2024 FILMS MOVIES A TO Z BEST FILMS INDEXED BOX OFFICE BLOCKBUSTERS TOP HIGHEST EARNING POTENTIAL MOST POPULAR BIGGEST PICTURES MOVIES ENTERTAINMENT

This is an A to Z listing of the best films on planet earth in 2024, in our view. You may notice that the top earning pictures are not necessarily the best films according to the critics. And, it all depends on your tastes, as the movie going public.

Recent box office reports reveal that sequels and established franchises continue to dominate worldwide revenue, with animated features and crossovers drawing massive audiences. For example, high-profile titles like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine have set new benchmarks for global earnings. Here’s one snapshot of the top earners:

1. Inside Out 2 – Approximately $1.70 billion globally.

2. Deadpool & Wolverine – Roughly $1.34 billion worldwide.

3. Moana 2 – Around $1.06 billion in global revenue.

4. Despicable Me 4 – Totalling about $969 million.

5. Wicked – Generating close to $749 million.

6. Mufasa: The Lion King – A notable entrant with strong box office performance.

7. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire – Approximately $571.7 million worldwide.

8. Kung Fu Panda 4 – Near $547.6 million in global gross.

9. Venom: The Last Dance – About $476.3 million worldwide.

10. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – Roughly $451.1 million in total box office revenue.

These figures are drawn from recent industry analyses and listings (for example, Forbes and IMDb data), and they underscore how blockbuster sequels and franchise extensions continue to capture audiences en masse. 2

Streaming platforms now offer an alternate measure of a film’s popularity—one based on the total minutes watched or download counts. Recent streaming analytics reveal that certain titles continue to resonate on digital platforms:

Moana – Dominates with approximately 13.03 billion minutes streamed on Disney.

The Super Mario Brothers Movie – Enjoys around 11.72 billion minutes streamed on Netflix.

Red One – Garnering close to 8.28 billion minutes on Prime Video.

Trolls Band Together – Reaches roughly 7.44 billion minutes across multiple platforms (such as Peacock, Netflix, and Prime Video).

Minions – Attracts about 6.77 billion minutes on Netflix. 6–10. While detailed numbers for positions six through ten vary by source, other notable films have also accumulated significant streaming minutes—indicating that audiences are just as passionate about viewing these titles digitally.

The 2024 landscape demonstrates a fascinating duality: blockbuster films shine on the theatrical stage while streaming data reveal broader viewer engagement. This split success tells a larger story about how the industry evolves—where traditional box office numbers and digital streaming metrics together offer a more comprehensive picture of a film’s impact.

For example, while sequels like Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 have reaped massive box office rewards, the enduring popularity of family-friendly animations is clear from streaming figures—with Moana itself topping digital charts.

THESE TRENDS RAISE COMPELLING QUESTIONS

How will the balance between theatrical and streaming success shape future film marketing?

What does high streaming engagement mean for films released primarily in theaters versus those made directly for digital platforms?

Can we expect emerging independent films to break into these top charts as platforms alter their distribution models?

Each of these points provides a rich avenue for further exploration, whether you’re interested in the economics of film or the shifting habits of audiences worldwide.

The blockbuster landscape in 2024 wasn’t just about record-breaking revenue—it was also a showcase of rich, resonant themes that connected deeply with audiences. One prominent theme was nostalgia. With nine out of the top ten films being sequels or franchise extensions, audiences clearly turned to familiar worlds like those of Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and Despicable Me 4 for both comfort and new emotional journeys. These films revisited well-loved characters and narratives while pushing them into more mature and complex territory. For instance, Inside Out 2 used the backdrop of growing up to explore rising emotional intricacies and personal transformation, echoing audiences’ own experiences of change. This blend of familiarity with evolution speaks to a broader desire for reassurance in an ever-shifting world while still challenging viewers to rethink what they know about themselves and the stories they cherish.

Another recurring element was the exploration of duality and identity—a theme well-suited to the era’s appetite for self-aware, meta-narratives. Films like Deadpool & Wolverine and Venom: The Last Dance delved into the conflicts between heroism and anti-heroism. They balanced explosive action and irreverent humor with introspective takes on inner struggles and moral ambiguity. In these films, characters are not just battling external adversaries but also reconciling multiple aspects of their identities, which mirrors modern audience concerns about authenticity and the cost of fame. This duality not only provided high-octane entertainment but also invited viewers to reflect on the complex interplay between light and shadow in their own lives .

A further layer of thematic depth emerged in narratives that reimagined and revitalized classic tales. Films like Wicked reinterpreted familiar mythologies (in this case, the Land of Oz) to explore ideas of otherness, empowerment, and the gray shades between virtue and vice. These adaptations challenge traditional archetypes by showing that what makes a character compelling isn’t only their triumphs but also their flaws and vulnerabilities. They encourage audiences to question conventional boundaries and to appreciate that transformation often comes from embracing all facets of one’s being .

Beyond individual character journeys, many titles also engaged with broader, socially reflective themes. In movies such as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Kung Fu Panda 4, the clash between modernity and nature, as well as the preservation of cultural and familial legacies, resonated strongly with global audiences. These films tapped into contemporary anxieties about environmental degradation and the rapid pace of technological change, suggesting that even in our pursuit of spectacular adventures, there remains an inherent need to honor tradition and natural balance.

In summary, 2024’s highest-grossing films showcased a multi-layered narrative approach:

- Nostalgia and reinvention: Reinforcing the allure of beloved worlds while pushing characters into new, emotionally complex territories.

- Duality and self-discovery: Blurring the lines between hero and antihero by examining internal conflicts and moral ambiguity.

- Reinterpretation of classics: Refreshing well-known myths to resonate with modern sensibilities about identity, empowerment, and belonging.

- Societal reflection: Using epic storytelling to mirror contemporary issues such as environmental challenges and cultural preservation.

These thematic currents not only drove box office numbers but illustrated a broader cultural shift—where audiences seek stories that mirror the complexity of their own lives, balancing comfort with transformation. Would you be interested in exploring how these themes might influence upcoming genres or how they relate to evolving audience expectations across different markets?

Nostalgia in modern storytelling is far more than a sentimental longing for the past—it’s a deliberate, strategic tool that redefines how audiences engage with narratives. At its core, nostalgia taps into our collective memories by reviving familiar characters, aesthetics, and story arcs. This evocative power of remembrance allows filmmakers and writers to bridge generational divides; they blend cherished past elements with contemporary themes, offering both comfort and novel perspectives. For instance, the resurgence of reboots and sequels isn’t just about cashing in on established brands—it’s about rekindling emotional bonds, thereby providing viewers with a secure narrative space amid today's rapid changes .

Moreover, modern creators harness nostalgia to address contemporary dilemmas through the lens of familiar worlds. By reimagining classic stories, they give old narratives a new depth: the emotional resonance of the past is juxtaposed against the complexities of the present. This deliberate act of reinterpretation leverages the psychological phenomenon often referred to as the “mere exposure effect,” where repeated interaction with familiar ideas promotes positive emotions and a sense of security. Such storytelling not only revitalizes well-known media but also invites audiences to reflect on how past experiences continue to influence current identities and cultural values .

The impact of nostalgia on storytelling also extends to the way narratives are structured. By revisiting established universes, storytellers create a layered experience where the old and the new coexist—a narrative dialogue that enriches character development and deepens thematic exploration. In a time characterized by constant change and uncertainty, these nostalgic threads offer a reassuring continuity, serving as both a nostalgic escape and a platform for exploring current societal challenges.

Would you like to delve further into how these nostalgic strategies might evolve with emerging technologies, or how they influence audience engagement in other media like television and video games?