Highest Grossing Movies of 2016 So Far

by Helen Earnshaw | 16 April 2016

A quarter of 2016 has already gone and we have been treated to some wonderful films in that time - with quite a few raking in the cash at the box office.

Zootropolis

The battle to be crowned the 'highest grossing film of 2016' is well and truly underway and we take a look at some of the most successful films at the box office so far this year.

- Zootropolis - $853,286,844 million

At this point in the year, it is Zootropolis that is currently the highest grossing film as it continues to charm audiences of different ages around the world.

Zootropolis - called Zootropia in the U.S. - is the fifty-fifth feature from Disney and is the latest in a line of hits for the animation studio; following in the footsteps of Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Big Hero 6 in recent years.

Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush were in the director's chair while Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, and Shakira were just some of the names that made up the impressive cast list.

Zootropolis is not afraid to deliver a very moral lesson about intolerance and prejudice - this message is beautifully delivered by showing that all these animals have learned to live together in peace and harmony.

This movie looks at how we should include not exclude, how there should be equality for everyone and we should not judge anyone by what they look like or where they are from. I was not expecting such a sharp and interesting examination of these huge issues when I setting in to watch this film.

The movie has been enjoying huge box office success on both sides of the Atlantic and, so far, it is the only film to pass the $800 million mark. However, it will not be the last to reach this mark.

- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - $785,788,223

2016 is going to be a great year if you are a fan of the comic book movie. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the second film in this genre to be released and - at the moment - it is the most successful at the global box office.

Dawn of Justice is one of the most anticipated films of 2016 as Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill come face to face as Batman and Superman for the first time. This is the first time we have seen Cavill play Clark Kent since Man of Steel while this film marks Affleck's debut as Bruce Wayne.

Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne completed the great cast list while Zack Snyder was back in the director's chair.

Dawn of Justice may have been a movie that many were excited about, but it is a film that has fallen flat with the critics - being panned by many upon release last month.

However, that has not stopped fans going to see it in their droves as it has grossed over $785 million. It is currently the highest-grossing comic book film of the year after passing Deadpool. It may be surpassed by Captain America: Civil War when it is released later this month.

- Deadpool - $756,971,828

Deadpool was the first of the big comic book films to be released this year and it remains one of the best films to hit the big screen so far in 2016.

Deadpool has been a passion project for Ryan Reynolds, who took on the central role. But it has paid off for the actor as the film is a critical hit as well as a massive commercial smash.

The movie marked the feature film directorial debut for Tim Miller while Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Ed Skrein, and Brianna Hildebrand starred alongside Reynolds.

Deadpool is a movie that totally smashes the fourth wall and it is all the better for it. This method would not work for every movie, but for Deadpool, it is just perfect as the character talks directly to the audience.

As well as being incredibly action-packed, Deadpool is a movie that is funny, gutsy, cheeky and a whole lot of fun.

Deadpool had been the highest-grossing film of the year until it was overtaken by Zootropolis. While it may have lost the crown, it is now the most successful R-Rated film of all time.

A sequel is already believed to be in the pipeline and Reynolds has voiced his desire to star in an X-Force film in the near future.

- The Mermaid - $552,518,020

The Mermaid is perhaps a movie that is a surprise inclusion in the list of highest-grossing movies of 2016 but it is a film that it has broken box office records in its native China.

Directed by Stephen Chow, The Mermaid mixes elements of science fiction, fantasy, romance, and comedy with Deng Chao, Show Luo, Zhang Yuqi, and Lin Yun all on the cast list.

Xuan's real estate project involved reclamation of the sea, threatening the livelihood of the residents who relied on the sea to make a living. Bearing family secrets, Shan was dispatched to stop Xuan.

During their encounters, they fall in love with each other. Even though Xuan stopped the reclamation plan out of his love for Shan, Shan got injured in an accident and vanished into the sea.

The Mermaid has gone on to become the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time. It also broke records as the biggest open day gross and biggest opening week gross along the way.

- Kung Fu Panda 3 - $484,254,035

It looks like 2016 is going to be another great year for animation movies and Kung Fu Panda 3 has been one of the early hits.

This is the first film in this franchise since the success of Kung Fu Panda 2 back in 2011. The movie sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson back in the director's chair as she teams up with Alessandro Carloni.

Jack Black is back to voice the central character of Po while Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and Kate Hudson all also on board.

Kung Fu Panda 3 has topped the box office in both the U.S. and the UK and has, so far, grossed over $484 million at the global box office.

However, it is still some way off the $631.7 million and $665.7 million posted by the first two movies in 2008 and 2011.

- London Has Fallen - $206,890,000

I have to admit, I was a huge fan of Olympus Has Fallen when it was released back in 2013 - it really was one of my guilty pleasure films of the year. Having said that, I was a little surprised when it was announced that we would be getting a sequel.

London Has Fallen was released at the beginning of March and saw Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart reprise the central roles of Mike Banning and Benjamin Asher. Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell, Charlotte Riley and Jackie Earle Haley were also on the cast list.

The movie was as action-packed, explosive, and as over the top as the first as Banning and Asher are facing danger and crisis once again.

This is a movie that you shouldn't take too seriously and just kick back and enjoy. The reviews haven't been overly kind, but the film has performed well at the box office - making back its $60 million budget.