2024 was a successful year for films in the box office, possibly even signaling an upward turn for the movie economy, which has been in decline since the pandemic. Various titles from different genres such as science fiction, animation, and the best horror movies of 2024 have had great success in attracting hordes of audiences and earning record profits in theaters. In the end, the revenue earned by these films made some of them some of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Several big-budget blockbusters have understandably made huge profits and still become the best films of 2024 overall. However, there were also several independent films that surprised the competition and became household names in cinemas. Now that the year has come to an end, 10 films in particular that premiered in 2024 stand out for having achieved the most incredible success stories that will be remembered for years to come.
10
Terrifying 3
Art The Clown has outdone himself again with this terrifying trio
Terrifying 2 reached an impressive $15 million at the box office in 2022. However, its holiday-themed sequel grossed almost six times as much money after its premiere in October 2024. Despite being an independent horror film with a budget of just $2 million, the writer/director Damien Leone Terrifying 3 horrified countless audiences around the world with its extreme amount of blood and violence, creating a considerable buzz and filling theaters.
This controversial low-budget horror film surprised many when it outperformed DC's big-budget but critically panned blockbuster, Joker: Folie à Deuxin movie theaters. Therefore, the evil Art the Clown has established himself as a pop culture icon, rivaling the Clown Prince of Crime. However, Terrifying 3of box office success achieved over $88.9 million, making it the highest-grossing unrated film of all time.
9
Civil War
A24 released a record-breaking indie action blockbuster
Independent film and TV studio A24 continues to become more prominent and successful each year with its slate of acclaimed, director-driven films. However, the studio has outdone itself once again in 2024 with the release of its most expensive film to date: writer/director Alex Garland's dystopian action film. Civil War. Having grossed more than US$126.2 million in theaters, Civil War became A24's second most profitable film at the box office, behind Everything everywhere at the same time but overcoming Rough gems.
The film also usurped the horror film Hereditary as the A24 film with the studio's highest-grossing opening weekend. Civil War it was also the first A24 film to rank first at the weekend box office upon its debut. The title could have easily sunk due to its controversial subject matter, but Civil WarA24's profits only contributed to A24's rise to Hollywood greatness.
8
The substance
This horror comedy was no laughing matter
Coralie Fargeat The substance generated great buzz after its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, winning the award for Best Original Screenplay. Despite being a new independent IP with an unconventional marketing campaign The substance then achieved great word of mouth on social media. Combined with the A-list star power of actor Demi Moore, this film defied the odds by attracting hordes of viewers upon release.
The satirical sci-fi body horror film wowed audiences with its gory scares, deep social commentary, and riveting performances from Moore and co-star Margaret Qualley. For these reasons, The substance it grossed an impressive $77 million in theaters against its $17.5 million budget. With its gross revenue exceeding that of 2023 Priscilla, Fargeat's film established itself as Mubi's highest-grossing film of all time, as well as an instant pop culture phenomenon.
7
Dune: Part Two
Director Denis Villeneuve dominated cinemas with his Dune sequel
Although Denis Villeneuve's first Dune film grossed a lot after its release, its success was still held back as audiences slowly returned to cinemas following the COVID-19 lockdown. Almost three years later, the franchise returned to theaters with Dune: Part Two. Adapting the second half of Frank Herbert's classic novel, this sequel debuted to a glorious reception as it ushered in a new era for sci-fi blockbusters.
Having been made with a budget of US$190 million, Dune: Part Two tied at the box office with US$500 million, grossing US$714.4 million in theaters around the world. For a while, Dune: Part Two held the title of highest-grossing film of 2024. Although it lost that rating soon after, this sequel continued to be one of the most profitable films of the year, further establishing Dune as one of cinema's biggest new franchises.
6
Inside Out 2
Pixar's long-awaited sequel was an emotional success
As a sequel to one of Pixar's most beloved films of all time, Inside Out 2Box office results showed that it had created more than enough anticipation in the nine years since the original film's release. This long wait was worth ten times more, as this sequel drew a storm of praise and viewers in 2024, setting records for Pixar and animated films in general.
Having grossed $1.7 billion at the box office since its release, Inside Out 2 rose to the top and it became the highest-grossing film of the year. Its profits also placed it as the eighth highest-grossing film in cinema history, behind Spider-Man: No Way Home but overcoming Jurassic World. Furthermore, Inside Out 2 broken Frozen IIThe box office record in theaters as the highest-grossing animated film ever made, showing how Pixar films can still be box office giants in modern cinema.
5
Deadpool and Wolverine
Marvel Studios made money once again with this multiversal epic
While many of Marvel Studios' films have broken box office records, the recent onset of superhero fatigue has resulted in some hit-or-miss films in the 2020s. But with actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their iconic superhero roles, -heroes, The Marvel Cinematic Universe Hit a New High in Deadpool's Third Comic Blockbuster.
With the promise of bringing several classic characters from Fox's Marvel projects, including X-Men movies, it's no surprise that this Marvel movie has attracted so many viewers. Grossing an incredible US$1.3 billion in theaters, like an R-rated film, Deadpool and Wolverine It surpassed box office predictions upon release and also broke several records. Eventually, this film surpassed the DC film Clown as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever made. At the end of its theatrical exhibition, Deadpool and Wolverine it became the 20th highest-grossing film in cinema history.
4
Twisted
The latest sequel to Hollywood's legacy has taken cinemas by storm
Twenty-eight years later Twisted premiered in theaters, Twisted came and rebooted the franchise with great success. Despite being an independent sequel with no cast from the original film, Twisted made huge box office profits by grossing US$371 million worldwide. As a result, the film surpassed its initial box office projections, receiving rave reviews and establishing several theatrical milestones.
With its debut of $81.3 million, this disaster film had the highest-grossing opening weekend of its kind, beating the record set by the 2004 film. The day after tomorrow. Its high opening also rivaled the profits made by Inside Out 2 and Dune: Part Twomaking it one of the most popular films of 2024. Furthermore, thanks to this film's incredible turnout in theaters, director Lee Isaac Chung has made a spectacular leap forward in directing independent films like Minari to make big box office hits.
3
Beetle juice
Beetlejuice returned with full force at the box office
The world waited nearly 40 years for a sequel to director Tim Burton's classic horror comedy Beetle juice. Due to the legacy of the original film, this long-awaited Beetle juice the sequel was practically guaranteed to send audiences to theaters the moment it debuted. It was especially successful thanks to the modern popularity of stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara and Jenna Ortega that this film triumphed.
After debuting with US$111 million at the box office, 2024 Beetle juice it didn't just usurp all of the original film's box office revenue. This highly anticipated sequel recouped its $100 million budget with the third-highest-grossing opening of 2024competing with Deadpool and Wolverine and Inside Out 2. It even rivaled the success of 2010 Alice in Wonderland with the second biggest opening of Burton's career. And to think that Warner Bros. almost sent this hit film straight to streaming on Max.
2
Moana 2
Moana reached the top of the box office with its second film
After the theatrical success of Moana in 2016, a sequel would certainly bring audiences back to theaters and generate huge revenues. For sure, Moana 2 broke several box office records after its debut. Despite receiving more controversial reviews than the first Moana film, this sequel emerged victorious and became one of the most successful film sequels ever made.
The weekend it hit theaters, Moana 2 it achieved the highest-grossing opening for a Walt Disney Animation film. It was also the most profitable Thanksgiving weekend release in history. Soon after, Moana 2 it ranked fourth in box office gross for the entire year. It even broke the record set by The Super Mario Bros. movie in 2023 for the biggest worldwide opening weekend for an animated film, with US$386 million, reaffirming Disney's potential in the genre.
1
Evil
This film defied gravity and box office projections
Due to the trend of low-grossing musical films following the pandemic, the odds seemed all against Evil successful in cinemas. However, this Broadway film adaptation from director John M. Chu was a pleasant and breathtaking surprise. First, it gained a lot of excitement with its early reviews and its release on the same day as Ridley Scott's Gladiator IIrepeating the Barbenheimer phenomenon of 2023.
Evil achieved the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical. After surpassing US$190 million domestically, the film hit Grease as the most profitable stage musical film adaptation in cinema history. Since its debut in November 2024, the US$150 million Evil grossed over $536 million in theaters, solidifying it as the highest-grossing film in the world. Wizard of Oz franchise and the second highest-grossing Broadway musical film ever made, behind Mom Mia!
Source: Mojo Box Office