The summer movie season was full of extremes. Topping the box office list was "Iron Man 3," starring Robert Downey Jr., which made $409 million domestically and another $805 million overseas. Critics also liked it, giving it 78% on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. (All box office numbers are through August 25.)
The extremes of the summer —
The summer movie season was full of extremes. Topping the box office list was "Iron Man 3," starring Robert Downey Jr., which made $409 million domestically and another $805 million overseas. Critics also liked it, giving it 78% on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. (All box office numbers are through August 25.)
courtesy paramount pictures/marvel studios
"Despicable Me 2," featuring the voice of Steve Carell, had an outstanding summer, making $351 million domestically and $455 million overseas. It had a Rotten Tomatoes score of 76%.
The extremes of the summer —
"Despicable Me 2," featuring the voice of Steve Carell, had an outstanding summer, making $351 million domestically and $455 million overseas. It had a Rotten Tomatoes score of 76%.
Universal Pictures
Despite mixed reviews -- 56% on the Tomatometer -- "Man of Steel" finished No. 3 for the summer, with $290 million domestically and $360 million overseas. Henry Cavill stars as Superman.
The extremes of the summer —
Despite mixed reviews -- 56% on the Tomatometer -- "Man of Steel" finished No. 3 for the summer, with $290 million domestically and $360 million overseas. Henry Cavill stars as Superman.
Warner Bros.
In the Pixar pantheon, "Monsters University" wasn't ranked as an all-timer, but it still made $262 million domestically, $425 million internationally and earned 78% approval from Rotten Tomatoes.
The extremes of the summer —
In the Pixar pantheon, "Monsters University" wasn't ranked as an all-timer, but it still made $262 million domestically, $425 million internationally and earned 78% approval from Rotten Tomatoes.
Walt Disney Pictures
"Fast and Furious 6," starring Vin Diesel, was one of the biggest sleeper hits of the summer, making $230 million domestically and a staggering $548 million overseas. Even critics liked it -- it received 69% approval on the Tomatometer.
The extremes of the summer —
"Fast and Furious 6," starring Vin Diesel, was one of the biggest sleeper hits of the summer, making $230 million domestically and a staggering $548 million overseas. Even critics liked it -- it received 69% approval on the Tomatometer.
Courtesy Universal Pictures
Other films suffered huge losses. "R.I.P.D." cost at least $130 million, according to boxofficemojo.com, but only returned $33 million domestically -- which is better than it did overseas. The film stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds.
The extremes of the summer —
Other films suffered huge losses. "R.I.P.D." cost at least $130 million, according to boxofficemojo.com, but only returned $33 million domestically -- which is better than it did overseas. The film stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds.
Universal Pictures
"The Lone Ranger" was, perhaps, the year's biggest bomb, costing at least $215 million but making just $88 million domestically. International audiences liked it a little better, with a $142 million box office. Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star.
The extremes of the summer —
"The Lone Ranger" was, perhaps, the year's biggest bomb, costing at least $215 million but making just $88 million domestically. International audiences liked it a little better, with a $142 million box office. Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star.
Courtesy Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Inc
"White House Down" had two big stars in Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum, not to mention a $150 million budget, but only made $72 million domestically and $62 million overseas.
The extremes of the summer —
"White House Down" had two big stars in Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum, not to mention a $150 million budget, but only made $72 million domestically and $62 million overseas.
Columbia Pictures
Ryan Reynolds had a rotten summer. He also voiced the lead character in the animated "Turbo," which made $79 million domestically despite a $135 million budget. Overseas grosses added another $70 million.
The extremes of the summer —
Ryan Reynolds had a rotten summer. He also voiced the lead character in the animated "Turbo," which made $79 million domestically despite a $135 million budget. Overseas grosses added another $70 million.
DreamWorks/20th Century Fox
So much for Will Smith's summer magic touch. "After Earth," with his son Jaden, cost $130 million but made only $61 million domestically. Overseas, Smith is still a big draw: The film earned $183 million in other countries.
The extremes of the summer —
So much for Will Smith's summer magic touch. "After Earth," with his son Jaden, cost $130 million but made only $61 million domestically. Overseas, Smith is still a big draw: The film earned $183 million in other countries.
Columbia Pictures
The best-reviewed films of the summer included "Before Midnight," with Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, which received 98% approval from critics, according to the Tomatometer.
The extremes of the summer —
The best-reviewed films of the summer included "Before Midnight," with Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, which received 98% approval from critics, according to the Tomatometer.
Sony Pictures Classics
"Fruitvale Station," starring Michael B. Jordan, received 94% approval. It also grossed more than $15 million.
The extremes of the summer —
"Fruitvale Station," starring Michael B. Jordan, received 94% approval. It also grossed more than $15 million.
The Weinstein Company
Cate Blanchett stars in "Blue Jasmine," another low-budget hit from Woody Allen. The film earned a 90 on the Tomatometer.
The extremes of the summer —
Cate Blanchett stars in "Blue Jasmine," another low-budget hit from Woody Allen. The film earned a 90 on the Tomatometer.
Sony Pictures Classics
Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Simon Pegg, Paddy Considine and Martin Freeman star in '"The World's End," which concludes director Edgar Wright's "Cornetto Trilogy." The film earned 90% approval from critics.
The extremes of the summer —
Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Simon Pegg, Paddy Considine and Martin Freeman star in '"The World's End," which concludes director Edgar Wright's "Cornetto Trilogy." The film earned 90% approval from critics.
Focus Features
"Star Trek Into Darkness" was generally loved by audiences and critics, earning an 87 on the Tomatometer and coming in as the sixth-highest-grossing filim of the summer, with $227 million domestically and $231 million overseas.
The extremes of the summer —
"Star Trek Into Darkness" was generally loved by audiences and critics, earning an 87 on the Tomatometer and coming in as the sixth-highest-grossing filim of the summer, with $227 million domestically and $231 million overseas.
Paramount Pictures
Adam Sandler (far right, with Salma Hayek, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph and David Spade) can do no right with critics. "Grown Ups 2" received just 7% approval, according to Rotten Tomatoes. It still made $129 million domestically.
The extremes of the summer —
Adam Sandler (far right, with Salma Hayek, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph and David Spade) can do no right with critics. "Grown Ups 2" received just 7% approval, according to Rotten Tomatoes. It still made $129 million domestically.
Columbia Pictures
"The Smurfs 2" barely cracked double-digits with critics, with a 12 on the Tomatometer.
The extremes of the summer —
"The Smurfs 2" barely cracked double-digits with critics, with a 12 on the Tomatometer.
Columbia Pictures
Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins star in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," which got a thumbs-down to the tune of 13% on the Tomatometer.
The extremes of the summer —
Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins star in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," which got a thumbs-down to the tune of 13% on the Tomatometer.
Screen Gems
"The Hangover Part III," starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms, brought the trilogy to a clanking finish. The film earned just 19% approval and $112 million domestically. The latter figure may seem good until you realize the first two films topped $250 million each.
The extremes of the summer —
"The Hangover Part III," starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms, brought the trilogy to a clanking finish. The film earned just 19% approval and $112 million domestically. The latter figure may seem good until you realize the first two films topped $250 million each.
Warner Bros.
"Jobs," starring Ashton Kutcher as Apple founder Steve Jobs, had a dismal 26% approval from critics.
The extremes of the summer —
"Jobs," starring Ashton Kutcher as Apple founder Steve Jobs, had a dismal 26% approval from critics.
Glen Wilson/Sundance