With the highest-grossing films of 2022 generating profits in the millions, the future for theater owners and production houses, relying on the big screen, looks bright indeed.

But that wasn’t the case about two years ago. In early 2020, cinemas were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closures. However, when conditions improved the following year, a handful of big-budget productions were released. Their promising on-screen performance raised hopes among producers and moviegoers alike.

Meanwhile, many of us who were stuck at home for the time have flocked to our little screens to watch movies on streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, keeping the joy of experiencing a cinema (and shows ) exceptional.

But serious moviegoers, who believe the thrill of watching a movie on the big screen is irreplaceable, have been eagerly waiting for theaters to fully resume operations, so they can once again enjoy the latest releases.

Since the gradual reopening of theaters, several big-budget films have grossed millions at the box office. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Spider-Man: No Coming Home and the James Bond movie no time to die were among the highest-grossing films of 2021.

The first half of 2022 has been promising. Four films managed to cross the $500 million mark. One of them is an MCU offering. And another – a Chinese film – made most of its revenue in China.

The list also includes a film starring Tom Cruise, whose big-budget productions always manage to attract more viewers to theaters.

(All the numbers according to Box Office Mojo at seven June 2022.)

Here are the best movies according to the collection at the box office

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

World Gross: $910,239,505

The 28th MCU movie is a sequel to strange doctor (2016). It follows the events of Wanda Vision (2021) and Spider-Man: No Coming Home (2021).

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) saves a teenager, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who can travel between multiverses. Sensing a greater threat to all universes, Strange and Chavez enlist the aid of other wizards, including Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), against an unknown adversary.

Sam Raimi’s film crossed the $800 million mark on May 22 at the domestic (US) box office and overseas markets, becoming the second highest-grossing film of the pandemic era after Spider-Man: No Coming Homewhich grossed $1.89 billion during its run.

The Batman

World Gross: $770,342,756

The second highest-grossing film in 2022, worldwide, The Batman marks the reboot of the franchise, headlined by the DC comic book superhero. Critics describe it as a contemporary film noir, heavily inspired by the style of New Hollywood cinema from the 1960s to the early 1980s.

When a deranged psychopath named Riddler (Paul Dano) goes on a killing spree in Gotham, leaving behind cryptic clues, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Robert Pattinson) takes charge. Digging deeper, the Dark Knight discovers his family’s involvement in the city’s dark underbelly.

Other major stars in the film include Zoë Kravitz, as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, and Jeffrey Wright, who became the first African-American actor to play James Gordon.

Water Gate Bridge

World Gross: $626,571,280

Water Gate Bridge is a Chinese historical war film and sequel to the smash hit, The Battle of Changjin Lake (2021). Among the highest-earning films of 2022, it continues the heroic story of Chinese People’s Volunteer (CPV) soldiers fighting against American forces during the Korean War (1950-1953).

According to one of the film’s producers, Yu Dong, Water Gate Bridge is based on real events. It shows how the Chinese forces prevented the Americans from retreating over the Sumun Bridge, also known as the “Water Gate Bridge”.

The film’s worldwide gross came primarily from China and Hong Kong, with Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom contributing less than US$200,000.

Top Gun: Maverick

World gross: $557,241,022

With a flying start after its May 27 release, Top Gun: Maverick scripted the biggest achievement of Tom Cruise’s career at the US box office. While movie theater audiences were captivated by fighter jets screaming across the screen, critics raved about the film at previews and screenings at festivals like Cannes.

One of the biggest films dominating the global box office of 2022, the film is a sequel to Superior gun (1986). Its story takes place more than 30 years after the events of the previous film. Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Cruise), one of the US Navy’s top fighter pilots, must train a group of young pilots before a mission. Among them is the son of Maverick’s late friend, whose death continues to haunt him.

Unexplored

World Gross: $401,108,106

Nathan Drake (Tom Holland), a clever bartender with an impressive knowledge of history, is recruited by Victor ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg), to find the lost treasure of 16th century Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Although Drake teams up with Sullivan, his suspicions about his recruiter grow when faced with dangerous billionaire Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) and his mercenary associate Jo Braddock (Tati Gabrielle).

Unexplored is the first film based on the video game franchise of the same name. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, it became one of the highest-grossing films of 2022. According to Deadlineits hit run in the opening weekend alone prompted Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman to call Unexplored “a new blockbuster movie franchise.”

Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets

World Gross: $400,784,813

The third part of fantastic beasts The film series was not well received by critics upon its release. However, it made enough money at the box office, earning itself a spot on the list of highest-grossing movies of 2022.

Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets revolves around two of the film series’ central figures Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). Dumbledore entrusts Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the protagonist, with assembling a team and going on a dangerous mission to thwart the plans of Grindelwald and his allies.

sonic the hedgehog 2

World Gross: $392,750,557

Following sonic the hedgehog (2020) is about the super-fast blue hedgehog named Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his new friend Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), who attempt to protect the earth from the evil Dr. Robotnik (voiced by Jim Carrey). However, Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba), who is known for his incredible strength, stands in their way.

Like the 2020 film, the sequel is also part live action and animation.

The villains

World Gross: $218,140,025

Based on the children’s book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey, The villains is currently the highest-grossing anime film of 2022.

When a gang of anthropomorphic criminals are caught, their leader, Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell), convinces the others to play well their way out of jail. However, as they continue to pose as criminals-turned-criminals, the gang, consisting of Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) , comes across a real villain. who poses a greater threat to their city than before.

too cool to kill

World gross: $217,254,604

too cool to kill is the second Chinese film on the list of the highest-grossing films of 2022. Nearly 100% of the film’s total revenue came from China, with the United States, Australia and New Zealand contributing around 0.1% of the total revenue. gross total.

The plot revolves around an amateur actor, Wei Chenggong (Wei Xiang), who is invited to play the role of the main man in a film by a famous actress Milan (Ma Li). But Wei doesn’t know he’s been drawn into a plot, the escape of which requires his acting skills and luck.

Nice view

World Gross: $211,019,042

Remarkably different from the other two Chinese films that make it to the list of highest-grossing films, the film Nice view. It’s about a desperate brother, Jing Hao (Jackson Yee), who is forced to take risks to pay for his sister Jing Tong’s (Chen Halin) expensive medical treatment.

However, like other Chinese films, this one also generated nearly 100% of its worldwide revenue from the Chinese market alone.

(Main image: IMDb; Featured Image: Jay Maidment/Jay Maidment – ​​© Marvel Studios 2022. All rights reserved./IMDb)