While the cultural phenomenon known as Barbenheimer dominated the box office landscape in 2023, the following year—2024—emerged as another vibrant chapter for the film industry. This year saw a plethora of blockbusters, sequels, and notable adaptations gracing cinema screens, captivating both domestic and international audiences. Nonetheless, the heavy reliance on sequels over original storytelling raises concerns about the creative direction of the film industry moving forward.
Despite some surprising outcomes, such as the underwhelming performance of Joker: Folie à Deux, the year showcased incredible success for sequels. In fact, eight out of the top ten highest-grossing films were sequels, highlighting a continuing trend in cinematic storytelling.
10 Venom: The Last Dance
$476.8 Million
As the concluding chapter of the Venom trilogy, Venom: The Last Dance features Tom Hardy reprising his role as Eddie Brock, a journalist symbiotically linked to the alien Venom. This film emerged with a worldwide gross of $476.8 million, including $139.7 million domestically, continuing the exhilarating saga of Eddie and Venom filled with thrilling action and humor. A standout performer in this film is Peggy Lu, reprising her role as Mrs. Chen, who adds warmth to the narrative.
9 YOLO
$479.5 Million
YOLO, a heartwarming Chinese comedy-drama adapted from the Japanese film 100 Yen Love, focuses on Du Leying (Jia Ling), a woman seeking to rekindle her life’s purpose. Following a decade of isolation, Leying embarks on a transformative journey in boxing, ultimately navigating romantic entanglements and reconnecting with estranged family members. Released on February 10, 2024, the film grossed over $479 million globally, distinctively marking itself as the sole original film in the top ten highest-grossing films of the year.
8 Kung Fu Panda 4
$547.6 Million
Returning to the screen with Kung Fu Panda 4, audiences followed Po (voiced by Jack Black) as he embarks on a journey towards becoming the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. The film brings back fan-favorite villain Tai Lung and introduces a new shapeshifting adversary, The Chameleon (Viola Davis). Released on March 8, the film grossed over $547 million internationally, leading to talks of a potential fifth installment following its success.
7 Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
$571.7 Million
The action-packed Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire showcased the iconic monsters reuniting to confront a new threat, Skar King. The film, a sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, grossed $571 million worldwide since its March 29 release and holds the record as the highest-grossing film in the storied Monsterverse franchise, with plans for a sequel already slated for March 2027.
6 Wicked
$681.2 Million
Wicked, based on the beloved musical, attracted massive recognition and acclaim. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the film portrays the early friendship between Elphaba and Galinda in the magical land of Oz, grossing over $681 million worldwide. This adaptation not only became the highest-grossing musical film of all time but also generated excitement for its sequel, Wicked: For Good, set to debut in 2025.
5 Dune: Part 2
$714.4 Million
Dune: Part 2 delivered a visually stunning continuation of Frank Herbert’s epic saga, where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) continues his journey on the desert planet of Arrakis. This sequel achieved remarkable success, grossing $714 million globally and $282 million domestically, further solidifying the franchise’s place in film history with the prospect of a trilogy in the works.
4 Seas 2
$960.5 Million
The animated sequel Moana 2 picks up three years after the original, where Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) is determined to retrieve the sunken island of Motufetu. This undersea adventure captivated audiences, grossing over $960 million worldwide, surpassing its predecessor’s earnings, and becoming a highly awaited addition to Disney’s animated catalog.
3 Despicable Me 4
$969.1 Million
Despicable Me 4 continues the adventures of reformed supervillain Gru (Steve Carell), unveiling a new narrative where his past rivals threaten his family’s safety. The film was released on July 3, grossing over $969 million globally, solidifying its legacy within the franchise and showcasing the enduring popularity of its beloved characters.
2 Deadpool & Wolverine
$1.338 Billion
The action-packed Deadpool & Wolverine follows the dynamic duo of Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) as they tackle multiversal chaos. Released on July 26, this entry became an instant box-office sensation, earning $1.338 billion worldwide, thus attaining the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film ever and illustrating the immense fan anticipation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1 Inside Out 2
$1.698 Billion
The highly anticipated sequel, Inside Out 2, delves into the complex emotional landscape of teenager Riley Anderson (Kensington Tallman) during her high school years. Bringing back beloved voice talents along with new characters like Anxiety (Maya Hawke) and Envy (Ayo Edebiri), the film grossed an astounding $1.698 billion globally, marking it as the top-grossing animated movie to date and further solidifying Pixar’s place as a leader in innovative storytelling.
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