As 2025 edges towards its close, it’s a good time to look back at how 2024 actually played out at the box office. Cinemas were dominated by familiar faces, returning heroes, and a whole lot of animation. Audiences flocked to big-screen comfort food — franchise follow-ups, colourful sequels, and brand-name characters led the charge.
For all the talk about Disney going through a bumpy stretch (a lot of the talk, admittedly, with valid points), the numbers told a different story at the very top. Whatever the studio’s creative growing pains, the brand was still firmly in charge: the three highest-grossing films of 2024 all sat under the Disney umbrella. It also underlined that franchise entries remained king and that CG-animated adventures were still one of the most reliable ways to pack out cinemas worldwide.
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According to Box Office Mojo’s worldwide totals (reported in US dollars), these were the films that truly dominated the global box office. From billion-dollar smashes to late-year climbers, here’s a look back at the top ten. Did you manage to catch them all?
1. Inside Out 2 — $1,698,863,816 (USD)
Pixar stormed back to the top in spectacular fashion. Inside Out 2 became not only the year’s highest-grossing film but also a cultural moment, with audiences worldwide turning up to revisit Riley’s emotions during a new wave of teenage chaos. It was the rare sequel that resonated across generations — and clearly, it paid off.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine — $1,338,073,645 (USD)
Marvel may have had a wobbly run in recent years, but this R-rated team-up smashed through expectations. Bringing back Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to bicker, slice, and swear alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool proved irresistible. Nostalgia, chaos, and sharp comedy pushed this all the way to number two.
3. Moana 2 — $1,059,242,164 (USD)
Disney Animation scored another billion-dollar success with its ocean-spanning sequel. Moana 2 rode a wave of goodwill from the original film, drawing families back in droves as Moana and Maui embarked on their next adventure. Big music, big heart, big box office. Watch our interview with Moana 2 cast members HERE!
4. Despicable Me 4 — $972,021,410 (USD)
The Minions continued to print money. Gru’s fourth mainline outing delivered exactly what audiences wanted: family hijinks, villain antics, and enough Minion mayhem to keep kids coming back for repeat viewings.
5. Wicked — $758,737,211 (USD)
The long-awaited adaptation of the hit Broadway musical landed impressively. With its star-studded cast and two-part release strategy, Wicked soared in its first half, drawing musical lovers and newcomers alike into the story of Elphaba and Glinda. And with Part Two doing solid numbers, it’s no wonder this particular universe is expanding.
6. Mufasa: The Lion King — $722,631,756 (USD)
Disney’s photorealistic Lion King universe proved its staying power. This prequel roared its way into the global top ten with its sweeping visuals and new take on the franchise’s mythology, expanding the world around the Pride Lands.
7. Dune: Part Two — $714,844,358 (USD)
Denis Villeneuve’s epic sci-fi saga delivered one of the year’s most acclaimed blockbusters. With towering visuals and a grand, operatic story, Dune: Part Two became both a critical and commercial success, firmly establishing the franchise as one of modern cinema’s biggest.
8. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — $572,050,016 (USD)
Kaiju fans turned out strong for this loud, colourful, crowd-pleasing entry in the MonsterVerse. Bringing Godzilla and Kong together once more — this time as uneasy allies — the film delivered enormous spectacle and serious box office muscle.
9. Kung Fu Panda 4 — $547,946,428 (USD)
Po’s return proved there was still plenty of love for DreamWorks’ martial-arts panda. Kung Fu Panda 4 blended humour, heart, and stylish action, giving families another reason to pack out cinemas early in the year.
10. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — $492,162,604 (USD)
Rounding out the top ten was Sega’s blue blur. The third instalment brought even more speed, spectacle, and fan-favourite characters, keeping the franchise’s box office momentum strong and securing its place among 2024’s biggest hits.
