The 2024 box office rebounded with vigor, delivering a mix of family-friendly blockbusters, animated hits, and long-awaited sequels that dominated theaters. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 domestic earners of the year, along with the factors that made them stand out.
1. Inside Out 2
- Domestic Total: $652.9M
- Global Total: $1.698B
Pixar’s Inside Out 2 shattered expectations, revitalizing the studio’s box office reputation after a series of underperforming releases. With a $154.2 million opening weekend, it became Pixar’s highest-grossing North American release of all time and the year’s global box office leader. The film’s emotional storytelling resonated with audiences worldwide, solidifying it as an all-time animation classic.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine
- Domestic Total: $636.7M
- Global Total: $1.338B
The unlikely duo of Deadpool and Wolverine set records with a $211.4 million opening weekend—the best of 2024. The first R-rated film to debut above $200 million, it became a summer box office juggernaut. Fans flocked to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s irreverent chemistry, proving that even unconventional superhero films can dominate the market.
3. Wicked
- Domestic Total: $429.2M
- Global Total: $640.1M
Universal’s Wicked adaptation enchanted audiences, becoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in history. A robust marketing campaign and fan-focused events helped drive its $112.5 million opening weekend, with viewers showing up in droves dressed in pink and green to celebrate the untold story of the witches of Oz.
4. Moana 2
- Domestic Total: $400M
- Global Total: $896.6M
Moana 2 marked a triumphant return for Disney Animation, breaking Thanksgiving records with a $225.4 million five-day opening. Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, its theatrical run revitalized Disney’s animation division, which had been struggling to connect with audiences in recent years.
5. Despicable Me 4
- Domestic Total: $361M
- Global Total: $969.4M
The Despicable Me franchise continued its dominance, crossing the $5 billion global mark for the series. While competition from Inside Out 2 was fierce, the Minions proved their staying power with strong family attendance and robust global earnings.
6. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- Domestic Total: $294.1M
- Global Total: $451.1M
Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice brought together nostalgia and fresh star power. With Jenna Ortega joining returning stars Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, the film captured audiences across demographics, delivering a $111 million opening weekend and becoming a standout fall release.
7. Dune: Part Two
- Domestic Total: $282.1M
- Global Total: $714.4M
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two doubled its predecessor’s box office with a theatrical-exclusive release, proving the power of premium formats and global marketing. The success paved the way for a third installment, as fans eagerly await the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s saga.
8. Twisters
- Domestic Total: $267.7M
- Global Total: $370.9M
This sequel to the 1996 classic performed well with its high-concept premise and immersive 4DX screenings, drawing in both nostalgic fans and new audiences. While its momentum slowed due to competition from Deadpool & Wolverine, it still became one of the year’s top earners.
9. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
- Domestic Total: $196.3M
- Global Total: $571.7M
The Monsterverse returned in style with Godzilla x Kong, combining spectacle with franchise-building storytelling. Its $80 million opening weekend and strong global earnings solidified it as a fan favorite, surpassing its predecessor Kong: Skull Island in worldwide grosses.
10. Kung Fu Panda 4
- Domestic Total: $193.5M
- Global Total: $547.6M
DreamWorks Animation brought back Jack Black for another round of martial arts comedy, earning the franchise its best domestic run yet. Kung Fu Panda 4 also crossed the $2 billion mark globally for the series, making it a triumphant return after an eight-year hiatus.
2024 was a year of comebacks, crossovers, and franchise hits, proving that audiences are still eager for big-screen blockbusters. With records shattered and new benchmarks set, the domestic box office is officially back in business.
“Follow the money, follow the story.”
