Universal is a huge name in the film industry, so, naturally, its movies are just as big. While some of the releases produced by the company have modest debuts, others rake in millions and even billions of dollars. We're here to find out which Universal films have performed the best at the box office.
In this ranking, we'll be using data from Box Office Mojo. While we will be paying attention to both the worldwide gross and the domestic gross, each film will ultimately appear based on its lifetime domestic box office score. This means if a film was re-released in theaters, we will be taking its second-run gross into consideration too. With that said, it's time to get out that popcorn and sit back. Here come Universal's biggest hits of all time.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
The 3D computer-animated retelling of the Grinch brought in $270 million domestically and $511 million worldwide. The 2018 tale followed the classic holiday tale of Dr. Seuss’ Grinch, who wishes to kill the Christmas spirit by removing all the town’s decorations.
Though the film received mixed reviews, it became the highest-grossing holiday movie of all time. Benedict Cumberbatch, who voices the titular character, was praised for his strong performance. The animation was also applauded.
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Fockers is the 2004 comedy sequel to Meet the Parents. Featuring an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Barbra Streisand, the film explores the humourous events that occur when one set of in-laws meet the other set of in-laws. It's a family affair of the most ridiculous kind.
Though the movie was criticized for using unoriginal jokes, no-one could argue that the casting was strong. The film raked in $279 million at the domestic box office and $516 million worldwide.
Minions
The world’s favorite yellow creatures from Despicable Me got their own movie in 2015. Rather than coming after the events of its previous film, Minions acted more like a prequel that ended with the gang finding their leader: Gru.
Though some argued that the minions had a hard time carrying a film on their own and that the villains were one-dimensional, the popularity of this movie didn’t waver. It brought in $336 million domestically and over $1.1 billion worldwide. Perhaps the slapstick comedy and overall cuteness helped?
Fast & Furious 7
The seventh installment in the franchise raced its way to $353 at the domestic box office and $1.5 billion worldwide. Starring names including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, and Michelle Rodriguez, the film dives into what happens after the crew that defeated international terrorist Owen Shaw return to their normal lives. Don’t think it’s boring, though; After the plot twist strikes, there are plenty of car chases.
People loved the movie for its strong acting, crazy action sequences, and tribute to Walker, who had passed away midway during filming.
Despicable Me 2
Despicable Me follows a supervillain’s plan to steal the moon that gets interrupted by three orphan girls who want him to be their dad. The follow-up film sees Gru headed on a new ex-bad-guy mission that becomes intertwined with romance and the girls’ desires for a mom.
The movie took in in $368 million at the domestic box office and $970 million worldwide. A third film in the franchise was released, and a fourth one is scheduled to arrive in the future.
The Secret Life of Pets
This 2016 animated film answered the question, “What do your pets do when you're not home?” Apparently, they go on exciting adventures through New York City to take down the humans that have done them wrong.
The movie barked its way to a $368 million domestic box office score and an $875 million worldwide score. It received generally positive reviews from critics who deemed it beautiful, cheerful, exciting, and fast-paced. That being said, some critics pointed out that elements of the plot (including the friendship between Max and Duke) seemed like a rip-off of Toy Story.
Jurassic Park
This classic 1993 sci-fi film follows billionaire John Hammond and his team, who have created an islands-worth of formerly extinct dinosaurs through genetic science. However, after the security system gets compromised, a group of visitors --including Hammond’s grandchildren- must survive the giant terrors surrounding them.
The film was quickly cemented as a classic and its box office score backed up this recognition. It took in over $402 million at the domestic box office and $1 billion worldwide.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The sequel to Jurassic World ripped through the box office, bringing in $417 domestically and a giant $1.3 billion worldwide. One again starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, the pair returns to the dinosaur-filled island to save the creatures from a second extinction that looms when the dormant volcano is pushed back into activity.
Though the film was not as highly rated as the original, it was still stocked with fast moments and gorgeous visuals. It's a heck of a sight to behold.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is the 80s sci-fi classic that had a boy befriending an alien who has found himself on Earth. However, the kid and his siblings must help E.T. get home when they discover his health is declining and that the government is looking to capture him.
The film’s budget of $10 million was transformed into a domestic gross of $435 million and a worldwide gross of $792 million. It is considered one of the most timeless friendship films to have ever been made and will be culturally admired until the end of time.
Jurassic World
Topping off the list is the first Jurassic World film, which takes place 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park. This time, the dinosaurs escape and set off a chain reaction that only the heroes can stop. Pratt and Howard’s characters must attempt to save the tourists from the colossal creatures before things get too out of hand.
The highest-grossing movie created by Universal to date brought in $652 million domestically and a crazy $1.6 billion worldwide. Of course, there are more sequels to come.