Whatever you may think of sequels, franchises, and remakes, they bring money into Hollywood. This has been increasingly true in the past twenty years as the format and business model have been perfected. As you'll see, even the "stand-alone" entries in this list represent a sort of brand and consistency.
All this said, millions of dollars of movie fan's money aren't spent on "sequels", "brands", or "consistency". They are spent on adventures with Katniss Everdeen and Simba; on unforgettable experiences up on Pandora and under the sea. Moviegoers turn out in the largest masses when favorite characters meet stakes higher than ever, or sometimes simply when favorite creators weave stories more unbelievable than before. Here are 10 of the 21st century's biggest movie releases, some that launched future films and some that were simply solo juggernauts, according to Box Office Mojo.
10 Launched A Franchise: Finding Nemo ($381MM)
Disney and Pixar will be staples throughout this list, utilizing two distinct successful business models. Many of the films that "stand-alone" are novel remakes of previous animated hits (themselves more often recycled stories than original Disney creations). Franchise-launchers are the entries from the family-favorite production company that more likely offer brand new characters and stories, like Finding Nemo.
Now a beloved classic, most fans can go far beyond naming Nemo to referencing even their favorite side characters like Bruce and Crush. All the more reason for the 13-year awaited sequel Finding Dory to make even more money at the theater. It is unclear whether a trilogy will be born with Finding Marlin.
9 Stands Alone: Aladdin ($356MM)
When blue Will Smith hit the internet, there was something of a concerned stir. The Hollywood empire that will dominate this list knows, however, that movie theater experiences are about ridiculousness and fun. After all, Smith would be reprising a role previously held by the iconic and wacky Robin Williams.
Aladdin's fantastical ancient world and the steamy leading couple were as exciting as ever in this 2019 release nodding to the 1992 cartoon version. Typically-violent director Guy Ritchie demonstrated that its cinematic beauty he's interested in, not just blood.
8 Launched A Franchise: Frozen ($401MM)
Combined with its merchandising revenue and music royalties, Frozen would be at the top of this list. A charming fairy tale in line with the Pixar formula, it was the phenomenon of the song "Let It Go" and stronger-than-ever female character representation that turned this one hour and forty-nine-minute flick into a powerful kids brand.
2019's Frozen II contains more of the best of the original - Anna, Elsa, Sven, Kristoff, and Olaf all together on an adventure. The third installment is not due anytime soon, but "Let It Go" will still be in your head by the time it comes out.
7 Stands Alone: Inside Out ($357MM)
A popular recurring meme hilariously describes Inside Out as a film about "feelings that have feelings". This elementary understanding is about as much as the average fan can offer in analysis of this extremely creative premise and film.
Pixar films are star-studded and present groundbreaking animation, but where the studio attains next-level regard is in its occasional and surprising emotional depth. The end of Toy Story 3 is famously tear-jerking. We need not mention Up's introduction montage. Inside Out is emo Pixar at its best.
6 Launched A Franchise: Spider-Man ($407MM)
While not officially part of the MCU, 2002's Spider-Man could be argued as the catalyst for the decades of superhero film dominance that have so far made up the 21st century. While it was preceded by X-Men (2000), director Sami Raimi and star Tobey Maguire's vehicle was a much bigger hit and laid down the model for the star-studded origin story with direct sequel implications.
Fans lauded Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3 was troubled - by today Tobey Maguire is two or three Spider-Mans in the past. The film's legacy lives on though, through both addicting cable airings and the ongoing legacy of modern superhero action epics.
5 Stands Alone: The Jungle Book ($364MM)
The original cartoon version of The Jungle Book is far older than the source material for other Disney remakes on this list - a 1967 classic, it was based on a Rudyard Kipling book from 1894! Yet, the powerful mouse house interpreted its perennial accessibility and launched a strew of live-action/CGI releases with this box office moneymaker.
2016's The Jungle Book is fast-paced and action-packed, but also finds time for fun with a cast that includes the likes of Bill Murray and Idris Elba.
4 Launched A Franchise: The Hunger Games ($408MM)
While the Harry Potter series now appears veritably untouchable, readers of 2008's The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins felt as if they had successfully filled the young adult fantasy genre void left by J.K. Rowling's concluding The Deathly Hallows the previous year. Similar to the wizarding franchise, quick-following film adaptations of Collins were not disappointing.
For much of the 21st century, both The Hunger Games series and its doting lead Jennifer Lawrence have occupied the cinema conversation consistently. In three of the following four years, she was nominated for an Oscar.
3 Stands Alone: Beauty And The Beast ($504MM)
Among the more musically rewarding of Disney's classics is Beauty and the Beast. A beloved 1991 cartoon, it was brought to live-action/CHI format in 2017 to critical and commercial success. Emma Watson is a delight, can hold a tune, and has only just begun her electric career.
Through its new streaming platform, Disney will continue to keep the magic and music of this story relevant with the documentary Howard. It explores the life of songwriting mastermind Howard Ashman.
2 Launched A Franchise: Avatar ($761MM)
The story of this film landing in the "launched a franchise" category is long, complicated, and ongoing. It has been over a decade since legendary director James Cameron (Titanic, The Terminator) saw his name on the screen via the smash success Avatar. At some point during this time frame, he publicly committed to making only Avatar films from now on. However, the timeline is unclear on when the first of these sequels will be ready for theaters, let alone the fourth.
As for the original, some would say the plot is recycled, but, as the box office numbers suggest, many agreed that the special effects are out of this world.
1 Stands Alone: The Lion King ($544MM)
Featuring everyone from Beyoncé to Seth Rogen and bringing back to life a 1994 childhood favorite, The Lion King is a millennial phantasmagoria. Just to have the classic soundtrack reimagined by the day's biggest stars would have been worthwhile, but Disney pulled through for '90s kids with this epic advanced animation adventure.
Director Jon Favreau has been an influential visionary at Disney, at the reins of The Lion King's predecessor The Jungle Book and the MCU's origin story Iron Man.
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