Sequel, sequel, sequel, sequel, sequel, sequel, sequel, comic book movie, reboot, comic book movie. Those are the top 10 highest-grossing movies of 2011.
So, if you ever again find yourself asking why theaters are so full of franchises and comic book movies, the answer is always: because they make money. Which is all Hollywood cares about. Nothing you’ll read today is more true. Below are the top grossing films of the year, as well as the most pirated. Note the four-film crossover, as well as the pure crap (Sucker Punch, I Am Number Four).
(MORE: See Sucker Punch on Mary Pols’ Top 10 Worst Movies of 2011)
HIGHEST-GROSSING FILMS OF 2011
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 — $381,011,219
2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon — $352,390,543
3. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I — $276,095,000
4. The Hangover Part II — $254,464,305
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — $241,071,802
6. Fast Five — $209,837,675
7. Cars 2 — $191,452,396
8. Thor — $181,030,624
9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes — $176,711,822
10. Captain America: The First Avenger — $176,654,505
(MORE: See Fast Five on Richard Corliss’ Top 10 Movies of 2011)
MOST PIRATED FILMS OF 2011
1. Fast Five
2. The Hangover Part II
3. Thor
4. Source Code
5. I Am Number Four
6. Sucker Punch
7. 127 Hours
8. Rango
9. The King’s Speech
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
HIGHEST-GROSSING INDIE FILMS OF 2011
And, for those who take pride in not paying money to watch blockbusters, here are the Top 10 grossing independent films,
1. Midnight in Paris — $56,341,186
2. The Descendants — $39,675,000
3. The Tree of Life — $13,303,319
4. The Conspirator — $11,538,204
5. Jane Eyre — $11,242,660
6. Win Win — $10,179,275
7. My Week With Marilyn — $8,964,000
8. Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain — $7,706,436
9. Sarah’s Key — $7,693,187
10. Cedar Rapids — $6,861,102
LIST: The All-TIME 100 Movies