The Most Popular and Profitable Films and Television Shows of 2025: Industry Insights for Screenwriters

The film and television industry in 2025 continues to evolve in bold and exciting ways, driven by increased global demand, digital platforms, and a new era of cutting-edge storytelling audiences crave.

Notably, there has been an increase in original stories, although intellectual property (IP) still represents the largest proportion of movies and TV series.

I. Top-Grossing Films of 2025

1. Ne Zha 2 – A Cultural and Cinematic Milestone

Leading the global box office in 2025 is Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated fantasy epic that has earned more than $2.1 billion worldwide. As the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Ne Zha 2 reaffirms the global appetite for culturally rooted, mythologically rich storytelling.

The film builds on Chinese folklore, combining modern animation with traditional narratives. Its success also marks a turning point for non-Western cinema, signaling that Hollywood is no longer the sole global box office provider of these animated movies.

2. Minecraft: The Movie – Game IP Dominates

With a worldwide gross of $873 million, Minecraft: The Movie illustrates the unabated power of video games in mainstream cinema. Rather than relying solely on pixelated nostalgia, the film crafts a compelling story to entire old and new fans alike.

Its success also highlights the enduring viability of video game movies and the value of adapting game-to-film with built-in fanbases.

3. Sinners – Prestige Horror with Historical Depth

Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, Sinners blends supernatural horror with historical thriller and drama, set in the racially tense Mississippi Delta of the 1930s. With global earnings surpassing $236 million, it has been lauded for its atmospheric storytelling, use of Southern lore, and genre innovation.

4. Thunderbolts* – Marvel’s Antihero Era

Marvel Studios continues to gather box office coin with Thunderbolts*, which earned a strong $162 million in its global opening weekend. Featuring a team of morally ambiguous characters from the MCU, including reformed villains and reluctant heroes, the film marks a tonal shift toward darker, more layered and deeper storytelling in the superhero genre.

This pivot reflects the fatigue with traditional and formulaic hero narratives and suggests a preference where emotional complexity and ensemble characters drive comic book films.

II. Breakout Television Hits of 2025

1.  Beyond the Gates – Soap Opera for the Streaming Age

Set in Atlanta and centered on an affluent Black family, Beyond the Gates combines the traditional soap opera with tight writing. The show’s serialized nature and focus on legacy, betrayal, and class tensions have drawn comparisons to Succession and Dynasty.

The series has become a must-watch for serialized drama 2025, confirming that daytime soap operas and Black family drama TV still resonate with discerning binge-watching viewers.

4. Squid Game (Season 2) – Riveting Social Television with High Stakes

Returning with even more psychological drama, Squid Game: Season 2 has solidified its place in the cultural zeitgeist and become Netflix’s most watched show. Though fictionalized the Korean megahit offers a visceral spectacle and moral complexity that keeps audiences hooked and questioning the depths of human despair and cruelty.

3. Adolescence – Gen Z’s Defining Drama

Adolescence, a Netflix original, has emerged as the year’s most talked-about teen drama. Set in a suburban high school in Wales, the series tackles themes of identity, mental health, social media, family and peer group pressure. With rich characters and bold and often uncomfortable narrative choices, it has been hailed as a defining series for Gen Z, their parents and society at large.

4. Tracker – A Fresh Take On Crime Drama

Tracker stands out thanks to its unique premise and gripping storytelling on CBS. The series follows Colter Shaw, a professional tracker who travels the country to find missing people for reward money. Justin Hartley’s portrayal of Colter—a lone-wolf survivalist haunted by family secrets—adds depth and charisma, drawing viewers into both the weekly cases and the overarching mystery of his past. The show’s mix of suspense, character-driven drama, and fresh takes on the procedural format have made it a must-watch for fans of crime and adventure series.

5. Reacher – A Faithful Adaptation of the Crime Novels

Reacher has become a major hit for Amazon Prime Video. Adapted from Lee Child’s bestselling novels, the series centers on Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator and anti-hero who roams the country taking on dangerous criminals. The show’s appeal lies in its faithful adaptation of the source material, hard-hitting action sequences, and the stoic, imposing presence of its lead character. Each season offers complex mysteries and satisfying resolutions, while the show’s gritty realism and no-nonsense storytelling keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

III. Industry Trends Screenwriters Should Watch

1. Cultural Authenticity and Global Appeal

The massive success of Ne Zha 2 and Squid Game underscores a clear trend: audiences demand stories that are locally culturally authentic, yet universally resonant. Screenwriters should embrace international storytelling, diverse voices, languages, and mythologies to reach global audiences.

 2. Genre Hybrids and Mashups

From Sinners (horror + historical drama) to *Thunderbolts* (action + psychological complexity), genre-blending continues to captivate audiences. Screenwriters are encouraged to push past genre conventions and explore hybrid forms.

3. Unique Premise And Characters

Audiences don’t require a dramatic overhaul or reinterpretation of the genre to work (unless you’re talking about Severance). But they do require an innovative and exciting take on familiar stories driven by textured complicated characters.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.