The movie industry is a multi-trillion dollar industry with thousands of films being shot and produced every year. While fame and quality production are often at the top of most studios’ goals, the ultimate litmus test is commercial success – which should translate into millions of dollars.
In previous years some of the top money-making movies were backed by the biggest Hollywood studios. In recent years however, changes in the industry and technological innovation have made it easier for independent films to break the mould.
While some movies have been able to buck trend, most of the top money-making movies are still backed by the big studios. In addition, the highest grossing films often make money from several revenue streams, including theatrical exhibition, DVDs, television broadcast rights and merchandising.
Top money-making movies trends
In recent years, franchises are making the most money, while there is also a continued interest in the superhero genre.
Most of these movies may gross millions at the box office; some of them (and their stars) are also victims of “Hollywood Accounting”.
These are creative accounting methods used by the film, video and television industry to budget and record profits for film projects. Expenditures can be inflated to reduce or eliminate the reported profit of the project.
This then reduces the amount which the corporation must pay in royalties or other profit-sharing agreements.
Some of the top money-making movies in recent years:
2014: Guardians of the Galaxy grossed $332 million
2015: Star Wars Ep VII: The Force Awakens grossed $742 208 942
Predictions by Vulture, suggest that some of the top money-making movies for 2016 may be:
- Batman v Superman
- Captain America: Civil War
- Independence Day: Resurgence (sans original star Will Smith)
- Finding Dory (which is sure to benefit from Ellen DeGeneres’ improved star power)
- Ghostbusters (which has been described as “a bona fide headline-maker)