Which film character achieved the highest worldwide box office success in 2025?
- The most globally popular character from a Hollywood-distributed film was Lilo (Lilo & Stitch), portrayed by the film’s lead young actress, in the live-action Disney adaptation Lilo & Stitch, which crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide.
Who portrayed the lead superhero in the major new MCU debut that was among the year’s top-grossing films?
- The Human Torch (or a similar lead member of the team) was portrayed by actor Joseph Quinn in the blockbuster film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was a major summer hit.
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What veteran action star completed a highly-anticipated sequel with his popular spy role?
- Ethan Hunt was reprised by actor Tom Cruise in the eighth installment of the franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which was one of the highest-grossing action films of the year.
Which actress was critically acclaimed and won the Best Actress Oscar for her intense lead role in a dark comedy?
- Ani, a New York sex worker, was portrayed by actress Mikey Madison in the critically acclaimed film Anora, a performance that garnered her the Academy Award.
Which beloved fictional bear returned to theaters in a successful family sequel?
- Paddington Bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) was the star of the third live-action installment, Paddington in Peru, which was a huge family hit early in the year.
Who was the lead actor playing a young, iconic musician in the biggest musical biopic of the year?
- Bob Dylan was played by Timothée Chalamet in the biopic A Complete Unknown, a role that generated significant awards buzz and praise for Chalamet’s performance.
What highly-anticipated character did David Corenswet successfully debut in a major comic book film?
- The character Superman was officially introduced by David Corenswet in the summer superhero release, Superman, generating enormous fan and media attention.
Which streaming TV series about a charismatic investigator was one of the most-watched shows of the 2024-2025 season?
- The main character, Jack Reacher, was once again portrayed by Alan Ritchson in the Amazon Prime Video series Reacher, which remained a dominant streaming success.
Which popular returning Netflix fantasy show featured a major cast change for its lead character?
- Geralt of Rivia was played by new actor Liam Hemsworth in the fourth season of The Witcher, making this character one of the most talked-about roles of the Fall.
What major actress returned to play the lead character in a new chapter of a popular romantic comedy film franchise?
- Bridget Jones was reprised by Renée Zellweger in the film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which was a notable film for the returning character and actress.