Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Wicked’ Tops December as 2024 U.K., Ireland Box Office Matches 2023 With $1.3 Billion
December 2024 delivered a robust close to the year for the U.K. and Ireland box office, generating £115.5 million ($143.5 million), a 21% increase compared to December 2023’s £95.5 million ($118.6 million). The year’s total stands at £1.06 billion ($1.31 billion), matching 2023 and showing an 8% growth over 2022. The month’s success was driven by strong performances across multiple titles, with “Wicked” leading the charge.
Holding the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive month, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked” brought in £23.2 million in December, boosting its total gross to £55.6 million. The film is now the third-highest release of 2024, behind “Inside Out 2” (£59.2 million) and “Deadpool & Wolverine” (£57.5 million). It also ranks as the third-highest-grossing musical of all time in the U.K. and Ireland, trailing only “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!” (£65.6 million) and “Wonka” (£63.5 million).
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Disney’s “Moana 2” claimed the No. 2 spot for December, earning £21.8 million. The animated sequel’s total now stands at £36.4 million, surpassing the original film’s lifetime gross of £20.6 million. It concludes the year as the sixth-highest release of 2024. Another Disney title, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” secured third place with £17.4 million after two weeks in release, closing the year ranked 13th.
In fourth place, “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” debuted with £16 million after its first week. The franchise remains a strong performer, with its previous installments grossing £19.3 million and £27 million. Meanwhile, “Paddington In Peru” added £6.4 million in December, taking its total to £34.2 million. The third installment in the beloved franchise finishes 2024 as the year’s seventh-biggest release, though it trails the earlier entries, which earned £38 million and £42.7 million.
“Gladiator II” grossed £5.9 million in December, bringing its total to £31 million. Ridley Scott’s sequel is set to overtake the original film’s £31.3 million as his highest-grossing title in the region. Edward Berger’s drama “Conclave” added £3.9 million during the month, reaching a total of £5.8 million. The film is now Black Bear’s second-biggest release, following “Longlegs” (£8.1 million).
Rounding out the month’s top performers, the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” debuted with £2.9 million in its first week, while Telugu-language action drama “Pushpa 2 – The Rule” grossed £1.8 million, ahead of “Kalki 2898 AD” (£1.4 million) and “Fighter” (£1 million), making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024 in the region. Finally, Sony’s “Kraven The Hunter” completed the December chart with £1.4 million.
As 2025 begins, the slate of January releases promises a strong start to the year. Highlights include Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” John Crowley’s “We Live In Time,” Asif Kapadia’s “2073,” and Disney’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” among others.
U.K. & Ireland – Top 10 Titles of December 2024
(Jan. 6, 2024 to Jan. 2, 2025)
U.K. & Ireland – Top 10 Titles 2024
(Jan. 5, 2024 to Jan. 2, 2025)
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