Top 10 Box Office Movies of 2009

12/23/09

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In 2009, giant robots, teen wizards and high-flying houses dominated the box office, with moviegoers flocking to theaters to the tune of over $10 billion in ticket sales. Here are the top ten highest grossing films at the domestic box office this year.

Photo by Ralph Nelson/Warner Bros.10. THE BLIND SIDE
Total Gross: $184,387,000

Boasting no explosions, CGI robots or vampires, but propelled by good word-of-mouth, this inspirational drama climbed its way into the number ten spot over the Christmas holiday weekend.

9. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Total Gross: $196,573,705

Not only did the prehistoric critter crew return for their biggest box office outing yet, the third 'Ice Age' adventure conquered the number 2 spot at the worldwide box office with a massive $883.7 million.

Photo by DreamWorks Pictures8. Monsters Vs. Aliens
Total Gross: $198,351,526

In a crowded field of animated titles this year, this monstrous adventure towered over the pack, stepping into the top ten with one of the biggest spring opening weekends ever.

Photo by 20th Century Fox7. AVATAR
Total Gross: $212,268,000

Arguably one of the most anticipated movies of the decade, director James Cameron's visionary sci-fi epic leaped into the top ten during the final weeks of the year.

Photo by Paramount Pictures6. Star Trek
Total Gross: $257,730,019

Live long and propser! Director J.J. Abrams' bold re-imagining of the classic sci-fi franchise proved popular with both old and new fans alike, easily grossing more than any previous Star Trek movie.

5. The Hangover
Total Gross: $277,322,503

Easily the surprise breakout hit of the summer, this tawdry tale of the ultimate Vegas bachelor party gone wrong defied all expectations to become the number one R-rated comedy of all time.

Photo by Kimberly French/Summit Entertainment4. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Total Gross: $280,924,000

Hot off the success of 2008's 'Twilight,' the second installment of Stephanie Meyers' supernatural romance saga wolfed down a record-breaking $72,703,754 for the highest opening day earnings of all time.

Photo by Disney/Pixar3. UP
Total Gross: $293,004,164

The animation wizards at Pixar did it again, soaring to number three, nabbing the studio its second highest grossing movie ever (behind Finding Nemo), and becoming the highest grossing 3D movie of all time.

Photo by Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures2. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Total Gross: $301,959,197

The popular teen wizard returned for his sixth year at Hogwarts to grab second place, but cast a powerful spell on the worldwide box office, taking the top spot with a magical $929.4 million.

Photo by Paramount Pictures1. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
Total Gross: $402,111,870

Autobots battled Decepticons to the top of the box office, not only becoming the top earning movie of the year, but also firmly planting itself at number 9 among the top ten highest domestic grossing films of all time.

2589 comments

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  • "Highest Grossing" doesn't translate to "Top Movies"
    report abuseEl Polo Loco posted December 24, 2009, 8:55 am PST
  • good
    report abusebassam54 posted December 27, 2009, 3:29 pm PST
  • It's easy...movies either suck....or they don't. Why bother with statistics? Example; Transformers doesn't suck....Twilight movies..totally. suck.
    report abuseJC posted December 27, 2009, 4:05 pm PST
  • The first Transformers movie has been watched over and over again by myself and many of my friends. Not one of us has any desire to ever see Transformers II ever again.
    report abuseRobertH posted December 27, 2009, 6:40 pm PST
  • U got that right El Pollo Loco
    report abuseAnthony posted December 27, 2009, 7:04 pm PST
  • You insult James Cameron by saying he is the next George Luccas. James Cameron Is an Oscar winning record shattering Directer/Producer. Heck Titanic alone is the biggest selling movie of all time. James Cameron Is way better that Luccas. it's not even close. You in%@!*# him by saying that. Steven Spielberg is closer.
    report abusereal posted December 27, 2009, 8:34 pm PST
  • In this article, "Highest Grossing" DOES translate to "Top Movies", dumb *ss, haha
    report abusesss posted December 27, 2009, 9:13 pm PST
  • Who gives a %@!*# about the top 10 movies of the year, I couldn't afford to see them, I went to see transformers 2, I took all four of my boys and it coast me about $130 with tickets and snacks!!!
    report abuseRenee posted December 27, 2009, 9:24 pm PST
  • It's avatar.. No doubt on it..
    report abuseRakeshwaran posted December 27, 2009, 9:36 pm PST
  • considering avatar just came out.... congrats for $200 million in less than a week... just wait till its out of theatre we got a record tying movie on our hands.... i just watched it yesterday, and considering seeing it again in 2D ..... Love the movie , highly recommend u see it in theaters while you can
    report abuseeljay posted December 27, 2009, 10:06 pm PST
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