Going to the movie theater with friends is always a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night. Sharing a container of popcorn, drinking a Dr. Pepper, and munching on some delicious candy while a new movie plays in the dark. Oh, what a night! Now that we are a little over a week into 2025, new movie releases and announcements have been flying in left and right. However, will 2025 movie releases bring as much success to the box office as 2024 did? Let’s review some of the United States’ top-grossing movies of 2024, see if 2025, and give it a run for its money.
5. Despicable Me 4
Coming in at number 5, we have Despicable Me 4. Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina. The family is forced to go on the run, while hi jinks ensue. Releasing on July 3rd and ranking 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2/10 on IMDb, the new Despicable Me movie brought in $361,004,205 of domestic box office revenue in 4,449 theatres in the United States. After watching the movie, I do think its standing is correct. It was a good movie but the Despicable Me franchise should come to an end after this movie. The ending of this movie I feel is a great close to the franchise and leaves the movie at a great stopping point.
4. Moana 2
Ranking at number 4 is Moana 2. After receiving an unexpected call from her way-finding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Releasing on November 27th and ranking 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7/10 on IMDb, Moana 2 brought in $429,654,208 of domestic box office revenue in 4,2000 theaters in the United States. After watching Moana 2, I do believe that this movie should be above Despicable Me 4, however, I think it should stand higher on the list. This movie was highly anticipated and everyone was so excited when the trailer was released. Disney is even filming a live-action version of the movie. Clearly this movie is popular to the public and brings in a high amount of box office revenue. It also flows very well. It’s a continuation of the previous movie but adds a whole new story to the movie. If they do another Moana, I do think it will be as successful as these two movies because the ending of Moana is the perfect ending to set the theme for Moana 3.
3. Wicked
Coming in at number 3 is Wicked. Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Galinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads. Wicked was released on November 22nd and has rankings of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.8/10 on IMDb. Wicked brought in $455,060,060 of domestic box office revenue in 3,888 theaters across the US. If I’m being honest, I can not believe that Wicked isn’t ranked number 1 on this list. I love the Wicked movie so much that it ranks up there with my top favorite movies. I went into the movie knowing nothing about the musical and I came out so ready for Wicked Part 2. I thought this movie would be the top movie of 2024 because everyone was so ready for this movie and when it came out, everyone I talked to loved the movie so much. Personally, I can not wait to see the next movie and I agree that this movie should be in the top 5 but honestly, it should be number 1.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine
Coming in at number 2 we have Deadpool & Wolverine. Deadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction. Deadpool & Wolverine came out this summer on July 26th and has 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDb. Deadpool & Wolverine brought in $636,745,858 of domestic box office revenue in 4,210 theaters across the US. I remember going to see this movie with my brother and I was laughing the entire time. This movie was hilarious and had a great storyline. I think that the ending of this movie was fantastic. It was the perfect ending to the Deadpool franchise in my opinion. It was the first time I have been in at the movies and the entire audience was clapping when the movie ended. Everything about this movie was amazing. The music, the acting, the scenes. I think that it deserves more than 78% Rotten Tomatoes. It was amazing.
1. Inside Out 2
To end this whole list, at number 1, we have Inside Out 2. A sequel that features Riley entering puberty and experiencing brand new, more complex emotions as a result. As Riley tries to adapt to her teenage years, her old emotions try to adapt to the possibility of being replaced. Inside Out 2 was released on June 14th and has 91% Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDb. Inside Out 2 brought in $652,980,194 of domestic box office revenue in 4,440 theaters. This movie is amazing. During this movie, audiences experience many twists and turns during this 1hr and 36 min movie. After watching Inside Out 1, this movie is the perfect continuation of the previous movie. I see why this movie brought in a lot of revenue. I would recommend everyone to watch this movie. It was great.
After looking at this list, I agree with some of the movie rankings but disagree with the others. I wish that I could put Wicked and Inside Out 2 both at number 1. Those were the best movies that I had seen in 2024. If the list was split into animated and live-action movies, I would love to see how the lists would vary and where the movies would be placed if the movies were separated that way. I can’t wait to see if the movies of 2025 will be as successful as these movies when it comes to box office sales.