Every year, a handful of lucky movies gross $1 billion at the box office, and in 2025, it seems like a number of upcoming blockbuster films have the chance to achieve this impressive accomplishment. Movies can be deemed successful in several different ways, but one of the most pivotal is box office performance. If a movie earns a lot of money at the box office, that means that audiences are eager to see the film, and moreover, that the film is earning back what it spent. Box office numbers are a huge indicator of a movie’s quality and success.
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The $1 billion box office isn’t necessarily rare, but it is still a massive achievement. Many movies come from popular franchises or significant IPs, yet they don’t even come close to earning a billion. For example, the only 2024 movies to reach $1 billion are Deadpool and Wolverine and Inside Out 2. In general, earning $1 billion at the box office is a gamble. A movie must attract viewers on its own merits, have good reviews and solid quality. These are movies people desperately want to see, but even then, there’s no way of knowing how a movie will perform.
10 A Minecraft Movie
Video Game Movies Have Big Fanbases
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One movie that has a chance of hitting the $1 billion mark is A Minecraft Movie. Based on the video game of the same name, A Minecraft Movie follows four misfits who are sucked into the land of Minecraft, known as the Overworld. With the help of Minecraft’s Steve, the group must master this strange cubic land in order to get back home. A Minecraft Movie’s cast includes Jack Black, Jason Mamoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge.
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Although A Minecraft Movie is not necessarily a top contender when it comes to the $1 billion box office, the film definitely has a chance. Minecraft is a wildly popular game, especially among younger people, so there’s a good chance that audiences young and old will flock to theaters to see this. Furthermore, previous video game movies, namely The Super Mario Bros. Movie, earned $1 billion, opening the door for A Minecraft Movie to do the same. If the film is good, then it could certainly reach this goal.
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9 How To Train Your Dragon
Live-Action Reboots Are In
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Another movie that could be on the precipice of earning $1 billion is 2025’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon. Originally released in 2010, How to Train Your Dragon is a Dreamworks animated film that follows Hiccup, an awkward viking teenager who discovers that the dragons his people fight may not be their enemies. After two sequels, the franchise is now continuing on with a live-action version of the initial film, set to be released in June 2025.
The three animated
How to Train Your Dragon
movies never reached $1 billion at the box office. The highest box office performance was for
How to Train Your Dragon 2,
which earned $621 million.
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How to Train Your Dragon has a few elements that make it a contender to earn $1 billion at the box office. First and foremost, the movie has an established IP, which means there is already a built-in fanbase who are likely to go out and see this movie. Furthermore, being a live-action adaptation means that many viewers will simply be curious to see how the animation is brought to life. However, like A Minecraft Movie, How to Train Your Dragon will have to prove it is good quality if it wants to reach $1 billion.
8 Michael
Music Biopics Have Done Well In The Past
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The only movie on this list that is not part of a franchise is none other than Michael. This 2025 film is a biopic of Michael Jackson, following his rise to fame as a part of the Jackson 5 all the way to his unexpected death in 2009. Michael includes some major stars, such as Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller, along with Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the eponymous Michael. Although this film is a year away from its release, it already looks like it could be a success.
There is little doubt that many people will be eager to see Jackson back in action on the big screen.
The number one reason why Michael could reach $1 billion is because of the general popularity of Michael Jackson. Jackson was not just a popular musician; he was integral to pop culture for entire generations. His music is still recognizable to this day. There is little doubt that many people will be eager to see Jackson back in action on the big screen. On top of that, musical biopics have gained some traction in recent years. 2019’s Bohemian Rhapsody broke $1 billion, so perhaps Michael can as well.
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7 The Fantastic Four: First Steps
A Popular Cast & A Popular IP
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Yet another movie that could be on the very edge of $1 billion is The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is slated to be the second reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise, and will once again follow the titular four heroes: Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing. Notably, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has an incredible cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
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Although Marvel has been low-grossing in the last few years, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has the potential to be a winner, especially after the success of Deadpool and Wolverine. This 2025 film is not only based on a beloved IP, but it also has a cast that is hard to ignore. Each actor has been part of majorly successful projects, such as Stranger Things, The Last of Us, The Bear, and Mission Impossible. Thus, even viewers who care little about superheroes may come out and see this film.
6 Lilo & Stitch
The Return Of An Underrated Classic
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Another live-action movie with some solid footing is Lilo & Stitch. More than 20 years after the original movie’s release, Disney is revamping Lilo & Stitch with a live-action adaptation. Although Disney has been on a tear of making live-action reboots, Lilo & Stitch is a somewhat unusual choice. Among the classics like Snow White and new favorites like Moana, Lilo & Stitch sticks out. However, that difference may just be the movie’s biggest strength.
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Disney has countless beloved films in its catalog, but some of its best entries are those that are easily forgotten, i.e. Lilo & Stitch. This movie, which follows a young Hawaiian girl who befriends a rambunctious alien, is unlike other Disney films of its time and has often gone under the radar. In this way, the live-action Lilo & Stitch is bringing this story back into the spotlight, and nostalgia alone could certainly attract audiences. Hopefully, though, the film can also bring in a new generation of fans.
5 Wicked: Part Two
A Franchise Cliffhanger
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One franchise film with a lot going for it is Wicked: Part Two. The musical movie adaptation has been split into two parts, with the first half of the story premiering in November 2024, and the second half being released in 2025. Even before Wicked: Part One’s release, it is clear that these movies are on track to earn $1 billion. With Wizard of Oz fans and musical theater lovers under their belt, along with another star-studded cast, Wicked has all the ingredients of a lucrative blockbuster.
Wicked: Part One
is set to release on November 22, 2024.
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An element of Wicked that could really boost its path to success is the fact that there are two films instead of one. While Wicked: Part One will lure audiences in, the movie will leave viewers with a cliffhanger that they’ll be desperate to see through in Wicked: Part Two. Plus, the year-long hiatus between movies means that more and more viewers can become invested over time. In this way, Wicked: Part Two may be a huge event if Wicked: Part One does well enough.
4 Snow White
A Movie With A Long Wait
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One final Disney movie that could be quite successful is Snow White. Almost every Disney live-action remake comes with quite a lot of fanfare, and Snow White is no different. The movie returns to Disney’s roots, adapting the company’s very first feature movie. The cast includes Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, plus the screenplay was written by Greta Gerwig. All in all, Snow White has the chance to make audiences fall in love with Disney’s original princess, and bring this old story into the modern day.
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However, some backlash towards Zegler and the movie’s portrayal of the Seven Dwarves also makes the movie a bit controversial.
Interestingly, Snow White has many strengths and many weaknesses. The live-action Snow White has been in development for years now, which definitely increases the anticipation for the film. However, some backlash towards Zegler and the movie’s portrayal of the Seven Dwarves also makes the movie a bit controversial. In some ways, this could even be helpful for the movie. Regardless, Disney has hit $1 billion with its live-action remakes before, which means Snow White could do it again.
3 Zootopia 2
Following Its Predecessor’s Footsteps
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Now, a 2025 movie that will almost certainly hit $1 billion at the box office is Zootopia 2. A follow-up to 2016’s Zootopia, Zootopia 2 follows Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps as they go undercover to find a mysterious missing reptile. Along with the return of Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin, the movie will also star Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster. The teaser trailer for the film recently came out, drumming up anticipation an entire year in advance.
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What makes the likelihood of Zootopia 2 reaching $1 billion so high is the fact that the original Zootopia grossed $1 billion. The movie’s vast ensemble cast, incredible soundtrack, and enticing story earned it just over $1 billion at the box office. Arguably, this puts Zootopia 2 at a clear advantage. If the sequel can recreate the magic of the first movie, there’s little doubt it can gross $1 billion. Just look at Inside Out 2.
2 Jurassic World Rebirth
Another Billion Dollar Franchise
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Another upcoming film with a strong set of predecessors is Jurassic World Rebirth. The seventh film in the Jurassic Park franchise, Rebirth takes place five years after Jurassic World Dominion and follows a covert operation expert who is tasked with tracking down the last remaining dinosaurs and extracting DNA from them that could save human lives. Jurassic World Rebirth’s cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey.
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Just like Zootopia 2, Jurassic World Rebirth already has its foot in the door because of its successful franchise. The last three Jurassic Park movies have scored $1 billion, along with the original 1993 film. This is especially impressive considering that Jurassic World Dominion and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom were not too successful critically. In this way, Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t necessarily even have to be good, but it will likely break $1 billion anyway.
1 Avatar: Fire And Ash
Avatar Consistently Breaks Records
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Finally, the one movie that will most definitely reach $1 billion at the box office is Avatar: Fire and Ash. The third movie in the iconic Avatar franchise will see the return of Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their children in an unspecified story. The main reason why Avatar: Fire and Ash is sure to hit $1 billion is because both previous Avatar movies reached more than $2 billion. In fact, these movies are some of the highest-grossing films of all time. It only makes sense that Avatar: Fire and Ash would do the same.
|
Every Potential $1 Billion Movie |
When Every Movie Is Premiering |
|---|---|
|
A Minecraft Movie |
April 4, 2025 |
|
How To Train Your Dragon |
June 13, 2025 |
|
Michael |
October 3, 2025 |
|
The Fantastic Four: First Steps |
July 25, 2025 |
|
Lilo & Stitch |
May 23, 2025 |
|
Wicked: Part Two |
November 21, 2025 |
|
Snow White |
March 21, 2025 |
|
Zootopia 2 |
November 26, 2024 |
|
Jurassic World Rebirth |
July 2, 2025 |
|
Avatar: Fire and Ash |
December 19, 2025 |
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All in all, 2025 looks like it will be an exciting year for movies. Even if many of these films do not reach $1 billion at the box office, they will likely still be incredibly successful. It will be interesting to see if 2025 offers more $1 billion movies than 2024, and if so, why. Yet, until next year, audiences will have to just wait and see.