We are more than half way done with the year and 2013 has had its fair share of box office successes so far. There have been films that have changed how we see movies forever –others were just enjoyable to watch. There are a good amount of sequels, prequels, and adapted screenplays on our list. What make these films so extraordinary are the frames, the cinematography, and most importantly the way these films are written. So who is on the list of highest grossing films?
15. G.I. Joe: Retaliation ($122,523,060)
This sequel surprisingly has a better rating than the first movie. On IMDB, it has a rating of 5.9, while G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra has a rating of 5.7. The sequel was not too different compared to the first. It has rising action events, a climax, and then a falling action. We all usually know how these movies end because the good guys always win. If you love action packed movies and great use of CGI, then this is the movie for you! The movie has a well-known cast and there are some crazy turns of events in the film that may surprise you.
14. Grown Ups 2 ($127,569,878)
The family comedy that people had been waiting for three years finally came to theaters in July. The original cast of Grown Ups is back in the sequel and better than ever. Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and Kevin James are back with their witty ideas and funny adventures with their family. This film is great to see with your kids because it demonstrates how families can go through ups and downs but they all stick together. Watch this movie if you are looking to laugh and enjoy a great film with family, friends, or just colleagues.
13. The Conjuring ($128,322,215)
This year I went to the Los Angeles Film Festival and was a volunteer running around leading people to their seats or just ticketing. One of benefits of volunteering is that I received free movie vouchers, which let me see the movie The Conjuring a month before it was released in theaters. Let me tell you, I could not sleep the night I watched the movie. I thought something was going to knock on my window or I would see the creepy doll if in the middle of the night. If you are a fan of horror films, this is the movie for you. It is based on a true story about the Warrens who investigated the house of the family called the Perrons. Director James Wan does a great job of not being overly unrealistic and tried to stick to the story as much as possible. If you would like to watch a horror film that leaves you on the edge of your seat, this film is for you!
12. Identity Thief ($134,506,920)
Comedic geniuses Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman make a hilarious duo in Identity Thief. Both have grown to become respected hilarious actors with McCarthy in roles like The Heat, Mike & Molly, and Bridesmaids; Bateman in roles in Arrested Development, Horrible Bosses, and Juno. The title is self-explanatory. Diana (McCarthy) is a natural born identity thief stealing people’s identity in order to buy her way to her comfy lifestyle. It makes it even easier when Bateman’s character has a common name used more for females which is Sandy. You really need to watch this movie because this dynamic duo will make you laugh until your stomach hurts.
11. The Great Gatsby ($144,819,377)
Ohhh Dicaprio! What can’t he do? In the new adaption of The Great Gatsby, we have Leonardo Dicaprio playing Jay Gatsby, Tobey McGuire playing Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan playing the famous Diana Buchanan. I have been a fan of The Great Gatsby since I was assigned to read the novel in high school, but loved it so much I read it over three times. The film takes you back to the roaring twenties era with elegance, class, and drama. If you love amazing movies (and I know you do), this is a must watch! Not just because Leonardo Dicaprio comes out, but because it is actually well written and has outstanding performances.
10. The Heat ($155,570,999)
Melissa McCarthy is back on our countdown with another partner in crime named Sandra Bullock. This female empowered film is hilarious with two different types of agents. Bullock plays Ashburn, an uptight agent while McCarthy plays Mullins, who is a foul-mouthed badass. The Heat is hilarious and having two female protagonists just makes it even better. If you love comedies, then you will laugh your butt-off with McCarthy’s unique but hilarious humor.
9. The Croods ($187,001,703)
I love how different The Croods are from other animated movies because it does not try too hard to be funny, and the humor is kid friendly. With an A-list cast as the voices of some of the characters, it made the animated film such a box office success. The Croods takes you back to the Stone Age and it is hilarious. This is an animated film that kids, teens, and adults can all have fun watching.
8. World War Z ($198,362,073)
World War Z…another zombie apocalypse style movie was released this year! What is different? The zombies are so much faster than the usual zombies we see on TV, and Brad Pitt comes out! Brad Pitt has not been as busy as he has in the past, but it does not look like he is going anywhere anytime soon. Although some apocalypse films seem to have almost the same story, World War Z is different on how fast the action occurs. If you love Brad Pitt, or if you love sci-fi films, this is for you.
7. Star Trek Into Darkness ($227,188,185)
The great Star Trek franchise continues to gain new fans and am happily relieved that the sequel did not disappoint. Star Trek has been on television for so many years and rebooting it was a bit surprising, but thanks to amazing casting and great screenwriters, the first two films have not disappointed. Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock took a moment for eyes to adjust, but now cannot imagine anyone else playing their roles. If you love action, love science fiction, and love strong characters, then this is the movie for you!
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6. Oz The Great and Powerful ($234,911,825)
I was a bit skeptical when I saw that The Wizard of OZ was having a prequel in the works because of modern technology, but the film does not look too bad. I love older movies because they do such a great job of being realistic without the use of CGI, but this movie relies on it too much. James Franco and Mila Kunis give great performances, but the use of CGI could have been a bit less. It does not mean the story was bad, the storyline was well written and this prequel actually relates and does not stray away from The Wizard of Oz. The film is a bit humorous as well as kid friendly. Check out the film!
5. Fast & Furious 6 ($238,464,720)
This film reunites most of the original cast of the first The Fast and The Furious film and as well introduces some new ones. The Fast & Furious franchise all have different storylines but all tend to end the same. We all get excited because of the fast exotic cars they get to use, as well as the action that is in each film. The good guys always win somehow even though the odds are against them. Universal does do a great job on building up anticipation of the action that just watching the movie gets your adrenaline pumping. This movie is a must watch if you love cars, action, or if you just love the Paul Walker and Vin Diesel duo.
4. Monsters University ($261,134,998)
It took Disney about twelve years in order to bring back a new Monsters Inc. movie. We all waited for a sequel, but instead we got a prequel. The prequel was a wonderful way to show what Mike and Sully did before they started scaring children for a living. I do kind of wish there would have been a sequel because it be great to know if they ever see the character a lot of us fell in love with…and that was Boo. Not sure if another film of the Monsters Inc. franchise is in store for the future, but I can only hope. This film is rated G so the whole family can go watch this animated movie. The kids back in 2001 also have the opportunity to watch this new prequel. Check it out when you can!
3. Man of Steel ($289,694,329)
“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” are the most well-known words of the Superman franchise. The new Superman reboot called Man of Steel received mixed reviews, but whether or not people liked it, this film made a lot of profit. Superman has been a part of people’s lives since we were young whether we preferred him as our favorite superhero or not. Modern technology has come a long way and we can see that in the new Superman movie. I do love how Henry Cavill plays the role of Clark Kent/Superman. He gives a stellar performance as well as a passionate one. It is debatable whether this one is better than the original 1978 Superman but it is a food for thought. Check out the movie in a theater near you!
2. Despicable Me 2 ($346,642,075)
The adorable fluffy little girls are back! In the new sequel, Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. Gru has come a long way from being a former villain to being a new father to three little girls. His helper minions of course make the movie so much more interesting. Universal Pictures did a great job in creating a sequel that does not repeat the storyline of the first film. Of course some things are referenced but it does not repeat it too often. Steve Carell is of course hilarious as the voice of Gru with the accent that sounds almost natural. Check out Despicable Me 2 in a theater near you before summer ends!
1. Iron Man 3 ($408,195,474)
Last but definitely not least is…Iron Man 3!! This has been the highest grossing film of 2013 thus far and I do not see it changing anytime soon. Iron Man 3 finished strong and did a great job of tying the franchise together. Robert Downey Jr. rebooted his career playing Tony Stark and I don’t think anyone could have played him better than Downey Jr. himself. In this new sequel, “Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution” (IMDB). Even if some people do not like the movie, Buena Vista and Paramount must have done something right because it has grossed almost $409,000,000 in the US and over $1 billion worldwide. Check out the Iron Man series before watching this film. If not you might be confused. Watch Iron Man 3 in a theater near you!
It was a pleasure doing this countdown, and hope you can check out some of these films on the list! Believe me they are awesome. (Remember the comments are based on my opinions.)