If it seemed like all the major movies in 2024 had a number in the title, don’t worry, you weren’t hallucinating. For the first time in box office history, every movie on the year’s top 10 list was a sequel. Hollywood went big for nostalgia, established franchises, and familiar faces, and consumers turned out in record numbers. Here’s a glimpse into the top box office offerings of the year and what their success means for the future of modern cinema.
1. Inside Out 2 – $1.69 Billion
Pixar went back to Riley’s mind and hit the jackpot. Inside Out 2 pulled not only at the heartstrings—it broke records, becoming the studio’s biggest box office hit ever. Only Frozen II is higher on the animation list. With figures like these, watch for more sequels from Pixar down the line.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine – $1.33 Billion
The highly anticipated crossover between Ryan Reynolds’ quick-witted antihero and Hugh Jackman’s beloved Wolverine did not disappoint. It brought a box office boom and one of the year’s largest opening weekends. The movie’s box office smash sealed the deal that there’s still a lot of demand for R-rated superhero movies, particularly when it breaks the fourth wall on a gigantic IMAX screen.
3. Despicable Me 4 – $968.2 Million
Gru and the Minions once again demonstrated that their international popularity is not an accident. The fourth Despicable Me film swept family audiences and beat out live-action contenders. Slapstick humor and cartoon pandemonium still work across languages and ages.
4. Dune: Part Two – $714.4 Million
Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to 2021’s Dune brought both critical success and box office success. With gorgeous visuals and a true adaptation of the source material, Part Two provided a classic balance of blockbuster spectacle and cinematic depth, serving up a serious win for bold filmmaking at the beginning of the year.
5. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – $571.7 Million
Two giants, one blockbuster. The new MonsterVerse installment doubled down on city-destroying action and high-octane battles. Critics were divided, but fans turned out for the monster madness, demonstrating that when it comes to behemoth creatures, bigger is better.
6. Kung Fu Panda 4 – $547.6 Million
After almost ten years off-screen, Po returned in triumph. Without the entire Furious Five, the movie had something for old and new fans. The panda bear remains box office gold, and Jack Black’s wit hasn’t missed a beat.
7. Venom: The Last Dance – $456.4 Million
Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and his slimy alter ego came back for another wild ride. While not a critical success, The Last Dance doubled down on its off-kilter humor and zany energy, and fans were more than willing to ride along.
8. Beetlejuice – $451 Million
Mention his name twice, and he generates almost half a billion bucks. Tim Burton’s return to the cult classic scene paid off, with nostalgia mixed with enough new vitality to bring in a fresh generation of enthusiasts. Michael Keaton’s classic character showed he still has the juice.
9. Bad Boys: Ride or Die – $404.5 Million
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reunited the buddy-cop magic for another round of action and laughter in a fourth installment. The series has continued to develop without sacrificing its fundamental appeal, and the audience hasn’t grown weary of the duo’s chemistry on screen.
10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – $397.3 Million
The Apes franchise continues to buck expectations. This tenth installment became one of the year’s pleasant surprises, aided by rich visuals and world-building. Disney’s gamble paid off, and the studio is already teasing future installments.
Why Sequels Are Everywhere
The dominance of sequels in 2024 isn’t a coincidence—it’s a strategy. Hollywood studios are doubling down on what works. Familiar IPs come with built-in audiences, lower marketing risk, and the promise of international appeal. As Disney CEO Bob Iger said, sequels are “known quantities,” making them easier to sell in a crowded entertainment landscape.
What We’re Losing Along the Way
While sequels are propping up the box office, critics and filmmakers have complained that originality is suffering. George Lucas last week noted the creative malaise of the industry, reflected in a wider concern: studios are rehashing old concepts instead of making radical new bets. Contrast that with the 1990s and early 2000s, when original motion pictures such as Jurassic Park and The Sixth Sense were raking it in.
Can the Sequel Boom Last?
Even with billion-dollar blockbusters, the total box office is still lower than in pre-pandemic times. Streaming continues to redefine consumption, and windows are narrowing. Sequels are a temporary solution, but the long-term health of the business might hinge on creating space for original films again.
For the time being, the second wave of sequels is not yet complete. But the question is: how many more old stories will fans accept before wanting something really new?