Top 10 Highest-Grossing Hollywood Films of 2011

A lot of the time Hollywood does get away with making bad stuff. Sometimes it makes bad stuff look good and sometimes vice versa. This year, a lot of the films that have earned at the box office have not been creative pieces of film production and film-making, but they have still earned due to good marketing, better distribution, big studio names and crazy fans. Here is the list of 10 highest-grossing Hollywood films of 2011.

10. Rio ($484 Million)

This computer-animated musical comedy is a total fun to watch. The most likeable character in the movie is that of Blu. Seeing him, one is bound to get a macaw as a pet. The film is full of excitement and surprises and the ride just never ends till the movie actually does. You would definitely want to have this in your personal film collection as you can watch it over and over again and yet not get bored. It is one of those movies that is a must-have and a must-watch. Birds have never been so much fun and so much cute as when Blu and Jewel find themselves part of an adventure with other lovely creatures along the way. The beauty of exotic birds has never been full of colours and sounds as in this movie venture.

9. Cars 2 ($551 Million)

Is it not wonderful to see cars animated and come to action in this way? Cars 2 is surely one good movie ride to have. The way different sizes, colours and types of vehicles have been characterized in this computer-animated feature is striking. With 3D making ever car just feel present, Cars 2 has stolen the show. Although the critics did not like this sequel as much as the first one, for the audiences it was still worth their time and money, which is why it is the ninth highest earning film of 2011. Although at the same time, it is reported to be the lowest-grossing film in North America for Pixar and is considered to be its worst ever production. But for the kids, the cars are very much the essence of the film and that is all that matters to them.

8. The Smurfs ($562. 5 Million)

The Smurfs are an old time classic cartoons. This time they are out there in 3D film. The film was expected to do better at the box office since the popularity of the cartoons and it just happened to be the case. All the Smurfs are cute and adorable. A survey of the ticket sales by Sony has reported that 40% of the audiences in cinemas were that of parents. Obviously they had to accompany their kids under the age of 12 to theatres, but a child of them all would have also enjoyed the occasion of cinema-going. Although again panned by critics, the film does not hold good position in their ratings, but it is still the eighth highest grossing film of the year. However, it was unfair on the part of the filmmakers to draw audiences’ money and recover their production value by solely relying on the popularity of the Smurfs and not give a strong plotline for the characters to be in.

7. The Hangover Part II ($581 Million)

One of the reasons that this movie even makes this list is because of the expectations that were built around it being similarly funny as the first part that drove people to watch it in theatres. But disappointments abound, there was nothing new, original or creative in the story. It will again go down in film history as one of those sequels that spoil the whole film series. But none of it matters for the producers as they got every penny back manifold. The film is the highest earning R-rated comedy of all time. It even got nominated for a few awards. What is silly is that the filmmakers think that they can get away with making a copy of the first one. It does tell that all they are after is earning profits, which eventually they did. However, there is talk that there will be another sequel. Let’s hope the filmmakers do a better work this time.

6. Fast Five ($626 Million)

As if the thrill and action from the first four movies in the Fast and the Furious film series was not enough, there is another one. It is not just one of the highest grossing films of the year and in its film franchise, but also one of all time at number 56. The film has a bit a humour and action that defies the laws of physics, which makes it funny. What is strange is that critics have not taken this element as negative, but rather appreciated the film for involving such a mix. The fans of the franchise can be happy to know that there is another installment planned to be added in the series. The film was criticized for showing Rio de Janeiro as a city full of criminals. The filmmakers should avoid such stereotyping against any people or place. Despite all the controversy the awards have been bestowed on the movie.

5. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 ($657 Million)

The previous parts have created frenzy followers who are both over-reactive and sensitive if and when anything negative is said related to the Twilight novels or the film series. Even the critics can’t help to open their eyes to the fact that this film is a total flop when it comes to artistic film-making. The film is still running its round in theatres so it might pass well over the mark of a billion dollars in its earning at the box office. Majority of the reviews have been negative with its current rating of 26% at Rotten Tomatoes making it the worst film of the series so far. It appears in most lists of the worst films made in 2011. During viewing of the film, a lot of people had photosensitive seizures. However, part 2 is still left to be released which will be in theatres this year on November 16, 2012.

4. Kung Fu Panda 2 ($665 Million)

Po the panda is surely going down in film history as one great amusing character. His antics and comedic behavior has been the means of getting to audiences’ hearts. This computer-animation is exemplary for getting all the elements in the right mix. The film has been praised by critics for its animation, voice acting, and character development. This is how sequels should be invested in with creativity which does justice to the earlier project. It is the highest earning animated feature film of the year as well as one being directed by a woman. The film has been nominated for multiple awards. It has its own video game and fans of the franchise can smile knowing the fact that there are plans to make a third part and furthermore films in the series.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ($1,043 Million)

Another character that will go down in film history as iconic is that of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow who is invincible. He has made the character his very own with how should it develop in this film by suggesting on the story design. Captain Sparrow is out for an adventure again along with Angelica played by Penélope Cruz to find the Fountain of Youth, but the Blackbeard won’t let things be easy. The film has also been released in 3D format for those who would like to feel things up close. However the critics have not been appreciative of the efforts put into it. They have criticized it for lack of originality and excessiveness in the script-writing. But the departments that have held the film together and made it a success were of acting, directing and visuals and the awards have been pouring in too.

2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($1,123 Million)

With so much many invested in it making the budget of $195 million, a viewer deserves to be given a better product than this lousy job. Changing Sam Witwicky’s girl-friend in the film was not the only thing wrong with the script, but it seems to miss on everything else too. However, it is the highest earning film in the franchise and also second highest of 2011. This is one more example of how solid Hollywood marketing and distribution strategies work in favour of a badly made movie. The awards for which it has been nominated have been unworthy except for one which is 2011 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards’ Obviously Worst Film Award. It might even get more such worst film nominations, which it definitely deserves to be treated with. Although the film series have been decided to continue its journey without Shia LaBeouf who is no more interested in playing the same character fourth time.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($1,328 Million)

This is the last film of the series, which means there will be no more films based on the novels. But who knows in future J. K. Rowling might decide to write further novels with the characters and there could be more movies even without novels being there. As a lot of the time, movies do get made on their own by just taking the characters out of the novels and making a story for screen. Although the film was completed by June 2010, the final completion did not take place till December 2010. It was released worldwide from 13-15 July and it is the only film in the series to be made in 3D. It has been highly praised by critics and is considered amongst the best released in 2011 and features in the list of the best films. It is the highest grossing film of the year as well as of the series and is the third highest of all time. The film has been nominated for multiple awards and has also won most of them.