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The Biggest Summer Blockbusters Since 2010
Summer has long been Hollywood’s most lucrative season. But a look at the highest grossing summer movies from 2010 to 2026 reveals a striking trend: only one original film topped the summer box office over the entire period.
In this graphic, created in partnership with Terzo, we rank the biggest summer blockbusters by North American box office revenue. It’s part of our Markets in a Minute series, which delivers quick economic insights.
Ranking the Highest Grossing Summer Movies
The most successful summer release was Top Gun: Maverick, which generated $719 million at the North American box office in 2022. Released 36 years after the original film, Maverick proved that nostalgia remains one of Hollywood’s most powerful draws.
Its success underscores a broader trend: nearly all of the highest grossing summer movies since 2010 have been tied to an existing franchise, remake, or adaptation.
| Year | #1 Movie | Summer Gross Sales | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | The Devil Wears Prada 2* | $203M | Sequel |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | $424M | Remake |
| 2024 | Inside Out 2 | $653M | Sequel |
| 2023 | Barbie | $636M | IP adaptation |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | $719M | Sequel |
| 2021 | Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | $225M | Franchise |
| 2020 | Tenet | $59M | Original |
| 2019 | The Lion King | $544M | Remake |
| 2018 | Incredibles 2 | $609M | Sequel |
| 2017 | Wonder Woman | $413M | Franchise |
| 2016 | Finding Dory | $486M | Sequel |
| 2015 | Jurassic World | $652M | Franchise |
| 2014 | Guardians of the Galaxy | $333M | Franchise |
| 2013 | Iron Man 3 | $409M | Sequel |
| 2012 | The Avengers | $623M | Franchise |
| 2011 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | $381M | Sequel |
| 2010 | Toy Story 3 | $415M | Sequel |
* Data is as of June 1, 2026. Source: Box Office Mojo. Reflects releases and gross sales in the summer, which is defined at the first Friday in May through Labor Day Weekend. Data reflects North American Revenue.
Inside Out 2, the top summer movie of 2024, ranks as the second biggest release since 2010. The Pixar sequel highlighted the enduring appeal of family-friendly theatrical releases, while its themes of anxiety and adolescence resonated with audiences across generations.
16 Familiar Stories, 1 Original
Of all the movies to top the summer box office since 2010, only one was an original film: Tenet. Released during the pandemic in 2020, the Christopher Nolan thriller faced an unusually weak competitive field as many major releases like Top Gun: Maverick were postponed.
The result underscores how unusual original box office winners have become in an era dominated by sequels, remakes, adaptations, and established franchises.
The Highest Grossing Summer Movies in 2026
So far in 2026, the pattern continues with The Devil Wears Prada 2 dominating movie sales. Upcoming releases Toy Story 5 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day also aim to smash the box office this year, with both movies building on stories and characters that audiences already know.
“With sequels, people think, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that. I know that I like it.’ Sequels are very valuable that way.”
—Pete Docter, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer
The lesson extends beyond film. Hollywood’s biggest successes often come from getting more value out of assets that already exist. Businesses can do the same by uncovering insights hidden within the data they already own—including contracts, which can reveal opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
See how NirvanAI helps you unlock hidden savings in your contracts with AI-powered insights.
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