The weekend box office results for December 26–28 reflect a powerful holiday surge across U.S. theaters, with blockbuster releases, family films, and surprise performers drawing steady crowds nationwide. As the final full weekend of the year unfolded, audiences returned to cinemas in large numbers, turning the post-Christmas frame into one of the strongest box office periods of 2025.
This weekend showcased how strategic holiday timing, franchise strength, and genre variety combined to fuel ticket sales. From massive tentpole releases to mid-budget standouts, the latest numbers provide a clear snapshot of where theatrical momentum stands as the industry heads into the new year.
Table of Contents
Top Weekend Box Office Results in the United States
The following films ranked highest in domestic earnings during the December 26–28 weekend. These totals represent estimated U.S. theatrical performance and reflect confirmed weekend trends.
| Rank | Film Title | Weekend Gross | Theater Count | Total Domestic Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | $64 million | 3,800 | $217.7 million |
| 2 | Zootopia 2 | $20 million | 3,370 | $321.4 million |
| 3 | Marty Supreme | $17.5 million | 2,668 | $28.3 million |
| 4 | The Housemaid | $15.4 million | 3,042 | $46.5 million |
| 5 | David | $12.7 million | 3,118 | $49.7 million |
| 6 | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants | $11.2 million | 3,570 | $38.2 million |
| 7 | Wicked: For Good | $5.26 million | 2,008 | $331.6 million |
| 8 | Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 | $4.4 million | 2,280 | $118.9 million |
These figures underline how competitive the holiday marketplace remains, even as multiple films continue deep into their theatrical runs.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Dominates the Weekend Box Office Results
Avatar: Fire and Ash once again secured the top position in the weekend box office results, reinforcing its status as the season’s leading theatrical attraction. The film generated an estimated $64 million during the weekend, maintaining momentum fueled by premium-format screenings and repeat viewership.
With its domestic total surpassing $217 million, the film stands among the highest-grossing releases of the year in the United States. Holiday scheduling has played a significant role in its sustained performance, as audiences continue to choose large-scale cinematic experiences during extended breaks.
The film’s success highlights the enduring appeal of immersive franchises and visually driven storytelling when paired with strategic release timing.
Zootopia 2 Continues Strong Holiday Run
Disney’s Zootopia 2 remained firmly in second place among the weekend box office results, adding approximately $20 million to its already impressive domestic total. The animated sequel has now crossed $321 million in U.S. earnings, confirming its long-term appeal.
Family audiences continue to be the backbone of its success. School vacations and holiday outings have extended the film’s theatrical life well beyond its opening weeks. Rather than relying on a sharp debut, Zootopia 2 has benefited from steady attendance and positive audience reception.
Its performance reinforces the importance of animated releases during the holiday season, when multigenerational audiences often choose theaters as shared entertainment.
Marty Supreme Emerges as a Holiday Breakout
One of the most notable stories in the weekend box office results is the performance of Marty Supreme. The sports-themed comedy landed in third place with an estimated $17.5 million weekend gross, outperforming expectations for a mid-budget release.
The film’s strong per-theater averages suggest high audience engagement, particularly among viewers looking for alternatives to franchise blockbusters. Its early domestic total of $28.3 million signals strong word-of-mouth potential heading into January.
Marty Supreme demonstrates that original concepts can still thrive during competitive release windows when paired with effective positioning and timely release dates.
The Housemaid Maintains Momentum
The Housemaid continued its solid theatrical run, earning roughly $15.4 million during the weekend. With a domestic total approaching $47 million, the thriller has proven to be a consistent draw for adult audiences.
The film’s performance highlights demand for genre-driven stories that offer contrast to family-focused and effects-heavy releases. Its steady hold from previous weekends indicates sustained interest rather than front-loaded attendance.
As the holiday season continues, The Housemaid remains a strong option for moviegoers seeking suspense-driven entertainment.
David Delivers Consistent Results
The faith-based drama David earned an estimated $12.7 million over the weekend, pushing its domestic total close to $50 million. The film has shown notable consistency, supported by targeted audience engagement and steady turnout.
Its placement within the weekend box office results reflects how specialized releases can perform strongly when aligned with audience demand and holiday availability. Rather than peaking quickly, David has built momentum through repeat attendance and community support.
This steady performance places the film among the most reliable mid-range earners of the holiday frame.
Family Films Continue to Attract Audiences
Family-oriented titles remained an important component of the weekend box office results.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
The latest SpongeBob installment earned approximately $11.2 million during the weekend, bringing its domestic total above $38 million. The film continues to benefit from strong brand recognition and appeal to younger viewers.
Families with children remain a key demographic during school breaks, and animated releases such as this one often see extended theatrical legs through early January.
Wicked: For Good Shows Remarkable Longevity
Wicked: For Good continued its extended theatrical run, adding over $5 million to its total and pushing its domestic gross beyond $331 million. The musical adaptation has demonstrated exceptional staying power, remaining relevant well after its initial release.
Repeat viewings, strong fan engagement, and broad demographic appeal have helped sustain its presence in the weekend box office results. Its success illustrates how musical adaptations can perform strongly when supported by loyal audiences.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Holds Steady
The horror sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 remained in the top tier of performers, earning approximately $4.4 million during the weekend. With a domestic total nearing $119 million, the film continues to attract genre fans weeks after release.
The franchise’s dedicated audience base has contributed to its stable performance, even as newer releases enter the market. Horror titles often experience sharp drop-offs, making this sustained run particularly notable.
Holiday Timing Drives Box Office Strength
The latest weekend box office results clearly reflect the influence of holiday timing on theatrical performance. The period between Christmas and New Year’s consistently ranks among the most profitable frames of the year.
Several factors contribute to this trend:
- Extended school and workplace breaks
- Increased family gatherings
- Traditional holiday moviegoing habits
- Strategic studio release schedules
This combination creates an environment where multiple films can thrive simultaneously, rather than competing for limited attention.
Genre Diversity Shapes the Weekend Box Office Results
Another defining feature of this weekend’s box office landscape is the wide range of genres represented among top performers.
Audiences supported:
- Large-scale science fiction
- Animated family adventures
- Sports comedies
- Thrillers
- Faith-based dramas
- Musicals
- Horror sequels
This diversity suggests that moviegoers are seeking varied experiences and that theaters benefit from offering broad programming during high-traffic periods.
Franchise Strength Remains a Key Driver
Established franchises once again played a central role in the weekend box office results. Films connected to recognizable brands continue to outperform original properties in most wide-release scenarios.
However, the success of Marty Supreme shows that originality can still break through when supported by strong audience response and favorable timing.
The balance between franchises and fresh concepts remains critical for long-term box office health.
What the Weekend Box Office Results Say About the Market
As 2025 draws to a close, the domestic box office reflects a market that has regained stability and confidence.
Key indicators include:
- Multiple films surpassing major domestic milestones
- Strong holiday attendance across demographics
- Sustained theatrical runs beyond opening weekends
- Balanced performance between blockbusters and mid-range releases
These trends suggest a positive outlook for theatrical releases heading into early 2026.
Looking Ahead to Early 2026
The momentum from these weekend box office results is expected to carry into the first weeks of the new year. While January typically brings lower totals, strong holdovers from December often soften the post-holiday slowdown.
Family films, musicals, and well-received releases are likely to remain in theaters well into January, maintaining steady attendance as new titles enter the marketplace.
Final Takeaways From the Weekend Box Office Results
- Avatar: Fire and Ash remained the dominant release.
- Zootopia 2 continued its exceptional holiday run.
- Marty Supreme emerged as a standout non-franchise success.
- Mid-range and genre films delivered reliable earnings.
- Holiday timing boosted overall attendance.
The weekend box office results underscore the continued importance of theaters as a centerpiece of holiday entertainment in the United States.
Which movie did you catch this weekend? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for the next box office update.