‘Jurassic World’ Lifts Universal to Domestic Box Office Record
Universal Studios has set a record for highest-grossing year domestically with $2.113 billion in 2015 North American box office grosses, passing the record previously set by Warner Bros. in 2009.
The year has been a stunning success for Universal with a market share of more than 28% domestically.
Universal has the top film of the year with “Jurassic World” at $639.8 million, which leads Disney-Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” by nearly $200 million. It has four other titles in the top 10 — No. 3, “Furious 7” ($352.6 million); No. 6, Illumination’s “Minions” ($321.1 million); No. 8, “Pitch Perfect 2” ($183.8 million) and No. 10, “Fifty Shades of Grey” ($166.2 million).
Wednesday’s announcement comes two days after Universal Pictures Intl. set a new record for the highest-grossing year ever at the international box office with $3.78 billion.
Universal noted that it posted six of the 10 biggest domestic openings of the year led by “Jurassic World” ($208.7 million); No. 3, “Furious 7′ ($147.2 million); No. 4, Illumination’s “Minions” ($115.7 million); No. 7, “Fifty Shades of Grey” ($85.2 million); No. 8, “Pitch Perfect 2” ($69.2 million); and No. 10, “Straight Outta Compton” ($60.2 million).
“Jurassic World” is the third-biggest domestic grosser ever, trailing “Avatar” at $760.5 million and “Titanic” at $658.7 million.
The studio has also been in the top spot in 2015 for 13 weeks, more than any other studio.
Universal’s remaining 2015 slate includes “The Visit,” from M. Night Shyamalan; “Everest,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin; “Steve Jobs,” starring Michael Fassbender; “Crimson Peak,” directed by Guillermo del Toro; “By the Sea,” directed by Angelina Jolie Pitt, starring Brad Pitt and Jolie Pitt; and horror-comedy “Krampus.”
Nick Carpou, president of distribution, said in a statement: “This continues to be an extraordinary year for our studio, and our success is a result of every division working cohesively to bring the best possible version of our films into theaters. We work alongside inspired filmmakers with a passion for telling great stories, and with this year’s diverse slate we were fortunate to identify release dates that maximized theatrical grosses. We share this success with our partners in exhibition and look forward to the remainder of the year.”
Related stories
Teen Choice Awards Hit High Note With Ellen DeGeneres Speech, Paul Walker Tribute
Universal Sets Global Box Office Record Thanks to 'Jurassic World,' 'Furious 7'
From 'Minions' to 'Jurassic World,' Universal Shows You Don't Need Superheroes for Record Year
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
