2022 is a great year for cinema. From small auteur-driven films like pearl and The Fabelmans in big blockbuster events like not and Elvisthe film industry delivers many movies that fill theaters and stun audiences around the world.
Now that 2022 has come to an end, it’s time to revisit the movies that, for better or for worse, stuck with us. These are the most popular movies of 2022 based on their US domestic box office gross as of February 26, 2023. (The * indicates that the movie is still in theaters and has made money.)
Honorable mention: Black Adam ($168 million)
Dwayne Johnson is finally living his dream movie Black Adam. But with lackluster reviews and underwhelming box office numbers, it didn’t shake up the DC Universe as many people expected.
Despite this, it still gave many viewers a strange, exciting, and fun superhero romp as the Man in Black faced off against the Justice Society and the Intergang. It also caused a buzz by bringing back Henry Cavill’s Superman – at least for a while. Black AdamThe ‘top 10′ spot has just been usurped by Dreamworks’ Puss in Boots: The Last Wishwhich showed amazing legs in early 2023 and ended up beating the mighty Rock at the box office.
10. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ($173 million*)
When Puss in Boots: The Last Wish debuted around Christmas, no one had high expectations. After all, it’s been almost a decade since the last one Puss in Boots movies, and CGI toons are a dime a dozen. In addition, apart from Minions: The Rise of Gru, animated films aimed at children have struggled at the box office since the pandemic. And sure, The Last WishThe unremarkable opening weekend at the box office suggests it will struggle to reach $100 million, let alone make the top 10 list of box office champs for 2022.
However, the strong cat continues, and viewers keep coming back week after week. The Last Wish became a true word-of-mouth hit, due in large part to its varied animation style, which clearly drew inspiration from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versekinetic visuals. The animated picture proves that there is life in the nearly two-decade Shrek franchise, and that animated movies can still pack audiences into theaters.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($190 million)
Earth’s favorite blue hedgehog races back to theaters, this time joined by his two friends, Tails and Knuckles, to give viewers an exciting adventure. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 topped its predecessor and became the highest grossing video game film in the world.
At the same time, it built its own cinematic universe by tapping into the lore of the games and eventually introduced the Chaos Emeralds and Super Sonic into the mix. Ultimately, this sequel sets up a great adventure for Sonic and his friends that fans are excited to see in the near future.
8. Thor: Love and Thunder ($343 million)
In the fourth solo God of Thunder film, Marvel Studios brings the long-awaited return of Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor. Although it earned more than $760 million at the box office, many people expressed their disappointment with the film’s campy tone and lackluster CGI, calling it another example of Marvel’s recent decline. in Phase Four.
Despite this, it still features a lot of vibrant visuals, amazing performances, and funny moments that make Taiki Waititi’s latest film an exciting thrill ride.
7. The Batman ($369.3 million)
Director Matt Reeves brings a new version of the Dark Knight and Gotham City to the big screen in this film. Unlike previous cinematic iterations of the Batman mythos, this reboot takes a deep dive into the Caped Crusader’s morality, questioning whether or not he can be a hero.
All of this takes place against the backdrop of Batman’s battle with the Riddler and Gotham’s corrupt elite, making for a suspenseful, gripping, and action-packed adventure through the city’s criminal underworld.
6. Minions: The Rise of Gru ($369.6 million)
Gru and his Minions are at it again in this long-awaited prequel to Despicable Me. Although it follows a young Gru as he strives to become the world’s greatest villain, his Minions continue to steal the show as they try to save their “mini Boss” from the Vicious 6.
With so many hilarious and adorable moments from the titular yellow munchkins, it’s understandable that the film scored big at the box office. Also started the weird but despicable trend of people dressing up as Minions and annoying people in movie theaters.
5. Jurassic World: Dominion ($376 million)
This three-quel brings Colin Trevorrow back to the director’s chair, as well as the original cast of the franchise, for one final journey through Jurassic World. Like other films in the franchise, Dominion became a huge profit for cinemas.
However, the movie is still buried under a mountain of negative reviews, with many people agreeing that it’s time to shut down Jurassic Park for good. Despite its flaws, it’s still great to see characters from both trilogies come together on the big screen, and with plenty of jaw-dropping dinosaurs, Dominion felt like a solid conclusion for the franchise.
4. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($411 million)
Doctor Strange’s second solo film has Marvel fans buzzing, especially since Spider-Man Director Sam Raimi directed it. While it grossed nearly a billion dollars, it still proved to be one of the most divisive MCU projects for not living up to its massive hype.
The film brings back the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Inhumans with the Illuminati, but audiences still feel that this interdimensional blockbuster has yet to reach its potential. However, with Raimi’s unique style and mind-blowing visuals, this movie is undoubtedly one of the most unique and director-driven Marvel Studios films to date.
3. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($453 million)
As a sequel to one of the most culturally impactful films in recent memory, Wakanda Forever sure to get a large audience. Although the film lacks the late great Chadwick Boseman, it still provides a riveting story of a country trying to recover from its terrible defeat in the midst of its war with Waterloos.
Cast members old and new deliver some incredible performances, including a Golden Globe-nominated performance by Angela Bassett, and director Ryan Coogler’s beautifully crafted epic makes for a film that burns bright among many other Marvel movies.
2. Avatar: The Waterfront ($665 million*)
Audiences waited 13 years for a sequel to James Cameron’s Avatar, so it naturally made a big splash when it hit theaters. Like the original film, The Way of Water is a technological evolution in cinema, introducing a state-of-the-art motion capture system for many breathtaking underwater scenes.
The Way of Water it also had its fair share of naysayers, but it still became an instant success, earning two Golden Globe Nominations for Best Drama and Best Director before its release. This film feels like the culmination of Cameron’s exalted career, combining elements of Titanic, The depth, Foreignersand The Terminator films that will create just one of many more Avatar sequels to come.
1. Top Gun: Maverick ($718 million)
It’s not often that a reboot is better than the original film, but Top Gun: Maverick soared with critics and the box office. After 30 years, viewers are reunited with Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he is tasked with training a new team of Top Gun fighter pilots, including the son of his late friend, Goose.
With thrilling action, a refreshing and invigorating story, and loving callbacks to the first movie, Top Gun: Maverick is a sequel that has become a legacy film for the ages.
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