The January 2025 US Box Office has had a strong start, generating an impressive $510.8 million in total revenue, reflecting a 3% increase over January 2024’s $495.9 million (Deadline). This growth highlights a continuing recovery trend for the theatrical business, even as streaming services continue to dominate in the home entertainment market. While some audiences are still hesitant to return to cinemas, the high performance of certain films this month suggests that theatrical releases remain a major source of entertainment. Leading the pack in terms of earnings was Flight Risk, which roared to the top, surpassing Mufasa: The Lion King, with strong earnings during its opening weekend. Other notable performers included Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2, both of which sustained strong box office runs from their December releases.

Box Office Champion: Flight Risk Surpasses Mufasa: The Lion King

After a stellar start to the month, Mufasa: The Lion King was overtaken by Flight Risk, which took the top spot for the week of January 24-29. Despite Mufasa continuing to generate impressive numbers, Flight Risk dominated with impressive earnings, showing a robust opening in its debut week. This marks a significant shift in the box office landscape.

Flight Risk earned an estimated $12 million in its opening weekend, proving that audience interest in thrillers with established stars like Mark Wahlberg remains strong, even amid lukewarm reviews. Meanwhile, Mufasa: The Lion King, with $94.8 million in January, continues to prove its status as a box office titan, bringing its total to $222.9 million by month’s end.

Other Notable Box Office Performers

While Flight Risk and Mufasa were the clear front-runners, several other films performed admirably in January 2025:

Sonic the Hedgehog 3: With $75.5 million added in January, the latest chapter in the Sonic franchise crossed $227.1 million in total domestic earnings by the end of the month (Box Office Mojo). This shows the franchise’s continued strength. With solid critical reception and strong word of mouth, the movie’s performance signals that the blue hedgehog’s cinematic journey is far from over. The continued growth of the Sonic series proves its place as a reliable performer in the family-friendly genre.
Moana 2: Disney’s animated sequel continued to charm audiences, adding $46.8 million to its domestic gross, bringing its total to $450.9 million by the end of January. The film continues to captivate audiences with its heartwarming narrative, stunning animation, and strong musical numbers. The combination of Disney’s marketing prowess and the widespread love for Moana helped the sequel maintain significant traction in theaters, making it one of the standout animated releases of 2025.
Nosferatu: Robert Eggers’ gothic horror film impressed with $45.7 million in January . The gothic horror film’s unique blend of atmospheric dread and Eggers’ distinctive directorial vision helped draw audiences seeking a different kind of cinematic experience. With the director’s growing reputation in the horror genre, Nosferatu resonated particularly well with fans of elevated horror, showcasing that the genre still has the power to captivate both critics and theatergoers alike.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera: The Lionsgate action-thriller performed strongly with $15.5 million in its debut weekend. As a sequel to the 2018 heist thriller, the film’s strong performance proves there is still a dedicated audience for action-packed crime dramas. Despite its niche appeal, Den of Thieves 2 captivated action fans with its intense heist sequences, solid performances, and thrilling narrative. Its success highlights the ongoing demand for high-octane action films in theaters.

January 2025 vs. January 2024: A Year-on-Year Comparison

January 2025 demonstrated steady growth, continuing the recovery of the theatrical market. January 2024 grossed $495.9 million, largely supported by holdover films like Wonka and Migration. This year’s earnings indicate a shift toward more consistent recovery, bolstered by the success of both legacy franchises and new films.

Upcoming Notable Releases in February 2025

Looking ahead, February will see several big releases that are expected to continue the momentum of January’s successes:

Marvel’s Fantastic Four (Feb 14, 2025) – The superhero film is set to dominate the box office with high expectations from fans.
Michael Mann’s Heat 2 (Feb 21, 2025) – The long-awaited sequel to Heat starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Blumhouse’s Night Swim 2 (Feb 7, 2025) – The horror genre continues to perform well, and this sequel could be a big hit.

A Positive Start to 2025’s Box Office

January 2025 US Box Office numbers proved that the U.S. box office remains resilient, with films like Flight Risk and Mufasa leading the charge. The month laid a strong foundation for the year ahead, with more major films scheduled for release in February. With consistent growth and audience engagement, 2025 is shaping up to be another successful year for the box office.

Note: Box office figures are subject to change as new data becomes available.