12 potential blockbuster movies coming out this year
SUMMARY
Disney had an unprecedented year at the box office in 2019.
The company grossed a record $11.12 billion worldwide (and counting), with six movies earning more than $1 billion. "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," currently in theaters, is on track to become its seventh. Disney accounted for nearly 40% of the domestic box office.
But experts believe 2020 will be slower for the company and the box office will be more evenly distributed among the major Hollywood studios.
"Next year is more wide open for the rival studios and they'll share the wealth more evenly," Paul Dergarabedian, the Comscore senior media analyst, told Business Insider in October. "Disney will still be a major factor in 2020, but it will be a great year for studios to present a diversity of content."
While 2020 will likely not reach the box-office highs of the last two years, or even the expected highs of 2021 (which will see four Marvel movies, three DC movies, and the "Avatar" sequel), there are still plenty of potential blockbusters on the way that could give Disney a run for its money.
Below are 12 movies not from Disney that could give rival studios a boost at the box office this year:
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in "Birds of Prey"
(Warner Bros.)
"Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" — Warner Bros., February 7
Warner Bros.' DC movies have been on a roll with the blockbusters "Aquaman" and "Joker" and the critically acclaimed "Shazam!" Next up is "Birds of Prey," which brings back Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, who was easily the highlight of "Suicide Squad."
That 2016 movie didn't fare well with critics, but still managed to gross 6 million worldwide. While diehard DC Extended Universe fans who loved "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad" might be turned away by "Birds of Prey's" more fun tone, general audiences could turn out for this female-centric action movie.
Emily Blunt in "A Quiet Place: Part II"
(Paramount)
"A Quiet Place: Part II" — Paramount, March 20
"A Quiet Place" was one of the biggest box-office surprises of 2018, pulling in 0 million off of a million budget. A sequel was inevitable, especially considering Paramount's otherwise dismal box-office results the last few years.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in "No Time to Die"
(Universal)
"No Time to Die" — Universal, April 10
"Skyfall" and "Spectre" were major box-office hits for Sony, with over id="listicle-2644510669" billion and 0 million worldwide, respectively. Universal is hoping the 25th James Bond movie, and star Daniel Craig's last, can replicate that success.
Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto in "The Fate of the Furious"
(Matt Kennedy/Universal)
"Fast and Furious 9" — Universal, May 22
The last two movies in the main "Fast and Furious" series, "Furious 7" and "The Fate of the Furious," both grossed over id="listicle-2644510669" billion globally. Last year's spin-off, "Hobbs and Shaw," wasn't as huge but still made nearly 0 million, suggesting the series still has gas. The upcoming ninth installment will pair the main cast of Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez with newcomers like John Cena.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in "Wonder Woman 1984"
(Warner Bros.)
"Wonder Woman 1984" — Warner Bros., June 5
2017's "Wonder Woman" was a global success with 1 million worldwide. As noted, DC movies are on a roll and with the first "Wonder Woman" being such a hit, there's no reason to think that this sequel can't capitalize on that.
Anthony Ramos in "In the Heights"
(Warner Bros.)
"In the Heights" — Warner Bros., June 26
"Crazy Rich Asians" director John M. Chu is directing "In the Heights," based on "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical of the same name. It seems to be a recipe for success.
Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick"
(Paramount)
"Top Gun: Maverick" — Paramount, June 26
Some sequels to decades-old movies didn't fare well at the box office in 2019, from "Terminator: Dark Fate" to the "Shining" follow up, "Doctor Sleep." But "Maverick" will look to avoid the sequel curse by targeting adult moviegoers with nostalgia for the 1986 original "Top Gun" starring Tom Cruise.
Minions in "Minions"
(Universal)
"Minions: The Rise of Gru" — Universal, July 3
The first "Minions" in 2015 made over id="listicle-2644510669" billion worldwide, as did 2017's "Despicable Me 3." This "Minions" sequel will try to replicate the Dreamworks franchise's success. Pixar's "Soul" will enter theaters two weeks prior, but the name recognition of "Minions" could give it a competitive edge.
John David Washington in "Tenet"
(Warner Bros.)
"Tenet" — Warner Bros., July 17
Christopher Nolan follows up his box-office hit, the Oscar-nominated "Dunkirk," with "Tenet." Nolan churns out original movies that get audiences to the theater. 2010's "Inception" made 0 million worldwide and 2014's "Interstellar" earned 7 million. "Tenet" looks to be his latest mind-bending spectacle.
"The Conjuring"
"The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" — Warner Bros., September 11
The "Conjuring" franchise, including its spin-offs like "The Nun" and "Annabelle" movies, is a consistent presence at the box office. The first two "Conjuring" movies grossed a combined 0 million worldwide off of modest budgets ( million and million, respectively). This third "Conjuring" film will likely continue the series' success.
Venom in "Venom"
(Sony)
"Venom 2" — Sony, October 2
"Venom" was a surprise hit in 2018 with 6 million worldwide and suggested that Sony could still carry its own Marvel movie universe after its "Amazing Spider-Man" movies disappointed at the box office. The studio has other movies in development, including a movie about Spider-Man's vampire villain Morbius starring Jared Leto, but it's following up "Venom" this year first.
"Halloween" (2018)
(Blumhouse)
"Halloween Kills" — Universal, October 16
Blumhouse's "Halloween" sequel/reboot grossed 5 million off of just a million budget. "Halloween Kills" is the first of two sequels coming — one this year and "Halloween Ends" in 2021.
This article originally appeared on Business Insider. Follow @BusinessInsider on Twitter.
