In 2024, the movie genres by gross box office revenue were notably influenced by well-established franchises and sequels, particularly in the animated and action categories.
Adventure was the highest-grossing genre at the North American box office between 1995 and 2024, with over $67 billion in revenue during that period. This genre continued to dominate in 2024, with films like “Inside Out 2” and “Moana 2” contributing significantly due to their high earnings.
Four animated sequels were among the top 10 highest-grossing films globally in 2024:
“Inside Out 2” led with $1.7 billion worldwide, making history as the first animated film to surpass $1 billion in international sales.
Other notable animated sequels included “Despicable Me 4”, “Moana 2” and “Kung Fu Panda 4”, highlighting the genre’s appeal across generations.
Action films, particularly those part of established franchises, performed exceptionally well:
“Deadpool & Wolverine” grossed $1.338 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
“Dune: Part Two” also saw significant earnings, contributing to the action genre’s total.
“Wicked” stood out as a non-sequel, grossing over $424 million domestically and $210 million internationally, showing the continued appeal of musicals and fantasy adaptations.
While not as dominant, horror-thriller films had their moments, with titles like “Civil War” by A24 making $121.6 million worldwide, indicating a strong performance for original content in this genre.
Although specific 2024 figures for these genres weren’t as highlighted, generally, comedies and dramas have a consistent audience, often performing well at the box office, especially when supported by strong casts or innovative storytelling.
In 2024, genres like sci-fi (with films like “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”) and sports dramedies (like “Yolo” from China) also contributed to the year’s box office numbers.
The data suggests that in 2024, sequels were key drivers of box office success across multiple genres, with animation, action, and adventure films leading the pack. However, original content and non-franchise films also had their impact, particularly in genres like horror and drama.
© Preems