Top 10 grossing films of 2015

Last updated on December 10th, 2021

It’s now the first weekend of 2016, so here’s a look at the top 10 grossing domestic films that were released in 2015. (Yes, I’m almost done with these “year in review” blog posts.) Information is taken from Box Office Mojo. All statistics are as of January 1, 2015.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: $686.4 million
2. Jurassic World: $652.3 million
3. Avengers: Age of Ultron: $459 million
4. Inside Out: $356.5 million
5. Furious 7: $353 million
6. Minions: $336 million
7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: $271.4 million
8. The Martian: $225.6 million
9. Cinderella: $201.2 million
10. Spectre: $197.4 million

I waited this long to post this since it took until January 1 for the expected and undisputed champ of 2015, “The Force Awakens,” to finally top “Jurassic World.” And yes, undisputed, since unlike last year (where “American Sniper” somehow zoomed to #1 among 2014-released films), there won’t be any last minute 2015 surprises. The only question now is how much money will “The Force Awakens” earn. At this point, it’s at #2 on the all-time non-inflation-adjusted domestic box office list, behind the $760.5 million gross of “Avatar.”

Also of note is that half the films on this list (“The Force Awakens,” “Inside Out,” “Furious 7,” “Mockingjay,” and “Cinderella”) star women or people of color. Yes, diversity does matter… and doesn’t hurt box office, despite what racist dimwits online might claim.

Here’s the international box office numbers, complete with the percentage of how much of their take is from overseas.

1. Jurassic World: $1.669 billion (60.9%)
2. Furious 7: $1.515 billion (76.7%)
3. Avengers: Age of Ultron: $1.405 billion (67.3%)
4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: $1.391 billion (50.6%)
5. Minions: $1.157 billion (71%)
6. Inside Out: $851.6 million (58.1%)
7. Spectre: $851.3 million (76.8%)
8. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation: $682.3 million (71.4%)
9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: $623.6 million (56.5%)
10. The Martian: $596 million (62.2%)

Again, “Jurassic World” tops the list, but I presume at this rate, “The Force Awakens” will top that in January. Elsewhere, “Furious 7” proved globally popular, along with “Minions,” “Spectre,” and “Mission: Impossible.” Everything in the top 10 made half or more of its global gross from non-North American audiences, reinforcing the importance of the international box office for Hollywood.

For animated films, see my top 10 grossing animated films of 2015 post.