With films like Wonka, Indiana Jones 5, The Marvels, and Barbie all scheduled for release in 2023, there are many expectations about how much revenue the film industry will produce this year. That rings even more true when we consider how successful 2022 was for the industry, despite cinemas and production studios continuing to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to The Business Research Company, the global film and video industry reached $272.21 billion in 2022, marking a CAGR growth of 11.4% from 2021 ($244.43 billion). Video streaming platforms like Netflix also saw victory in 2022 after a mediocre first quarter, and the success of films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness contributed both to rising cinema revenue and streaming revenue last year. Today’s article will recap some of the top films of 2022.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
As mentioned, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a crucial player in the success of the global film and video streaming industries in 2022. Released in May 2022, the American superhero movie, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, grossed more than $900 million worldwide. This monetary success made the film the fourth-highest-grossing movie of 2022.
After the film was released on the streaming platform Disney+, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness had further success. According to ExpressVPN’s 2022 streaming wrap-up, the movie set a Disney+ record for most views in a programme’s first five days on the platform. Adding films such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+ ultimately led the streaming platform to gain 26 million new subscribers in the year’s first half.
Top Gun: Maverick
Released in May 2022, Top Gun: Maverick grossed $1.489 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2022. The film sees Tom Cruise return to his role as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and it is Cruise’s highest-grossing film of his illustrious career. Top Gun: Maverick boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and according to Screen Rant, it has been hinted that there is a Top Gun 3 looming on the horizon.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Despite a late release in December 2022, Avatar: The Way of Water became the second highest-grossing film of 2022. The film grossed a total of $1.444 billion worldwide and marked the return of the Avatar franchise nearly 15 years after the first film was released. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña reprised their roles in the movie, and new cast members include Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. The franchise will welcome two additional films in 2026 and 2028, respectively.
Even until the end, 2022 produced some of the top-grossing films of all time. Storylines were well crafted, and the cinematography reached new heights in films like Avatar: The Way of Water. As a result, film critics and fanatics have high expectations for the year ahead. While this may be intimidating for directors and actors, there is already a long list of scheduled movies for 2023 that has people talking, including Wonka and Barbie.