2010's Mid-Decade Report: Highest Grossing Original Movies

Believe it or not, we are now over halfway through the 2010's.  As we look forward to the last half of this decade, let's look back at what the first half of the 2010's has given us in terms of film.  If it hadn't been fully established yet, the biggest trend that has been solidified over this decade so far is the dominance of blockbusters based on previous material.  Whether it is comic book movies, sequels, remakes, or bringing a popular book to life, our decade has been dominated by known commodities.  It is as if no one wants to waste their time and money on something that is unknown.  In the past, a movie would become a blockbuster simply because the right movie superstar was in it.  Although there is still a little of that, it is nowhere near as prevalent as it was, say, in the 90's.

With these trends in mind, this article is celebrating the highest grossing original films of the first half of the 2010's.  Of the 159 films that grossed over $100 million from 2010-2014, only 36 movies were original.  That is 22.6% of the blockbusters.  Of those 36 films, 12 of them are comedies, 8 are animated, 6 are sci-fi, 5 Best Picture nominees, and 3 are action films.  All but 10 of the 36 films have positive scores on Rotten Tomatoes.  Of those 10, most were popular due to the stars in the cast like Grown Ups (Adam Sandler), Ride Along (Kevin Hart), and Due Date (Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis).

Here are films #11-36 on this list.

36.  Bad Teacher (2011) - $100,292,856

35.  Due Date (2010) - $100,539,043

34.  Pacific Rim (2013) - $101,802,906

33.  The Expendables (2010) - $103,068,524

32.  Black Swan (2010) - $106,954,678

31.  Hop (2011) - $108,085,305

30.  Valentine's Day (2010) - $110,485,654

29.  Magic Mike (2012) - $113,721,571

28.  Horrible Bosses (2011) - $117,538,559

27.  Now You See Me (2013) - $117,723,989

26.  Salt (2010) - $118,311,368

25.  The Other Guys (2010) - $119,219,978

24.  Rango (2011) - $123,477,607

23.  Safe House (2012) - $126,373,434

22.  Lucy (2014) - $126,663,600

21.  Super 8 (2011) - $127,004,179

20.  Identity Thief (2013) - $134,506,920

19.  Ride Along (2014) - $134,938,200

18.  The Conjuring (2013) - $137,400,141

17.  Rio (2011) - $143,619,809

16.  Megamind (2010) - $148,415,853

15.  American Hustle (2013) - $150,117,807

14.  Neighbors (2014) - $150,157,400

13.  We're the Millers (2013) - $150,394,119

12.  The Heat (2013) - $159,582,188

11.  Grown Ups (2010) - $162,001,186

With all this said, let's look at the 10 highest grossing original films of the first half of the 2010's.

10.  Django Unchained

(2012)

$162,805,434

This is a rarity on this list as it is not what you would consider a "mainstream" movie.  However, the appeal of a filmmaker like Quentin Tarantino has become pretty universal.  I have said many times before that Tarantino has pretty much created a genre for himself that nobody else has been able to duplicate.  That makes a film like Django Unchained a must-see movie event.  This is Tarantino's only film so far this decade, but it is pretty safe to assume that this year's The Hateful Eight will join this list eventually.

9.  Bridesmaids

(2011)

$169,106,725

The last 10 years or so has seen a rise in the quality R-rated laugh-out-loud comedy.  One of the highest grossing of these movies was one of the few that featured the girls.  Gathering all the funniest women in the industry today led to box office gold and the rarity of a few Oscar nominations for a comedy of this nature.  It also helped jumpstart the career of scene-stealer Melissa McCarthy.

8.  The Croods

(2013)

$187,168,425

I was surprised to find this film so high up on this list.  However, with 8 animated films among the 36 listed here, and 4 of them in the top ten, it shows one of the ways to make an original hit is to make a family-friendly film.  Family-friendly movies seem to be few and far between, especially high-quality non-animated ones.  However, like I said, this trend shows a deficiency in an area of film that could easily be capitalized on in the years to come.

7.  Interstellar

(2014)

$188,020,017

Much like Tarantino, Christopher Nolan films have become events simply because he is directing them.  Although he became a household name through his Dark Knight trilogy, it is his original material that has made him one of the top directors working today.  Although Interstellar is not his best, the ambitious nature of this film and his reputation made this a top grossing film.

6.  Wreck-It Ralph

(2012)

$189,422,889

This animated film combined two things that are loved by the masses: cartoons and video games.  This film shows how animated films have changed over the years.  When I was growing up watching Disney classic cartoons like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, very few voices were known names.  Now we have films like Wreck-It Ralph, where not only do we have a family-friendly animated film, but also there are top billed actors like John C Reilly, Sara Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Mindy Kaling, Ed O'Neill, Dennis Haysbert, and others.  So now you have the appeal not only of it being an animated film, but also some of your favorite stars are in it.

5.  Ted

(2012)

$218,815,487

Our first film over $200 million is as original a comedy as we saw so far this decade.  Only Seth MacFarlane could make a story about a man and his talking R-rated teddy bear a hit success.  After the huge success of Family Guy, everyone was anxious to see what MacFarlane could do on the big screen.  His first attempt produced this breakout hit that led to a great year for MacFarlane that ended with him hosting the Oscars and getting nominated for a song from this movie (unfortunately, the song was not "Thunder Buddies").

4.  Brave

(2012)

$237,283,207

Although there are 8 animated films on this list, this is the only film to come from animation giant Pixar.  There is one primary reason for this: it was Pixar's only original story in the last 5 years.  Pixar is known for its ability to come up with truly original and groundbreaking stories.  However, it almost felt like they were tapped out of material for a little while as they relied on sequels at the start of this decade.  Brave was the one exception, however it was also one of the lesser Pixar films.  However, putting the Pixar label on the film single-handedly made a top grossing film.

3.  Despicable Me

(2010)

$251,513,985

Few original movies start phenomenons quite like what happened with Despicable Me.  This film just came out 5 years ago, and we are about to see its second sequel get released this weekend!  Again, it was started by billing names like Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, and Kristen Wiig on the marquee.  Also, as is the case with many animated films, it's cute for the kids while still having elements that adults will appreciate.  Also, who doesn't love the minions?  (Okay, you might be sick of them now, but who didn't love them when you first saw them?)

2.  Gravity

(2013)

$274,092,705

This is one of 5 Best Picture nominees on this list and one of three to make the top ten.  This sci-fi thriller has a simple premise: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are stranded in space.  However, this film ended up having something for everyone.  It had star power, it had suspense, it had incredible visuals, and it was wonderfully executed.  It is also one that had its box office helped by 3D viewings.  The public seems to have a fascination with space and the unknown that it produces.  This film's success shows that.

1.  Inception

(2010)

$292,576,195

Coming into the decade, no one was hotter than Christopher Nolan.  He had just made what is widely thought to be the greatest superhero movie of all time in The Dark Knight.  Then he started the new decade with this groundbreaking thriller that is as original as they come.  This film had everything: stars (LEO!!!), A-list director, completely original sci-fi premise, mind-bending visuals, and an incredible ending that just makes you want to start the movie over again.  All this leads to the highest grossing original movie of the first half of this decade.

By the way, if 2015 movies had been included in this list, there would be a different number one as Inside Out has been dominating the box office.  See what happens when Pixar truly gets original?

Terry's Top Ten Films of 2012

It always takes me a little longer to get my top 10 list of the year out than my two companions.  This is mainly because I have more trouble finding time to view the top films of the year before the come out on DVD.  Eventually I see them all and am able to put out a strong top films of the year.  This last year was one of those years where I think the Academy got it pretty right with who they honored at the Oscars.  This not only makes for a much more enjoyable Oscars ceremony, but also gives me increased faith in the awards systems.  Eight of the Best Picture nominees can be found in my top ten.  The one that is not I have yet to view (Beasts of the Southern Wild) but I feel confident enough in the ten that I have to go with it without viewing this one yet (Update: I saw Beasts and it did not crack the list).  So far, I have given out nine 4 star ratings for 2012 which is my lowest total since 2009 when there were eight 4 stars.  However, with that said, I believe this was a good year for movies because of the quality of the these ten movies at the top.  With all that said, here is the list.

Honorable Mention

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Haywire

Skyfall

This Is 40

10.  Amour (Dir. by Michael Haneke)

Let me start by saying this type of film is not my cup of tea.  I am usually not a fan of quiet subtle character studies.  I usually differ to Todd or Zach to discuss the greatness of this genre.  However, Haneke's latest achievement about an elderly couple dealing with the trials and struggles of the twilight years impressed me so much I had to put it on my list.  I still didn't necessarily "like" this movie in the traditional sense of the word, but I was fascinated by it and by the beauty of its subtlety.  The screenplay is brilliant because of everything it doesn't say.  There isn't much plot in the story, but most of the events that advance the plot are not seen or heard.  The film is not about what is happening, but about how people react to and cope with those events.  The beauty is in the non-verbals which led to two amazing performances from the Oscar-nominated Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant.  If nothing else, this film shows the incredible artistry of a unique filmmaker.

9.  The Avengers (Dir. by Joss Whedon)

This is probably the closest thing to a polar opposite that you could find to the last film on the list.  However, I would be lying if I didn't say the superhero mega-movie event wasn't one of the most enjoyable movie-going experiences of the year.  Individually, some characters made decent films (Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger) and some didn't (Thor) but together they made an explosive team that saved the world.  I could watch this movie over and over and over again.

8.  Lincoln (Dir. by Steven Spielberg)

I love a good historical drama.  When you add to that one of the better directors of the last 30 years, one of the best actors of the last 25 years, and one of the most beloved characters in American history, you are bound to have a masterpiece.  That is exactly what this combination brought.  Daniel Day-Lewis once again gave a career-defining performance (I believe this makes 5 career-defining performances for him) as he became the embodiment of the character instead of simply playing him.  Add to that some of the best supporting performances of the year from one of the most impressive casts of the year, and you really can't find anything to complain about.

7.  Les Miserables (Dir. by Tom Hooper)

When I heard they were making a movie version of my favorite musical of all time, my only reaction was, "Don't screw it up."  What I realized after watching the film was you really can't screw it up.  It was not a perfect movie.  I had some issues with some of the casting decisions and some of the performances, however when it came down to it the story is so good and the music tells the story so well that less than perfect still produced a masterpiece.  I give Tom Hooper a lot of credit for this because he realized the best way to bring this musical to the screen is to not mess with what made it a great musical, and that is the music.  By keeping the singing throughout and allowing the actors bring their characters to life through song, it gave the film the emotion and epic scale that makes the musical so beloved.

6.  Looper (Dir. by Rian Johnson)

This was one of the best kept secrets of last year.  However, by the time saw this movie, I had heard from everyone that had seen it that it was the most underrated film of the year.  So the hype had definitely built up.  With that said, it lived up to all the hype.  What a unique and original movie!  As all great sci-fi films do, it establishes its reality quite well, but what makes this one stand out is the reality we are forced to live in for two hours.  The unique and fascinating premise is so thought-provoking in itself that when the plot starts taking its twists and turns, you are hooked and on the edge of your seat for the duration.  Looper redefined time travel movies in a way District 9 a few years ago redefined alien movies.

5.  Django Unchained (Dir. by Quentin Tarantino)

It seems that no matter when Tarantino makes a film, it ends up on my top films of the year no matter how ridiculous the film is.  Django is a perfect example.  If you were to hear about a film with this premise, you would think it was a joke.  A slave right before the Civil War is freed to work with a bounty hunter to hunt down and kill slave owners.  What a terrible sounding, offensive movie!  This film should never be made!  Then you're told that Quentin Tarantino is making it.  All of a sudden it becomes one of the movie events of the year and a soon-to-be masterpiece.  It almost seems like Tarantino wants to see how far he can push it before he gets run out of Hollywood.  This will never happen though.  First, Tarantino would run away from Hollywood before he would be considered a part of it.  Second, he makes films in a way no one else does.  His screenplays and dialogue are so unique and his plot lines are so original, he has practically created a genre of his own.  Because of that, every time we see Tarantino work we see something we have never seen before.  This is what makes films like Django so great.  I'm sure if we saw films like these everyday then Tarantino wouldn't wow us so much.  But we don't, so they do.

4.  Zero Dark Thirty (Dir. by Kathryn Bigelow)

It is rare that such a moment of recent history is brought to the screen so quickly and so effectively.  Kathryn Bigelow has built a reputation for herself that I don't think anyone else should ever make a film about the Middle East besides her.  I really don't like a lot of the movies that are coming out about the wars in the Middle East, but Bigelow has now succeeded in making two masterpieces on the subject.  This film about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden is so honest and suspenseful that it draws you in from the very first scene.  The last half hour of the movie is one of the greatest war sequences I have ever seen.  It is definitely a film that takes you for a ride.

3.  Life of Pi (Dir. by Ang Lee)

This film surprised me more than any other this year.  I knew nothing about it going in except there was a boy, a boat, and a tiger.  I also knew that it was getting more recognition than I looked like it should by the awards season.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  Yes, it is a story about a boy, a boat, and a tiger, but it is so much more than that.  It is a story about faith, survival, and imagination.  And when you put an imaginative story like this into the creative hands of Ang Lee, you are bound to have one of the greatest movie experiences you can find.  I loved everything about this movie.  The story is incredible, which you almost forget about because the film is so beautiful to watch which is a given when Ang Lee is at the helm.  On top of all this, the film ends in a way that keeps you thinking for days.  It is one of those films where you need to have a discussion with someone to debrief after you are done watching it.  This is a film I will never get tired of talking about.

2.  Silver Linings Playbook (Dir. by David O. Russell)

Out of all the films on this list, this is the most human story with the characters you relate to the most with the best overall acting job of the year.  This film about a bipolar finding his way to be normal in the world is quirky, heartbreaking, funny, serious.  In short, it is life.  Few films capture life in all its dynamics like this does.  In a lot of ways (and my counterparts will hate me for this), it is a lot like Sideways in this way.  There is a real life story told with flawed, complete characters in a way real life actually is.  However, Silver Linings would have been nothing if not for its stellar cast.  Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence show they can do a lot more than what the general public recognize them for, and when you can round out your cast with a living legend you have a perfect cast.  I know some of you were thinking the living legend was Chris Tucker, but it's not.  It was Robert De Niro.

1.  Argo (Dir. by Ben Affleck)

If any of you have read any of my other posts or know what my favorite movies are, you will know that my all-time favorite type of movie is a 20th Century American History film.  Whether it's Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, or Frost/Nixon, there is something about this time period that appeals to me.  Argo is the latest film I can add to this list.  Ben Affleck is quickly becoming one of the best directors we have with this film being his masterpiece about the rescue mission of the Americans who escaped before the hostages were taken in Iran.  This movie feels like an instant classic, and instantly became one of my favorite movies of the last number of years.  I really don't know how to describe it other than: awesome.

Oscar Breakdown and Handicapping: Best Picture

We finally get to the final and most important category. All conventional knowledge would have stated that after the nominations were announced Argo would not be in the running since it lacks the Best Director nomination. Now that it has gobbled up every award in its way, it seems like a shoo-in winner. But then there is the Weinstein push for Silver Linings Playbook. This could get interesting. Check out my final breakdown article of the season…

9. Django Unchained

Notable awards: none

Notable nominations: BFCA, Golden Globes (Drama), PGA

Case for the Oscar: It has a very nice box office. The fact that two straight Tarantino movies have made it into the Best Picture lineup may mean that the Academy is really beginning to accept his style of filmmaking. Until they truly takes him seriously as a director as opposed to just a screenwriter, then his films are going to continue to appeal to that niche market and not really have a shot at winning this award.

Oscar Doppelganger: 1996 Best Picture: Jerry Maguire. The movie was nominated despite missing out on the Best Director nomination. Seeing how his career had gone, the Academy never really took him seriously as a director, only as one of the more likable screenwriters of his time. The movie was somewhat of a box office phenomenon and the director’s highest grossing film, but nobody ever really thought it could win Best Picture.

Odds of winning: 250/1

8. Beasts of the Southern Wild

Notable awards: none

Notable nominations: BFCA, Spirit Awards, PGA

Case for the Oscar: The movie is getting all of the indie enthusiast votes. The major awards love proves that it has a great following, but it is just not a normal Oscar movie. If there had been five nominees, this would have been the strangest Best Director nominee without BP since Blue Velvet. The movie is one that inspires fondness as opposed to amazement, which hurts its chances at winning any awards (or gathering a significant audience, for that matter). The movie is destined to be an also-ran, but its nominations have already defied the odds.

Oscar Doppelganger: 2010 Best Picture: Winter’s Bone. The movie was the indie hit of the year that defied the odds and got invited to the ceremony in several categories. Its chances of winning were never really all that realistic, but being mentioned among the best of the year showed how much the Academy members appreciated its achievement with such a small budget.

Odds of winning: 150/1

7. Amour

Notable awards: Cannes, Los Angeles Critics, National Society of Film Critics

Notable nominations: none

Case for the Oscar: It is the most critically acclaimed movie of the year. There hasn’t been a foreign film in the Best Picture lineup since 2000, so this type of recognition is extremely rare. Everyone who has seen it has marveled over its emotional impact, so if it somehow got enough members to see it, then it actually could finish in the top few films. Winning is not going to happen, but Haneke has certainly put his name at the top of the list of most accessible foreign filmmakers with this superb little film.

Oscar Doppelganger: 1973 Best Picture: Cries and Whispers. The film had deep and depressing themes. The director was probably the most beloved foreign director of his time, and this was his most popular film with the awards circuits. The film was up against more popular Hollywood studio releases, so it never really had a shot at winning, but it certainly shook up the race, becoming one of only 9 foreign language films ever nominated for Best Picture.

Odds of winning: 100/1

6. Zero Dark Thirty

Notable awards: Boston Critics, Chicago Critics, National Board of Review, New York Critics

Notable nominations: BAFTA, Golden Globes (Drama), PGA

Case for the Oscar: For me, this is the best movie of the year. Its controversy is completely off-base, but that will be enough for the members to shy away from voting for the film. They are all about avoiding controversy. The director-writer combo just won all the major awards a few years ago, so that could either help the cause or prevent them from showering them with more awards this soon. Its Best Director snub is ridiculous, but that is pretty telling as to its chances in this category, since the film is clearly a directing spectacle.

Oscar Doppelganger: 1991 Best Picture: JFK. There was controversy the moment the film was announced. The Academy was probably not ready for the film, but they knew it was great and that the technical aspects were spectacular. The Best Picture nomination seemed like a formality for the Oscar-winning filmmakers, but its chances of actually taking Best Picture were very slim.

Odds of winning: 70/1

5. Les Miserables

Notable awards: Golden Globes (Comedy/Musical)

Notable nominations: BAFTA, BFCA, PGA, SAG

Case for the Oscar: The movie was the most Oscar-friendly on paper, but the film underwhelmed everyone but the most devoted Les Mis fans. The Academy snubbed it for Best Director, which showed that the film is not as popular as it could or should have been. It had a very nice box office, however, so if the Academy wants to give the award to a fluff winner, then this would likely be it. There has not been a musical to win this in a decade, so that may help its chances. They cannot resist them sometimes.

Oscar Doppelganger: 2001 Best Picture: Moulin Rouge!. The film was a visual and artistic spectacle, but the experience of watching it was quite frenetic and somewhat of a mess. The film certainly had its fans, but its style turned off enough voters to not have a chance at winning Best Picture.

Odds of winning: 60/1

4. Life of Pi

Notable awards: none

Notable nominations: BAFTA, BFCA, Golden Globes (Drama), PGA

Case for the Oscar: The movie feels the most like an Oscar winner. The material and visual style would certainly take the Oscar back to when these types of epic ambition films won the awards, but it faces the issue of not having any stars in the film. That hasn’t been an issue with Slumdog Millionaire and The Artist, but Life of Pi just didn’t have the widespread love or devoted fans of many of the other contenders. If the Academy wants to play it safe, then this will likely be the winner, which would be the first 3D release Best Picture winner.

Oscar Doppelganger: 2003 Best Picture: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. The movie was not the most popular film with the Academy members, but it was an easy choice to give the film several technical nominations and a Best Picture mention. The movie was a visual spectacle and a wondrous experience, but the other contenders were more popular with the public and had more clear Oscar ambitions.

Odds of winning: 50/1

3. Lincoln

Notable awards: none

Notable nominations: BAFTA, BFCA, Golden Globes (Drama), PGA, SAG

Case for the Oscar: When the movie was announced, it would have seemed as if this were the one to beat. It turned out to be extremely talky and perhaps a bit too sophisticated for the Academy. If it were a biopic, then this would have been a much more popular film awards-wise. Its nominations were predictable, but winning would be quite an achievement for a film based so much on dialogue. Those types of films don’t win Best Picture, but most of them are not directed by Spielberg or starring Daniel Day-Lewis.

Oscar Doppelganger: 1994 Best Picture: Quiz Show. (This is mainly because I didn’t want to use Good Night, and Good Luck again…) The dialogue-heavy and important film was a clear Oscar contender from the moment it was announced, but it became more and more clear that it was not the type of film that could actually win big at the Oscars. The film’s director had won before, which made it even clearer that it would be singled out as one of the year’s best. It was Oscar gold on paper, but its style caused it to come up just short.

Odds of winning: 20/1

2. Silver Linings Playbook

Notable awards: Satellite Awards

Notable nominations: BFCA, Golden Globes (Comedy/Musical), Spirit Awards, PGA, SAG

Case for the Oscar: The Weinstein Company are pushing it hard, putting everyone involved in the film on every talk show in the country. It is still making money at the box office, so it is fresh in the minds of the voters. It has the feel-good sob story about the David O. Russell’s son. If he wins, then this will take Best Picture. The mental illness subject matter is the stuff that Oscar loves. This smells like an upset, but Argo just has so much momentum. It will be a close call.

Oscar Doppelganger: 2010 Best Picture: The King’s Speech. The film vastly overachieved at the box office. Weinstein pushed it so hard that it eventually became a serious threat to the obvious frontrunner. It was a very safe choice for the Academy members, who did not want to award a film that was outside of their normal recipient style. It rode the wave of audience popularity all the way to the ceremony. When the film took Best Director, the race was basically over.

Odds of winning: 8/1

1. Argo

Notable awards: BAFTA, BFCA, Golden Globes (Drama), PGA, SAG

Notable nominations: none

Case for the Oscar: It has taken every important award this season. George Clooney is the main producer, so that brings another element to its frontrunner status. The movie is a very Hollywood/LA movie, just like Crash was when it won over the Academy late in the game. It is also a very American movie, which the Academy may need after 3 of the last 4 years giving this award to films like Slumdog, The Artist, and The King’s Speech. Everyone feels bad for Ben Affleck, so this award is the one way that they can award his extraordinary work on the film. Unless the Weinstein money impacts the voting, then this will be our winner.

Oscar Doppelganger: 1981 Best Picture: Chariots of Fire. There really is no film that can be compared to what Argo has gone through. With Chariots of Fire, there were other Oscar contenders on paper that underachieved throughout the awards season. This movie was never going to win Best Director, but its status as the Best Picture frontrunner over blockbuster films was pretty clear. It wasn’t the most popular film with audiences, but it was a solid and easy choice for the Academy, one that may not be one of their better choices, but one that was a breath of fresh air during a time when most of the other Best Picture winners were all very forgettable and typical.

Odds of winning: 1/10

Previous articles:

Best Director

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actress

Best Original and Adapted Screenplays

Thoughts? Comments? Predictions? If you haven’t already, turn in your votes for the OSCAR CHALLENGE!