We all knowthe titans of the box office.Avatartore through the ceiling by crossing $2.9 billion worldwide.Titanicbroke hearts and records alike.Avengers: Endgameassembled every superhero out there and snapped its way to the top of the charts. AddThe Lion King,Jurassic World,Frozen II,Barbie, andTop Gun: Maverickto the mix, and you have an insane lineup of cinematic triumphs that seem to dominate every highest-grossing movies list. These titles are household names, and their success is no secret.
However, while these movies gleefully bask in the spotlight, there is a whole category of movies that quietly made millions at the box office. These are movies that you watched on a whim,franchise continuationsyou tuned in just for the sake of it, or movies you vaguely remember watching the trailer for. They didn’t break the internet, but they brought something impressive to the table by making serious money.
From animated oddballs to unexpected sequels, here are 10 movies you didn’t know made millions at the box office.
10’The Legend of Tarzan' (2016)
$356.7 Million
After years of living a sophisticated and refined life in London, John Clayton III, better known as Tarzan, is summoned back to the Congo by the ruthless Belgian envoy Leon Rom, who tells him that a diplomatic mission needs him but, in reality, seeks to exploit the jungle’s riches and deliver Tarzan to a tribal chief out for revenge. John is forced to reconnect with his primal instincts and unleash Tarzan to rescue his wife and stop Rom from achieving his goals.
A Tarzan Story that Defied Expectations
It’s easy to assume thataTarzanrebootwouldn’t swing too far at the box office. Especially with a $180 million budget and a character whose days of fame are behind us. And yet, David Yates’ direction, paired with Alexander Skarsgård’s impressive physicality and Margot Robbie’s stunning Jane, gave the movie an unexpected appeal. The lush cinematography and use of CGI, as well as the exploration of complex themes, was a draw for audiences andThe Legend of Tarzangrossed over $356 million worldwide.
9’Home' (2015)
$386 Million
Homeis an animated sci-fi comedy based on Adam Rex’s 2007 children’s book, titled The True Meaning of Smekday. It begins with a quirky alien race known as the Boov invading Earth and relocating humans to little colonies, claiming the entire planet for themselves. Oh, a misfit Boov, finds himself on the run after he accidentally sends a galactic invite to their mortal enemy, the Gorg, potentially exposing their location.
An Animated Gem with Global Appeal
WhileHomemay not have garnered the same level of popularity assome of DreamWorks Animation’s other projects, the movie’s impressive $386 million box office performance is testament to its ability to remarkably blend themes of family, courage, and belonging. Of course, it didn’t scream blockbuster on paper. But an alien buddy comedy with a pastel aesthetic and a voice cast led by Jim Parsons and Rihanna equals pop appeal.
8’Oz: The Great and Powerful' (2013)
$493.3 Million
Oz the Great and Powerful
InOz: The Great and Powerful, Oscar Diggs is a small-time magician who gets swept away from dusty Kansas to the dazzling land of Oz via a tornado. Mistaken for the prophesied savior, he is thrust into a conflict between three witches, Glinda, Theodora, and Evanora, each with their own agenda, leaving Oscar to navigate the politics of Oz and his own moral shortcomings.
Visual Feast with Mixed Reception
With a budget of $215 million, Sam Raimi’sOz: The Great and Powerfulwas a huge gamble. However, it ended up conjuring nearly half a billion dollars globally. The movie’s strength lies in its production design. There are candy-colored landscapes, whimsical creatures, and a 3D experience that rivalsAvatar. James Franco’s performance is divisive, but the supporting cast balances it out.
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7’Meet The Fockers' (2004)
$522 Million
Meet the Fockers
Greg Focker and Pam Byrnes are ready to take the plunge, but first, they must face the ultimate test that is introducing their wildly contrasting families to each other. The sequel toMeet the Parents, this one takes the awkwardness to a whole new level as Pam’s uptight, ex-CIA father, Jack, and her good-natured mother Dina meet Greg’s free-spirited parents, Roz, a sex therapist, and Bernie, a retired lawyer and stay-at-home dad.
Cringe-Worthy and Relatable Family Drama
The movie is a mashup of slapstick humor, misunderstandings, and family dysfunction wrapped in an inappropriate yet heartfelt story. On paper,the sequel looks like a rehash of the original. But with a modest $80 million budget,Meet the Fockersexploded into a $522 million global hit. How, you ask? The answer is easy: chemistry. Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand and comedic legends and Robert De Niro’s deadpan reactions are priceless. They all riff off each other naturally, making the movie the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2004.
6’Hancock' (2008)
$629.4 Million
When it comes to superheroes, John Hancock does things differently. He is reckless, rude, and always drunk. When he tries to thwart evil and save lives, he ends up leaving destruction in their wake, making him more of a liability than a savior. But when he rescues PR specialist Ray Embrey, Ray sees potential and offers to help Hancock clean up his image.
Not Your Typical Superhero Fare
Think about it, a movie abouta superhero who curses, drinks, and pushes people away? It’s not exactly what fans were expecting from the genre back in 2008. ButHancockchanged that, soared past expectations, and grossed over $629 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. Will Smith leads the movie with equal parts humor and action, and he’s accompanied by Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. Critics were split on the execution, but audiences ate up the fresh take on heroism.
5’The Da Vinci Code' (2006)
$760 Million
The Da Vinci Code
When Louvre curator Jacques Saunière is found murdered, the incident sets off a chain reaction that reveals a centuries-old conspiracy. Robert Langdon, a renowned Harvard symbologist, is pulled into a chase across Europe alongside cryptologist Sophie Neveu. They uncover a trail of clues hidden in Da Vinci’s art, evade the monk Silas and the shadowy Opus Dei, and confront religious questions.
Controversy and Cryptic Clues
Adapted from Dan Brown’s bestselling novel,The Da Vinci Codeis a cerebral treasure hunt that blends historical intrigue with thrilling pace. It may have faced criticism from some for its controversial subject matter, but it somehow cracked the code of box office success and earned a staggering $760 million globally on a $125 million budget. Directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, and featuring Hans Zimmer’s score, it also happened to launch a franchise.
4’Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull' (2008)
$786 Million
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Set in 1957, the fourth installment of theIndiana Jonesmovie series finds Harrison Ford’s aging archeologist being pulled into a Cold War-era mystery. There is also the involvement of Soviet agents, psychic powers, and a mysterious crystal skull. He survives a nuclear blast by taking cover inside a lead-lined fridge, teams up with the rebellious Mutt Williams, and journeys to Peru for yet another classic adventure.
Nostalgia, Aliens, and Indy’s Signature Charm
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullobviously didn’t reach the dizzying heights of critical praise as its predecessors. There was nearly a two-decade gap since the last film and director Steven Spielberg had spent a hefty $185 million in making the movie. Still, it surpassed expectations and made $786 million globally, becoming the franchise’s highest-grossing movie. Its retro B-movie vibes,Ford’s rugged charm, and Cate Blanchett’s icy villain worked some magic.
3'2012' (2009)
$791.2 Million
2012is Roland Emmerich’s epic disaster movie. Its premise finds the world on the brink of an apocalypse when geologist Adrian Helmsley uncovers evidence that proves the Earth’s core is heating up at an alarming rate and is about to trigger a series of catastrophic natural disasters. Helmsley, struggling writer Jackson Curtis, and the government navigate nature’s fury.
A Must-See Disaster Epic
With a jaw-dropping $200 million budget,2012 seemed like a risky bet, given the sheer scale and ambition of its disaster-driven narrative. But it raked in $791.2 million worldwide and proved that audiences were hungry for a cinematic experience that combined end-of-the-world thrills with thought-provoking themes. Moreover, while the storyline was too over-the-top, the nail-biting tension of the disaster sequences was impossible to look away from.
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2’Ice Age: Continental Drift' (2012)
$877.2 Million
Ice Age: Continental Drift
In the latest installment of the belovedIce Agefranchise, Scrat and his obsession with acorn causes a continental drift, leaving Manny, Sid, Diego, and Granny adrift on an iceberg. Separated from their herd, they encounter sea creatures, a pirate gang led by Captain Gutt, and a new feline ally named Shira. Back on land, Manny’s daughter, Peaches, deals with teenage drama.
Not Groundbreaking, but Entertaining Nonetheless
Despite beingthe fourth entry in the enduring franchise,Ice Age: Continental Driftsailed past expectations and marked a worldwide gross of $877.2 million on a modest $95 million budget. The movie’s international success was enormous, with over 80% earnings from overseas. Critically, it was not a draw and was called out for being tiring, but fans embraced the familiar faces and new adventures. The animation, particularly the water and storm sequences, are top-tier.
1’Alice In Wonderland' (2010)
$1025 Million
Alice in Wonderland
A visually mesmerizing interpretation of the classic Lewis Carroll tale,Alice In Wonderlandfollows nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh as she escapes Victorian life and tumbles into Underland, a darker reimagining of Wonderland. Guided by the Mad Hatter, she is supposed to fulfill a prophecy, defeat the Jabberwocky, and bring the White Queen back to power by taking down the tyrannical Red Queen.
Burton’s Dark Fantasy Triumph
Tim Burton’s vision, paired with Johnny Depp’s eccentric Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter’s villainous Red Queen, turned this adaptation into a billion-dollar victory. With a budget of $200 million and a stunning $1.025 billion box office performance,Alice in Wonderlandbecamethe highest-grossing film of 2010and won Oscars for Art Direction and Costume Design. Story-wise, it’s not rich, but overall, it sparked a wave of live-action fairy tale remakes.
