The biggest box office hits of the 2000s
The highest-grossing movies of the 2000s tell a pretty clear story of the stories that did well at cinemas during those years: superheroes, CGI, and so many sequels.
Franchises like “The Lord of the Rings,” “Spider-Man,” “Star Wars,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and Christopher Nolan’s Batman all did well with audiences and Academy Awards voters. According to ScreenRant, with data from Box Office Mojo, here are the top box office hits of the 2000s.
The Passion of the Christ: $370 million
While it received mixed reviews, “The Passion” was at the center of conversation when it premiered in 2004, making it a big box office draw. It ultimately netted $370 million, just barely cracking the top 10 for the decade.
Spider-Man 2: $373 million
Tobey Maguire returned for his second outing as the web slinger in “Spider-Man 2,” also in 2004. Before Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland took the role, Maguire flew through the air with dazzling visual effects that won the film an Oscar.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King: $377 million
The “Lord of the Rings” series closed out with a big (and long) finale in 2003. The film swept the Academy Awards, taking home a ridiculous 11 trophies, and brought in fans and non-fans alike who needed to see how the franchise would draw to a close.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith: $380 million
Say what you will about the “Star Wars” prequels, but they were the hot movies of the 2000s. “Episode III” drew in nearly $400 million in box office gross when it landed in 2005.
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen: $402 million
Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox earned the big bucks for playing opposite a bunch of giant CGI robot warriors in this sequel to 2007’s “Transformers.” The sequel hit theaters two years after the original, capitalizing on audiences’ enduring interest in explosive robot battles.
Spider-Man: $403 million
Audiences liked the “Spider-Man” sequel, but they loved the 2002 original. The film was nominated for best visual effects and best sound mixing at the Oscars the next year, but it also catapulted Maguire to global stardom.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: $423 million
The original “Pirates of the Carribean” earned just over $300 million, a hefty haul but not quite enough to register in the top 10 of the decade. The sequel far surpassed that at $423 million, which is where the series would peak in domestic gross before sliding in the succeeding films.
Shrek 2: $441 million
The follow-up to 2001’s “Shrek” was well received for reviving the humor and quirk of the original while adding new characters to the mix. The sequel did astoundingly well, nearly doubling the intake of the first film.
The Dark Knight: $533 million
Heath Ledger’s untimely passing made “The Dark Knight” one of the most talked about films in the 2000s. It also made the late actor’s Joker especially frightening, earning him a posthumous Oscar for supporting actor.
Avatar: $749 million
James Cameron dominated the box office with the top-grossing film in the 1990s, “Titanic,” so it’s no surprise the director clinched the top spot a decade later. The movie introduced many filmgoers to a legitimate 3-D film experience for the first time, meaning everyone had to see it.
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