By Zach Seemayer
2:25 PM PST, December 22, 2015
Here are the movies that made the most when they first hit screens.
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1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Disney
Release Date: Dec. 18, 2015
First Weekend Total: $247.9 million
Fans had been waiting a very long time to see a new installment in the Star Wars saga, and Disney's multi-billion dollar decision to buy the franchise from creator George Lucas looks like it’s already paying off in a big way. The film smashed dozens of box office records in its opening weekend, and its impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes only bolsters its momentum. In five days of release, The Force Awakens has taken in over $610.7 million worldwide and will likely break the record for the fastest film to reach $1 billion.
Click through the gallery for a breakdown of the other splashiest, most successful debuts in movie history.
First Weekend Total: $247.9 million
Fans had been waiting a very long time to see a new installment in the Star Wars saga, and Disney's multi-billion dollar decision to buy the franchise from creator George Lucas looks like it’s already paying off in a big way. The film smashed dozens of box office records in its opening weekend, and its impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes only bolsters its momentum. In five days of release, The Force Awakens has taken in over $610.7 million worldwide and will likely break the record for the fastest film to reach $1 billion.
Click through the gallery for a breakdown of the other splashiest, most successful debuts in movie history.
2. Jurassic World
Universal
Release Date: June 12, 2015
First Weekend Total: $208.8 million
The combination of Chris Pratt, an established franchise, great marketing and massive dinosaurs came together in a perfect storm to help Jurassic World break all kinds of box office records. The film earned $1 million more than the mind-blowing opening of The Avengers back in 2012, and managed to take in $524.1 million worldwide, making it the first film in history to break the $500 million in one weekend!
First Weekend Total: $208.8 million
The combination of Chris Pratt, an established franchise, great marketing and massive dinosaurs came together in a perfect storm to help Jurassic World break all kinds of box office records. The film earned $1 million more than the mind-blowing opening of The Avengers back in 2012, and managed to take in $524.1 million worldwide, making it the first film in history to break the $500 million in one weekend!
3. The Avengers
Release Date: May 5, 2012
First Weekend Total: $207.44 million
The overdue team-up paid off exactly as Marvel hoped. The film ended up earning $623.3 million domestically, and $1.5 billion worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing movie of all time behind James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic.
First Weekend Total: $207.44 million
The overdue team-up paid off exactly as Marvel hoped. The film ended up earning $623.3 million domestically, and $1.5 billion worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing movie of all time behind James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic.
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Marvel Studios
Release Date: May 1, 2015
First Weekend Total: $191.27 million
The second day of the theatrical release of Ultron was also the day of the Kentucky Derby, the boxing match of the century, and some close first round basketball playoff games. This would normally spell box office death, but it still managed to take in $191.27 million. Now, Marvel films make up the first three spots on this impressive list.
First Weekend Total: $191.27 million
The second day of the theatrical release of Ultron was also the day of the Kentucky Derby, the boxing match of the century, and some close first round basketball playoff games. This would normally spell box office death, but it still managed to take in $191.27 million. Now, Marvel films make up the first three spots on this impressive list.
5. Iron Man 3
Release Date: May 3, 2012
First Weekend Total: $174.14 million
Shane Black's crack at directing an Iron Man movie made a domestic total of $409 million domestically and $1.2 billion worldwide.
First Weekend Total: $174.14 million
Shane Black's crack at directing an Iron Man movie made a domestic total of $409 million domestically and $1.2 billion worldwide.
6. Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows Part 2
Release Date: July 15, 2011
First Weekend Total: $169.19 million
The final installment in the Harry Potter franchise actually made more worldwide than Iron Man 3 with $1.34 billion.
First Weekend Total: $169.19 million
The final installment in the Harry Potter franchise actually made more worldwide than Iron Man 3 with $1.34 billion.
7. The Dark Knight Rises
Release Date: July 20, 2012
First Weekend Total: $160.88 million
The final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy made more money worldwide than either of its predecessors with $1.08 billion.
First Weekend Total: $160.88 million
The final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy made more money worldwide than either of its predecessors with $1.08 billion.
8. The Dark Knight
Release Date: July 18, 2008
First Weekend Total: $158.41 million
Riding off a wave of love for Batman Begins and public support after the tragic death of Heath Ledger, who went on to win a posthumous Oscar for his role as The Joker, the film ended up making $534.8 million domestically and $1.004 billion worldwide.
First Weekend Total: $158.41 million
Riding off a wave of love for Batman Begins and public support after the tragic death of Heath Ledger, who went on to win a posthumous Oscar for his role as The Joker, the film ended up making $534.8 million domestically and $1.004 billion worldwide.
9. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Release Date: Nov. 22, 2013
First Weekend Total: $158.07 million
The film opened in 4,163 theaters across the country, and earned 37.2% of its total domestic gross in its opening weekend, which is on average with the other films in the franchise.
First Weekend Total: $158.07 million
The film opened in 4,163 theaters across the country, and earned 37.2% of its total domestic gross in its opening weekend, which is on average with the other films in the franchise.
10. The Hunger Games
Release Date: March 23, 2012
First Weekend Total: $152.53 million
While still part of a well-established property, The Hunger Games is the only film in this Top 10 list that isn't a sequel.
First Weekend Total: $152.53 million
While still part of a well-established property, The Hunger Games is the only film in this Top 10 list that isn't a sequel.