The box office had a strong start to 2025, with New Year’s Day bringing in an estimated $42.9 million, the highest since the pandemic.
This is a 33% increase compared to the first day of 2024. The boost marks a positive beginning for the year, which is expected to reach over $9 billion in total box office revenue.
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King led the charge, earning $10.3 million, outpacing Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at $8.95 million.
Mufasa has been performing well since Christmas, taking the top spot for six days. Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had a strong run over the last two weekends.
Here’s a look at the top 10 films on New Year’s Day:
- Mufasa: The Lion King – $10.3M
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – $8.95M
- Moana 2 – $5.1M
- Nosferatu – $4.96M
- Wicked – $4.63M
- A Complete Unknown – $3.1M
- Babygirl – $1.4M
- Gladiator II – $1.04M
- Homestead – $952K
- The Fire Inside – $592K
Among other notable films, Nosferatu and A Complete Unknown have been making waves. Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers, is already his highest-grossing film, surpassing his 2022 hit The Northman.
With $53 million and counting, the vampire movie has become one of Focus Features’ top films. On New Year’s Day, it earned $4.96 million.
Meanwhile, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, has earned $31.7 million. The film is on track to become the highest-grossing Searchlight movie since the Disney-Fox merger, surpassing The Menu from 2022.
Both Nosferatu and A Complete Unknown have been performing well despite lacking major Oscar buzz.