Top 5 of summer’s biggest hits and misses.
After a weak 2014 — 5.2 percent down from 2013 — the film industry has seen a major improvement this year, thanks to a number of smashing mega-hits and box office record-breakers.
Major studios reaping the benefits include Universal and Walt Disney Pictures. However, this summer has also had its fair share of box office disappointments.
Overall, 155 films have been released this summer, according to Box Office Mojo. Of that, 27 were major releases, meaning they opened in at least a thousand theaters.
Here we take a look at the biggest box office blasts and bombs:
(A caveat: a few of the films included on the list were released before summer, but their run extended into the summer.)
Top 5 hits
#1: Jurassic World
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Studio: Universal Studios
Release date: June 12, 2015
Box Office: $1.541 billion
This franchise revival, once stuck in “development hell,” has broken countless box office records, including, the highest opening weekend, the fastest to $100 million-$600 million, and is currently the third highest grossing film of all time (behind James Cameron’s Titanic and Avatar). With a budget of $150 million, the incredibly successful sci-fi adventure obliterated all expectations, earning back its budget in two days in North America alone. Only about six weeks in, Chris Pratt and his raptor squad look to wreak more havoc at the box office.
#2: Furious 7
Director: James Wan
Studio: Universal Studios
Release date: April 3, 2015
Box Office: $1.511 billion
The action packed sequel to Fast and Furious 6 earned an impressive $351 million domestically — more than the highest grossing film domestically last year. However, compared to its international earnings, the number is puny. Furious 7 is currently the third highest international grossing film of all time, behind, of course, Titanic and Avatar. What is more astounding about this feat is the fact that earnings in China were more than its North American domestic earnings. Furious 7 also held the record for fastest film to earn $1 billion worldwide — in 17 days — which was later broken by Jurassic World in 13 days. Starring a classic ensemble cast of Vin Diesel, the late Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and more, the film went on to earn more than $1.5 billion at the box office.
#3: Avengers: Age of Ultron
Director: Joss Whedon
Studio: Marvel and Walt Disney
Release date: May 1, 2015
Box Office: $1.395 billion
This incredibly hyped super hero sequel to the Avengers, fell short of Marvel’s expectations, “only” earning $191 in its opening weekend (the third highest opening of all time, behind the original and Jurassic World). Nonetheless, the film wasn’t a disappointment at all, earning more $1.3 billion worldwide. With a familiar Marvel super hero cast with the likes of Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America, Avengers stands as the 6th highest grossing film of all time.
#4: Minions
Director: Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda
Studio: Universal Studios
Release date: July 10, 2015
Box Office: $759 million
Although it’s only been in theaters for less than three weeks, the spinoff of the popular Despicable Me franchise is already fourth on this list, after earning $115 million in its opening weekend. The film was projected to have a domestic box office roof of $400 million. But the film does not seem to have the legs to do so, even after Universal’s massive marketing spending on its behalf. The popular and lovable creatures need not worry, however, as the film has already racked up more than $750 million worldwide in 17 days.
#5: Inside Out
Director: Pete Docter
Studio: Walt Disney
Release date: June 19, 2015
Box Office: $550 million
Another animated feature in the top five, although Inside Out received critical acclaim and grossed $90 million in its opening weekend, the film hadn’t been in the top spot until its third week, due to heavy competition from Jurassic World. Although it earned less than Minions, the stand-alone film earned more at the domestic box office than the former.
Top 5 misses
#1: Tomorrowland:
Director: Brad Bird
Studio: Walt Disney
Release date: May 22, 2015
Box Office: $203 million
The George Clooney sci-fi flick looked promising at first. But after a $33 million opening weekend in nearly 4,000 theaters it quickly fizzled out. With a production budget of $190 million, the film barely got that investment back, earning about $200 million worldwide. Once the advertising and marketing costs that go into promoting the movie is taken into account, its estimated losses to be around $100 million.
#2: Aloha
Director: Cameron Crowe
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Release date: May 29, 2015
Box Office: $23.9 million
With a popular cast, featuring the likes of Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams and Bill Murray, one might be shocked to know that this film bombed at the box office. With a production budget of $37 million, it had a $9.6 million opening weekend (about 45 percent of its total gross) and never broke even its low budget.
#3: Self/Less
Director: Tarsem Singh
Studio: Focus Features
Release date: July 10, 2015
Box Office: $11.8 million
Led by Ryan Reynolds, the film received terrible reviews and earned just over $5 million in its opening weekend. It is in the midst of heavy competition and is unlikely to recover its production budget of $26 million.
#4: Entourage
Director: Doug Ellin
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: June 3, 2015
Box Office: $44.5 million
The R rated comedy, like most of the films on this list, had a somewhat respectable opening weekend, but then quickly died. It suffered a 54 percent drop in theater revenue after that. Entourage’s production budget was $30 million.
#5: Hot Pursuit
Director: Anne Fletcher
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: May 8, 2015
Box Office: $45.6 million
Starring a double female lead, with Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon behind the wheel, the film flopped, earning $13.9 million in its opening weekend in over 3,000 theaters. The movie was universally panned by critics and went on to make $34.5 million domestically in 11 weeks. Its production budget: $35 million.