As the year comes to a close, we begin to look at the year in review. There were thousands of movies released this year, and many series and sagas continued. There was action, children, adventure, and many more. Here's the list of the top movies of the year.*
*Based off of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_in_film
9. Doctor Strange
Grossing: $685,106,748 Distributor: Sony
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejifor, Rachel McAdams
This movie came out in November, and is still grossing in some parts of the world. However, it did make the top 9 movies. In the movie, a world-famous neurosurgeon named Stephen Strange gets into a terrible car accident, and his magical hands are ruined. He goes through many surgeries but nothing fully cures him. He goes instead to a healing-place in India, and learns about other dimensions and mystic arts, which may save the world. It’s a twist on the super hero story, and stars the amazing Benedict Cumberbatch.
8. Suicide Squad
Grossing: $745,600,054 Distributor: Warner Brothers
Stars: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie
This is a Supervillain action movie, starring DC’s suicide squad. They are evil villains all locked in jail that are let out on the premise that they will help the government defend the world against other bad guys and villains. Their first task is to save the world from an apocalypse. It features the characters of Deadshot, Joker, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and a few new characters as well. It’s filled with action and adventure, along with bits of comedy. It came out over the summer and is similar to other popular hero movies
7. Deadpool
Grossing: $782,612,155 Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
Just like the previous two, this is also an off-the-cuff superhero movie. It’s the only R-rated film on the list, and showcases the anti-villain Deadpool as he changes from an average human to a human experiment, followed by his plot of revenge on the man who changed him. It’s an origin story that is filled with morbid and crude jokes, that will have any adult laughing. It does have some scenes with nudity and violence, but it was a great movie. It even features a few lesser-known X-men and other Marvel characters.
6. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Grossing: $873,260,194 Distributor: Warner Brothers
Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
This movie is a movie that stars everyone’s favorite heroes: Superman and Batman. Batman believes that Superman wrecks too much havoc when he tries to do good, and Superman is willing to fight him over it. It leaves the rest of humanity forced to take sides, especially the government. It is a little dark, as are many DC movies, and may end badly for one of the heroes.
5. The Secret Life of Pets
Grossing: $875,086,598 Distributor: Universal
Stars: Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart
This is the first movie on the list that is not a superhero movie, but instead about man’s best friend--dogs-- as they go on an unforgettable adventure. Pampered NYC pup Max loves his live in his apartment with his young owner, and the many animals that he is friends with in his building. But when his owner takes in a stray dog, Max, life takes a turn. The two dogs end up without their collars, and go on a wild journey through the New York boroughs to discover what it means to be a friend. It’s a lovable movie that everyone will enjoy.
4. The Jungle Book
Grossing: $966, 500,600 Distributor: Disney
Stars: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley
This is the only movie on the list that is not animated or about superheroes. It’s a live-action version of the Disney classic, where a young boy named Mowgli is raised by animals, and while trying to escape from a tiger, he finds himself discovering a lot more about himself. Amazingly, Mowgli is one of the only people in the movie, meaning Sethi was acting by himself for the whole movie. It’s an exhilarating screen-play, which children and adults alike will be inspired by.
3. Zootopia
Grossing: $1,023,784,195 Distributor: Disney
Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba
The second animated film in the list, Zootopia stars Judy Hopps, the world’s first bunny cop. She wants to have justice and equality for everyone, and along the way, makes an unlikely friend; a fox named Nick Wilde. Together, Judy and Nick go on an adventure to uncover a conspiracy plaguing the world. This movie shines a big light on diversity, in a way that can be easily taught to children. The story is very modern, and explores all types of stereotypes, and shows to children you can do anything.
2. Finding Dory
Grossing: $1,027,364,326 Distributor: Disney
Stars: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neil
The gang is back! Dory, Marlin, Nemo, and all their fish friends are back in this light-hearted tale about a fish trying to find her family. Before meeting Marlin and Nemo, Dory lived in an aquarium with her parents, but then she somehow got out of the aquarium and released into the sea. The movie follows Dory as she tries to find her family in the Californian Marine Life Institute, and they meet many new sea creatures along the way. It is an adorable movie, and will have you leaving the movie very satisfied.
1. Captain America: Civil War
Grossing: $1,153,304,495 Distributor: Disney
Stars: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson
This movie features the famous Avengers, as they fight against each other over the restrictions the government should put on them. It follows many heroes including Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Ant-man, Spiderman, and The Winter Soldier. After they cause damage to a building while on a mission, each must pick a side in the fight for their limits. It drove fans crazy, making it the leading box office movie of the year, and the 12th highest grossing movie ever.
How many movies did you see? Which would you see again? Until next year, Odyssey.
