If it crosses a billion dollars gross in China, Ne Zha 2 will be the first film EVER to gross a billion in a single market. (No Hollywood has grossed a billion domestic)
And I think it will. However, last year China's problem was that not many movies were successfull, other than the ones released during Lunar New Year, so the overall box office was actually pretty weak, compared to the pre-pandemic years, but also compared to 2023. Chinese audiences' loss of interest for western movies (and probably the on purpose bad distribution for western movies since Covid) has meant an overall decreasing box office, more than in other countries (Japan, Europe, Latin America and even the US have recovered better than China, since 2020).
Thanks Dan! My girlfriend and I have both wanted to watch Parasite but haven't gotten around to it and our imax is showing it. Wouldn't have been aware of it if you didn't mention it so we're going this weekend!
Ne Zhe 2 appears to be a word of mouth hit. I saw people saying how the theatres have increased the showings due to sold out rooms on the first couple of days of the CNY holiday. Like even the 1am shows were packed. Apparently it went from having 25% of all screens nationwide to almost 50% a week later due to demand.
'I'm Still Here' looks to be getting a wider release this weekend as well. The next week or so for me will be packed. Hellraiser on Wednesday, Parasite and Bring Them Down on Friday, then Heart Eyes, Love Hurts and 'I'm Still Here' on Monday.
Very exciting to see Mubi really get into the theatrical space and make a name for themselves since they gave The Substance a home. Very excited and hopeful for their future.
No worldwide Top 10 of 2025... I was curious to see how the Chinese films suddenly explode that chart..... fun to watch the US films largely reclaim the chart through the year. Also, with the current trade war, I wonder if the few US films that do play there will have a tougher time.
I'm personally always considerably more interested in the worldwide charts than the domestic ones so was also disappointed not to see that (well, I'm from Finland and based in China, so it makes sense that I find North American box office numbers much less interesting than worldwide numbers). Looking forward to seeing it next week!
I kind of can see how people who become members would be more likely to share a certain taste in film, so it makes sense to me how Challengers fared so well this time. I'm gonna bet on Barbie leading the pack next week and Top Gun Maverick coming in second, but we'll see how it all shakes out.
I just found out that No Other Land is coming this month to the area where I live in the northwestern rocky mountains. I didn't think it would get anywhere near me, but I'll be sure to check it out.
I've already seen Presence last week and is absolutely a different kind of supernatural film. Is really suspenseful and human drama and great pov shot since Bob Clark's Deathdream, Black Christmas and Spielberg's JAWS, John Carpenter's Halloween and original Friday the 13th and without spoilers it will make your body dropped and don't listen to the audience score because they thought is a horror film with blood and gore just check it out it really shocked me and I couldn't stop talking about it.
Nice look at the animations top10s, congrats to Ne Zha and it's huge success, it's looking like being the biggest grossing movie of 2025 for the rest of the year. Reaching a billion in record time. Not even the upcoming Avatar sequel can match it's speed but may outgross it eventually into 2026.
And I still remember people being worried Dog Man wasn't being promoted enough and yet, the book popularity does not lie. Also, I want to wait until "Love Hurts" comes out next week, and then I'll see both it and "Companion". Sounds like a smashing double feature.
Very telling that skellington crew has still not appeard on Nielsen charts after 5 weeks now. The first Disney+ Star wars show not to debut in the top 10 orginials. I think the forbes article was right when they wrote that much of the audiance have given up on Star Wars after the Acolyte ( and a rund of mostly poorly recevied shows). Thoughts?
I watched a few episodes and thought it was cute - though it's almost completely centered on children. The friends I've mentioned it to are tired of Star Wars and have no interest. Not to mention, I have basic with ads, and it's absolutely insufferable. Even if I wanted to finish the show, the player is so bad that I don't want to bother.
They cant compete what you said to china why because china has more population than usa 2nd reason Chinese people is loyal to there product compare to the Americans.
I think Challengers ran away with last week's poll because everyone agrees it deserved to be nominated for Best Original Score. Considering it won the Golden Globe for that very category
Looking forward to Captain America 4 despite some of the latest remarks made by the cast. I was really looking forward to Sam getting a solo film in the style of Winter Soldier, his first appearance, and less in the style of the infamous speach he gives in the final episode of Captain America and the Winter Soldier.
I knew it would stick. That is simply the power of brand recognition and a well known brand. Though, in comparison to it's previous film, it did not quite hit those same highs. It'll be serviceable, perhaps a sequel in the future, but interest will clearly be less massive.
Next poll should be how much money everyone thinks the new Fantastic Four movie will make opening weekend. Based on nothing but the new trailer and their opinions of previous movies.
Will be intersting to see how Captian America, Brave new world does in 2 weeks, especially overseas. In Canada, Mexico and China, tarif threats may sour some of the casual audiance, non comicbook fans on seeing a movie with the name "america" in it. In fact, wouldnt be suprised if if the movie gets pulled from Chinese theatres given the tarifs have now taken affect. China has pulled movies for less.
Fingers crossed it won't get pulled from Chinese theaters (I am here in China and I really don't want to return to the days of having to watch new MCU films in the poorest quality imaginable, filmed by someone who was lucky enough to actually see it in a movie theater, on my laptop). For now I am optimistic though and I think it will play here - that being said, there isn't too much anticipation, and the release is surrounded by a ton of really negative comments, so I don't expect it to make big numbers here. Unless it's really, really good and will generate positive word of mouth.
The problem for American movies in China is never being pulled. It's the quality. Chinese movie market is far more open than you think. Last year, in order to boost the domestic market after pandemic, China had introduced the most foreign movies in history, some of which from America performed really well, like Deadpool and Wolverine or Alien Romulence. But still, the overall box office proportion for American movies in China is shrinking. If you understand Chinese, you'll find on Chinese social media the most comment on Hollywood is about missing the "good old days" (mainly referring to pre-2019) when western filmmakers still valued originality, creation, and essential techniques of movies like storytelling and photography, and bashing hard on the current Hollywood which only knows pushing forward disgusting political propagandas and outdated, predictable stories. On the other hand, the Chinese movie industries, like any other industries in China, is growing fast, and now people can choose those big budget blockbusters made by domestic filmmakers which are nearly as good as Hollywood in production qualities but more cater to local taste. If this "Captain America" can have the quality of last year's "Deadpool", it WILL have its audiences, even in China. If it doesn't, then I suggest that Hollywood filmmakers should reflect more on themselves, not shift blame to the so-called "Chinese politics".
I never noticed that squid game isn’t on the Nielsen original top 10. That’s kind of crazy given how insanely big its numbers are from Netflix. Must be bigger world wide relative to US/domestic viewership compared to things like stranger things and Wednesday (two shows I just assumed it was ahead of given the crazy all time viewership.
Was fortunate enough to catch the Tribeca Audience Award Winner “Bad Shabbos”. Funniest film of 2024. Find any way to watch it as soon as you can, especially if you’re into Judaism or Wu-Tang!
Hey Dan. With the WWE now streaming on Netflix, I'm surprised it doesn't appear on your charts. In the UK, Raw and Smackdown have been top of the viewing charts every week since they premiered. Also, with the recent massive Royal Rumble event I would've expected you to mention WWE in some capacity? What's going on? Has the impact of wrestling not reached US Netflix? Or does the streaming of WWE in the US differ somehow?
i very much enjoyed September 5, released in UK this week. a very tense and thrilling 95 minutes. and some of the rhetoric i have seen surronding this film is absolutely ridiculous.
I think you should count mufasa and lion king remake as animated movies. They are all cg and us in all essence animated. Still a Disney sweep but it was a big deal inside out 2 outgrossed it as you can see a lot of videos talking about it.
Hey Dan just wanted to say wouldn't the Lion King 2019 be both top 10s in the animation categories? It made 543 million domestically and 1.6 billion worldwide. As much as people tend to call it "The Live action Lion King movie", it still is ultimately animation. Or am i misunderstanding something?
These charts are just so disheartening....showing there is no correlation between a movie being good and how much money it makes. Rather it shows us why we get the garbage we do.
bring them down is aptly named because that's eactly wht it did to my mood after watching it. a very dark and hard to watch tale. if you have any problem seeing animal cruelty on screen do not watch this film! it's about sheep rustling, that's all i'm gonna say.
Giving Companion a try tonight.
I’m giving it a try on Thursday.
Really fun film 👍
It's really good
It’s got some fun twists and turns.
It’s a solid good time.
The Fly - “A man with a fly’s head is horrific!”
Dogman - “Awwwww!”
Better than the alternatives, a fly or a dog with a man's head
If it crosses a billion dollars gross in China, Ne Zha 2 will be the first film EVER to gross a billion in a single market. (No Hollywood has grossed a billion domestic)
And I think it will. However, last year China's problem was that not many movies were successfull, other than the ones released during Lunar New Year, so the overall box office was actually pretty weak, compared to the pre-pandemic years, but also compared to 2023. Chinese audiences' loss of interest for western movies (and probably the on purpose bad distribution for western movies since Covid) has meant an overall decreasing box office, more than in other countries (Japan, Europe, Latin America and even the US have recovered better than China, since 2020).
“Oscar nuttiness” is quite the understatement this year. Thanks for the great coverage, Dan.
I saw Companion this weekend. I really enjoyed it
Thanks Dan! My girlfriend and I have both wanted to watch Parasite but haven't gotten around to it and our imax is showing it. Wouldn't have been aware of it if you didn't mention it so we're going this weekend!
Ne Zhe 2 appears to be a word of mouth hit. I saw people saying how the theatres have increased the showings due to sold out rooms on the first couple of days of the CNY holiday. Like even the 1am shows were packed. Apparently it went from having 25% of all screens nationwide to almost 50% a week later due to demand.
My favorite video of the week!! 🎉
'I'm Still Here' looks to be getting a wider release this weekend as well.
The next week or so for me will be packed. Hellraiser on Wednesday, Parasite and Bring Them Down on Friday, then Heart Eyes, Love Hurts and 'I'm Still Here' on Monday.
Charts is always a treat! On a positive box office weekend it’s a decadent dessert.
Very exciting to see Mubi really get into the theatrical space and make a name for themselves since they gave The Substance a home. Very excited and hopeful for their future.
Frustrating not having this released in NZ yet after my son constantly reminded me it comes out end of Jan.
No worldwide Top 10 of 2025... I was curious to see how the Chinese films suddenly explode that chart..... fun to watch the US films largely reclaim the chart through the year. Also, with the current trade war, I wonder if the few US films that do play there will have a tougher time.
I'm personally always considerably more interested in the worldwide charts than the domestic ones so was also disappointed not to see that (well, I'm from Finland and based in China, so it makes sense that I find North American box office numbers much less interesting than worldwide numbers). Looking forward to seeing it next week!
I kind of can see how people who become members would be more likely to share a certain taste in film, so it makes sense to me how Challengers fared so well this time. I'm gonna bet on Barbie leading the pack next week and Top Gun Maverick coming in second, but we'll see how it all shakes out.
I saw No Other Land. It's so good that I think it will win the Oscar.
Great charts Dan!
I just found out that No Other Land is coming this month to the area where I live in the northwestern rocky mountains. I didn't think it would get anywhere near me, but I'll be sure to check it out.
I've already seen Presence last week and is absolutely a different kind of supernatural film. Is really suspenseful and human drama and great pov shot since Bob Clark's Deathdream, Black Christmas and Spielberg's JAWS, John Carpenter's Halloween and original Friday the 13th and without spoilers it will make your body dropped and don't listen to the audience score because they thought is a horror film with blood and gore just check it out it really shocked me and I couldn't stop talking about it.
Shocked you!!!????
Curious what about the film was shocking??
@diamonddoggspuppy7755 not gonna tell you. You have to go and experience yourself.
Can't wait for Ne Zha 2 to never get released in Germany and forcing me to find a creative way to watch it.
For the trivia question, I guessed Oppenheimer and Moonlight. Cool to know I was at least in the ballpark of those domestic grosses lol
wow, incredible numbers
Nice look at the animations top10s, congrats to Ne Zha and it's huge success, it's looking like being the biggest grossing movie of 2025 for the rest of the year. Reaching a billion in record time. Not even the upcoming Avatar sequel can match it's speed but may outgross it eventually into 2026.
And average ticket price only $7 :)
Lol, avatar has no legacy of being massive smash in opening weekend but they have legs. Avatar 3 will be fine with 2 billion dollar
Companion is crazy good I hope it has great legs
Great video! Can’t wait to see how February compares to January 📈
And I still remember people being worried Dog Man wasn't being promoted enough and yet, the book popularity does not lie. Also, I want to wait until "Love Hurts" comes out next week, and then I'll see both it and "Companion". Sounds like a smashing double feature.
Good box office news are always welcome
Please review Creation of the Gods 2 - it just released in the USA and the action was epic.
Such a good movie.
Saw Dog Man today.
Very telling that skellington crew has still not appeard on Nielsen charts after 5 weeks now. The first Disney+ Star wars show not to debut in the top 10 orginials. I think the forbes article was right when they wrote that much of the audiance have given up on Star Wars after the Acolyte ( and a rund of mostly poorly recevied shows). Thoughts?
I watched a few episodes and thought it was cute - though it's almost completely centered on children. The friends I've mentioned it to are tired of Star Wars and have no interest. Not to mention, I have basic with ads, and it's absolutely insufferable. Even if I wanted to finish the show, the player is so bad that I don't want to bother.
Skeleton*
Those chinese films have no worldwide impact. Lmao
So you mean China is not part of this world, huh?
Im sure hollywood would like its version of Chinese new year, cause those numbers are something else.
They cant compete what you said to china why because china has more population than usa 2nd reason Chinese people is loyal to there product compare to the Americans.
Thanks for another movie charts, Dan. Congratulations to DreamWorks and Dog Man.
I think Challengers ran away with last week's poll because everyone agrees it deserved to be nominated for Best Original Score. Considering it won the Golden Globe for that very category
Looking forward to Captain America 4 despite some of the latest remarks made by the cast. I was really looking forward to Sam getting a solo film in the style of Winter Soldier, his first appearance, and less in the style of the infamous speach he gives in the final episode of Captain America and the Winter Soldier.
Good episode! Are you going to do a Fantastic Four teaser trailer breakdown?
Looks like people were too quick to write off Mufusa
I knew it would stick. That is simply the power of brand recognition and a well known brand. Though, in comparison to it's previous film, it did not quite hit those same highs. It'll be serviceable, perhaps a sequel in the future, but interest will clearly be less massive.
I think Challengers won the poll because it was the most discussed and noticed exemption from these choices.
Next poll should be how much money everyone thinks the new Fantastic Four movie will make opening weekend. Based on nothing but the new trailer and their opinions of previous movies.
15:30 - I would have guessed ROTK for adjusted, and Oppenheimer for unadjusted. And I thought The Artist was gonna be the lowest grossing.
Budapest winning original score over Insterstellar is a major award imo.
Do you think you can cover The Fantastic 4 trailer too, Dan?
Companion is really a fun rom-com horror and perfect for valentines day for every LGBTQ couple.
Will be intersting to see how Captian America, Brave new world does in 2 weeks, especially overseas. In Canada, Mexico and China, tarif threats may sour some of the casual audiance, non comicbook fans on seeing a movie with the name "america" in it.
In fact, wouldnt be suprised if if the movie gets pulled from Chinese theatres given the tarifs have now taken affect. China has pulled movies for less.
Fingers crossed it won't get pulled from Chinese theaters (I am here in China and I really don't want to return to the days of having to watch new MCU films in the poorest quality imaginable, filmed by someone who was lucky enough to actually see it in a movie theater, on my laptop). For now I am optimistic though and I think it will play here - that being said, there isn't too much anticipation, and the release is surrounded by a ton of really negative comments, so I don't expect it to make big numbers here. Unless it's really, really good and will generate positive word of mouth.
The problem for American movies in China is never being pulled. It's the quality.
Chinese movie market is far more open than you think. Last year, in order to boost the domestic market after pandemic, China had introduced the most foreign movies in history, some of which from America performed really well, like Deadpool and Wolverine or Alien Romulence. But still, the overall box office proportion for American movies in China is shrinking. If you understand Chinese, you'll find on Chinese social media the most comment on Hollywood is about missing the "good old days" (mainly referring to pre-2019) when western filmmakers still valued originality, creation, and essential techniques of movies like storytelling and photography, and bashing hard on the current Hollywood which only knows pushing forward disgusting political propagandas and outdated, predictable stories. On the other hand, the Chinese movie industries, like any other industries in China, is growing fast, and now people can choose those big budget blockbusters made by domestic filmmakers which are nearly as good as Hollywood in production qualities but more cater to local taste.
If this "Captain America" can have the quality of last year's "Deadpool", it WILL have its audiences, even in China. If it doesn't, then I suggest that Hollywood filmmakers should reflect more on themselves, not shift blame to the so-called "Chinese politics".
so dog man beats wolf man in the annual domestic box office xD
18:47 the manscapped ad and you saying you use the product gives an interesting prospective on product reviews and endorsements lol
Dan shaving his balls will haunt my dreams
I never noticed that squid game isn’t on the Nielsen original top 10. That’s kind of crazy given how insanely big its numbers are from Netflix. Must be bigger world wide relative to US/domestic viewership compared to things like stranger things and Wednesday (two shows I just assumed it was ahead of given the crazy all time viewership.
Hey Dan, can you please make a video on the recent lawsuit from the Joe Shuster estate against WB for the upcoming Superman movie?
They do that all the time. They did the same when men of steel released . It will be tossed out just like last time
Was fortunate enough to catch the Tribeca Audience Award Winner “Bad Shabbos”. Funniest film of 2024. Find any way to watch it as soon as you can, especially if you’re into Judaism or Wu-Tang!
Hey Dan. With the WWE now streaming on Netflix, I'm surprised it doesn't appear on your charts. In the UK, Raw and Smackdown have been top of the viewing charts every week since they premiered. Also, with the recent massive Royal Rumble event I would've expected you to mention WWE in some capacity? What's going on? Has the impact of wrestling not reached US Netflix? Or does the streaming of WWE in the US differ somehow?
Wait, Oppenheimer won best picture and it has a higher box office gross than Wicked, am I wrong? Or did Dan just mean domestic box office?
No way home
Didn't Oppenheimer win best picture last year? I'm pretty sure that grossed way more than Return of the King
Return of the King $377,027,325, Oppenheimer $329,862,540
Is there anyway to update the digital sales figures for wicked. All I could find was that first week 70 million announcement
10:02 detective pikachu made woldwide what sonic 3 made this year and it was considered a flop whatttt
Companion would’ve done much better had it you know actually had a marketing campaign
You mean if they didn't damn near spoil the entire film in the trailer??
@ that but also just putting out more stuff to tease
I think there may have been a tech glitch. The poll didn't show up yet
i very much enjoyed September 5, released in UK this week. a very tense and thrilling 95 minutes. and some of the rhetoric i have seen surronding this film is absolutely ridiculous.
Looks like 'Dogman' was able to *BARK* past expectations
I think you should count mufasa and lion king remake as animated movies. They are all cg and us in all essence animated. Still a Disney sweep but it was a big deal inside out 2 outgrossed it as you can see a lot of videos talking about it.
Hate that MOANA 2 is so successful, but praying this means Disney will eventually greenlight A BUG'S LIFE 2 and A GOOFY MOVIE 3 😩🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
i had titanic for highest, but i did get hurt locker for lowest.
9:44 I think A Minecraft Movie will beat Sonic the Hedgehog 3 worldwide and domestic and become the second highest grossing video game movie.
No chance, it's not gonna do good with word of mouth
i guessed The Artist would have been the lowest grossing.
Me too!
Hey Dan just wanted to say wouldn't the Lion King 2019 be both top 10s in the animation categories? It made 543 million domestically and 1.6 billion worldwide. As much as people tend to call it "The Live action Lion King movie", it still is ultimately animation. Or am i misunderstanding something?
Dan, I don’t see the new poll in the community tab 😪
Will parasite have English dubs?
I was convinced Dog Man would flop. I guess I misjudged the appeal.
I still can't believe they decided to make Zelda live-action. I have little hope it's going to be good or even be a hit.
These charts are just so disheartening....showing there is no correlation between a movie being good and how much money it makes. Rather it shows us why we get the garbage we do.
0:55 Technically "Dog Man" may not be a sequel, but is a Captain Underpants spin-off
I will very confidently guess Return of the King for highest and very unconfidently guess Parasite for lowest?
the backdrop is coming along nicely.
I've barely seen any ads for this movie :O
The country is dying and I need some escapism.
bring them down is aptly named because that's eactly wht it did to my mood after watching it. a very dark and hard to watch tale. if you have any problem seeing animal cruelty on screen do not watch this film! it's about sheep rustling, that's all i'm gonna say.
Appreciate the warning. Thank you.
Hey Dan, did Beast Games performed well in viewership? Should Mr Beast and Amazon be happy about the result?