The latest official figures published by the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit show that film and high-end TV production spend in the UK was £6.8 billion in 2025, a 22% increase on 2024’s first reported figures, demonstrating the sector has “regained solid momentum” and continues to generate billions for the UK economy.
The majority of the total £6.8 billion production spend was contributed by HETV, which accounted for £4 billion (59% of the total spend), which is up 17% on 2024 figures and the third highest since the introduction of the tax relief.
Feature film production contributed £2.8 billion (41% of the total spend), which is up 31% on 2024 figures and the highest annual spend on record.
Inward investment films and HETV shows combined delivered £5.8 billion, or 85% of the combined production spend, continuing to demonstrate the UK’s global reputation as the world-leading centre for international film and TV production.
Across film and HETV, the total number of productions in 2025 is lower than in recent years but the spend is higher.
HETV co-productions accounted for more than four times the amount first reported for 2024 (£20 million), and the highest amount of coproduction spend since the introduction of HETV Tax Relief.
The UK Box Office generated £996.8 million in 2025, up 2% on 2024 and down 21% on 2019. This was from 123.5 million admissions, 2% lower than 2024.
A Minecraft Movie was the highest earning release at the UK and ROI box office with £56.9 million, and UK-shot films in the top 10 were Wicked: For Good at number two (£47 million), Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy at number three (£46.4 million), Jurassic World Rebirth at six (£36.1 million), Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at nine (£26.4 million) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps at 10 (£24 million).
The top five UK independent films at the UK and ROI box office in 2025 were The Roses (£10.3 million), We Live in Time (£8.8 million), The Salt Path (£8.1 million), I Swear (£6.1 million) and The Choral (£4.2 million).
The market share of UK independent films was 6.8%, compared with 6.9% in 2024.
Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, added: “Today’s figures demonstrate the UK’s film and TV industries continue to drive a huge amount of investment into the UK economy and create jobs.
“We attract some of the most ambitious projects and leading international names to make work in the UK, while our creativity remains one of our greatest exports.
“Productions led by UK talent in front or behind the camera, and those which showcase our renowned and technically skilled crews, consistently attract audiences at home and across the globe.
“This has seen Wicked: For Good and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy leading the UK box office, and titles such as The Roses, We Live in Time and awards front-runners including Pillion, I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island helping to hold our market share steady.”
He continued: “Audiences have shown a strong appetite for cinemagoing, but our domestic industry remains under pressure.
“There are encouraging signs thanks in part to the Independent Film Tax Relief and the significant increase in budget for UK Global Screen Fund, but access to finance is an acute challenge.
“We continue to be focused on working closely with industry and Government to further advocate for investment in skills, infrastructure, creativity and innovation across the UK so we can remain attractive to international productions and strengthen our independent sector.”
