The box office landscape of 2024 brought its fair share of unexpected outcomes, from the surprising success of Terrifier 3 to the shocking underperformance of Joker: Folie à Deux. Following the momentum generated by the Barbenheimer phenomenon in 2023, the theatrical revenue took another downturn this year. Nevertheless, blockbuster titles such as Wicked, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine provided a lifeline for cinemas struggling to attract audiences. Some films that struggled in theaters still found a second life on streaming platforms after their initial runs.
While some box office outcomes were anticipated, such as the failures of Borderlands and Kraven the Hunter, their bleak projections were evident from the start due to lackluster marketing and production issues. On the flip side, franchises like Kung Fu Panda and Sonic the Hedgehog continued their successful streaks, reassuring fans and studios alike. Still, the 2024 box office was filled with twists that surprised many.
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Joker: Two-Faced Madness Significant Box Office Defeat
In stark contrast to its predecessor, Joker: Folie à Deux emerged as a box office disappointment after setting a high bar with the original film’s success of over $1 billion in 2019. Directed by Todd Phillips and featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the sequel’s significant budget of $190 million was anticipated to yield similar financial returns. However, critics and audiences alike found themselves divided, leading to a lukewarm box office take of just $206,102,722 (The Numbers), far below expectations.
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It Ends With Us Achieves a Remarkable $350 Million
The trend of mid-budget adult films suffered greatly as more productions shifted to streaming. However, It Ends with Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, challenged this trend by achieving a remarkable box office gross of $350,993,761 (Box Office Mojo). This intimate drama about toxic relationships thrived among blockbuster competitors, suggesting a potential resurgence for adult-themed films.
8
Pixar’s Inside Out 2 Shatters Animated Film Records
After facing setbacks with previous releases, Inside Out 2 reestablished Pixar as a powerhouse at the box office. Outpacing all prior animated films, it secured over $1.6 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever. This sequel’s ability to engage both children and adults contributed to its record-breaking success, almost doubling the earnings of the original.
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8 of the Top 10 Highest-Grossing Films of 2024 Were Sequels
The trend of sequels dominating the box office continued, with eight out of the ten highest-grossing films in 2024 being sequels, including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Despicable Me 4, and Dune: Part Two. This overwhelming presence of sequels reflects a market increasingly reliant on established franchises.
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Dune: Part Two Surpasses $700 Million
Despite the challenges faced by the first film, Dune: Part Two surprised skeptics by grossing over $714 million globally, demonstrating its appeal. This epic saga, rich in political content, resonated with international audiences, particularly due to its stunning visual effects meant for the large screen design.
5
Deadpool & Wolverine Sets New R-Rated Box Office Record
Deadpool & Wolverine broke barriers by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever, raking in $1,338,071,348 (The Numbers). This film’s successful partnership of beloved characters revived enthusiasm for the R-rated superhero genre amidst previous Marvel disappointments.
4
Terrifier 3 Becomes the Highest-Grossing Unrated Movie Ever
In a surprised turn of events, Terrifier 3 grossed $89,754,227 worldwide (Box Office Mojo), making it the highest-grossing unrated film ever. The film’s notorious gore and shocking scenes attracted a dedicated fanbase, ensuring its place in box office history.
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Underperformed, Despite Critical Acclaim
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga garnered critical acclaim but barely broke even, earning only $172,714,623 against a $168 million budget. Factors like a lengthy gap since its predecessor and niche appeal contributed to its disappointing box office return.
2
Moana 2 Achieves Incredible Box Office Success
Amidst controversy surrounding its last-minute transition to a theatrical release, Moana 2 carved out a strong presence at the box office, grossing $960,937,374 (Box Office Mojo). Despite criticisms of its rushed development, the dedicated fanbase drove its financial success.
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Longlegs Emerges as the Highest-Grossing Independent Film of 2024
Due to an innovative viral marketing strategy, Osgood Perkins’ chilling film Longlegs captivated audiences, grossing $126,942,386 on a modest budget of under $10 million (Box Office Mojo). This success positioned it as the highest-grossing independent film of the year, thanks to a carefully crafted sense of mystery that surrounded its release.
For more insights into the box office phenomena of 2024, visit Screen Rant.
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