Anthony Udugba
As of September 17, 2025, Hollywood’s domestic box office for the year has reached significant levels, with the top films earning over $2.9 billion combined. Data from Box Office Mojo shows a pattern of video game adaptations, live-action remakes, and superhero entries leading the charts. These releases have drawn audiences through established intellectual properties, with several crossing key milestones in earnings and records.
A Minecraft Movie tops the list with $423.9 million in domestic gross. This adaptation of the popular video game follows characters navigating a blocky world. Lead actors include Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and directed by Jared Hess. It ranks as the second-highest video game adaptation overall, and the first 2025 film to reach $200 million domestically within seven days.
Close behind, Lilo & Stitch has earned $ 423.7 million domestically. The live-action remake of the 2002 animated film centers on a Hawaiian girl and her alien companion. Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo, with Sydney Agudong and Chris Sanders providing a voice. The film also stars Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance in supporting roles. Dean Fleischer Camp directed the movie, which now holds the position of second-highest-grossing in 2025, the top live-action/animated hybrid ever, and the first such hybrid to surpass $1 billion worldwide.
James Gunn’s Superman follows with $353.9 million in US domestic earnings. This reboot introduces a new take on the DC hero’s origin and adaptation from other comic strips. David Corenswet plays the title role, alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. It achieved the largest opening weekend for a standalone Superman film at $125 million, and the second-largest for any Superman feature.
Jurassic World: Rebirth has grossed $339.4 million in the US. The latest in the dinosaur franchise explores new threats in a post-extinction world. Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Rupert Friend lead the cast with Gareth Edwards directing the film. It stands as the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.
Sinners, with $278.6 million in US domestic gross, marks a shift as an original story. The Ryan Coogler film’s plot involves twin brothers in a supernatural conflict. Michael B. Jordan plays dual roles, joined by Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo. It is the first original film since 2017 to exceed $200 million domestically.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps has earned $272.5 million. This Marvel entry assembles a team of heroes in a retro-futuristic setting after the previous adaptations by other studios were heavily criticized and bombed at the box office. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach starred as the lead cast with Matt Shakman directing the film. It ranks sixth in 2025 grosses so far.
How to Train Your Dragon, a live-action adaptation, has grossed $262.9 million domestically in the US. The story follows a boy and his dragon in a Viking society. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler lead. Dean DeBlois directed the film, and it is the highest-grossing in its franchise and the second-highest live-action/animated hybrid.
Captain America: Brave New World follows with $200.5 million in the US. This is the second Marvel movie on the list. Anthony Mackie takes the shield, supported by Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, and Tim Blake Nelson. Julius Onah, a Nigerian-born filmmaker, directed the film. The movie is the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2025.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has earned $197,413,515. Tom Cruise returns for the final espionage action, with Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, and Simon Pegg. Christopher McQuarrie directed the movie as Cruise finally bowed out of the franchise. It places ninth in the year’s rankings.
Thunderbolts* closes the top ten at $190.3 million domestically. The anti-hero team features Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, and Hannah John-Kamen. Jake Schreier directed the movie, making it the third Marvel film on the list, proving that superhero films are still a big deal for moviegoers globally.
These totals reflect ongoing theatrical runs, with potential for further growth. The year highlights reliance on sequels and adaptations for commercial success.
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
