With the summer over and school starting up again, the wave of summer blockbuster hits that audiences have been deluged with since April has finally begun to wind down. Animated hits like the endearingly motivational films “Zootopia” and “Finding Dory” stand out as memorable classics, while other heavily anticipated films fell flat of audience expectations (e.g. “Suicide Squad”). Of the many multi-million-dollar grossing films released this summer, here are the top five:
- Finding Dory
An eagerly awaited sequel to the classic 2003 film “Finding Nemo,” “Finding Dory” made a major splash this summer nearly 13 years after its original, grossing just under half a billion dollars in revenue. The aquatic sequel focuses on the memory-impaired Dory as she attempts to find her own family. Ellen DeGeneres returns to voice the forgetful fish, having teased the release three years earlier. Central cast include Albert Brooks returning as Marlin and newcomer Hayden Rolence acting as the voice of Nemo. The film follows the trio through various obstacles from Dory being captured, to Nemo and Marlin needing rescue. Together, the quests spread across a running time of an hour and 45 minutes, compacting thrills with sanguine moments of triumph. “Finding Dory” lives up to its predecessors’ promise of nostalgic warmth.
- Captain America: Civil War
Released early in the summer and met with major critical and viewer acclaim, the third installment in the “Captain America” trilogy rounded off at just above $400 million domestically; an over $100 million increase from its predecessor “The Winter Soldier.” “Civil War,” as the name suggests, featured the Marvel Avengers’ fractious disagreement over government control of super-powered humans. With our titular character on one side of the issue and Iron Man on the other, this sequel showcased a starkly contrasted conflict following 2015’s band-up in “Age of Ultron.” Debuting in the film was one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, Spiderman, who was played by newcomer Tom Holland. Other central newcomers included Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman and Ant-Man, coming fresh from his own movie, played by Paul Rudd. Utilizing the pantheon of characters at hand, “Civil War” catapults viewers into an action-packed roller coaster.
- The Jungle Book
One of Disney’s first animated classics that was made into a live adaptation. “The Jungle Book” was released in April and featured a star-studded voiceover cast including movie giants like Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o. The adaptation features components from both Disney’s 1967 animated film and Rudyard Kipling’s original tale. Combining the two with top-end modern CGI works, “The Jungle Book” paints a captivating story for viewers of all ages. Following the wolf-raised boy Mowgli, the movie traces his attempts to escape the vengeful Bengal tiger Shere Khan and his numerous encounters along the way, which includes a close call with the Indian python Kaa, and one with the giant ape King Louie. Even with the more realistic portrayal of this classic tale, “The Jungle Book” (2016) still holds onto its animated roots, showcasing all the lightheartedness that made the originals so entrancing.
- Deadpool
A project 10 years in the making, “Deadpool” exploded onto the silver screen in February with the highest grossing movie opening in 2016. Among the many highly anticipated movies of this season, “Deadpool” stands at the forefront. The first half of the movie cuts back from present action to flashbacks revealing Deadpool’s background. Eventually the flashbacks catch up to the present as the titular character continues on his quest to seek vengeance on the mutant project manager that gave him regeneration powers and a heavily scarred body. Drawing heavily on the controversy, the success “Deadpool” had at the box office, as the highest grossing X-Men film, derived significantly from the film’s stretching of boundaries. Although critical thought is not unanimously in the film’s favor, the sheer amount of audience acclaim ensures that viewers can expect a sequel.
- The Secret Life of Pets
A latecomer in the summer blockbuster frenzy, “The Secret Life of Pets” opened on July 8, grossing just above $360 million in the North American box office. Coming from the people behind “Despicable Me” and “Despicable Me 2,” “The Secret Life of Pets” is an animated film following the pampered terrier Max, who finds himself haphazardly engaged in the dangerous activities of city life. Starring comedians like Louis C.K. as Max, as well as Kevin Hart and Jenny Slate, the animated comedy features both laugh-out-loud moments and emotionally poignant scenes. “The Secret Life of Pets” stands out as the highest grossing non-Disney animated film ever in worldwide box offices.