2016 didn’t disappoint at the box office, with some amazing movies hitting the big screen. Viewers have been spoiled with blockbuster superhero sagas, low-budget horror thrillers and a plethora of animated comedies. Check out which movies topped the chart based on their gross profits, critical reviews and patron opinions.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel McAdams, Doctor Strange follows a former neurosurgeon as he embarks on a journey of healing only to be drawn into the world of the mystic arts. Released in November, it has grossed 579.7 million so far. The Hollywood Reporter‘s Todd McCarthy called Doctor Strange “an engaging, smartly cast and sporadically eye-popping addition” to the franchise, adding “this action movie ostensibly rooted in the mind-expanding tenets of Eastern mysticism is different enough to establish a solid niche alongside the blockbuster combine’s established money machines.”
It is the eighth installment in the X-Men film series, and stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. In the film, antihero Wade Wilson (Deadpool) hunts the man who nearly destroyed his life while also trying to reunite with his lost love. Deadpool premiered in February, and the film received positive reviews from critics. They praised its style, faithful depiction of the titular character, Reynolds’ performance, action, and stunts, and Tom Holkenborg’s score, but criticizing its plot. The film was a massive blockbuster success, grossing over $782 million worldwide and breaking numerous box office records, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 2016. Shortly after its success, a sequel was greenlit by Fox.
In The Secret Life of Pets, the quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes. The film stars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart and many other Hollywood stars. The film was released on July 8, 2016 by Universal Pictures. Upon release, it received positive critical reviews and grossed $874 million worldwide, becoming the highest grossing original animated film not produced by Disney or Pixar.
The Jungle Book is a live-action/CGI film that tells the story of Mowgli, an orphaned human boy who, guided by his animal guardians, sets out on a journey of self-discovery while evading the threatening Shere Khan. Released in April, it became a critical and commercial success, grossing over $966 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2016 and the 31st highest-grossing film of all time. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94%, based on 263 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors – all while setting a new standard for CGI.”
Zootopia details the unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a red fox con artist as they uncover a conspiracy which involves the disappearance of predator inhabitants of a mammalian metropolis. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios , it opened to record-breaking box office success in several countries and has earned a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, making it the third highest-grossing film of 2016 and the 25th highest-grossing film of all time. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote that Zootopia “may be the most subversive movie of” 2016, praising its timely message about the harm of prejudice in the face of the prevailing xenophobic political rhetoric at the time of the film’s release, and the film’s humor.
Finding Dory focuses on the amnesiac fish Dory, who journeys to be reunited with her parents. Along the way, she is captured and taken to a California public aquarium, from which friends Marlin and Nemo attempt to rescue her. Finding Dory is the squeal to the beloved Finding Nemo. As of November 27, 2016, Finding Dory has grossed $486.3 million in the USA & Canada and $540.7 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $1.027 billion against a budget of $200 million. Mike Ryan of Uproxx gave the film a positive review, saying: “I never thought I wanted a sequel to Finding Nemo, but here we are and I’m pretty happy it exists. And, for me, it was a more emotional experience than the first film. Finding Dory got me – it made me cry.”
Captain America: Civil War is a superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Captain America, produced by Marvel Studios. It is the sequel to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger and 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In Captain America: Civil War, disagreement over international oversight of the Avengers fractures them into opposing factions—one led by Steve Rogers and the other by Tony Stark. The film became a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2016 and the 12th highest-grossing film of all time.
The BFG (short for “Big Friendly Giant”) is a fantasy adventure film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, and based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. In the film, an orphan human girl befriends a benevolent giant, dubbed the “Big Friendly Giant”, who takes her to Giant Country where they attempt to stop the man-eating giants that are invading the human world. The film received incredibly positive reviews from critics, though the film was a box office disappointment overall.
Hell or High Water is a neo-western heist-crime film that follows two brothers who carry out a series of bank robberies to save their family farm. The movie stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges. It received critical accolades for it’s authenticity and has grossed $31 million. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 88 out of 100, based on 45 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.
Moana
Released by Walt Disney Pictures, the film tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of the chief of a Polynesian tribe, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with a goddess. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in hopes to save her people. Moana was released theatrically in the United States on November 23, 2016, and received critical acclaim, especially for it’s music. The movie has grossed $106 million worldwide.
The Nice Guys is a mystery-crime thriller action comedy film that follows a pair of 1977 Los Angeles private eyes who investigate a missing girl. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, it grossed just $57 million against its $50 million budget. Critic James Berardinelli wrote, “The Nice Guys is a refreshingly adult movie entering a marketplace saturated by teen-friendly superhero flicks and animated family fare. It’s edgy, funny, and fast-paced.”
Did you favorite movie from 2016 make the list? Leave a comment and let us know what your most beloved flick was this year.
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