The concept of the blockbuster film was first introduced in the mid-1970s and has been a staple in cinema history ever since. Industry dynamics were changing and studios recognized the monetary potential of high-concept productions with heavy budgets and large-scale narratives. Steven Spielberg's legendary 1975 thriller Jaws is generally considered the first example of this style of cinema. The film had a great marketing effort and an easy-to-understand spectacle and, consequently, won over a community of viewers. All of these factors came together to create enormous economic success.
Understandably, eventual follow-ups to these productions typically generate even more profits. The fan base is already established, the story is full of potential, and viewers are desperate for more similar content. There are several highly anticipated movie sequels coming out in 2025 that are sure to drive audiences to the theaters. Perhaps the next most exciting project will be James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ashwhich will mark the third installment of one of the most successful franchises of all time. Critical reception aside, many sequels have dominated the box office.
10
Frozen II (2019)
Worldwide gross: US$1,451,653,316
Walt Disney Studios has created some of the most beloved animated films in existence, but the 2013 musical Frozen have set an even higher standard for their modern designs. It had all the right ingredients for a blockbuster film. The story was unique, the characters were likable, and there was an incredible soundtrack to complement the beautiful animation. Given that its predecessor is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, it's not surprising that Frozen II was even more successful.
There were several possible paths for the plot to continue, but the writers chose a careful path that offered something new without straying too far from the source material. They also managed to introduce strong musical numbers, which is a difficult task considering the original soundtrack. Even though it had slightly different critical reviews, it was a solid addition to the franchise, which will continue with Frozen 3 in 2027.
9
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Worldwide gross: US$1,461,725,209
Given the nature of the plot, a sequel to the beloved 1986 action Superior weapon It didn't seem necessary and it certainly wasn't expected. Hollywood has a long history of reviving cinematic stories long after their original episodes. In most cases, this does not bode well for the overall quality of the franchise. However, Top Gun: Maverick managed to accomplish the feat of a late sequence intro with style.
There are several reasons why Superior weapon the follow-up was so successful. The creators relied on nostalgia worship, but it was applied to a different plot in a way that didn't feel too forced. They passed the torch to a new set of likable characters while maintaining the presence of the old ones. Even better, it all came together with some of the most thrilling and exciting action scenes in recent cinema. We expect the same level of care to be applied to Superior weapon 3, which was confirmed in January 2024.
8
Furious 7 (2015)
Worldwide gross: US$1,511,986,364
It's hard to know where to start when it comes to Fast and Furious franchise. What started as high-octane street racing has seemingly evolved into characters fighting for the fate of the entire world. More than ten years after the original installment, the saga will supposedly end with Fast 11 in 2026. Although the twelve films in the collection posted significant box office numbers, Furious 7 witnessed the strongest global turnover across the world.
Furious 7 it was certainly a compelling addition to the story from a quality standpoint. However, its global success was largely a product of the film's emotional tribute to the late Paul Walker. Walker tragically died in a car accident in November 2013, in the middle of filming the sequel. Consequently, the rest of his scenes were performed using CGI and stunt doubles. The writers managed to give him a careful exit from the franchise while also acknowledging the actor's death, creating an equally beautiful and sad farewell.
7
Jurassic World (2015)
Worldwide gross: US$1,671,063,641
In consideration of cinematic history, Jurassic Park it was monumental. From the groundbreaking special effects to the engaging concept, many argue that there should never have been a sequel of any kind. That said, it's no secret that a revival of one of the greatest films ever made would be a success. Consequently, in 2015, Universal accepted the challenge and reintroduced the story with Jurassic World.
It's a daunting challenge to bring back a beloved franchise more than 20 years after the original's release, but the studio has delivered. Although the concept was basically the same, Jurassic World added a modern touch that was thoughtfully executed. Although public opinions were somewhat divided, it was a solid reboot of the franchise. Jurassic World Rebirth will hit screens in 2025, marking the fourth film in the new era after the original trilogy.
6
Inside Out 2 (2024)
Worldwide gross: US$1,698,531,039
Disney Pixar added another gem to its resume with the 2015 comedy From the inside outwhich quickly became a huge success, grossing US$850,309,035 worldwide. The unique concept alone was enough to drive audiences to the theaters. At first glance, the premise is simple, but the themes presented offer an introspective metaphor for human nature. The film also featured sharp animation and a moving story, which contributed to its positive reception.
The recent sequel proved that the same concept can be replicated with even more success. Inside Out 2 it introduced new emotions and took the story in a refreshing direction. Suddenly, Riley (Kensington Tallman) has to deal with several challenges, and they are creatively reflected in the latest characters. Understandably, the film crushed at the box office, raking in nearly double the money of the original.
5
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Worldwide gross: US$1,921,206,586
The legendary story of Spider-Man has been approached from several different angles, each offering a distinct take on the beloved character. Generally, most are divided on who their favorite live-action Spider-Man is. Spider-Man: No Way Home he was aware of this concept and used it to his advantage. The blockbuster sequel saw the return of legendary predecessors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, with Tom Holland at the forefront.
The producers pulled off a massive surprise return of the beloved lead actors while incorporating villains from the previous franchise. The secret was well kept, as cast members denied all claims about Maguire and Garfield's return. Consequently, his final reveal was much more significant and gave audiences an unexpected blast from the past. The story of the web-swinging hero will continue with Spider-Man 4scheduled for launch in 2026.
4
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Worldwide gross: US$2,048,359,754
When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers films are the heaviest. They are a clear example of the modern blockbuster. From a general perspective, your success is almost guaranteed. The films essentially take the most popular members of the franchise and group them together into a unified story. Consequently, there is something for everyone to enjoy right from the start. However, the Avengers the installments went above and beyond in every aspect.
The characters are brought together in a plot that has immense emotional depth for a superhero franchise. Avengers: Infinity War raised the bar even higher than the first two films, expanding the conflict across the entire universe and introducing a masterful villain. The special effects, storytelling, and action seem to improve with each subsequent release, which is a rare occurrence. Unsurprisingly, the highest-grossing charts are spread across Avengers happy.
3
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
Worldwide gross: US$2,056,046,835
Deciding to bring back one of cinema's most popular franchises was an incredibly controversial move. On the one hand, people thought the story had already been told and there was no reason to explore it further. On the other hand, the Star Wars universe has a virtually unlimited number of potential plots, which makes it the perfect target for sequel production.
Regardless of any opinion regarding Ep. Star Wars. VII: The Force Awakensthe monetary results speak for themselves. The film grossed US$247,966,675 in its opening weekend, reaching the billion mark after just 12 days. Although some audiences were against the concept as a whole, the revival of the franchise attracted millions of viewers, excited to get a taste of nostalgia. Episode VII ushered in a new era for the series and several new Star Wars the films are scheduled to be released soon.
2
Avatar: The Path of Water (2022)
Worldwide gross: US$2,317,514,386
When James Cameron was first released avatar in 2009, it was as if the industry had moved 10 years into the future. The breathtaking visual effects were the first of their kind and set a new standard for later projects. Cameron introduced several technological innovations, including stereoscopic 3D capture using fusion camera systems, which made the film a unique experience.
Given that the original is the most successful film ever made, Avatar: The Path of Water It would undoubtedly make a big impact at the box office. The long-awaited sequel did not disappoint and was an absolute success in theaters. Although the sequel didn't make such a big leap in visuals, the improvement was undeniable. The second part took the story in an imaginative direction that demonstrated the world-building potential of Pandora. The franchise is not over yet, as there are many coming avatar films scheduled for the next seven years.
1
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Worldwide gross: $2,748,242,781
It makes perfect sense that Avengers: Endgame is the most successful film sequel ever created. Truth be told, the odds were against the franchise ending from the beginning. Given the large number of events that have occurred throughout the Infinity saga, it seems impossible to end the story in a way that checks all the boxes. Despite the high stakes and naysayers, Marvel presented a classic that exceeded expectations.
Avengers: Endgame demonstrated the right way to end a series. After the tragic ending of the previous film, audiences were eager to see how the curtain would close. The introduction of time travel allowed the heroes to have another chance against Thanos (Josh Brolin), but more importantly, it provided the opportunity to pay homage to the old films. Thus, the characters effectively advanced the plot while revisiting important moments in the franchise. Surprisingly, the saga will continue Avengers: Judgment Dayit is rumored to hit screens in 2026.