Roundup: On the Movie

A countdown of the most profitable films of 2013.

Aside from the continuing popularity of superheroes and cartoon animations, one of the interesting things about this year’s champs is that all movies are sequels or franchise flicks. It doesn’t look like that trend is going away anywhere in the near future.

1. Iron Man 3 $1,215.4 million worldwide



Robert Downey Jr makes Iron Man one of the most entertaining superheroes in the Marvel movie universe, and with the fan following he has built with the previous Iron Man and The Avengers, it is no surprise that this metal-clad superhero remains massively popular. The Iron Man franchise ends this year on the top.

Iron Man 3 proved the obvious — superhero movies are still in vogue with mainstream audiences. And with the final installment piling up more than $1.2 billion worldwide, it is the year’s top-grossing and the only film to cross the US$1 billion collections mark in 2013. 

2. Despicable Me 2 $918.5 million worldwide



Despicable Me came out in 2010 and was an adorable film, full of charm and heart, and a funny and lighthearted storyline with Gru, the girls and the minions.

The 2013 sequel stayed true to the first movie in spirit but lacked the uniqueness and freshness of the original. Despicable Me 2, nonetheless, works because it is still a fantastic family watch. Peppered with great gags, action and imaginative excitement, sprinkled with some sweetness and folded in a dollop of fun, Despicable 2 is a fun movie to watch.

3. Fast & Furious 6 $788.7 million worldwide



The Fast franchise has been around since 2001 and the sixth installment offers nothing new and unique to the movie-goer, except for remaining true to the theme of the movie — gleaming cars, thrilling chases and a familiar ensemble cast in great (and unrealistic) nail-biting moments.

The new installment, Fast & Furious 6 is just as unintelligent as the previous films. But that’s the charm of these movies — the stunts are outrageous, and the plot basic enough for an eight-year-old to enjoy. It’s loud, noisy, a lot of fun and the last movie for the veteran star of the Fast series, Paul Walker, who passed away in November this year in a car accident.

4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire $744.6 million worldwide



A sequel of epic proportions, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire surpasses its predecessor with a startling plot, compelling new characters and outlandish heroics — yet staying true to the book.

Jennifer Lawrence’s repeat performance as Katniss Everdeen has earned her raving reviews, critical acclaim and a growing fan following. She is indeed on fire, as is the mockingjay symbol at the end, which promises even better things to come.

5. Monster’s University $743.6 million worldwide



A prequel to one of Pixar’s best movies, Monster’s Inc., Monster’s University takes us back in time to when our favourite monsters, Mike and Sully actually met and became friends. The movie is full of clichés but that does not dull the entertainment quotient.

Monsters University will make you laugh and is a feast for both young and adult movie-goers. The oft-used ‘under-dogs can win’ plot may not be as fresh as the original, but overall the film is well worth watching.

Samra Muslim is a digital marketing professional, an avid reader and  a movie buff. She tweets @samramuslim

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, December 29^th, 2013.