Iron Man 3
2013 has been a great year at the box office with so many movies performing exceptionally well around the world. However, there is only one movie that has broken the magical $1 billion barrier.
We take a closer look at some of the movies that have been raking in the cash over the last twelve months.
- Iron Man 3 - $1,215,439,994
Iron Man 3 is the only film that has grossed over $1 billion this year, as the movie followed in the footsteps of previous Marvel movie Avengers Assemble.
Iron Man 3 saw Robert Downey Jr return to the title role as the film not only kicked off the summer blockbuster season, but also Marvel’s Phase 2 of movies… and it kicked it off in fine style.
The movie followed Tony Stark as he is struggling to come to terms with event of Avengers and the battle of New York. However, Stark has to put those troubles aside as he his personal life is turned upside down, kicking off his biggest fight yet.
Iron Man 3 saw Downey Jr reunite with director Shane Black for the first time since Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, while Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and Rebecca Hall were all also on the cast list.
With Downey Jr at the helm, Iron Man 3 was destined to be a huge success as it went on to top charts all over the world. The Marvel machine has been getting bigger and bigger with every release as people continue to flock to cinemas to see the latest hero in action.
What is going to happen with the Iron Man franchise is yet to be revealed - Downey Jr’s contract has been fulfilled - however, we will be seeing him suit up in The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
- Despicable Me 2 - $918,754,000
We have seen a whole host of animation movies perform well at the box office this year, but not a single one has come close to matching the haul of Despicable Me 2.
Despicable Me 2 was released two years after the success of the first film, and see Gru not as evil as he once was. Steve Carell lent his voice to Gru once again, while Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud were back in the director’s chair.
Carell was joined by an all star cast as Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand and Steve Coogan were all also on board.
And Despicable Me 2 followed in the successful footsteps of Despicable Me; however, it went on to surpass the box office takings of its predecessor.
Not only is Despicable Me 2 the second highest grossing movie of 2013, it is also the fifth most successful animation film of all time.
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - $795,124,000
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been one of the most talked about movies of 2013, after the first film was such a triumph last year.
Catching Fire saw Jennifer Lawrence - who is now a Best Actress Oscar winner return to the role of Katniss Everdeen as her fight continues. Katniss and Peeta’s world is once again turned upside down, as they are sent back into the arena to compete in the Quarter Quell.
While there are plenty of familiar faces returning such as Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks, there were a whole host of new names to watch out for.
Sam Claflin, Jenna Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman were the big new additions as they take on the roles of Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason and Plutarch Heavensbee.
Catching Fire is an action packed ride, and the arena scenes are even bigger and better than first time around. But what is so great to see with this film, is that new director Francis Lawrence explores the themes of inequality and corruption - that feature so heavily in the book.
The movie has been a critical and box office smash and continues to perform well around the world. Excitement for Mockinjay Part 1 is already building, but we will have wait until the end of 2014 to see it.
- Fast & Furious 6 - $788,679,850
When it comes to franchises, the films tend to get less and less popular as more movies are released… the exact opposite has happened in the case of the Fast & Furious franchise.
Fast & Furious is more popular now than it was when the first film arrived on our screens back in 2001. This sixth release is the biggest film in the history of the series to date.
The movie saw Vin Diesel and Paul Walker return to the role of Dominic Torretto and Brian Walker, in a movie that saw them go head to head with villain Owen Shaw - played by newcomer Luke Evans.
Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Gal Gadot, Tyrese Gibson and Chris Bridges were all also back on board. There was also a familiar face in the director’s chair in the form of Justin Lin: this would be his final Fast & Furious film.
Fast & Furious 6 continued to thrill audiences and went on to be a box office smash - eclipsing the highest grossing total of $626.1 million set by Fast Five.
And the franchise is set to continue with work underway On Fast & Furious 7 - sadly, filming has been halted due to the premature death of Paul Walker.
- Monsters University - $743,544,940
No film year is complete without a Pixar movie, and 2013 saw Mike and Sulley return to the big screen over a decade after we were introduced to them for the very first time.
Monsters University took us back to Mike and Sulley’s school days, where the pair were not the best buds we know them to be. I have to admit I was a little nervous when a sequel to Monsters Inc was announced, as I am such a huge fan of the original… I need not have worried, as Monsters University is a triumph.
Billy Crystal and John Goodman once again voiced the character of Mike and Sulley, while Helen Mirren, Nathan Fillion, Steve Buscemi and Alfred Molina were all also on board. Dan Scanlon took over the director’s chair.
The movie topped the U.S. and UK box office and went on to thrill audiences around the world. The movie has also been nominated for ten Annie Awards; including Best Animated Feature.
- Man of Steel - $662,845,518
2013 was an exciting summer as it marked the return of Superman to the big screen for the first time since Superman Returns in 2006.
Zack Snyder was the new director at the helm, while British actor Henry Cavill landed the coveted role of Clark Kent - this is the biggest role of his acting career to date.
Man of Steel was a reboot of the franchise that told the story of Clark Kent from his birth, landing on earth, growing up with Jonathan and Martha Kent and assuming the identity of Superman.
Synder and producer Christopher Nolan’s vision for the new franchise was rather an epic one as they brought a completely new look and feel to this well-known and popular character and story.
They also brought together a terrific cast as Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane joined Cavill.
The movie was a box office hit and was has become not only one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer but of the year. A sequel is already being planned as Batman vs. Superman is set to hit the big screen in 2015.
Other movies that make up the top ten highest grossing movies of 2013 include Gravity ($642.1 million), Thor: The Dark World ($619.9 million), The Croods ($587.2 million) and World War Z ($540 million).
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