The 15 Highest-Grossing Movies Of 2024

As someone who grew up with these iconic characters gracing our screens and storybooks, it’s truly astounding to witness their continued success in 2024! From the action-packed adventures of Deadpool & Wolverine to the heartwarming journey inside Riley’s mind once more with Inside Out 2, these movies have captured our hearts and wallets alike.

With the global box office gradually bouncing back from the aftereffects of the pandemic and facing fierce competition from streaming platforms, each success becomes crucial for both film studios and cinema owners. In 2023, the double impact of “Barbenheimer” managed to rekindle moviegoers’ enthusiasm, making films a much-anticipated experience once again. This renewed excitement carried over into 2024, filling both studios and audiences with optimism.

In 2024, we didn’t produce a movie equivalent of “Barbenheimer”, but instead, we were treated to numerous blockbusters. These included anticipated sequels for cherished family films, catastrophic movies, historical swords and sandals epics, and an unprecedented superhero crossover event. Moreover, movies like “Wicked” and “Moana 2” are still playing in theaters, contributing to a steadily increasing box office revenue.

Among the numerous blockbusters of 2024, which movie reigned supreme? With “Inside Out 2,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Gladiator II,” and many others gracing our screens, any one of them could have claimed the title of box office king. Here you’ll find the top 15 highest-grossing films worldwide in 2024.

15. Alien: Romulus

Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux
Director: Fede Álvarez
Rating: R
Runtime: 119 minutes
Where to Watch: Hulu

The upcoming “Alien: Romulus” movie, released since 2017 and following the 2007 “Alien” film, marked a change in directors from Ridley Scott. Fans had high expectations for this installment, similar to how “Prey” revitalized the “Predator” series. Director Fede Álvarez, known for horror successes like “Evil Dead” and “Don’t Breathe,” seemed well-equipped to deliver on those expectations. His background hinted that the franchise would revisit its horror origins, while the film’s timeframe between the original “Alien” (1979) and “Aliens” (1986) promised a sci-fi tribute steeped in nostalgia.

The outcome was a formula for substantial triumph for “Romulus.” Kicking off with a $42 million opening weekend in North America, the movie later amassed over $105 million domestically. The international box office surpassed this figure significantly, contributing approximately $245 million, making a grand total of $350.8 million, with $110 million coming from China alone. This demonstrates that there remains interest in “Alien” movies, indicating a high possibility that we’ll witness more Xenomorphs on the big screen in the time to come.

14. Gladiator II

Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington
Director: Ridley Scott
Rating: R
Runtime: 148 minutes
Where to Watch: In theaters

At the dawn of the new millennium, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” became one of the most significant films of its time. It garnered global box office triumph and eventually received the prestigious Oscar for Best Picture. Given this success, it was logical to assume that the anticipated sequel, “Gladiator II,” would already have a dedicated fanbase, and this following expanded with the inclusion of renowned actor Denzel Washington, who had previously won an Oscar, as well as Paul Mescal, a promising new talent making his debut in an epic film.

The success of “Gladiator II” was significantly boosted by the stars and Scott’s talent for epic historical filmmaking. In its opening weekend in North America, it earned a strong $55 million, second only to “Wicked.” Domestically, it has accumulated over $132 million so far, and when combined with international earnings, the total stands at an impressive $369.7 million. The film’s box office journey is not yet complete.

13. Twisters

Cast: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 122 minutes
Where to Watch: Peacock

Similar to its forerunner, the 1996 blockbuster “Twister,” the movie “Twisters” adopted a tried-and-true approach that featured an impressive ensemble cast, a pair of romantic leads, and plenty of thrilling excitement. This formula is hard to copy, but with Glen Powell (currently enjoying his peak moment) and Daisy Edgar-Jones demonstrating the necessary chemistry, and Lee Isaac Chung skillfully balancing action and storytelling about the relentless fury of nature, the film was able to maintain its momentum while delivering a captivating tale.

Due to its playful atmosphere and deep affection for the initial movie, the sequel “Twisters” had a successful debut in July, earning an impressive $81 million during its first North American weekend. This eventually climbed up to a domestic total of approximately $267 million. On top of this, it made over $100 million internationally, bringing its global earnings close to $371 million. With such high profits, there’s speculation that we might see “Twisters 2” sometime in the future.

12. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand
Director: Wes Ball
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 145 minutes
Where to Watch: Hulu

The seven-year interval between the “Planet of the Apes” films didn’t hinder director Wes Ball’s progress on “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” This movie, set after “War for the Planet of the Apes,” introduced a world predominantly governed by apes for the first time in the rebooted series, offering a visual effects extravaganza unlike any other this year.

The impressive motion capture technology used in the movie undoubtedly attracted viewers, but it was the compelling story that sealed the deal, resulting in favorable critic reviews and widespread word-of-mouth recommendations. This led to an astounding $58 million opening weekend in May, and domestically, the film ultimately earned $171 million, with even greater profits internationally, totaling $397 million by the end of its box office run.

11. Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens
Director: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Rating: R
Runtime: 115 minutes
Where to Watch: Netflix

The movie “Bad Boys for Life,” released in early 2020, demonstrated that viewers continued to crave the escapades of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s unorthodox cop duo. Consequently, another film was inevitable, and in 2024, we received it: “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” This installment placed Smith and Lawrence on yet another life-threatening mission to protect their families from ruthless adversaries.

It’s quite understandable why this movie became so popular. Smith, who is now an Oscar-winning actor as well as a movie star, had a significant moment in action cinema with this film. Meanwhile, Lawrence demonstrated that he hasn’t lost his comedic touch. Their on-screen chemistry is unrivaled in the genre. The anticipation built up when trailers were released was palpable, attracting buzz from both hardcore genre fans and casual viewers. This hype led to a massive opening weekend of $56 million and eventually a worldwide gross exceeding $404 million.

10. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 104 minutes
Where to Watch: Max

For years, discussions about a sequel to Tim Burton’s dark comedy masterpiece “Beetlejuice” have been buzzing among fans and filmmakers alike. When the announcement of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” finally came, it benefited greatly from the built-up excitement. However, simply being recognizable wasn’t enough to guarantee such a massive success at the box office.

To delve into this, we need to look at the main cast. The movie boasts a reunited pair, Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, who have been experiencing career resurgences recently. Catherine O’Hara, whose fame has been revitalized by her popular TV show “Schitt’s Creek,” is also part of the ensemble. Additionally, Jenna Ortega, who garnered a huge fanbase with “Wednesday” and continued her partnership with Burton, graces our screens here. Given this star-studded cast, it’s no wonder audiences couldn’t resist, as evidenced by its impressive $111 million opening weekend and eventual worldwide earnings of $451 million. So, could “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” be next?

9. Wicked

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh
Director: Jon M. Chu
Rating: PG
Runtime: 160 minutes
Where to Watch: In theaters

Certain films are destined to do well at the box office not just because they’re sequels or part of larger series, but due to their exceptional source material that is deeply cherished by many. This was true for “Wicked,” the initial installment in a two-part movie adaptation based on the famous Broadway musical with the same title. Ever since its debut over 20 years ago, “Wicked” has been captivating stages worldwide, making it clear to anticipate massive attendance at the Thanksgiving release of “Wicked.

In its debut weekend in November, “Wicked” made a swift start, earning an impressive $112.5 million in the U.S., surpassing “Gladiator II.” However, this was merely the opening act. To date, with less than a month in theaters, “Wicked” has already grossed an astounding $325 million in the U.S. alone, and over $460 million globally, leaving plenty of potential for further success at the box office.

8. Venom: The Last Dance

Cast: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple
Director: Kelly Marcel
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 110 minutes
Where to Watch: VOD

Despite Sony’s less successful Spider-Man spinoff movies, “Venom” has been a significant financial success for the studio, which we didn’t doubt given its place as the final film in the trilogy. Starring Tom Hardy alongside an alien symbiote who inhabits his body on their last adventure to save the world from other symbiotes, “Venom: The Last Dance” delivered the same peculiar, action-packed entertainment that marked the earlier films, and fans were eagerly anticipating it.

In October, “The Last Dance” made a grand return, raking in an impressive $51 million during its opening weekend domestically. This eventually climbed up to a staggering $139 million within U.S. borders. Overseas, it surpassed these figures, earning a massive $333 million worldwide. When all was said and done, the film had amassed a total of almost $473 million – a strong finish for Eddie and Venom.

7. Kung Fu Panda 4

Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis
Director: Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine
Rating: PG
Runtime: 94 minutes
Where to Watch: Netflix

Fans of Po the lovable kung fu warrior, voiced by Jack Black, have been eagerly awaiting new installments since 2008. The films and series within the franchise have remained popular choices for families, so it’s no surprise that “Kung Fu Panda 4” was highly anticipated. However, this wasn’t just another film in the series; it marked an eight-year gap, the longest between releases in the franchise to date. The excitement was palpable, and the box office numbers confirmed the enthusiasm of fans.

In March, “Kung Fu Panda 4” showed strong performance by earning about $58 million during its opening weekend. Not only did it maintain its success domestically and internationally, but it also went on to amass impressive earnings. The movie collected approximately $193 million in North America and nearly $355 million overseas, making a total of $547 million. This was the first film on the list to surpass half a billion dollars in sales for the year.

6. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Bryan Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens
Director: Adam Wingard
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 115 minutes
Where to Watch: Max

2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the “Monsterverse” series, which started with Gareth Edwards’ “Godzilla”. To celebrate this milestone, they delivered a spectacular spectacle titled “Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire”. This latest installment in the increasingly grand confrontations between Earth’s titans showcased an epic battle between two legendary monsters, with audiences worldwide eagerly flocking to cinemas to witness this colossal clash of titans.

At home and in North America, “The New Empire” initially grossed $80 million in March, followed by an additional $196 million. While this domestic total was impressive, it was overshadowed by the film’s international earnings, which soared to a staggering $375 million, contributing to a grand total of $571 million worldwide. The Monsterverse continues to thrive, as audiences eagerly anticipate each new Godzilla and Kong adventure.

5. Moana 2

Cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rose Matafeo
Director: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller
Rating: PG
Runtime: 100 minutes
Where to Watch: In theaters

The upcoming film “Moana 2” is anticipated to be a massive success from the moment it was announced, following closely behind “Frozen” in terms of significant cultural influence within Disney animation over the past two decades. With eight years passing since the original release, fans have eagerly awaited additional adventures with Moana.

With hunger for more entertainment and the timing of its release on Thanksgiving, the second installment in the series raked in an astounding $139 million during its opening weekend. In just under two weeks since its worldwide debut, it’s already earned over $600 million. Given this impressive start, it’s likely that “Moana 2” will surpass the billion-dollar mark by the end of its time at the box office.

4. Dune: Part Two

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 166 minutes
Where to Watch: Max

Given the immense success of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” in 2021, it’s logical to expect its sequel to be highly anticipated in its release year as well. The rising fame of stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya since the first film has further fueled excitement. With an impressive cast including newcomer Austin Butler, there was little chance this movie wouldn’t make a splash.

Absolutely, let me rephrase that for you: The sequel “Dune: Part Two” truly delivered on its promise as it raked in an impressive $82 million upon release in the spring. In total, it amassed a domestic revenue of $282 million throughout its run. Adding to this, its international earnings surpassed $400 million, culminating in a staggering worldwide gross of approximately $714 million.

3. Despicable Me 4

Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Joey King
Director: Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage
Rating: PG
Runtime: 94 minutes
Where to Watch: Peacock

It’s been quite some time since we last saw a main installment in the “Despicable Me” series, but the gap between “Despicable Me 3” and now hasn’t seemed to slow down its popularity. This is largely due to the successful “Minions” spinoff movies and the widespread appeal of the Minions as merchandise items. You can’t go anywhere without seeing them, and they played an even more significant role in the plot of “Despicable Me 4.

The combination of its popular predecessors and positive reception paved the way for “Despicable Me 4” to achieve box office success from day one. It raked in $75 million over the July 4th weekend in North America, eventually earning $361 million domestically. However, its international earnings surpassed this figure significantly, totaling over $600 million. With half a billion dollars earned internationally alone, the movie’s global earnings reached $969 million, barely missing the billion-dollar mark. Quite impressive for a reformed supervillain!

2. Deadpool & Wolverine

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: R
Runtime: 128 minutes
Where to Watch: Disney+

Since the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” there hasn’t been such eager anticipation for a superhero film as there is now for “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The return of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is already enough to spark excitement, but with Hugh Jackman coming back from retirement to reprise his role as Wolverine, it’s a match made in cinematic heaven. It’s safe to say that fans won’t want to miss this blockbuster.

Immediately after its July release, the film attracted eager audiences who made it a blockbuster hit, earning $211 million on opening day alone. As it continued its run, the movie raked in $636 million in North America and an additional $1.33 billion globally, surpassing “Joker” to hold the title of highest-grossing R-rated film ever made. In other words, Deadpool has left a lasting impact on the film industry, and we can expect more disruptions from him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

1. Inside Out 2

Cast: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman
Director: Kelsey Mann
Rating: PG
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to Watch: Disney+

Approaching a full decade has passed since the release of “Inside Out”, a heartwarming masterpiece from Pixar Animation Studios that quickly became one of their most treasured and critically acclaimed films. While it may not have seemed like “Inside Out” would share the same franchise potential as blockbusters like “Toy Story” initially, time has proven to be exceptionally favorable to this film. Over the last nine years, families have enjoyed watching it together, sharing its journey as they grew up with the story. Consequently, when “Inside Out 2” hit theaters in summer 2024, it had already built a strong foundation for success.

Initially, nobody anticipated the sheer magnitude of “Inside Out 2″‘s success. Following a staggering $154 million debut weekend, it surpassed all expectations and emerged as Pixar’s most financially successful film in North America, raking in approximately $653 million. The international box office added over a billion dollars to its total earnings, resulting in a global gross of $1.69 billion. This made “Inside Out 2” not only the highest-grossing Pixar film ever but also the highest-grossing animated film in movie history. It’s no surprise that it holds the title of the highest-grossing film of 2024.

2024-12-13 15:31