Ready for some box office gossip? Let’s dive into the top Hollywood films of 2024 that made our jaws drop, broke records, and probably made their producers very, very happy. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of billion-dollar action coming your way!
Inside Out 2: Pixar’s Emotional Rollercoaster
Alright, first up, let’s talk about the movie that made us cry, laugh, and rethink all our childhood traumas (again). Inside Out 2 is now officially the highest-grossing animated film of all time, knocking The Lion King off its throne. Yes, you heard that right! With a mind-boggling $1.698 billion worldwide, this movie didn’t just break records—it crushed them.
Oh, and guess what? It’s now the 8th highest-grossing film of all time across all genres. That’s some serious bragging rights for Joy and the gang. Not to mention, it’s the fastest animated film ever to hit the $1 billion mark. Take that, Zootopia!
Fun fact: the Inside Out franchise has now grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide. That’s a lot of emotions… and cash. With a budget of $200 million, the ROI is making accountants everywhere weep with joy (or maybe Disgust?).
Deadpool & Wolverine: R-Rated Shenanigans
If you thought Deadpool couldn’t get any crazier, throw Wolverine into the mix. Deadpool & Wolverine didn’t just rake in laughs and gasps—it raked in cash. A cool $1.338 billion worldwide to be exact, making it the 55th film ever to cross the $1 billion mark. Oh, and did I mention it had the highest-grossing opening weekend for an R-rated film EVER?
This dynamic duo also dethroned Joker (2019) to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. And in case you were wondering, it’s the first R-rated film since Joker to join the billion-dollar club. Go, team chaos!
And let’s not forget, Deadpool & Wolverine pushed the Marvel Cinematic Universe to new heights. The MCU is now the first franchise to gross both $30 billion and $31 billion. Somebody call Kevin Feige; he’s probably doing a victory dance right now.
Despicable Me 4: The Minions Keep Winning
Those adorable yellow Minions are back at it again, and they’re unstoppable. With Despicable Me 4, the franchise became the first animated film series to gross $5 billion worldwide. This installment alone pulled in a respectable $969 million globally on a modest $100 million budget. Talk about efficiency!
The Minions might not speak English, but their box office numbers sure do speak loud and clear.
Moana 2: Back to the Ocean
Disney’s Polynesian princess sailed back into our hearts with Moana 2, raking in $790 million globally. While it didn’t hit the billion-dollar mark on its own, the Moana series as a whole has now surpassed $1 billion. With stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, it’s no surprise this sequel made waves at the box office.
Dune: Part Two: The Spice Keeps Flowing
Sci-fi lovers, rejoice! Dune: Part Two took us back to Arrakis and racked up $714 million worldwide. Not bad for a $190 million budget. With this sequel, the Dune series officially joined the billion-dollar club. Who knew sandworms could be so lucrative?
Honorable Mentions: The Best of the Rest
Not every film can crack the billion-dollar ceiling, but these blockbusters still deserve a shoutout:
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire: A monstrous $571 million worldwide. Titans battling it out? Yes, please.
- Wicked: With a magical $571 million, this adaptation of the beloved musical soared high.
- Kung Fu Panda 4: Our favorite kung fu-loving panda brought in $547 million. Skadoosh!
Wrapping It Up
2024 was an epic year for Hollywood, filled with record-breaking numbers, surprising comebacks, and a whole lot of sequels (because, hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). Whether it’s animated adventures, superhero shenanigans, or sci-fi epics, there’s no denying that movies still have the power to bring us together—and make studios a ton of money.
So, what’s next? With these numbers, 2025 has some pretty big shoes to fill. But one thing’s for sure: we’ll be there, popcorn in hand, ready to watch the magic unfold.
