“Iron Man 3” cemented itself as the number 2 best weekend opening film ever. Several analyst projected the film to open between 150 million to 170 million, the question was if it can leap past “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” to nab second place. With an opening gross of $175,300,000 it easily placed itself at the number 2 spot. This make the top 2 movies with the best weekend opening coming from Marvel.
The Top 20 are littered with sequels and super hero movies. Four movies (The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Spider man, and Alice in Wonderland) are not sequels and none of the top 20 are original movies, meaning not based off other source material. (IE: comics, books, toys, rides) *
With the inclusion of “Iron Man 3”, “Dead Man’s Chest” fell from the top 10 to number 11, and “Shrek 2” from from the top 20 to #21. Below is the new updated list.
Top 20 Highest Weekend Grossing Movies of All Time
1. The Avengers
Weekend Gross: $207,438,708 World Wide Gross: $1,514,279,547 Release: May 4th 2013
“The Avengers” was released on May 4th 2012 and quickly broke records, including the quickest to reach 100 million (2 Days) and 200 million (3 Days)
2. Iron Man 3
Weekend Gross: $174,144,585 Worldwide Gross: $678,944,585 to date : Released Date: May 3rd 2013
Aside from shattering records both domestically and Internationally, this was the first Iron Man film not directed by Jon Favreau. Additionally Gemma Arterton, Diane Kruger and Isla Fisher were considered for the role of Maya Hansen. Jessica Chastain was cast but she dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Rebecca Hall was cast in her place. Jude Law was considered for the role of Aldrich Killian. Andy Lau was in talks to play the role of Chen Lu (Radioactive Man), but dropped out upon the birth of his first child. Daoming Chen and Wu Xiubowere considered for the role, before finally Xueqi Wang was cast. Jessica Brown Findlay who appears in the film due to the use of footage from Downton Abbey was actually considered for a part in another Marvel film; the role of Sharon Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Weekend Gross: $169,189,427 Worldwide Gross: $1,328,111,219 Release Date: July 15th 2011
This was the last movie that was based on the Harry Potter novels by J.K Rowling and was released on July 15th, 2011. Part 1 and Part 2 where filmed back to back, taking one year and four months to film. Director David Yates wanted to bring back as many actors that appeared in the franchise for the final battle scene.
Weekend Gross: $160,887,295 Worldwide Gross: $1,079,343,943 Release Date: July 20th 2012
“The Dark Knight Rises” is the last film in the Batman trilogy by Christopher Nolan and only the second “Batman” film not to include the word Batman in the title. The tragic shooting in Colorado is said to have hindered its box office total. Out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros delayed the release of the weekend gross
5. The Dark Knight
Weekend Gross:$158,411,483 Worldwide Gross: $1,002,891,358 Release Date: July 18th 2008
“The Dark Knight” is the second film in the Batman trilogy by Christopher Nolan. This was the first feature film that utilized IMAX cameras. Heath Ledger won an Academy Award for his portrayal of The Joker. This was his final, complete film role.
6. The Hunger Games
Weekend Gross: $152,535,747 Worldwide Gross: $684,510,692: Released Date: March 23rd 2012
“The Hunger Games” is the first novel in a series of books by Suzanne Collins. Many actresses were considered for the part of Katniss Everdeen, including Chloë Grace Moretz, Mary Mouser, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Lyndsy Fonseca, Jodelle Ferland, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Roberts, Kaya Scodelario, Emily Browning and Shailene Woodley. Alex Pettyfer, Josh Hutcherson, Lucas Till, Nico Tortorella, Alexander Ludwig, Evan Peters and Hunter Parrish were considered to play the role of Peeta Mellark, while Alexander Ludwig was later cast as Cato. Liam Hemsworth and Jennfier Lawrence dyed their hair brown for their roles, they are natural blondes. Josh Hutcherson, a naturel brunette, his hair blond, his hair is brown. A sequel is scheduled to be released on November 2013
7. Spider Man 3
Weekend Gross: $151,116,516 Worldwide Gross: $890,875,303 : Released Date: May 4th 2007
It was the 3rd highest grossing film in 2007 and the highest grossing film of the Spider man trilogy. Originally a fourth movie was planned with Maguire and Dunst set to reprise their roles. In 2010, it was announced that plans for another film were cancelled due to Raimis withdrawal from the project. A reboot was release called “The Amazing Spider-man” in 2012
8. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Weekend Gross: $142,839,137 Worldwide Gross: $709,823,634 : Released Date: November 20th 2009
“New Moon” received mostly negative reviews from critics. At $50 million, it was the least expensive film to gross more than $200 worldwide.
9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
Weekend Gross: $141,067,634 Worldwide Gross: $832,660,037 : Released Date: November 16th 2012
The film is the 6th highest grossing film of 2012 and the highest grossing film in the Twilight series. Part 1 and Part 2 where filmed consecutively from November 2010 to April 2011.
10. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Weekend Gross: $138,122,261 Worldwide Gross:$709,938,657 : Released Date: November 18th 2011
The film opened and remained number 1 for three consecutive weeks. It had the second best opening weekend of 2011.
11.Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Weekend Gross: $135,634,554 Worldwide Gross:$1,060,615,812 : Released Date: July 7th 2006
Dead Man’s Chest” was, at the time, the fasted film to reach the $1 billion mark. It was the highest grossing movie in 2006 in North America. It ranks as the 9th highest grossing film worldwide. The film is banned in China for its depiction of cannibalism, an integral part to the movie’s story line The film has a body count of 82.The majority of the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl set was destroyed in the hurricane, and had to be re-built for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
12. Iron Man 2
Weekend Gross: $128,122,480 Worldwide Gross: $623,561,331: Released Date: May 10th 2010
Iron Man 2 was the third-highest grossing film of 2010. In the film, Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard as Rhodey. He only had hours to accept the role of Rhodes. Jessica Biel, Gemma Arterton, Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie were considered for the role of the Black Widow. Eliza Dushku actively campaigned for the role of Black Widow. The part went to Emily Blunt who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with her movie “Gulliver’s Travels.”
13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Weekend Gross: $125,017,372 Worldwide Gross: $956,399,711 : Released Date: November 19th 2010
The film beat the record for the highest grossing midnight gross, the third highest midnight gross of all time, highest midnight gross in IMAX. All these records were later topped in 2011 by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2. It was the second biggest opening weekend for a 2010 film, behind Iron Man 2.
14. Shrek the Third
Weekend Gross: $121,629,270 Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162 : Released Date: May 17th 2007
The film was the second highest opening for a 2007 film. The film is the fourth highest-grossing film worldwide in 2007. It held the largest opening day for an animated film, later beat by Toy Story 3. It was the only Shrek film to have a short theatrical run, spending only 12 weeks in theaters. Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shrek Forever After had a run of 29, 21, and 166 weeks, respectively
15. Alice in Wonderland
Weekend Gross: $116,101,023 Worldwide Gross: $1,024,391,110 Release Date: March 5th, 2010
“Alice in Wonderland” was the second highest grossing film in 2010. It held the number one spot for three consecutive weekends. This film marks the 7th time Johnny Depp has worked under the direction of Tim Burton and the 6th time for Helena Bonham Carter. Actress Mia Wasikowska beat out Amanda Seyfried and Lindsay Lohan for the role of Alice
16. Spider-man
Weekend Gross: $114,844,116 Worldwide Gross: $821,565,375 : Released Date: May 3rd 2002
Spider-Man cost over $100 million to produce, and another $30 million to promote. It was 2002’s third highest grossing film. It was also the very first film to pass the $100 million mark in a single weekend. Alicia Witt, Mena Suvari, Eliza Dushku and Elisha Cuthbert auditioned for the role of Mary-Jane Watson. While Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich and Robert De Niro were offered the role of the Green Goblin before WIlliem Dafoe took the part
17. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Weekend Gross: $114,732,820 Worldwide Gross: $960,996,492 : Released Date: May 24th, 2007
At the World’s end was the most successful film of 2007. It was estimated that it had the biggest budge of all time, coming in at 300 million
18. Toy Story 3
Weekend Gross: $110,307,189 Worldwide Gross: $1,063,759,456 : Released Date: June 18th, 2010
Toy Story 3 was release 11 years after “Toy Story 2” It passed “Finding Nemo” as the highest grossing animated film and “Shrek 2” and the highest grossing animated film of all time. It became the first animated film to make 1 billions worldwide.
19. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Weekend Gross: $108,966,307 Worldwide Gross: $836,519,699 : Released Date: June 24th, 2009
Panned by critics and movie goers, it still was widely successful. It was the second most successful movie of 2009. “Revenge of the Fallen” remained number one for two weeks in a row. It ranks as the second highest grossing Hasbro film of all time
20. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Weekend Gross: $108,435,841 Worldwide Gross: $848,998,877 : Released Date: May 19th, 2005
Upon its release it shattered several records, including, midnight screening gross, single day gross, and Thursday gross. It currently still holds the highest Thursday gross record only. It was announced after the acquisition off Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney Company that Star Wars Episode VII will be released in 2015
Its safe to say that once “The Avengers 2” is released that it would nab one of the top spots, securing Marvel as having the top 3 positions.
*Star Wars is an original idea from George Lucas, he has acknowledged that he drew major influence from a Japanese film, “The Hidden Fortress” and Flash Gordon movie serials.
Angel The Great 
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