Minecraft Claims Most Tickets While Sinners Earns Most Money | Weekend of April 18th, 2025
The box office continues its strong performance, with the second quarter of 2025 off to an excellent start. Year-to-date grosses are up a healthy +6.2% compared to last year, a significant turnaround from Q1's -11.6% decline. This indicates a very positive trajectory for the industry.
This weekend saw an interesting dynamic at the top: Sinners claimed the #1 spot in revenue, earning a strong 35% of the total box office. However, A Minecraft Movie once again demonstrated its power to draw audiences, leading with 32% of admissions. This difference is largely attributed to Sinners' R-rating, which limits discounted ticket options, while A Minecraft Movie continues to attract large family crowds.
Sinners' impressive performance is backed by its strong critical reception (still holding at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes) and enthusiastic word-of-mouth. The director, Ryan Coogler, even expressed gratitude to moviegoers for their support, acknowledging the effort involved in going to the cinema. This connection with audiences is clearly translating to box office success.
A Minecraft Movie, while #2 in revenue, remains a key driver of attendance. When combined with The King of Kings (which took in 18% of admissions), family-friendly films accounted for a significant 50% of total admissions. This reinforces the continued importance of family outings to the cinema.
Other notable releases this weekend include The Amateur, which performed as expected, and Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing, an anime title that found a niche audience despite a limited release.
A surprising success story is the 20th-anniversary re-release of Pride & Prejudice, which secured a spot in the top 10 for revenue. This highlights the enduring appeal of classic films and the willingness of audiences to revisit beloved stories on the big screen.
Looking Ahead:
This weekend brings exciting new releases that are sure to further boost the box office:
- The Accountant 2, starring Ben Affleck, is expected to draw in fans of the original film, with predictions of $30+M.
- The Legend of Ochi, featuring Willem Dafoe, is expanding its release after a limited opening. This A24 film offers a departure from the studio's typical fare, venturing into the family-friendly fantasy genre, which could broaden its appeal. Predictions are $6-10M.
- Until Dawn, a horror-drama based on a video game, is also opening wide. While reviews are mixed, it could attract gamers and horror enthusiasts.
Overall, the box office is maintaining strong momentum, and the diverse range of releases caters to a wide variety of tastes. We anticipate another solid weekend, leading into the highly anticipated release of Thunderbolts next week, which is projected to earn $65M+.
How many tickets will be sold this coming weekend? Find out on our next Cinema Ranker and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the cinema industry.
To learn more about The People Platform's Audience Measurement, click here.
