Whether you’re a historical film buff or you enjoy a good story around your favorite childhood memories (Hi, Barbie!) 2023 was regarded by most critics as a phenomenal year for film.
We’ve put together a rundown of the year’s box outfits hits, who have made the list for their impressive profits and widespread popularity.
Here’s what you need to know about the highest-grossing films of 2023.
Barbie kicks off the list, earning an impressive $1.4 billion dollars worldwide since its drop in July of 2023. Many appreciated the nostalgia and feminist undertones that the movie brought to the global conversation, challenging the traditional notion of the Barbie franchise, perfectionism, and womanhood in general. Barbie also made history as the highest Warner Brothers title in over 40 markets, and is in the top 14 of the Top Lifetime Grosses Worldwide, according to Box Office Pro.
The second entry, following directly behind Barbie, is The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Per Box Office Pro, this titan was recognized as the second-highest-grossing film of the year on both a national and international scale.
Oppenheimer followed The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and was designated the third-highest grossing movie in the world, according to BoxOfficePro. Statistically speaking, the movie performed better internationally compared to domestically, as BoxOfficePro estimates that the film garnered 65% of its profits from international viewers. Additionally, the source confirms that Oppenheimer has captured second place on the Top Ten Lifetime Grosses by the MPA Rating ‘R’ list, topped only by Joker — released in 2019.
Unlike most second and third installments, Guardians of the Galaxy comes into the list at an impressive fourth place. The movie made headlines both nationally and internationally, and brought in $844.86 million dollars total. This is more than the initial installment made (which was $770 million) and slightly less than the series’ second installment — which came in at a record $869 million in 2017.
Fifth on the list is Fast X — the tenth movie in the Fast and Furious series. The global total profit count sits at a considerable $704.7 million dollars per Box Office Pro, coming in as a slightly less successful film than F9 (but still in a league of its own all the same!)
Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes next, clocking in at a global total of $690.5 million per Box Office Pro. Despite the moderate global cooldown over the movie compared to its competitors and predecessors, Box Office Pro finds that IMAX confirmed that Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse attained the title of the second-biggest global animated opening of all time.
Concluding our list is The Little Mermaid, a Disney movie that has been re-released this year with a fresh cast and updated story. The movie garnered $569.6 million dollars globally, and was in the number-one spot over its first week in France, Spain, the U.K., Australia, Mexico, and Italy, per Box Office Pro.
