Hey, Hey, Hey, Fanboys and FanGirls, it is I, Chris "The Dace Man" Dace bringing you the Top 10 Highest-Grossing Films of 2013. Join me as I break down the list that cracked the box office and read you a brief synopsis/review each movie (and if I didn't see it, you'll just get the synopsis). Away we go!!
10. Star Trek Into The Darkness
J.J. Abrams takes a crack at the twelfth installment of the Star Trek franchise, numero dos for Señor Abrams. We joined Kirk and Spock as they reunited on the big screen to take on the bad boy known as Khan. Being an outsider to the Star Trek franchise—yeah, I'm a Wars boy, not a Trekkie—the film was vastly entertaining, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Once again this is from an outside perspective; I'm sure plenty of Trekkies out there would disagree (and if you disagree, sound off in the Comments section!). This sequel from Bad Robot, released by Paramount, grossed $228,778,661, with an opening weekend of $70,165,559 on May 16, 2013. Its theater run ended September 19, 2013. I am looking forward to the next one but curious as to how it will do, now that J.J. has jumped over to the Wars!
9. Oz The Great and Powerful
Now, I'm a little biased to this one, because my boy Zach Braff is in it. If you follow The Dace Man Show, you know I'm obsessed with Scrubs. In Oz, featuring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weiss, we visit the land of Oz long before Dorthy and Toto illegally parked their house on a witch. The story follows a young Wizard of Oz as he finds his way and learns morals and life lessons along the (yellow-brick) road. It also shows the origins of many other beloved Wizard of Oz characters and how they became who they are in that film. Released by Buena Vista, Oz The Great and Powerful grossed $234,911,825, with an opening weekend of $79,110,453 on March 8, 2013. Its run closed July 18, 2013.
8. Fast & Furious 6
The crew is back for their sixth installment of their Fast and Furious franchise, proving that movies just about cars aren't good enough. Now it has to be about heists and shit like that. I'll be honest with you: I have not seen this one…yet. I'll catch it on TNT. I know that with the addition of The Rock and the repackaging of the franchise it falls into a category of "junk food for the brain" type film. Michelle Rodriguez returns to the franchise, again, to have Hobbs (The Rock) drag Vin Diesel back into some overthrowing-evil-people-in-an-illegal-way type plot. The film, released by Universal, grossed $238,679,850, with an opening weekend of $97,375,245 on May 24, 2013. Its theatrical run closed September 5, 2013, running the length of the summer.
7. Gravity
This movie and concept seem stupid to me, so here's the synopsis: Dr. Ryan Stone is a brilliant medical engineer on her first
shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky. On a
seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed,
leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone, tethered to nothing but
each other and spiraling out into
the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link
to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every
gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. The only way
home may be to go farther out into the terrifying expanse of space. The movie has grossed $255,144,426, opening at $55,785,112 on October 4, 2013, and is still running in theaters at this time. This hurts my heart.
6. Monsters University
I, for one, was overjoyed to see this film franchise return to the big screen this year because I enjoyed the first one very much. Now, I have not seen this sequel yet, but it makes sense that a Disney/Pixar film release would make the Top 10 list, especially one that had a prior movie received so warmly. This prequel to the popular Monsters Inc. follows Mike and Sully through their college years. Also returning are the voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi. Buena Vista distributed Monsters University, and it grossed $268,492,764, with an opening weekend of $82,429,469 on June 21, 2013, finally closing in its last theater on December 19. I am really looking forward to seeing this one in the near future!
5. Frozen
Our next movie didn't have much time to rake in the dough in 2013, but it still made it to number 5 on our list! Disney's Frozen, which was done without Pixar, hit the theaters at a slow start but quickly picked up momentum during the holiday season. I probably won't see this one, I imagine anyone with small children would be hooked by the story and animation wow factor. Starring the voices of Kristen Bell (love her), Jonathan Groff, and a bunch of other people I don't really know, this is a story about a young girl who must team with a bunch of oddballs to stop her Snow Queen sister and endless winter. Also released by Buena Vista, Frozen grossed $277,116,204 in 2013 with a sad opening of only $243,390 on November 22. It is still currently showing in theaters.
4. Man of Steel
Superman returns to the big screen under the guidance of Batman franchise savior Christopher Nolan. Although there are two main points of the movie that really irritate fans, overall this was a decent Superman movie. For starters, Superman didn't battle a rock, and Lex wasn't his enemy, as in every other incarnation of a Superman movie, although there were subtle references. The Nolan brothers jumped right into the franchise with General Zod as well as a back story for The Man of Steel. Due to the success of Nolan's Superman Warner Bros. is now getting the itchy trigger finger and has announced a Superman vs. Batman film. (Oh dear God, does that make me nervous as hell!) Man of Steel was released by Warner Bros. and grossed $291,045,518, with an opening weekend of $116,619,362 on June 14, 2013 and closing September 19, 2013.
3. Despicable Me 2
That's right, the Minions are back!… Wait, I mean Groo is back with the kids, and this time he's been recruited by the good guys. The Minions also have a dominant role in this film, which looks like it will cause a spinoff movie for them. Way to go yellow guys! This sequel was highly anticipated by children and adults because the first one was received with much praise and laughter. Steve Carell returns to lend his voice to the movie along with Kristen Wig, Ken Jeong, and Russell Brand. Released by Universal, Despicable Me 2 grossed an impressive $367,860,095 over its run from July 3, 2013, and in some places it is still showing in theaters. They recorded an opening weekend that fell behind Man of Steel's opening weekend at $83,517,315. Here's hoping for a third film!
2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
If this movie had opened earlier in 2013 it would have most likely been number 1 on our list. The hype and media buzz that went into this movie was phenomenal, and judging by its box office numbers, it lived up to the hype. The sequel brought us back to the annual Hunger Games, but this time it featured all-stars and a plot to kill Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss. NOOOOOOO!! The cast of Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland all return this time with the addition of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. They broke into the game late but claimed the number 2 spot for the Top 10 Highest Grossing Movies of 2013. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released by Lionsgate Films and grossed $400,088,390 in 2013, with an opening weekend of $158,074,286 on November 22, 2013. It is still showing in theaters presently.
1. Iron Man 3
Let's take a look at what this Iron Man sequel was facing going in: Jon Favreau had turned over the directing reigns to Shane Black, The Avengers had just set a new bar for comic book movies, and The Avengers 2, Thor 2, Captain America 2, and Ant Man are waiting in the wings to follow your lead. No pressure at all, right? Being a huge Iron Man fan myself and having read most of the Iron Man comics, I would be lying if I didn't tell you I was disappointed with the Mandarin. After rewatching the film and seeing all the developments with Sir Ben Kingsley, however, I now realize it was brilliantly done in order for the franchise to stand alone and apart from the comic book itself while still being true to it. Iron Man 3 was action packed and set a firm tone for Phase 2 of Marvel's Initiative. Hell, Thor: The Dark World came in twelfth among the Top Grossing Movies of 2013 and that is still running. Iron Man 3, released by Buena Vista, grossed $409,013,994 and had the highest opening weekend of the year at $174,144,585 on May 3, 2013. Its run closed September 12, 2013.
As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Until then, for the few, the proud, and of course the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a seat for 2014 films—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
10. Star Trek Into The Darkness
9. Oz The Great and Powerful
Now, I'm a little biased to this one, because my boy Zach Braff is in it. If you follow The Dace Man Show, you know I'm obsessed with Scrubs. In Oz, featuring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weiss, we visit the land of Oz long before Dorthy and Toto illegally parked their house on a witch. The story follows a young Wizard of Oz as he finds his way and learns morals and life lessons along the (yellow-brick) road. It also shows the origins of many other beloved Wizard of Oz characters and how they became who they are in that film. Released by Buena Vista, Oz The Great and Powerful grossed $234,911,825, with an opening weekend of $79,110,453 on March 8, 2013. Its run closed July 18, 2013. 8. Fast & Furious 6
The crew is back for their sixth installment of their Fast and Furious franchise, proving that movies just about cars aren't good enough. Now it has to be about heists and shit like that. I'll be honest with you: I have not seen this one…yet. I'll catch it on TNT. I know that with the addition of The Rock and the repackaging of the franchise it falls into a category of "junk food for the brain" type film. Michelle Rodriguez returns to the franchise, again, to have Hobbs (The Rock) drag Vin Diesel back into some overthrowing-evil-people-in-an-illegal-way type plot. The film, released by Universal, grossed $238,679,850, with an opening weekend of $97,375,245 on May 24, 2013. Its theatrical run closed September 5, 2013, running the length of the summer. 7. Gravity
This movie and concept seem stupid to me, so here's the synopsis: Dr. Ryan Stone is a brilliant medical engineer on her first
shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky. On a
seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed,
leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone, tethered to nothing but
each other and spiraling out into
the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link
to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every
gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. The only way
home may be to go farther out into the terrifying expanse of space. The movie has grossed $255,144,426, opening at $55,785,112 on October 4, 2013, and is still running in theaters at this time. This hurts my heart.6. Monsters University
I, for one, was overjoyed to see this film franchise return to the big screen this year because I enjoyed the first one very much. Now, I have not seen this sequel yet, but it makes sense that a Disney/Pixar film release would make the Top 10 list, especially one that had a prior movie received so warmly. This prequel to the popular Monsters Inc. follows Mike and Sully through their college years. Also returning are the voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi. Buena Vista distributed Monsters University, and it grossed $268,492,764, with an opening weekend of $82,429,469 on June 21, 2013, finally closing in its last theater on December 19. I am really looking forward to seeing this one in the near future!5. Frozen
Our next movie didn't have much time to rake in the dough in 2013, but it still made it to number 5 on our list! Disney's Frozen, which was done without Pixar, hit the theaters at a slow start but quickly picked up momentum during the holiday season. I probably won't see this one, I imagine anyone with small children would be hooked by the story and animation wow factor. Starring the voices of Kristen Bell (love her), Jonathan Groff, and a bunch of other people I don't really know, this is a story about a young girl who must team with a bunch of oddballs to stop her Snow Queen sister and endless winter. Also released by Buena Vista, Frozen grossed $277,116,204 in 2013 with a sad opening of only $243,390 on November 22. It is still currently showing in theaters. 4. Man of Steel
Superman returns to the big screen under the guidance of Batman franchise savior Christopher Nolan. Although there are two main points of the movie that really irritate fans, overall this was a decent Superman movie. For starters, Superman didn't battle a rock, and Lex wasn't his enemy, as in every other incarnation of a Superman movie, although there were subtle references. The Nolan brothers jumped right into the franchise with General Zod as well as a back story for The Man of Steel. Due to the success of Nolan's Superman Warner Bros. is now getting the itchy trigger finger and has announced a Superman vs. Batman film. (Oh dear God, does that make me nervous as hell!) Man of Steel was released by Warner Bros. and grossed $291,045,518, with an opening weekend of $116,619,362 on June 14, 2013 and closing September 19, 2013.3. Despicable Me 2
That's right, the Minions are back!… Wait, I mean Groo is back with the kids, and this time he's been recruited by the good guys. The Minions also have a dominant role in this film, which looks like it will cause a spinoff movie for them. Way to go yellow guys! This sequel was highly anticipated by children and adults because the first one was received with much praise and laughter. Steve Carell returns to lend his voice to the movie along with Kristen Wig, Ken Jeong, and Russell Brand. Released by Universal, Despicable Me 2 grossed an impressive $367,860,095 over its run from July 3, 2013, and in some places it is still showing in theaters. They recorded an opening weekend that fell behind Man of Steel's opening weekend at $83,517,315. Here's hoping for a third film! 2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
If this movie had opened earlier in 2013 it would have most likely been number 1 on our list. The hype and media buzz that went into this movie was phenomenal, and judging by its box office numbers, it lived up to the hype. The sequel brought us back to the annual Hunger Games, but this time it featured all-stars and a plot to kill Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss. NOOOOOOO!! The cast of Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland all return this time with the addition of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. They broke into the game late but claimed the number 2 spot for the Top 10 Highest Grossing Movies of 2013. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released by Lionsgate Films and grossed $400,088,390 in 2013, with an opening weekend of $158,074,286 on November 22, 2013. It is still showing in theaters presently.1. Iron Man 3
Let's take a look at what this Iron Man sequel was facing going in: Jon Favreau had turned over the directing reigns to Shane Black, The Avengers had just set a new bar for comic book movies, and The Avengers 2, Thor 2, Captain America 2, and Ant Man are waiting in the wings to follow your lead. No pressure at all, right? Being a huge Iron Man fan myself and having read most of the Iron Man comics, I would be lying if I didn't tell you I was disappointed with the Mandarin. After rewatching the film and seeing all the developments with Sir Ben Kingsley, however, I now realize it was brilliantly done in order for the franchise to stand alone and apart from the comic book itself while still being true to it. Iron Man 3 was action packed and set a firm tone for Phase 2 of Marvel's Initiative. Hell, Thor: The Dark World came in twelfth among the Top Grossing Movies of 2013 and that is still running. Iron Man 3, released by Buena Vista, grossed $409,013,994 and had the highest opening weekend of the year at $174,144,585 on May 3, 2013. Its run closed September 12, 2013. As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Until then, for the few, the proud, and of course the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a seat for 2014 films—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
