The COVID-19 pandemic, declared in March 2020, deeply disrupted the film industry worldwide, especially impacting box office revenues. Despite these challenges, certain movies have emerged as the post-COVID highest grossing movies, reviving global cinema attendance and generating massive earnings. This article highlights the top ten Hollywood films that have achieved remarkable box office success since the pandemic and the platforms where viewers can stream them today.
Leading Post-Pandemic Box Office Successes and Streaming Options
The most successful film is the sequel to James Cameron’s “Avatar,” streaming on Disney+ in the U.S., grossing $2.34 billion worldwide. This installment continues to follow Jake Sully and Neytiri as they confront new threats and find refuge with the Metkayina clan underwater, blending themes of family and survival in an expansive, oceanic setting.
A close contender is “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” directed by Jon Watts, available on Amazon Prime Video in India and for rent in the U.S. Globally, it garnered $1.92 billion. The plot centers on Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, who seeks Doctor Strange’s help to erase his revealed identity, leading to a multiverse of foes.
“Inside Out 2,” streaming on Disney+ in the U.S. and directed by Kelsey Mann, also earned $1.7 billion. The sequel delves into adolescent Riley’s evolving emotions, introducing new feelings like Anxiety and Envy, as she navigates growing up and adjusting old emotions to these changes.
The “Top Gun: Maverick” sequel saw Tom Cruise return as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. With global earnings of $1.5 billion, this film is available on Jio Hotstar in India and Paramount+ in the U.S. Set decades after the original, Maverick trains Top Gun graduates for a dangerous mission while confronting his past.
Additional High-Grossing Titles and Their Streaming Platforms
The highly anticipated “Barbie” movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, earned $1.45 billion worldwide. Available on Netflix India and HBO Max in the U.S., it follows Barbie and Ken leaving the idealized Barbie Land to experience the complexities of the real world.
Among animated hits, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” grossed $1.36 billion. Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc, it streams on Jio Hotstar in India and Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. The story features Mario and Luigi, plumbers from an Italian–American background, transported to the Mushroom Kingdom where they must rescue Luigi from Bowser with Princess Peach’s help.
“Deadpool 3,” directed by Shawn Levy and streaming on Disney+ in the U.S., has made $1.34 billion. It teams Ryan Reynolds’s Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine on a multiversal mission requiring them to overcome their differences and join forces.
Notable Sequels and New Adventures in Streaming Libraries
The sequel “Moana: The Way Home,” directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, achieved $1.06 billion globally. Viewers can watch it on Jio Hotstar in India and Disney+ in the U.S. This musical adventure follows Moana as she embarks on an ocean voyage prompted by her ancestors’ call, exploring uncharted islands and testing her courage.
“Lilo & Stitch,” a live-action sci-fi comedy directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and streaming on Disney+ in the U.S., earned $1.04 billion. The story centers on Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl, who believes she is adopting a dog but discovers Stitch is an alien, leading to an unconventional family bond.
Finally, the “Jurassic World Dominion” installment, directed by Colin Trevorrow and available on Jio Hotstar in India and Peacock in the U.S., collected $1 billion worldwide. It brings together original characters Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm with Jurassic World’s leads Owen Grady and Claire Dearing. Set four years after Isla Nublar’s destruction, they confront the powerful Biosyn owner Lewis Dodgson.
Significance and Future of Post-Pandemic Box Office Hits
These top-grossing post-COVID movies demonstrate the film industry’s resilience by attracting audiences back to theaters and streaming platforms amid ongoing global uncertainties. Their success provides hope for future productions aiming to blend compelling storytelling with innovative release strategies. As studios continue adapting to shifting viewing habits, streaming access has become a crucial element in reaching diverse audiences worldwide. The ongoing box office updates will reveal how post-pandemic films influence entertainment trends moving forward.
