The Biggest Box-Office Movies Ever
The news is that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) has become the second most-viewed September movie of all time at the box office, bested only by It (2017). Let's review the movies that had the best box office opening weekends ever.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame (2019) is a direct sequel to Avengers: Infinity War (2018), which sees the superhero team of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Nebula (Karen Gillian)—better known as The Avengers—battle against Thanos.
The movie was released on April 26, 2019, grossing an astonishing $357 million on opening weekend—41.6% of its total box office gross of $858 million.
Marvel, Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
The action-fantasy thriller starring Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) is a sequel to Homecoming (2017) and Far From Home (2019) in the Spider-Man series of MCU films. In this film, Spider-Man is no longer a masked deliverer of vigilante justice, as the film sees him battle with the lack of secrecy surrounding his identity, as well as fighting his old enemy, Mysterio.
The movie had a Christmas release on December 17, 2021, and grossed $260 million on its opening weekend, 32.3% of its total box office gross of $804 million.
Marvel, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers has always been an extremely popular MCU franchise, so when Infinity War (2018) saw The Avengers do battle with Thanos while attempting to stop him collecting all six Infinity Stones (destroying half of all life in the universe in the process), Avengers fans lapped it up.
The third installment in the Avengers series grossed $257 million on opening weekend, 38% of its total box office gross of $678 million.
Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
When Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens was announced, we all knew it was going to be huge. It was the first Star Wars movie in almost 30 years, following Return of the Jedi in 1983. It starred an all-new cast with Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and John Boyega introduced, with a few OG members like Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill reappearing.
With wind back in the sails of Star Wars, it grossed $247.9 million on opening weekend, 26.5% of its box office total of $936 million.
Walt Disney, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
With Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley now firmly a part of the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi (2017) was released to great excitement. It picked up where The Force Awakens left off, seeing Rey (Daisy Ridley) enlist the help of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to battle against the traitorous Kylo Ren.
Building on the success of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi grossed $220 million on opening weekend, accounting for 35.5% of its total of $620 million.
Walt Disney, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Deadpool & Wolverine
The summer blockbuster that saw Ryan Reynolds (as Deadpool) team with Hugh Jackman (as Wolverine), Deadpool & Wolverine was always going to be a success with these two at the helm. Alongside other cast members like Blake Lively and Leslie Uggams, Deadpool and Wolverine unite to save the world from the threat of Dr. Xavier's evil twin sister, Cassandra.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) is a sequel to Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018). Only released this summer, it is the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time and the second-highest grossing film of the year so far. And on opening weekend? It hit $211 million at the box office.
Marvel, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Jurassic World
Stepping away from the Marvel Comic Universe for a moment (hooray!), Jurassic World was released in 2015 as a sequel to Jurassic Park III (2001). Despite sitting in development hell for a few years, it was an astonishing success and saw Chris Pratt play the lead role.
It earned $208 million during its opening weekend and is considered to be the best Jurassic Park sequel to-date.
Universal, Jurassic World (2015)
The Avengers
The original Avengers movie began development in 2005 and brought together a group of illustrious superheroes and their star actors to form the team known as The Avengers. The movie saw this band of stars do battle against the evil Thanos (boo, hiss!) and would launch the best-selling, highest-grossing movie franchise in the world.
It all began on May 4, 2012, with The Avengers' opening weekend grossing a stunning $207 million—33.3% of its total gross of $623 million.
Black Panther
This 2018 movie was the first installment of the Black Panther Marvel Comic Universe adaptations of the Black Panther comic book. It was praised for its cultural significance and is widely considered one of the best films in the MCU. It saw Chadwick Boseman in the lead role of the Black Panther, after Boseman's first appearance in Captain America: Civil War (2016). It has since spawned a 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a television series is also in development.
On it's opening weekend, Black Panther grossed $202 million, making up 28.9% of its overall gross of $700 million.
The Lion King
The photorealistic animated remake of the Disney classic The Lion King (1994)—following the same plot of Simba's struggle to embrace his new role as king of his homeland, after his uncle murders his father—The Lion King was confirmed in 2016 following the huge success of The Jungle Book (2016), which was remade in the same fashion.
The Disney classic grossed $191 million on its opening weekend, accounting for 35% of its total gross of $543 million. Its predecessor has had a total gross of $968 million since its release in 1994.
Walt Disney, The Lion King (2019)
Avengers: The Age Of Ultron
The direct sequel to The Avengers (2012), The Age of Ultron pitted The Avengers' star-studded cast against Ultron, an artificial intelligence created by Iron Man and Hulk—who have an unusual plan to bring about world peace by exterminating all the humans.
Building on the incredible success of The Avengers, the sequel didn't do too badly during its opening weekend: grossing $191 million—41.7% of its gross total of $459 million, but nowhere near its predecessor.
Marvel, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
In a new take on Doctor Strange in the MCU, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022) stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role as the protector of America Chavez (Selena Gomez), a teenage superhero capable of traveling through the multiverse.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness grossed $187 million on its opening weekend.
Marvel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Incredibles 2
The Incredibles 2 (2018) features Elastigirl in the lead role, taking over from Mr. Incredible—who's now a stay-at-home dad of three! The Incredibles 2 follows the adventures of Elastigirl as she tries to save the world from the Underminer.
The Incredibles 2 grossed $182 million on its opening weekend, 30% of its total gross of $608 million.
Walt Disney, Incredibles 2 (2018)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The sequel to the much-loved and highly-acclaimed Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) saw a whole new cast in the wake of the death of the Black Panther (mimicking Chadwick Boseman's real passing), forging a new path ahead for their kingdom—without their beloved leader.
Wakanda Forever grossed $181 million on its opening weekend, 40% of its total gross of $453 million.
Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Captain America: Civil War
America's favorite superhero stars in a sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and The Winter Soldier (2014), Civil War (2016) sees Captain America feuding with fellow Avenger, Iron Man. The film stars the traditional ensemble cast of The Avengers series and its success has led to a fifth film: Captain America: Brave New World, slated for release in 2025.
Captain America: Civil War grossed $179 million on its opening weekend, making up 43.9% of its total gross of $408 million.
Marvel, Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker
Contrary to popular belief, at the end of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), it's thought that Emperor Palpatine died at the hands of Darth Vader—however, The Rise of Skywalker (2017) proved this to be untrue. In the movie, John Boyega (Finn) and Oscar Isaac (Poe) must race to find him before The First Order can form a new Empire.
The Rise of Skywalker grossed $177 million on its opening weekend, 34.4% of its total gross of $515 million.
Walt Disney, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Beauty And The Beast
The live-action remake of the Disney classic from 1991, Beauty And The Beast was released in 2017 with high hopes following the success of other Disney live-action movies. Emma Watson and Dan Stevens star in the titular roles. It was the second-highest grossing film of 2017—with over $1.2 billion made.
On it's opening weekend, Beauty And The Beast grossed $174 million.
Walt Disney, Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Iron Man 3
The third film in the Iron Man series sees Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) return to battle Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), an old enemy that's reared his ugly head. Stark must once again save the world in this 2013 sequel to both Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010).
Iron Man 3 grossed $174 million on opening weekend, 42% of its total gross of $409 million.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
This was the final Harry Potter film and the conclusion of the Harry Potter series, 10 years after Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (2001) was first released. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows follows the final quest of everyone's favorite wizard to destroy Lord Voldemort.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 grossed $169 million during its opening weekend, accounting for 44.4% of its total gross of $381 million.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Following up on the events of Man of Steel (2013), which was a Superman origin story, Batman v Superman was released in 2016 as part of the DC Extended Universe, which is a derivative of the DC Comics Universe. The film stars Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman. In the movie, Batman becomes convinced that Superman is a threat to humanity and seeks to eliminate him, while Superman must fight both for his own survival—and battle a familiar foe in Lex Luthor.
Batman v Superman grossed $166 million in its opening weekend, 49% of its overall gross of $330 million.
Warner Bros., Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Barbie
The summer of 2023 is known as the "Summer of Barbie" for a reason. The 2023 movie saw Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It was much-anticipated and extremely well-received alongside Oppenheimer, the other summer blockbuster of 2023.
Barbie grossed $162 million on its opening weekend, making up 25.5% of its total gross of $636 million. It became Warner Bros highest-grossing film of all time and the highest-grossing film of 2023.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) is a sequel to The Dark Knight (2008), which saw the introduction of The Joker to Gotham City. In The Dark Knight Rises, Batman must battle two villains—Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy)— and save Gotham.
The Dark Knight Rises grossed $160 million during its opening weekend, 35.9% of its total gross of $448 million.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight
In the first introduction of The Joker to the Batman films, The Dark Knight pitted Batman (Christian Bale) against The Joker (Heath Ledger), a young, slimy terrorist committing mass acts of violence against the citizens of Gotham. It's a sequel to Batman Begins (2005).
The Dark Knight grossed $158 million in its opening weekend, accounting for three-quarters of its $185 million budget and 29% of its gross total of $553 million.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight (2008)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released in 2013, following the enormous success of The Hunger Games (2012). The action fantasy thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Lenny Kravitz as the participants of the Hunger Games face a new enemy.
Catching Fire grossed $158 million on its opening weekend, 37% of its gross total of $424 million.
Lionsgate, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
A spin-off story from the original Star Wars, Rogue One (2016) tells the story of a band of rebels intent on stealing the plans for the Death Star, and details the events of the first victory of the Rebel Alliance against the Empire—first referenced in the opening credits of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Inside Out 2
This one's the sequel to Inside Out, a 2015 family comedy telling the adventures of Riley, a young girl uprooted from her life in the Midwest and forced to move to San Francisco. The premise of Inside Out features the personification of Riley's emotions: Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness. These are each played by different animated characters and voice actors.
Inside Out 2 was released in 2024 and grossed $154 million on opening weekend, making up 23.7% of its total gross of $651 million.
Walt Disney, Inside Out 2 (2024)
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (2019) is a 'discovery' film based on the Marvel Comics character, Carol Danvers, a US Air Force fighter pilot. Set in 1995, the movie sees Danvers and co-stars piece together elements of her past, while fighting a battle for Earth's survival against intergalactic enemies.
Captain Marvel grossed $153 million on opening weekend, 36% of its total gross of $426 million.
The Hunger Games
The original Hunger Games movie based on the book by Suzanne Collins tells the story of 12 districts in a future world controlled by Panem—a centralized power in what used to be North America—that are made to compete against each other in an annual tournament known as the Hunger Games. The Games are really a fight for survival, with 12 youths (one from each district) taking part, as every citizen is forced to watch them fight to the death.
The Hunger Games grossed $152 million on opening weekend, 37% of its total gross of $408 million.
Lionsgate, The Hunger Games (2012)
Spider-Man 3
Peter Parker returns for the third installment in the Spider-Man series, wherein Peter loses control of his Spider-Man costume (which turns a very cool matte black), which overtakes both his actions and personality. At the same time, Peter is battling the supervillain duo of Sandman and Venom, threatening to destroy him.
Spider-Man 3's twist on good-versus-evil earned it $151 million at the box office on opening weekend, nearly 45% of its total gross of $336 million.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The sequel to the Chris Pratt hit Jurassic World (2015), Fallen Kingdom (2018) sees Pratt reprise his role, but this time as a rescuing force, returning to Isla Nebular to rescue dinosaurs from an erupting volcano. Unfortunately, it's not just the volcano they'll have to contend with as Jurassic World is threatened by a vast conspiracy and a new breed of deadly dinosaurs.
Fallen Kingdom raked in $148 million on opening weekend, accounting for about 35% of its total gross of $417 million.
Universal, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Furious 7
This story of vengeance is a bit of theme in The Fast and Furious franchise, with Furious 7 (2015) seeing the introduction of Jason Statham as the brother of defeated terrorist Owen Shaw, and the latest villain for Brian and Dom to contend with.
Grossing $147 million on its opening weekend, Furious 7 is (so far) the most popular opening-weekend movie of the entire series.
Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol 2
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014) fans were eager to see Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, James Gunn, Vin Diesel and company return for "Volume 2" of the story, wherein Chris Pratt and his band of cosmic misfits must once again save the universe—this time from an all-powerful orb.
Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol. 2 bested its predecessor on its opening weekend, earning $146 million—37.6% of its overall gross of $389 million.
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
This 2023 family comedy sees the return of the beloved Mario Bros. to the big screen, but this time with a whole new quest: to find each other after being separated while going down a pipe to a magical new world. It's an origin story which sees the Mario brothers squaring off against the Koopas—led by Bowser—in aid of Ms. Peach and The Mushroom Kingdom.
It made $146 million during its opening weekend, 25.5% of its gross total of $574 million. As of February 2024, it's been confirmed that The Super Mario Bros. Movie will get a direct sequel, though no release date has been set.
Universal, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Jurassic World: Dominion
The most recent installment in the Jurassic World franchise sees Chris Pratt again reprising his role as dinosaur-wrangler extraordinaire.
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) grossed $145 million on its opening weekend and was the highest-grossing film of 2022.
Universal, Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Thor: Love And Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder stars Chris Hemsworth in the titular role as Thor, God of Thunder, attempting to find his inner peace following the events of Thor: Ragnarok (2017). However, when Thor learns of the threat to the Gods posed by Gorr, The God Butcher, he must team up with his ex-girlfriend and two other superhero mates to defeat Gorr.
Thor: Love and Thunder grossed $144 million on opening weekend, accounting for 42% of it's gross of $343 million.
Marvel, Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) was the sequel to Twilight (2006), a movie which sparked the series based on the Twilight novels written by Stephanie Meyer. New Moon delves into the throes of teenage love, as Edward Cullen departs Forks after an incident on Bella's 18th birthday. Bella must wrestle with the feelings of being left behind by Edward, while discovering that her best friend, Jacob Black, is actually a werewolf.
New Moon outdid its predecessor on opening weekend, grossing $142 million, 48.2% of its total gross of $296 million.
Summit, The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
Catching Up With the Cullens could have been a sitcom in the fall of 2012 as Breaking Dawn - Part 2 was released on November 16. In the movie, Bella and Edward are now parents to Renesmee, a human/vampire who already has enemies! They must fight to protect their daughter against the Volturi in.
Breaking Dawn - Part 2 grossed $141 million on opening weekend, 48.3% of its total gross of $292 million.
Summit, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Another entry for Twilight here as Breaking Dawn (2011)—the fourth film in the series and sequel to Eclipse (2010)—sees Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson reprise their roles as a newly-married and newly-pregnant Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson) are endangered by werewolves, leaving Jacob Black (Lautner) with a decision to make.
The much anticipated Breaking Dawn grossed $138 million on opening weekend, 49.1% of its total gross of $281 million.
Summit, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Released as a sequel to The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man's Chest (2006) sees Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, and Johnny Depp all reprise their roles as Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Jack Sparrow. This time, Captain Jack must safeguard his magic compass against inquisitive enemies (and friends) looking to locate the Dead Man's Chest.
Dead Man's Chest grossed $135.6 million on opening weekend—a box-office record at the time—and became the highest-grossing film of the year.
Walt Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Finding Dory
In a sequel to the highly acclaimed Finding Nemo (2003), Finding Dory (2016) tells the story of the much-loved Dory character from the first film and her quest to find her missing parents. Featuring much of the same cast as the original film, Finding Dory was released 13 years after the success of Finding Nemo.
Finding Dory grossed $135 million on opening weekend—beating the opening weekend of Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) by $1 million.
Box office opening weekends are full of excitement for a new movie, sometimes riding the coattails of the success of a movie's predecessor—hype over the return of an old classic is always plus. How many of these opening-weekend box office blockbusters did you see on the weekend of their release? Head to the comments below to let us know!
