Ding Dong - Number One

Weekend roundup:

• Wicked: For Good — £18,858,826 opening; 738 screens; Week 1; includes £1,054,976 from 663 previews. This is the top opening of 2025, ranking as the 18th biggest UK debut ever behind Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Without previews, the gross stands at £17,803,850, marking a 21% increase from the original Wicked’s launch. It is also the 9th widest release of all time and already the 10th highest-grossing film of 2025.

• Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — £1,111,688; 568 screens; Week 2; down 53%. Without previews, the fall-off is 45%. Total now £4,345,774. Despite the steep decline, it remains a notable performer for Lionsgate.

• The Running Man — £654,467; 605 screens; Week 2; down 73%. Without previews, the fall-off is 61%. Total now £3,781,769. A sharp drop after its strong start, though still a solid mid-table earner.

• Nuremberg — £491,389; 488 screens; Week 2; down 45%. Without previews, the fall-off is 43%. Total now £2,015,172. A respectable hold for Studiocanal’s courtroom drama.

• Predator: Badlands — £375,131; 434 screens; Week 3; down 59%. Total now £5,030,809. This sci-fi actioner has crossed the £5 million mark, placing it among the year’s stronger genre performers.

• The Choral — £209,928; 423 screens; Week 3; down 65%. Total now £3,359,525. Despite the drop, it has built a healthy cumulative gross.

• Christmas Karma — £192,352; 398 screens; Week 2; down 61%. Total now £856,539. Seasonal fare that may yet find momentum in December.

• A Paw Patrol Christmas — £182,718; 487 screens; Week 3; down 29%. Total now £768,838. A rare family holdover showing resilience compared to other titles.

• JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution — £123,952; 289 screens; Week 2; down 85%. Total now £1,161,971. Anime continues to deliver strong openings, though this one fell sharply in its second frame.

• Bugonia — £94,951; 139 screens; Week 4; down 63%. Total now £2,892,081. A niche release that has quietly built a near-£3 million total.

• Laalo: Krishna Sada Sahaayate — £86,993; 15 screens; Week 2; down 4%. Total now £233,687. A micro-release with impressive stability.

• Regretting You — £80,136; 193 screens; Week 5; down 79%. Total now £6,186,392. One of the highest-grossing films currently in release, crossing the £6 million milestone.

• Sisu: Road To Revenge — £74,588 opening; 273 screens; Week 1; includes £1,011 from 15 previews. A modest debut for Sony’s action title.

• CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella — £62,599 opening; 356 screens; Week 1. Family-focused event cinema with a limited but targeted footprint.

• Arabella – Met Opera 2025 (Opera) — £58,154 opening; 78 screens; Week 1. A specialist release catering to opera audiences.

Holdovers and milestones

• Predator: Badlands has now cleared £5,030,809, cementing its place as one of the year’s stronger action titles.

• Regretting You continues to impress, reaching £6,186,392 after five weeks, one of the highest totals among current releases.

• Bugonia has quietly amassed £2,892,081, showing staying power despite its limited footprint.

• A Paw Patrol Christmas remains steady, with £768,838 after three weeks, a rare family holdover gain compared to steep drops elsewhere.

Quick Take

The weekend belonged to Wicked: For Good, which delivered the year’s biggest opening and entered the all-time UK charts. Holdovers were mixed, with sharp declines for The Running Man and JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution, but milestones for Predator: Badlands and Regretting You. Event cinema and niche releases added diversity, though their impact was modest.

Ones to watch next week

A packed slate arrives, with several titles poised to make an impact:

• Zootropolis 2 — Disney’s animated sequel should draw family audiences and take the top spot from Wicked.

• Primitive War and Revolver Rita — genre entries with potential to surprise.

• Concert and event films including Westlife – Royal Albert Hall (25th Anniversary Concert) and The World Of Hans Zimmer – A New Dimension will target fan-driven audiences.

• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — opening in select cinemas before streaming release

Final Take

The UK box office was dominated by Wicked: For Good, a record-setting debut that reshaped the charts. Holdovers showed mixed fortunes, with some clearing major milestones while others fell sharply. Next week’s mix of sequels, concert films, and genre releases promises another lively frame, with Zootropolis 2 likely to lead the charge.