Box office success isn’t just about making money—it’s a measure of how much a movie connects with audiences. Every year, a few films achieve the coveted milestone of crossing the $1 billion mark, proving they have what it takes to dominate the industry. While not every hit film reaches this level, those that do often leave a lasting impact.
A film’s success can be measured in many ways, but let’s be real—box office numbers tell a big part of the story. If a movie rakes in massive cash, it means people are excited to watch it, and the studios are making back their big-budget investments.
While hitting $1 billion isn’t unheard of, it’s still a huge milestone. 2024 saw three major movies—Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2—join the billion-dollar club. In the year 2025, several blockbuster releases are poised to follow suit.
With sequels to beloved franchises and new chapters in cinematic sagas, this year could bring a new wave of record-breaking hits. The stage is set for some cinematic heavyweights to dominate theaters worldwide, and fans are ready to show up in droves.
So, which movies have the best shot at crossing the billion-dollar finish line this year? Let’s take a look at the top 12 contenders that could turn into box office giants in 2025!
12. Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)
Hitting theaters on May 23, 2025!
Disney’s live-action remakes have been a mixed bag in recent years, but Lilo & Stitch has the potential to be something truly special. Unlike some of the studio’s other adaptations, this one is bringing back a fan-favorite story that has remained a little under the radar compared to Disney’s biggest hits.
For those unfamiliar, Lilo & Stitch tells the heartwarming story of a young Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who adopts an alien experiment named Stitch, thinking he’s a dog. What follows is a beautiful tale of family, friendship, and embracing differences—all wrapped in a fun, action-packed adventure.
Disney has been on a mission to bring its animated classics to life, but Lilo & Stitch stands out in a sea of familiar retellings. While most live-action remakes have focused on princess stories or epic fairy tales, this film offers something refreshingly different. It’s got comedy, action, heartfelt moments, and a story that blends sci-fi with Hawaiian culture in a way that no other Disney film quite does.
Nostalgia will be a massive factor in Lilo & Stitch’s success. Many of the kids who grew up loving the original movie are now adults, and they’ll likely want to revisit this story—whether for themselves or to introduce it to a new generation. If Disney gets the execution right, balancing the emotional core with stunning visuals and a well-crafted story, this movie has the potential to resonate with audiences worldwide and bring in a billion-dollar payday.
11. Thunderbolts*
Hitting theaters on May 2, 2025!
Marvel has been through a bit of a rough patch lately, but Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be the film that could bring back the hype. This movie introduces a team of reformed villains and antiheroes, giving the MCU a fresh new dynamic that could reignite audience interest.
The lineup is packed with fan-favorite characters, including Yelena Belova played by Florence Pugh, Bucky Barnes played by Sebastian Stan, Red Guardian played by David Harbour, Ghost played by Hannah John-Kamen, U.S. Agent played by Wyatt Russell, and Taskmaster played by Olga Kurylenko.
The story follows these unlikely allies as they team up against the new CIA director, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who has set them up to be eliminated by the powerful Sentry played by Lewis Pullman.
Marvel’s history of ensemble movies is promising. Every Avengers film has crossed $1 billion, with some even hitting the $2 billion mark. While Thunderbolts might not reach those heights, it has all the ingredients of a major blockbuster. The excitement surrounding this team-up film, combined with the long buildup of its characters, could create the perfect storm for a massive box office return.
Another factor working in Thunderbolts’ favor is Marvel’s need for a win. After some underwhelming performances in recent years, the studio is likely to go all out in marketing and execution to make sure this film delivers. If it manages to strike the right balance between action, humor, and character depth, Thunderbolts could be one of the MCU’s biggest hits in years—and a billion-dollar earner in the process.
10. How To Train Your Dragon (Live-Action)
Hitting theaters on June 13, 2025!
One of the most exciting projects of 2025 is the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. Originally an animated film released in 2010, it introduced audiences to Hiccup, a young Viking who befriends a dragon named Toothless. The movie spawned two sequels and cemented its place as one of DreamWorks’ most beloved franchises.
Now, with a live-action version set to hit theaters in June 2025, expectations are sky-high. Fans of the original trilogy will be eager to see how the stunning animation translates into a real-world setting. Plus, there’s always the curiosity factor—people will want to see how well Toothless and other dragons are brought to life through CGI.
If the film manages to capture the magic of the original and delivers a visually stunning experience, it has a strong chance of joining the billion-dollar club. However, live-action remakes can be a hit or miss, so How to Train Your Dragon will have to prove its worth to soar past the milestone.
9. A Minecraft Movie
Hitting theaters on April 4, 2025!
Video game adaptations have had a mixed history in Hollywood, but recent hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie have changed the game—literally. Enter A Minecraft Movie, a film adaptation of one of the most popular video games ever made. The film follows four misfits who find themselves transported into the pixelated world of Minecraft, where they must learn to survive and find a way back home.
The cast is stacked with big names like Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge, adding some serious star power. The Minecraft brand itself is a goldmine, with millions of fans across all age groups.
Considering how well The Super Mario Bros. Movie performed at the box office, it’s not a stretch to believe that A Minecraft Movie could reach similar heights. However, it all boils down to execution—if the film is fun, visually engaging, and captures the spirit of the game, it has a solid shot at making $1 billion worldwide.
8. Snow White (Live-Action)
Hitting theaters on March 21, 2025!
Disney’s live-action remakes have been a box office powerhouse, with movies like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King smashing past the billion-dollar mark. Snow White, based on Disney’s first-ever animated feature, is their next big attempt at reimagining a classic for modern audiences.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film boasts a screenplay penned by Barbie writer-director Greta Gerwig, which adds an extra layer of excitement. However, Snow White has already faced some controversy, especially concerning its portrayal of the Seven Dwarves. While some backlash could harm its success, it could also fuel curiosity, drawing even more people to theaters.
Disney’s track record suggests that Snow White has a strong shot at crossing $1 billion, especially with its timeless appeal. Nostalgia alone could pull in audiences, but it will need to balance classic storytelling with a fresh, engaging approach to win over both longtime Disney fans and new generations.
7. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Hitting theaters on July 25, 2025!
The Fantastic Four is one of Marvel’s most iconic superhero teams, yet previous attempts to bring them to the big screen have been less than stellar. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is gearing up to change that, serving as the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s reboot of the beloved characters.
The cast includes big names like Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, bringing fresh energy to the franchise. While Marvel has faced some box office struggles in recent years, Deadpool & Wolverine proved that the right formula can still break records. If The Fantastic Four with its amazing characters can deliver an amazing story, great action, and engaging performances, it could easily become one of 2025’s highest-grossing films.
Superhero fatigue is real, but the Fantastic Four holds a special place in comic book history. If the film is well-received, it could be a turning point for the MCU and potentially hit that coveted billion-dollar milestone.
6. Superman
Hitting theaters on July 11, 2025!
After years of struggling to establish a stable cinematic universe, DC is starting fresh under James Gunn’s leadership, and Superman is at the heart of this reboot. Starring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, this film aims to bring back the optimism and hope that Superman is known for, something that was missing from recent darker adaptations.
Superman is one of the most recognizable superheroes in the world, and his cinematic return is one of the most anticipated events of the year. With Gunn’s fresh vision, a new approach to storytelling, and a focus on making Superman a beacon of hope, the film has the potential to reignite DC’s success at the box office.
The stakes couldn’t be higher—if Superman succeeds, it could set the tone for the entire new DC Universe. If it flops, it might derail DC’s plans before they even get off the ground. Given the level of anticipation, the character’s massive fanbase, and DC’s push to reclaim its spot in the superhero genre, Superman is a strong contender for a $1 billion box office run.
5. Zootopia 2
Hitting theaters on November 26, 2025!
Disney is back with a sequel that fans have been waiting nearly a decade for! Zootopia 2 is finally hitting the big screen, bringing back the beloved duo of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. This time, the two detectives are diving into a high-stakes mission to uncover the mystery behind a missing reptile. Along with returning stars Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin, the film introduces new voices, including Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster.
The original Zootopia was a massive hit in 2016, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and winning hearts with its imaginative world, witty storytelling, and thought-provoking themes. The movie’s success proved that audiences loved the dynamic between Nick and Judy, and Disney is well aware of how much anticipation there is for this sequel.
The first teaser has already created a major buzz, and considering Disney’s track record with animated sequels—just look at Frozen 2 and Inside Out 2—there’s every reason to believe Zootopia 2 will follow the billion-dollar path. If it delivers the same charm, humor, and compelling story as its predecessor, it’s almost a guaranteed box office triumph.
4. Michael
Hitting theaters on October 3, 2025!
Unlike most big earners, Michael is not part of a franchise, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the star power to pull in massive crowds. This highly anticipated biopic will bring the life and legacy of the legend Michael Jackson to the big screen. The movie will cover his rise from a child prodigy in the Jackson 5 to his reign as the King of Pop, leading up to his untimely passing in the year 2009.
With a cast that includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller, plus Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson stepping into the legendary role, Michael is already generating major buzz. There’s no doubt that fans worldwide are eager to see this movie which will cover the life of one of the most influential artists in music history.
One of the biggest reasons Michael could cross $1 billion is simple—Michael Jackson’s legacy is unmatched. His music remains iconic, his dance moves legendary, and his influence is unmatched to date. Generations have grown up listening to his songs, and the chance to relive his journey on the big screen is bound to attract audiences of all ages.
Another reason to believe in Michael’s billion-dollar potential is the growing success of musical biopics. Films like Bohemian Rhapsody proved that audiences love a well-made story about musical legends, and that movie even cracked the billion-dollar mark itself. If Michael manages to strike the right balance between nostalgia, storytelling, and the spectacle, it could easily find itself in the billion-dollar club.
3. Wicked: For Good
Hitting theaters on November 21, 2025!
Musical lovers, rejoice! Wicked: For Good is here to bring the magic of Broadway to the big screen in a way never seen before. This film picks up where Wicked Part One left off, jumping into the emotional and powerful second half of the beloved stage musical. As the story unfolds, we see Elphaba fully embrace her role as the Wicked Witch of the West while standing up against the corrupt Wizard of Oz.
The first Wicked movie already proved that there’s a huge appetite for this adaptation, pulling in over $700 million globally (via Box Office Mojo). While that’s still a bit short of the billion-dollar mark, the hype for For Good is getting even bigger. Now that fans have experienced the setup, the second film promises to be an explosive finale packed with jaw-dropping performances, stunning visuals, and the grand payoff that audiences crave.
Musicals can be tricky at the box office, but when they hit, they hit big for example take the movies The Greatest Showman and Mamma Mia!. Given the momentum Wicked has built and the fanbase behind it, this sequel has the potential to cross the $1 billion threshold and become one of the biggest films of the year.
2. Jurassic World Rebirth
Hitting theaters on July 2, 2025!
Dinosaurs are back, and they’re ready to dominate the box office once again! Jurassic World Rebirth is the latest installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, bringing a new adventure set five years after Jurassic World Dominion. This time, the story follows a covert operations expert on a mission to track down the last surviving dinosaurs—because, of course, science has found yet another way to get humans in trouble with these prehistoric creatures.
The Jurassic franchise has been a money-making machine ever since the original 1993 film. In fact, the last three movies (Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom, Dominion) all crossed the $1 billion mark, proving that even with mixed reviews, audiences just can’t resist the thrill of seeing dinosaurs wreak havoc on the big screen.
With a star-studded cast that includes Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, Rebirth is bringing fresh energy to the franchise while still maintaining the elements that made it a global phenomenon. Even if the film isn’t critically acclaimed, history shows that Jurassic movies are almost always box office winners. If Rebirth follows the pattern, another billion-dollar entry is practically guaranteed.
1. Avatar: Fire and Ash
Hitting theaters on December 19, 2025!
And finally, if there’s one movie that’s almost certain to hit $1 billion—and then some—it’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. This is the third chapter in James Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga, following the adventures of Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their children as they navigate new threats on Pandora.
The Avatar franchise is in a league of its own. The first Avatar shattered box office records in 2009, earning over $2.9 billion (via Box Office Mojo) and becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time. Then, over a decade later, Avatar: The Way of Water pulled off the impossible, crossing $2 billion (via Box Office Mojo) and proving that the world is still fascinated by Cameron’s breathtaking vision.
Fire and Ash is expected to introduce a new fire tribe of Na’vi, adding yet another twist to the complex world of Pandora. With its visually stunning effects, groundbreaking technology, and deeply immersive storytelling, this sequel is poised to keep the Avatar phenomenon alive. If past trends hold, Fire and Ash won’t just pass $1 billion—it might even challenge for the highest-grossing film of the decade.
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