The 10 highest-grossing fantasy movies of all time

Traditional fantasy movies have struggled to outperform some of fantasy’s biggest subgenres at the box office, but The highest-grossing straightforward fantasy movies of all time are still high up on the overall list. The highest-grossing movies of all time usually earn this status through a combination of cultural spectacle and event as well as storytelling that is actually good. However, these days all kinds of movies are struggling at the box office due to the expectation that they will be available for streaming soon enough.

Disney has so many upcoming live-action remakes because the movies have actually done very well at the box office, despite mixed critical reviews. In fact, given the studio’s typical genre focus, some of Disney’s highest-grossing movies ever account for the majority of the highest-grossing fantasy movies. Today’s pop culture is dominated by franchises with some elements of fantasy, Namely Star Wars and superheroes, make for an interesting debate about what it takes for more typical fantasy movies to succeed.

10

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Domestic gross: $334.2 million | Worldwide total: $1.03 billion

Alice in Wonderland Came out at a time when live-action reimaginings of classic Disney movies were still a novelty and deviated more from the original animated movie. This is a decent fantasy adventure that brings to life satisfying visual interpretations of this classic literary world. Alice returning to Wonderland as a skeptical adult is a good twist; So you have to fight the famous mysterious beast known as the Jabberwocky. The references to the original source material in the movie are also clever.

however, Alice in Wonderland Probably reached the status of one of Disney’s highest earners because of the names attached to it. Director Tim Burton’s usual style meshes fabulously with the trappings of Wonderland, While all of his most famous regular collaborators came along for the ride. Alice in Wonderland is a fantasy movie that is almost perfect and has a lot of marketability, making it a success in its time, even if the story problems caught up with it in the sequel.

9

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Domestic gross: $241 million | Worldwide total: $1.05 billion

While the franchise was in decline for years, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is still not the worst Pirates of the Caribbean Movie. It was released as a strange crossroads for the franchise that allowed it some success. While the first movie achieved critical acclaim, the next two were the big earners. The history of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Is very bloated, however On strange tides offered a fresh premise with a new set of characters, Sparking hope that Pirates of the Caribbean able to return to his old ways.

Part of the cast was the exciting new characters played by Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane, The legendary pirate Blackbeard and his wicked daughter. That was enough to get people to come to the movies for another Pirates of the Caribbean Box office hit. The following movie got even worse reviews and made less money, also released at a time when streaming was slowly starting to overshadow the traditional movie theater experience.

8

Aladdin (2019)

Domestic gross: $355.6 million | Worldwide total: $1.05 billion

Aladdin Did surprisingly well at the box office, despite being one of Disney’s live-action remakes that suffers the most from the invisible valley problem. Will Smith playing Genie is definitely a huge draw for audiences, One that pays off, as his performance is arguably the best part of the movie. In addition, although the original animated version is considered one of Disney’s best animated movies, its story exhibits some cultural stereotypes, which gives a real reason to make a better version of it.

In addition to this, the new Aladdin Promised an expanded role for Jasmine and all the amazing songs from the original like “Friends Like Me” and “A Whole New World.” generally, Aladdin It was a very fun, visually and musically spectacular blockbuster. Like most of Disney’s live-action remakes, there was enough nostalgia to go around and bring it to the one billion dollar mark. They also waited up to a month Avengers: Endgame For the release, still risk some competition, but not impossibly overshadowed.

7

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Domestic gross: $423.3 million | Worldwide total: $1.07 billion

Despite the objective financial success of the next two movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest It remains the franchise’s biggest earner, and it’s easy to see why. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a smile, Featuring some of the biggest stars of the day; The main workshop signed on two sequels immediately afterwards. This organically established an ongoing franchise about Captain Jack and co.’s swashbuckling adventures, running across various supernatural beings.

When the marketing for Dead man’s chest started, Everyone got their first good look at the amazing CGI creation of the character of Davy Jones. This even more terrifying villain, another great twist on classic seafaring lore, made the sequel even more exciting. With other noteworthy actors like Stellan Skarsgård and the marketing teasing new crazy sword fights and monsters, Dead man’s chest The patient has everything Pirates of the Caribbean Fans could hope for.

6

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Domestic gross: $382 million | Worldwide total: $1.14 billion

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is another movie where almost everyone can understand why it was a massive box office hit. The conclusion to Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by its nature, has a lot of hype around it Like the last movie. The movies proved to be game-changing for the fantasy genre and critically acclaimed, fueling a lot of emotions about its ending. when Return of the King Arriving in theaters, its reception exceeded all expectations.

The latter film brought with it everything that made the first two good: stunning world-building and action, special effects ahead of their time, great performances, and everything in between. Return of the King was the third Best Picture nominee for the franchise And the first movie to win the award. The once-in-a-generation fantasy phenomenon came to an end with huge profits for everyone involved and by setting the bar for fantasy movies hoping to achieve critical acclaim.

5

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Domestic gross: $504.5 million | Worldwide total: $1.27 billion

Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s live-action remakes that has the most hype surrounding it Leading up to the movie’s release, probably due to the original animated movie’s status in movie history as the first animated movie ever to be nominated for Best Picture. It has a certain novelty about it, as it would be the first live-action remake to be a strictly musical adaptation. Beauty and the BeastIt also has a mysterious gothic aesthetic that served it well with its early marketing, drawing people in from the start.

The entire cast was filled with famous names, however Emma Watson is definitely the star that got the movie the most attention. Her first true blockbuster since the end of the Harry Potter franchise, fans are eager to see her back in the fantasy genre. Beauty and the Beast heralded a new era of Disney live-action remakes specifically regarding the Disney Renaissance movies that saw huge turnout in the beginning.

4

Frozen (2013)

Domestic gross: $401 million | Worldwide total: $1.3 billion

Frozens early marketing strategy was analyzed and determined to have launched the movie ahead. The early teaser focused on slapstick bits with Olaf the Snowman and Sven the Reindeer, emphasized that the movie had a comedic appeal beyond the expected demographic target for Disney princess movies of young girls (via Forbes). However, word of mouth has been a huge help to Frozen When it was in theaters. Everyone was talking about it”new age” Disney Princesses, while “Let It Go” played on repeat on many radio stations.

Frozen is a great movie that won the Golden Globe and Oscar that year, The perfect ending to being a true pop culture phenomenon. It also made a lot of money because its popularity meant it was in theaters longer, lasting from its late November release until early spring 2014. Most people will realize that FrozenThe reception is somewhat unique in movie history, making Disney even more money by merchandising tie-ins.

3

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Domestic gross: $381.4 million | Worldwide total: $1.34 billion

The simple fact of the last Harry Potter Movie did all the advertising work for the PR team. as with Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter was a once-in-a-lifetime event that mostly benefited from the anticipation of the latest movie. Harry Potter accomplished an impressive feat by keeping most of its cast through all eight movies; In the case of the young actors, the audience watched them grow up throughout the franchise. It was a cultural phenomenon that HBO’s Harry Potter TV show remake will struggle to live up to.

Those who read the books have specific action sequences to look forward to, such as the Gringotts break-in and the Battle of Hogwarts; The story stakes, in general, were higher than ever. Some of the posters for the final movie did not even have its title, thrilling expectant fans with the simple finality of Harry’s image. The beloved Harry Potter franchise came to an epic conclusion, Also stay in theaters much longer than usual.

2

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Domestic gross: $575 million | Worldwide total: $1.36 billion

The Super Mario Bros. MovieSomewhat surprisingly, is one of the best animated movies of 2023. It never had a chance as far as the award shows are concerned, competing with both The boy and the heron And Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Of the three movies, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has the most family appeal, Being brighter than the other two. However, it still timed its release so as not to coincide with the competition.

The impressive cast includes all of today’s biggest stars, with even some unexpected casting choices (people might not have guessed that Anya Taylor-Joy and Keegan-Michael Kay would make an excellent Princess Peach and Toad, respectively). It could also benefit from comparisons to the notoriously bad Live Action 1993 Super Mario Bros movie. generally, The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is a product of the IP age of movies, but pure fun with great humor That led it to success and guaranteed The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2.

1

Frozen II (2019)

Domestic gross: $477.4 million | Worldwide total: $1.45 billion

Frozen II Taking advantage of its predecessor’s cultural status, it surpassed it at the box office (perhaps only because of inflation). The circumstances for Frozen II are different from those for other Disney Princess movie sequels. Disney Princess sequels have traditionally not been as well reviewed or liked as the first movie, And the last one that showed up before Frozen II was in the early 2000s. Frozen Has reached the heights where it was possible to make a franchise out of it, and Disney jumped at the chance with great results.

Frozen II Does not try to outdo its predecessor (something almost impossible) but explores natural new stories for the characters. The goodwill for the original movie guaranteed its box office performance and set the stage for Moana 2. It also put Disney to start planning Frozen 3 And 4What many people are skeptical will be joining the highest-grossing fantasy movies of all time.

Source: boxofficemojo.com, Forbes