduled for June.
6. Heart Eyes—$26.6 million
Romance and horror? Now that’s a killer combo.
This Valentine’s Day slasher made hearts race in more ways than one. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding had so much fun filming, they called the set Cupid’s Crime Scene.
The Heart Eyes Killer’s mask was hand-painted by the film’s director, Josh Ruben. Only two masks were made, one of which now sits in Holt’s living room as a conversation piece.
Where to watch: Currently in cinemas, with HBO Max securing first streaming rights for May 2025.
7. Paddington in Peru—$25.2 million
The bear is back—and he’s got his passport stamped.
Paddington trades marmalade for Machu Picchu, and the result? Pure cinematic gold. Hugh Bonneville admitted that even he got misty-eyed during the final scene.
Here’s a sweet titbit: the marmalade used on set wasn’t real. Instead, prop masters created a non-sticky gel to avoid fur-related disasters.
Where to watch: Theatrical release, with Amazon Prime Video release expected by April 2025.
8. Wolf Man—$20.6 million
How did this one do? Well, it wasn’t a total dog.
Christopher Abbott howled his way into the horror genre, but some critics found the film more whimper than roar. The practical effects team went through 200 pounds of fake fur—a hairy situation indeed.
Abbott revealed that he wore real prosthetics for the transformation scenes, some of which took over six hours to apply.
Where to watch: Still showing in select theatres, with Peacock streaming planned for June.
9. Companion—$20 million
Think The Notebook, but with more nightmares and fewer tissues.
This thriller had audiences questioning their own relationships. Jack Quaid reportedly pulled pranks on set, including swapping scripts with pages from classic rom-coms.
Eagle-eyed viewers might notice a framed photo in the background of one scene—it’s actually a throwback to the director’s first short film.
Where to watch: Theatrical release only, with HBO Max to follow in May 2025.
10. Ne Zha 2—$14.8 million
Myth meets mayhem.
This Chinese animated epic brought the heat back to theatres. The animators employed real martial artists for motion capture, which led to some intense fight scenes.
Did you know the voice actor for Ne Zha, Joseph Chen, recorded several lines while recovering from a cold? The raspy tone added unexpected depth to some key emotional moments.
Where to watch: In theatres across Asia and select US cities. Netflix will stream it globally starting in June 2025.
Box Office Takeaways: What Made These Films Shine?
It’s clear 2025 has been a year of variety—superheroes, animated antics, heart-pounding thrillers, and heartwarming tales. But what really stood out?
- Nostalgia hits: From Captain America to Paddington, familiar faces brought audiences back to theatres.
- Genre mash-ups: Heart Eyes proved you can mix romance with horror, while One of Them Days made buddy-comedy feel fresh again.
- Behind-the-scenes charm: Whether it’s Pete Davidson recording in a dog costume for fun or Olivia Holt keeping a prop mask, these movies had personality both on and off-screen.
Where to Watch These Box Office Hits
While most are still playing in theatres, streaming platforms are already snapping up rights. Here’s a quick guide:
- Disney+: Captain America: Brave New World, Dog Man
- Netflix: Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, Ne Zha 2
- Amazon Prime Video: Paddington in Peru, Dog Man
- HBO Max: Heart Eyes, Companion
- Apple TV+: Flight Risk
The Final Reel
From heartwarming bears to heart-racing killers, 2025’s box office chart has delivered something for everyone. Whether you’re here for Cap’s comeback, Dog Man’s hijinks, or Keke Palmer and SZA’s hilarious misadventures, it’s clear the big screen is alive and thriving.
Which of these top hits have you watched—or rewatched? And which ones are you lining up for next? The box office race is far from over, and with releases like Frozen 3 and Jurassic World: New Era still to come, it looks like 2025 is set to be a record-breaking year for film lovers.
