December 2024 marked a remarkable conclusion to the year for the U.K. and Ireland box office, raking in £115.5 million ($143.5 million). This represents a 21% increase from December 2023’s £95.5 million ($118.6 million) and brought the year’s total to £1.06 billion ($1.31 billion). The performance matched 2023’s total while showcasing an 8% growth over 2022. The success was driven by a diverse array of hits, with Wicked leading the charge.
Top Performers of December 2024
- Wicked
Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway classic retained its No. 1 position for the second month in a row, earning £23.2 million in December. This brought its cumulative total to £55.6 million, making it the third-highest release of 2024, behind Inside Out 2 (£59.2 million) and Deadpool & Wolverine (£57.5 million). Additionally, Wicked is now the third-highest-grossing musical of all time in the U.K. and Ireland, trailing Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again! (£65.6 million) and Wonka (£63.5 million). - Moana 2
Disney’s animated sequel claimed the No. 2 spot with £21.8 million in December, boosting its total to £36.4 million. It has surpassed the lifetime gross of the original film (£20.6 million) and ranks as the sixth-highest release of 2024. - Mufasa: The Lion King
Another Disney title, Mufasa: The Lion King, earned £17.4 million in its first two weeks, finishing the year ranked 13th overall. - Sonic The Hedgehog 3
The latest installment in the Sonic franchise debuted with £16 million in its first week, continuing the series’ strong box office performance. Previous entries grossed £19.3 million and £27 million, respectively. - Paddington In Peru
The third film in the beloved franchise added £6.4 million in December, taking its total to £34.2 million. It ends the year as the seventh-biggest release of 2024, though it falls short of the earlier installments, which earned £38 million and £42.7 million. - Gladiator II
Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel grossed £5.9 million in December, bringing its total to £31 million. It is set to surpass the original Gladiator (£31.3 million) as Scott’s highest-grossing title in the region. - Conclave
Edward Berger’s drama added £3.9 million during the month, reaching a cumulative total of £5.8 million. The film is now Black Bear’s second-biggest release after Longlegs (£8.1 million). - Better Man
The Robbie Williams biopic debuted with £2.9 million in its first week, showcasing the enduring appeal of the iconic British pop star. - Pushpa 2 – The Rule
The Telugu-language action drama grossed £1.8 million, outperforming other Indian films such as Kalki 2898 AD (£1.4 million) and Fighter (£1 million). It is now the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024 in the U.K. and Ireland. - Kraven The Hunter
Sony’s Marvel title completed the December chart with £1.4 million.
A Promising Start to 2025
As the industry looks ahead to 2025, the January slate promises to sustain the momentum. Notable upcoming releases include Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, John Crowley’s We Live In Time, Asif Kapadia’s 2073, and Disney’s Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. These highly anticipated films are expected to captivate audiences and drive early-year box office success.
Top 10 U.K. & Ireland Titles of December 2024
- Wicked – £23.2 million
- Moana 2 – £21.8 million
- Mufasa: The Lion King – £17.4 million
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – £16 million
- Paddington In Peru – £6.4 million
- Gladiator II – £5.9 million
- Conclave – £3.9 million
- Better Man – £2.9 million
- Pushpa 2 – The Rule – £1.8 million
- Kraven The Hunter – £1.4 million
Top 10 U.K. & Ireland Titles of 2024
- Inside Out 2 – £59.2 million
- Deadpool & Wolverine – £57.5 million
- Wicked – £55.6 million
- Barbie 2 – £45 million
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – £41 million
- Moana 2 – £36.4 million
- Paddington In Peru – £34.2 million
- The Marvels – £32 million
- Gladiator II – £31 million
- Oppenheimer – £30.5 million
The strong finish to 2024 and an exciting start to 2025 highlight the resilience and vibrancy of the U.K. and Ireland box office.
