Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
May 14, 2025
Table of Contents
2025 has already seen unexpected box office hits alongside anticipated blockbusters. From the supernatural thriller ‘Sinners’ to Marvel’s antihero ensemble ‘Thunderbolts*,’ these films are dominating the theater.
Global Gross: $2 Billion Distributor: Beijing Enlight Pictures
It’s rare for an animated film to break records in the way ‘Ne Zha 2′ has — let alone a sequel. But this Chinese animated epic has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time and the highest-grossing non-English language film in history.
Though it opened to a modest $20.9 million in North America, the film soared internationally, grossing more than $1.87 billion outside of China. Directed by Jiaozi, the film blends vibrant animation with Chinese mythology to tell the next chapter in the saga of Ne Zha — a mythical hero who resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.
‘Ne Zha 2‘s’ massive success points to a major shift in global cinema: culturally specific stories — especially animated ones — are connecting with viewers far beyond their home markets. It’s not just a win for Chinese cinema, but a clear indicator that global audiences are embracing diverse narratives more than ever before.
Global Gross: $284.7 Million Distributor: Warner Bros.
While superhero blockbusters continue to be a reliable draw, it’s ‘Sinners’, a supernatural thriller from director Ryan Coogler, that’s carved out a dominant place at the box office. Starring Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, the film has passed $200 million domestically and is approaching $300 million globally.
Twisted, psychological, and packed with suspense, ‘Sinners’ keeps audiences rethinking every scene — long after the credits roll. Hailee Steinfeld brings out another side of her (compared to her role in ‘Pitch Perfect 2’, ‘The Edge of Seventeen’, and of course ‘Hawkeye’) during her performance. With Jordan’s intensity and her brilliant work, they create a dynamic screen presence that has drawn wide acclaim.
With ‘Sinners’ passing a box office milestone that hasn’t been seen in decades, director Ryan Coogler, must be in celebration mode. Coogler, known for ‘Black Panther‘ and ‘Creed‘, once again proves his ability to deliver thought-provoking stories while still entertaining massive audiences.
Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ is shaping up to be more than just a Phase 5 wildcard. In its second weekend, the antihero team-up brought in $33.1 million domestically, for a North American total of $128.5 million and a global haul of $272.2 million.
With a cast featuring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, ‘Thunderbolts*’ leans into the messier side of Marvel — which is oddly enough exactly what the franchise needed. Trading pristine superheroes for complex, morally gray characters, caused a shift seems to be resonating.
The film held better than recent Marvel entries, dropping only 55% in its second weekend compared to ‘Captain America: Brave New World’s’ steeper 65% fall. Strong reviews and audience reactions are keeping momentum high, especially after Marvel confirmed the asterisk in the title hints at the team’s eventual rebrand as The New Avengers in next year’s ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, announced at CinemaCon.
It’s a bold move from Marvel — one that trades familiar formulas for fresh dynamics — and so far, it’s paying off.
‘A Minecraft Movie’: A Game-Changer for Adaptations
Global Gross: $909.7 Million Distributor: Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is celebrating a huge win with ‘A Minecraft Movie’, which has raced past $900 million globally, becoming the second-highest-grossing video game adaptation ever, behind ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘.
With a cast led by Jack Black, Emma Myers, and a standout comedic turn from Jennifer Coolidge, the film’s charm appeals to both fans of the game and new audiences.
It’s a clear sign that when done right, video game adaptations can be both crowd-pleasing and critically successful. And even though it might not cross the billion-dollar mark, ‘Minecraft’ has already become one of the year’s biggest cultural hits — and likely the start of a new franchise.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ – A Decent Box Office Win, But a Miss for Marvel
Global Gross: $415 Million Distributor: Disney
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ had a lot riding on it — introducing Anthony Mackie as the new face of the Captain America mantle: taking over Chris Evans‘ long standing role. Despite receiving the lowest CinemaScore in MCU history (a B-), the film still managed to bring in a solid $415 million globally.
While the reviews were mixed, Mackie’s performance was largely praised, helping the film find its footing despite initial skepticism. This entry marks a critical turning point for Marvel, signaling how the brand is evolving post-Avengers era.
Though not a record-breaker, its respectable box office haul proves that Marvel’s loyal fanbase still shows up — and that reinvention is possible, even if it takes time to fully land with audiences.
Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’ came with massive expectations — and while it hasn’t hit the financial highs of some other studio remakes, its $204 million global total still places it among 2025’s top box office earners.
With a cast featuring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, ‘Snow White’ aimed to offer a fresh take on the beloved fairytale. Some viewers embraced the update, while others and most felt it didn’t fully recapture or respect the magic of the original.
Still, ‘Snow White’s’ performance proves there’s continued audience interest in Disney’s live-action storytelling. As the studio refines its future remakes, ‘Snow White’ serves as a learning experience — not a failure — that underscores the importance of balancing innovation with nostalgia.
And the same goes for the live-action ‘A Minecraft Movie’.Despite breaking box office records, many viewers still called it a ‘fail’ and ‘not funny,’ according to Rotten Tomatoes. But honestly, it was meant to be a silly, fun film. Jason Momoa really brought it to life, giving fans a hysterical time in theaters. Sure, some people (a lot, actually) said it was ‘stupid,’ but it was all about having a good laugh with a hilarious cast and all those game-inspired moments.
‘Dog Man’ – A Family Film Hit
Global Gross: $144.2 Million Distributor: Universal
In a year dominated by big-budget films, DreamWorks’ ‘Dog Man’ has carved out a surprisingly strong run. Earning over $144 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, the animated film based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved book series proves that original, family-friendly content still holds strong.
It even stayed #1 during its second weekend — despite competing with the Super Bowl — bringing in $13.7 million during a normally slow box office period. That made it the strongest Super Bowl weekend for theaters since the pandemic.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Box Office?
With big releases still to come — including ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’, Disney’s live-action make of ‘Lilo & Stitch’, and more Marvel hopeful hits on its way, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ — the rest of 2025 looks just as unpredictable and exciting.
These early top performers highlight a key shift in cinema: audiences are wanting more originality, global diversity, and fresh voices. Familiar franchises are still pulling crowds, but the ones that evolve — or surprise us — are the ones truly dominating.
In today’s industry, it’s no longer enough to rely on IP alone. Audiences are here for the unexpected — and the films that embrace that are defining the future of the box office.
By Emma Gladstone
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
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2025 has already seen unexpected box office hits alongside anticipated blockbusters. From the supernatural thriller ‘Sinners’ to Marvel’s antihero ensemble ‘Thunderbolts*,’ these films are dominating the theater.
