09/01/2026 - From franchise powerhouses to event cinema successes, last year confirmed renewed audience confidence across the big screen sector of the two countries

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale by Simon Curtis

The UK & Ireland theatrical market continued its steady recovery in 2025, with total box office revenue reaching £1.07 billion (€1.23 billion), the strongest post-pandemic performance to date and a 1% increase on 2024, according to figures released by Comscore Movies. While admissions remain 21% below the pre-Covid peak of 2019, the result marks the third consecutive year above £1.06 billion (€1.22 billion), underlining a renewed sense of stability in the territory.

The improvement came alongside a fully restored release pipeline, following the aftershocks of Covid-19 shutdowns and the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes. A total of 1,092 films were released theatrically in 2025, exceeding the 1,000-film threshold for the third year in a row, while the number of so-called “saturation” releases (opening in 250+ cinemas) reached a record 224. Among them was Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which opened in more than 750 sites in September.

Infrastructure investment also continued, with 11 new or refurbished cinemas—totalling over 80 screens—opening during the year across major circuits and independent operators, including Vue, ODEON, Everyman and The Light.

From a territorial perspective, England, Wales and Scotland broadly mirrored the national trend, each ending the year 1% up from 2024. By contrast, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which together account for around one-tenth of the market, recorded year-on-year declines of 8% and 7% respectively (in local currency).

At the box office, A Minecraft Movie (Warner Bros) emerged as the year’s top performer with £56.9 million (€65.58 million), ahead of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (Universal, £46.4 million/€53.48 million) and Wicked: For Good (Universal, £45.9 million/€52.9 million), which is still screening. Family titles and franchise films continued to anchor the market, with Lilo & Stitch, Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman and Avatar: Fire and Ash all posting strong results.

After a robust start to the year, momentum dipped slightly in March before accelerating again in the second quarter, peaking in June at 21% ahead of 2024. While the final quarter faced tough comparisons with a particularly strong Q4 in 2024, the year ultimately closed 1% up, making 2025 the best-performing year since 2019.

Notably, the Top 10 films accounted for 33% of total box office, continuing a multi-year trend towards greater market diversity. This represents the lowest level of concentration since 2017, when the UK & Ireland market last reached a record high, suggesting reduced reliance on a small number of blockbuster titles.

Event Cinema also remained a key growth driver. The format generated £44 million in 2025—the second-highest total on record—led by Six The Musical, which became the highest-grossing theatre release ever in the territory with £6.16 million (€7.1 million).

On the distribution side, Universal reclaimed the top spot for the first time since 2021, capturing a 25.1% market share and a total gross of £269 million (€310 million), its strongest performance since 2019. Disney followed closely with 23.1% (£247 million/€284.67 million), while Warner Bros ranked third with 18.5% (£197 million/€227 million), driven by a broad slate spanning family, action, horror and awards-season titles.

Local production also maintained a significant footprint. British and Irish films and co-productions generated £201.8 million (€232.57 million), accounting for 19% of total box office, with Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy once again leading the domestic chart.

Commenting on the results, UK Cinema Association CEO Phil Clapp described 2025 as “a significant further step in the sector’s recovery,” while Film Distributors’ Association chief Andy Leyshon pointed to “healthy theatrical stability” and expressed optimism ahead of a “rich and promising” 2026 release slate.