While other studios struggle to keep pace, the Burbank giant is proving that the theatrical window remains a gold mine for those with the right intellectual property. Disney’s Burbank studio has officially topped the $6 billion mark worldwide for 2025, making it the first and only studio to hit that level this year, thanks to the success of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The House of Mouse continues to dominate the global box office through strategic releases and franchise power.

The milestone was reached a few days earlier than expected, thanks largely to the runaway success of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has already pulled in more than $450 million globally. This high-octane performance helped the studio outpace its closest competitor, Warner Bros. which currently sits at $4.3 billion.

Disney is the primary financier and distributor of the latest Avatar installment through its subsidiary, 20th Century Studios. Several key performances across different genres anchored this historic achievement for the lot. The following titles were instrumental in securing the $6 billion crown.

After Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2, the animated hit, earned about $1.3 billion globally, making it the biggest non‑Avatar title of the year. Lilo & Stitch: The live-action reimagining crossed $1 billion worldwide, becoming the second billion‑dollar film of 2025. Marvel Slate: Three MCU releases, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Thunderbolts, and Captain America: Brave New World, together generated over $1.3 billion.

Other contributors included Predator: Badlands, which became the highest-grossing entry in its 38-year-old franchise. Even smaller titles like Freakier Friday added a combined $153.1 million to the total pot.

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This consistent success across multiple franchises illustrates the enduring appeal of the studio's diverse cinematic library.

The 2025 performance represents the most significant box office showing for the studio since its record-breaking 2019 run. During that peak year, the studio achieved an all-time high of $13.1 billion in global revenue.

That remains the only time a major motion picture studio has ever crossed the $10 billion threshold. As the industry looks toward 2026, Disney remains the most anticipated source of scripted shows and theatrical releases.

The current year has proven that audiences will still show up in massive numbers for high-quality sequels and established universes. Disney released 16 wide-release titles, leaning heavily on established IPs (sequels, animated franchises, and Marvel) while still sprinkling in a few originals (e.g., Elio, Tron : Ares) that contributed modestly. The studio remains the undisputed leader of the global theatrical landscape.

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