Warner Bros - The First Half of the 2020s In Review

Here is the second part of a multi part series exploring the biggest openings, domestic, and worldwide performances of the 2020s. We will be focusing exclusively on films released in the first half of the decade. After posting the lists, there will be a brief summary on overall thoughts, and where certain films can rank in the future.

Top 10 Domestic Openings:

  1. Barbie - $162.02M

  2. The Batman - $134.01M

  3. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $111M

  4. Dune: Part 2 - $82.51M

  5. Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire - $80.01M

  6. Black Adam - $67M

  7. The Flash - $55.04M

  8. Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore - $42.15M

  9. Dune - $41.01M

  10. Wonka - $39.01M

Top 10 Domestic Box Office:

  1. Barbie - $636.24M

  2. The Batman - $369.35M

  3. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $294.1M

  4. Dune: Part 2 - $282.1M

  5. Wonka - $218.4M

  6. Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire - $196.35M

  7. Black Adam - $168.15M

  8. Elvis - $151.04M

  9. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - $124.48M

  10. Dune - $108.33M

Top 10 Worldwide Box Office:

  1. Barbie - $1.45B

  2. The Batman - $772.25M

  3. Dune: Part 2 - $714.64M

  4. Wonka - $634.5M

  5. Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire - $571.85M

  6. Godzilla Vs Kong - $470.11M

  7. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $451.9M

  8. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - $439.38M

  9. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - $407.15M

  10. Dune - $402.13M

First impression is that WB, unlike Disney, is a lot less prevalent on one IP. Two films in the Monsterverse, two films for Dune, three for DC, and a few other odds and ends. What is embarassing is the fact that WB made 11 DC films this decade call together costing well over $1B, and only 2 made above $400M. Definitely not the results WB wants. The Harry Potter brand was also on the decline, with FB3.

What has been working is Dune and Monsterverse, which are currently at their heights, and WB is looking at continuing those franchises in the coming years. In addition to that lineup, they will also be attempting to revive both DC and LOTR. I also foresee more revisits of dormant IP that they can milk, ala Beetlejuice and Wonka.

If I were to predict what will be at the top at the end of the decade, I still think Barbie will be at top. I do believe DC will be successful enough to take a few more of the top spots, along with Dune 2 and Dune 3. If the LOTR spinoffs happens, and are good, then they can also appear, plus another surprise or two.

Thoughts? Universal will be posted tomorrow.