Author's Description:
Futuristic aliens and a detective from the past bookended a box-office year where history was made and records were shattered. With nearly 3.3 billion dollars in domestic receipts and over 10 billion dollars gross worldwide, here is the procession of films that kept movie goers flocking to theaters.
10) SHERLOCK HOLMES
With total domestic ticket sales of $209,028,679, Warner Bros.’ super sleuth period piece provided non-stop action and arresting performances that took no prisoners.
9) ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL
They may have been cute, but with a North American box-office of $219,614,612, Fox proved that their combination of CG antics and live action was definitely not child’s play.
THE BLIND SIDE
Warner Bros. tugged at our heart strings and pulled at our purse strings with this true story that won Sandra Bullock a Best Actress Oscar and inspired theater goers to the tune of $255,959,475 domestic.
7) STAR TREK
With this futuristic take on a futuristic tale, Paramound padded its pockets with $257,730,019 worth of sci-fi scintillation.
6) THE HANGOVER
Warner Bros. made a good argument for sobriety with this comedic free-for-all that earned $277,322,503 domestic.
5) UP
This 3-D CG darling won three Academy Awards and was Disney Pixars third all-time best with a domestic gross of $293,004,164.
4) THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON
Team Edward and Team Jacob joined forces, giving Summit Entertainment a blood-curdling domestic take of $296,623,634.
3) HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Harry and the gang returned for box-office magic that conjured $301,959,197 domestic for Warner Bros.
2) TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
Autobots battled Decepticons, making Paramount/Dream Works the winners of the number 11 highest grossing movie of all time with a $402,111,870 North American take.
1) AVATAR
James Cameron. Fox. Number one domestic of all time. $749,766,139. ‘Nuff said.