Films are a great entertainment and great art all folded into one. The creativity is to keep the fun going in successive films that follow through in a film series. There are many sequels that do not meet the expectations and at other times, they surpass the joy of the earlier films made in a series. In 2012, many of the sequels were released. Here are the top ten most successful Hollywood film sequels of 2012:
10. Taken 2
Taken 2 is a French film made in the English-language. The film is an action thriller directed by Olivier Megaton and stars Liam Neeson along with a host of other international celebrities. The film was released on October 3, 2012 and although it couldn’t do well in the critics’ eyes, it was a box office success like its predecessor, Taken (2008). With a budget of $45 million, the film was successful at the box office with a total gross of more than $374 million worldwide.
9. Men in Black III
Previously it was titled Men in Black III-D, but now it is simply without the D in the title. It has been shot in 3D with a story that is sci-fi comedy like the previous installations. Both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have reprised their roles after ten years of the release of part two. The film was released on May 25, 2012 and is again based on the comic book series The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham and deals with the scenario of saving the mankind again. The total budget of the film was $215 million and it earned in the worldwide box office around $624 million.
8. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
The first part was great and the second one was good. Now back with the third one, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is the first 3D film in the series. The film was released on June 8, 2012. This time the animals try to return to New York, but in the middle lost their way which is where the adventure begins. The cast is all the same with a few new ones joining the team. The film had a budget of $145 million and earned around $742 million worldwide.
7. The Amazing Spider-Man
Fans were waiting for the release of the next film in the Spider-Man series for long. Finally one came as a reboot on July 3, 2012 starring Andrew Garfield as the Spider-Man this time. The film depicts the character of Peter Parker developing his super powers during his high school. The film came into being when Spider-Man 4 was cancelled due to the studio deciding to reboot the film than to make its sequel. Although, Tobey Maguire did a great job entertaining audiences being a Spider-Man, somehow that was not enough for the studio. There will be further sequels to this reboot, but there is still a time for that. For now, Andrew Garfield proved that he is worthy of filling in the shoes, or should we say, suit, of the Spider-Man. The film earned around $752 million globally on a budget of $230 million.
6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
This film is a part within a part of the whole story. Commonly called as Breaking Dawn – Part 2, this romantic fantasy film series has seen a lot of fanfare, and despite not being overwhelmingly received by critics, the fans have stuck with their love and loyalty to the film. Based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer, the film is the conclusion of its previous part. With a budget of $120 million, the movie earned more than $829 million.
5. Ice Age: Continental Drift
Also called Ice Age 4, this 3D computer-animated comedy-adventure film was released on July 13, 2012. It is directed by Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier, and written by Jason Fuchs and Michael Berg. This also makes it the first time that Carlos Saldanha has not directed a film in this series. It is also the second 3D film in the series. It also marks a ten year gap between the first and the most recent installation. The voice actors include Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Wanda Sykes, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez. Although, it was not received warmly by the critics, the film has been able to amuse its fans and was a box office success. On a budget of $95 million, it earned a total of $877 million in its worldwide gross.
4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
It is two-part epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson who did all of the films in The Lord of the Rings series based on the 1937 novel of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien. However, it is a prequel to the film trilogy. Most of the times, prequels or spinoffs are shot when events or a character get more interesting for audiences and to satisfy their curiosity, another film is made. Jackson will serve as a producer and co-writer for the film too. He is also set for directing the part two of this prequel. Many of the actors have reprised their roles in this film and have returned for the second part as both the films have been shot back to back. This part was released on December 14, 2012 in theatres. The budget for the film was $200-315 million and it earned more than $1 billion across the world at the box office.
3. The Dark Knight Rises
This superhero film is the third installation directed by Christopher Nolan based on the DC Comics character of Batman film series by Nolan. He had written the script along with his brother Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer with the events depicted in the film that take place eight years later than The Dark Knight (2008). Hence, new characters of Selina Kyle and Bane are introduced and have been played by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy. Most of the other cast retain their roles. The film has been shot in different locations and is exciting to see as Nolan said that he was not ready to make it unless he had something good at his hands. With the musical score by Hans Zimmer, the thrill is bound to be multiplied in each scene. It was released by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, 2012 in the UK, US and Canada initially. The total budget of the movie was $250-300 million and it earned more than $1 billion at the box office worldwide.
2. Skyfall
This film is the twenty-third one in the James Bond film series, but this one was directed by Sam Mendes who is a creative director, but had never done a Bond film before. The film has Daniel Craig as James Bond making it his third performance in the character. The events in this movie are not related to the previous two films, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Javier Bardem played the main evil role in the film and Naomie Harris is the new Bond girl. The film was released on October 26, 2012. The budget of the movie was around $150-200 million and it earned $1 billion at the box office around the globe.
1. The Avengers
This superhero film made a promise to have it all and the fans were not disappointed. It is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with cross-overs from different Marvel superhero films like Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). With so much on the plate so to say, the film has an ensemble cast. The story is clichéd as all of these superheroes “saved the world” from destruction under the direction of peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D. The film is worth seeing on how all this unfolds. The film is in 3D, which makes the action even more thrilling. The film was released on May 4, 2012 in the U.S. both in 2D and 3D. The total budget for the movie was $220 million and it earned around $1.5 billion at the box office around the world.
