Big in the city

The UK box office slowed slightly this weekend, with overall grosses for the top 15 titles down from last week’s highs. A mix of franchise sequels, concert films, and niche debuts shaped the chart, while previews played a notable role in several openings.

Zootropolis 2 — £4,235,673; Week 2; down 29% from its debut. Total now £11,740,358, ranking as the 20th best gross of the year, just behind A Complete Unknown. Remarkably, it has already outgrossed Snow White in only two weeks. Without previews, the fall-off is a measured 29%, showing strong staying power for Walt Disney Int’l.

Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 — £3,256,485 opening; 565 screens; Week 1. This marks the 22nd best opening of 2025, just behind Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle. The sequel opened below the first film, which debuted at £5,379,587 and finished with £10,520,000 in 2023, but still posted a solid launch.

Wicked: For Good — £3,225,766; Week 3; down 58%. Despite the steep drop, its total has reached £37,651,991, cementing it as one of the year’s highest-grossing titles.

Andre Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas (Concert) — £845,675 opening; 587 screens; Week 1. A seasonal concert event that drew strong turnout, adding variety to the slate.

Eternity (A24) — £388,835 opening; 485 screens; Week 1; includes £35,912 from 318 previews. A modest but notable debut for A24, with previews contributing nearly 10% of the total.

Dhurandhar — £306,678 opening; 135 screens; Week 1. A focused release that found its audience despite limited footprint.

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair — £233,052 opening; 372 screens; Week 1. A cult re-release that drew cinephile interest.

It Was Just An Accident (MUBI) — £164,007 opening; 58 screens; Week 1; includes £90,233 from 60 previews. Previews accounted for more than half of the total, underscoring the importance of early screenings for niche fare.

Nuremberg — £160,157; Week 4; down 37%. Total now £3,042,167, a respectable run for a mid-scale drama.

A Paw Patrol Christmas — £89,302; Week 5; down just 14%. Total now £1,014,290, showing rare resilience for a family title deep into its run.

Holdovers and milestones

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — £346,039; Week 4; down 43%. Total now £6,149,649, a solid cumulative for the franchise.

The Running Man — £103,738; Week 4; down 61%. Total now £4,665,056, a notable finish for a revival release.

Pillion — £143,915; Week 2; down 59%. Total now £669,051, fading quickly after its debut.

Quick Take

This weekend was defined by sequels and special events. Zootropolis 2 continues to impress, already among the year’s top 20 earners. Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 opened lower than its predecessor but still carved out a strong position, while Wicked: For Good remains a juggernaut despite sharp declines. Previews shaped the story for Eternity and It Was Just An Accident, highlighting the importance of early audience engagement.

Ones to watch next week

A diverse slate arrives, with anniversary screenings, operatic events, and fresh dramas poised to compete:

• Mowgli

• Fackham Hall

• Ella McCay

• The Devil

• Silent Night, Deadly Night

• The Shining (45th Anniversary)

• Sholay: The Final Cut

• Baby

• Christmas, Again

• Animalia

• Rachel

• Eleanor The Great

• Behind The Scenes

• Andrea Chenier – Met Opera 2025 (Opera)

• Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases

• Preparation For The Next Life

Final Take

The UK box office eased back after last week’s highs, but strong sequels and seasonal programming kept momentum steady. With Zootropolis 2 climbing the year’s charts and Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 delivering a respectable debut, the market remains lively. Next week’s mix of anniversary reissues, operatic screenings, and fresh dramas should keep audiences engaged across a wide spectrum of tastes.