#1: Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Domestic: $585 million, Worldwide: $1.6 billion
I'm not sure whether or not Age of Ultron can top its predecessor, earning over $600 million in the United States is a tall order. The first movie is only the third movie in history ever to do that at $623 million domestically. However, it should still come close. And, with the growing foreign marketplace, it seems natural for Ultron to top its predecessor's $900 million gross overseas.
#2: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Domestic: $325 million, Worldwide: $950 million
The final movie in the last Star Wars trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, pulled in $380 million domestically and $845 million worldwide, which adjusts to just over $400 million in today's dollars and $900 million worldwide. Some are objecting to seeing another trilogy happen, thinking that its best to leave the franchise alone. However, many are excited about this (and it earned 59 million trailer views in a week). $300 million is guaranteed basically, but given the fact Christmas is an unpredictable time, I'm not sure how much more it can improve on that. Given the franchise's popularity overseas, this should also be huge overseas, and could even reach $1 billion.
#3: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part II
Domestic: $385 million, Worldwide: $925 million
The lack of 3D will keep this from hitting the billion dollar mark, and with Part I dropping $90 million from Catching Fire (and the Mockingjay book being the least favorite among fans), it seems unlikely for Part II to reach the heights of the first two movies. However, this final installment should still wind up in-between the second and third movies, and be a massive hit worldwide.
#4: Spectre
Domestic: $300 million, Worldwide: $900 million
Skyfall earned over $1 billion back in 2012, and the James Bond character continues to be hugely popular. However, it is important to note that the holiday season of 2014 will be more competitive for blockbusters than it was in 2012. Still though, these movies are incredibly popular, and if there's any movie that could make a wild card spin for bigger-than-expected numbers, its this.
#5: Minions
Domestic: $275 million, Worldwide: $850 million
Despicable Me 2 was a blockbuster, at $360 million domestically and $950 million worldwide. This spin-off probably won't earn as much due to it being different in nature. But the minions are incredibly popular. Unless one of Pixar's 2 movies is bigger-than-anticipated, this will likely be the year's biggest animated flick.
#6: Furious 7
Domestic: $250 million, Worldwide: $800 million
Fast and Furious 6 earned nearly $800 million worldwide. With an April release date (a time window that doesn't have any competition) and Paul Walker's unexpected passing in the minds of moviegoers, its likely this will see a slight uptick on the previous movie.
#7: Jurassic World
Domestic: $260 million, Worldwide:$650 million
One of the year's more-anticipated series continuations, Jurassic World should easily be one of the year's biggest movies. However, the series' strength overseas has yet to be tested. With the visual effects however, its hard for it not to be a solid grosser worldwide. The original Jurassic Park earned over $900 million worldwide. And with more competition than what it was in 1993, that is a number that will be difficult for this to live up to.
#8: Ant-Man
Domestic: $240 million, Worldwide: $625 million
It is difficult to bet against Marvel, who turned Guardians of the Galaxy into an unexpected blockbuster at $875 million worldwide. Ant-Man won't hit that same level, coming off the heels of Avengers: Age of Ultron and having a lot of competition to deal with in the coming weeks, but $600 million is virtually guaranteed at this point.
#9: Inside Out
Domestic: $230 million, Worldwide: $600 million
Pixar is also hard to bet against. Inside Out is original enough that it seems very likely to become another major commercial success for the studio. But, its difficult to tell whether or not it will be a critical success by now. Brave and Cars 2 are the studios' recent low points in the last decade at $550 million worldwide apiece, and Inside Out, given the expanding overseas marketplace, should do at least a little bit more than that.
#10: Cinderella
Domestic: $210 million, Worldwide: $550 million
Maleficent was a massive success at $240 million stateside and $750 million worldwide, ranking as the third-biggest movie of 2014. With not as much starpower behind it, Cinderella won't be quite as successful, but the popularity of the Cinderella fairy tale and the Disney brand in general should get this to at least the half-billion mark. (it also helps that there is a Frozen short airing with it).
Other Bets That May Earn $500 Million Worldwide and Possibly Break into the Top 10:
Ted 2
The Good Dinosaur
Hotel Transylvania 2
Terminator: Genysis
Mission: Impossible V
The Martian
Home
Fifty Shades of Grey
Insurgent
Home
Tomorrowland
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Fantastic Four
The Jungle Book
