To compare the nominal top-earning movies without context would be misleading. Because of release schedules and re-releases, gross totals for movies like The Birth of a Nation, Gone with the Wind, Star Wars, Jaws, and E.T. also include income from reissues and special editions.
Nevertheless, Marvel and DC’s 2025 results indicate that the superhero genre is no longer guaranteed box office success. This may have far-reaching implications for both franchises’ future.
1. Avengers: Endgame
As the grand conclusion to 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Avengers: Endgame has broken all records at the worldwide box office. Its record-breaking performance is a testament to the power of this franchise and its dedicated fan base.
The movie follows the aftermath of Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) devastating snap, which wiped out half of all life in the universe. After the surviving heroes regroup, they discover that time is no longer linear and must use the Infinity Stones to reverse the effect. A restored Stephen Strange assembles the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Ravagers, and other sorcerers, while Stark, Rogers, Thor, Nebula, Okoye, and Captain Marvel team up on Earth and in space to fight back.
The film is packed with Easter eggs and clear fan service for MCU diehards, while also adding unexpected depth to events from many previous films. For example, the scene where Captain America lifts Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor, pays off a tease from Avengers: Age of Ultron. This kind of attention to detail makes the three-hour Endgame a must-see for fans.
2. Spider-Man: Homecoming
While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Thor Ragnarok dominated the summer box office, Spider-Man: Homecoming was another big hit for Marvel. Tom Holland’s pubescent wall crawler helped bring in over $529 million worldwide, making it one of the year’s top three films and a solid success for Sony and Disney.
The movie’s story centers on Peter Parker juggling his life as a superhero and high school student. Drawing inspiration from John Hughes movies, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the film balances teen humor with heartfelt moments and a new take on Spider-Man’s origins.
While Stark offers Peter a spot on the Avengers, he chooses to stay grounded as a local hero, an important theme in the franchise. The movie also features a climactic battle against the Vulture, in which Peter uses his own ingenuity without his high-tech suit. The scene is both tense and a highlight of the movie, providing a key reminder that Peter is just as formidable as any other hero in the MCU. It also sets the stage for future conflicts with Miles Morales.
3. Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, but as the end of this phase approaches, the heroes must defeat a powerful enemy known as Thanos. He seeks to collect all six Infinity Stones, which have been scattered across the galaxy, and use them to inflict his twisted will on reality.
Josh Brolin delivered a remarkable performance as the imposing villain, with extensive motion capture work bringing the character to life. The Russo brothers’ directing style and visual effects helped the film become a global box office hit.
The film’s success was a major milestone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it set records as the fastest to gross $1 billion and $1.5 billion. It also became the highest-grossing film in North American history and the fourth-highest worldwide at the time of its release.
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron
In 2012, Marvel’s first Avengers movie shocked the world with its groundbreaking story of super heroes uniting to fight a common enemy. Two years later, Marvel gave the public more of the same in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
This sequel to The Avengers was written and directed by Joss Whedon and starred Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. Other cast members included Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Quicksilver, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Pietro Maximoff/Silver, Paul Bettany as Vision and J.A.R.V.I.S, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill.
The film drew in audiences to watch the Avengers battle against an artificial intelligence called Ultron who decides that humans must be eliminated for peace. Ultron uses Loki’s scepter to hypnotize Dr. Helen Cho and brainwash her into building him a new body from vibranium. He also grabs some of the Avengers’ Iron Legion drones and attacks the team during their victory party, arguing that for the world to be safe, the Avengers must die.
5. Black Panther
Marvel’s first film to focus on a black superhero, Black Panther is the highest-grossing movie ever featuring actors of color (according to Box Office Mojo). Chadwick Boseman stars as T’Challa, king of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda. After the death of his father T’Challa assumes the throne and leads his people in an effort to defend Wakanda from external threats. This action-packed drama also features an outstanding cast including Danai Gurira as Okoye, leader of the female special forces unit known as the Dora Milaje; Lupita Nyong’o as T’Challa’s principled ex-flame and Wakandan spy Nakia; and Letitia Wright as his live-wire younger sister Shuri.
The film’s success has helped to bolster the case for more big-budget movies with social themes like this one. It also bolsters the argument that films focused on black culture can succeed in the same way as blockbusters with more mainstream appeal, such as Wonder Woman. A key reason for the film’s commercial success is that it resonated with audiences and gave them a sense of pride and connection.