2012 presented a comeback year for the film industry; since 2009, box office numbers were declining, but highly anticipated sequels, family-friendly movies and a grown-up with a teddy bear helped make this year’s box office more successful than the last, generating $10.4 billion in revenue. So, what did we think about the highest grossing films in 2012?
10. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Despite the ever-distracting and annoying grammatical error in the title (which should read “Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax” instead of “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” because Seuss is possessive and singular; even though it ends in an “s”, we still need an “s” after the apostrophe since it’s not plural), Universal Studios, yet again, brought the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss to life in this touching, comical digitally animated hit which grossed $214,030,500.
9. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Watching Madagascar 3 was a lot like watching the Kardashians take Monte Carlo—you had nothing much to see, but you still watched anyway; you laughed, but at totally the wrong moments; and, you wondered why this movie had to come along and spoil your opinion of the franchise. However, Madagascar 3 had its share of light and funny moments, making the film one of the most successful of the year, grossing $216,391,482.
8. Ted
How can something that sounds so incredibly stupid be so incredibly funny? Get the creator of Family Guy to write and direct it. With Ted, Seth McFarlane made parents think twice this past holiday season about putting a cute, stuffed bear under their trees—because you never know what they’ll become when they grow up (after they magically come to life, that is). While Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (whose “rhymes made you healthy”) might not have had “good vibrations” for Ted in the ‘90s, Wahlberg and his furry friend’s film grossed $218,665,740.
7. Brave
“If you had a chance to change your fate, would ya?” That would imply a) knowing your fate and b) wanting to change it; but, as always, Disney and Pixar delivered an inspiring tale which resonated with audiences of different ages and cultures. Brave, which grossed $237,236,938, helped make 2012 the year of young bow and arrow-toting female cinema protagonists.
6. The Amazing Spider-Man
Skepticism: the feeling most Spider-Man fans experienced before the release of yet another Spider-Man. But, the audience was soon impressed with the action film (which included its fair share of laughs). The film grossed $262,030,663 with plans for at least two sequels (Spider-Man 2 and The Avengers 2) in the franchise’s future.
5. Skyfall
A Brit who looks good in a suit? Check. An awesome, tricked out car, extensive actions scenes and fancy gadgets? Check. A hit theme song? Check. And a “Bond girl?” Check. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the ingredients for a successful Bond flick. Like or hate Daniel Craig, Bond fans praised his performance in the action heavy Skyfall which grossed $279,972,000.
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xOSoONDpY4
Is anyone else sick of watching Vampires? Good, because Breaking Dawn Part 2 was the last time audiences had to endure, I mean enjoy, the Vampire love story. After five films, the best part of the movie was the ending—the credits featured a “curtain call” recognizing every actor affiliated with the franchise. While much of the film’s conflict was internal (Bella worrying about the fate of her family), filmmakers put in a twist, thus adding a little action into the sickeningly melodramatic/ “romantic” tale. Breaking Dawn Part 2 grossed $282,440,200.
3. The Hunger Games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRhAEn6K0
The highly anticipated adaptation brought audiences to Panem, and in sheer postmodernism, audiences watched (for entertainment purposes) Katniss Everdeen fight for survival in games televised throughout Panem (for entertainment purposes). The Hunger Games grossed $408,010,692 and made Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth (who is in the movie for all of four minutes) instant mega stars. The sequel, which is currently in production, will come out in November 2013.
2. The Dark Knight Rises
Like Twilight, The Dark Knight trilogy came to an end with The Dark Knight Rises. Audiences returned to Gotham, where crime (and cat a burglar) was in full force, and Batman was in retirement. Mixed with thrilling action sequences and dramatic scenes, The Dark Knight Rises further opened audiences’ eyes to Bruce Wayne’s dark past in director Christopher Nolen’s interpretation of the beloved DC Comic hero. Despite a tragedy opening night, the film met high expectations and grossed $448,139,099.
1. Marvel’s The Avengers
Comics came to life in unprecedented form in 2012 with hits such as The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers. The non-stop action film picked up right where Iron Man 2, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor left off—the film brought together several stars from different franchises to create an epic, seamless experience for audiences. The action and suspense ceased to stall, except for a bit of comic relief. While the actors are going back to their own franchises (a new Thor, Iron Man, and Captain American), Disney confirmed a sequel is in the works, set to hit theaters in 2015. The Avengers dominated box office this year grossing $623,357,910 after breaking opening weekend records.
Cover Photo Source: monkeyc.net via Flickr
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wpmaster.sjadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cassandra-Bremer-Our-Space-Photo-e1402061863316.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Cassandra is a Content Manager and Developer at SJG. She earned her BA from Fontbonne University in 2011. Outside the office, she enjoys an active, healthy and well-rounded lifestyle including reading, writing, running, golfing, watching films, listening to music, taking photographs, and consuming media and social media.
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