The 2025 box office is playing out as a tale of two halves, with a strong, surprise-filled start giving way to a much weaker and quieter fall season. The first half was defined by hits like Weapons, which earned a massive $148.8 million worldwide. The second half, at least initially, will be defined by a lack of them.
The strength of the year so far has been in its diversity and originality. The box office was dominated not just by sequels, but by fresh ideas. The colossal $828 million gross of Jurassic World Rebirth and the success of original horror showed that audiences are open to a wide range of content.
This period of strength is now transitioning into a weaker phase. The film calendar for the next several weeks is light on major releases, creating a challenging environment for theaters. While a new Conjuring movie will help, the market will be missing the energy of a true blockbuster.
The industry is confident that the year will end on a strong note, however. A powerful lineup of films is scheduled for October and November, including Tron: Ares and Wicked: For Good. This slate is expected to deliver the big numbers that will be absent in the early fall.