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- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- Universal Pictures
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- Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
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- Spider-Man
- Sony Pictures Releasing
Ever since the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws in 1975, summer has traditionally been the time when Hollywood releases the films it intends to be blockbusters. Over the years the industry has managed to score some notable wins in this regard, with their summer tentpoles raking in money even if, at times, they’ve failed to win over the critics. Indeed, some of the most beloved movies of the last four decades have been summer blockbusters. A perusal of the biggest summer blockbusters from 1975 to 2005 reveals the ways in which movie culture and and tastes have changed but also, surprisingly, the ways they’ve stayed the same.
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Plot:
Steven Spielberg’s Jaws focuses on police chief Martin Brody, as he tries to save his town from a ravenous and seemingly unstoppable great white shark. Matters are further complicated by a mayor who refuses to acknowledge the severity of the situation, despite the loss of life. Eventually Martin, with the aid of a marine biologist and a shark hunter, manages to take down the great white and save the town.
Box Office:
The film was an enormous success at both the US and international box office. In fact, it would reign supreme as the highest-earning movie until Star Wars came out shortly thereafter. It was one of those films which truly changed Hollywood, and its legacy can still be felt in the industry’s relentless pursuit of blockbusters at the expense of almost any other kind of film.
Reception:
Jaws was one of those rare blockbusters which managed to be both a hit with critics and audiences. Reviewers from Roger Ebert to Pauline Kael praised it. It remains a popular film and is a testament to Spielberg’s legacy as a director.
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Plot:
In this brooding and powerful horror film, a young boy named Damien is born to Robert and Katherine Thorn. Unbeknownst to them, however, he is secretly the Antichrist, but as the truth gradually becomes known, Robert has to decide whether to kill the boy or not. As the film reaches its conclusion, he attempts to do so in a church but is slain by the police, leaving Damien free to resume his status as the embodiment of evil.
Box Office:
The Omen was a remarkable box office success. Despite its small budget, it went on to make over $60 million at the box office. It also gave birth to a franchise which continues to this day.
Reception:
The film wasn’t a huge critical success when it was released, and no less a critic than Roger Ebert only gave it 2.5 stars. However, it has gone on to enjoy a more favorable afterlife among critics, and is currently certified “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. The performances from the cast as well as Jerry Goldsmith's score continue to be praised.
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Plot:
The plot of A New Hope is essentially the hero’s journey. Young Luke Skywalker, raised on the distant and sparsely populated planet of Tatooine, is drawn into the Rebellion against the mighty totalitarian Empire. Guided by Obi-Wan Kenobi, he joins up with roguish Han Solo and fierce Princess Leia to confront the sinister Darth Vader. They eventually succeed in destroying the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the planet-destroying Death Star.
Box Office:
The movie was a true phenomenon at the box office the year it was released. It managed to make well over $300 million, a blockbuster in every sense of the word.
Reception:
Perhaps surprisingly, A New Hope ended up being a critical success as well as a commercial one. Critics such as Roger Ebert and Vincent Canby both enjoyed it, and many were particularly impressed by its special effects. Just as importantly, it was also a hit with audiences, and it laid the groundwork for the pop culture juggernaut Star Wars has become in the intervening decades.
The Most Hated Star Wars VillainsSee all
- 1Palpatine4,533 Votes
- 2Darth Vader4,572 Votes
- 3Darth Maul3,811 Votes
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Plot:
Set in 1958, the musical hit Grease focuses on the romance between John Travolta’s Danny Zuko and Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy Olsson. Though he’s a bad boy and she’s the stereotypically virginal good girl, they somehow manage to make it work. As such, the film presents an idealized portrait of 1950s high school life.
Box Office:
The film ultimately made more than $150 million at the box office. In addition to making it the top film of the year, it also earned it the position of highest-earning musical (it beat out The Sound of Music, which had come out over a decade earlier). It would remain this way for several decades.
Reception:
Even though it was a hit with audiences, the critics were less favorable. Many were particularly put off by its very obvious nostalgia for the 1950s. Roger Ebert was more favorable, though even he largely saw it as a pretty average musical.
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Plot:
Ridley Scott’s famous horror sci-fi film focuses on a group of astronauts who unfortunately fall prey to a predatory alien species which manages to get onto their vessel. Eventually it comes down to a confrontation between Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley and the creature. She emerges victorious, of course, even if she is the sole survivor (along with the cat, Jones).
Box Office:
The film was a remarkable success, though just how much of one is something of a matter of dispute. Much of this stems from Fox’s “creative accounting,” by which they attempted to claim the film actually lost them money. This was all quite messy and almost derailed a sequel, though obviously one was produced, and Alien continues to be a successful Hollywood franchise.
Reception:
Given how the film has come to be regarded as both one of Scott’s best and a hallmark of horror and sci-fi, the original reception was remarkably mixed. Several major outlets were either lukewarm or outright negative. In the years since, however, it has gained in esteem, and it was even selected by the Library of Congress for preservation.
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Plot:
After a time jump of three years, The Empire Strikes Back rejoins Luke, Leia, and Han as they once again do battle against the Empire and its chief enforcer, Darth Vader. It’s a remarkably bleak film, since it sees the Empire achieve some major victories. Moreover, though Luke struggles to control the Force, he also learns that Vader is his father, a revelation which will forever change his life and the Galaxy.
Box Office:
The second Star Wars film was, like its predecessor, a box office success. It ultimately made over $200 million at the box office, making it the top film of the year. Even though it cost more than it was initially projected, its significant haul more than made up for the budget overrun.
Reception:
Surprisingly enough, the initial critical response was somewhat mixed, particularly since Empire was much darker in tone than A New Hope. However, it has subsequently come to be regarded by both fans and critics as among the best entries in the franchise. Moreover, many believe it is actually better than the first film, thus avoiding the pitfalls which afflict many sequels.
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Plot:
The first Indiana Jones film focuses on Harrison Ford’s character of the same name, who races against the Nazis to try to discover and take possession of the fabled Ark of the Covenant. Though he doesn’t succeed in this effort, he does at least have the satisfaction of knowing said Nazis get melted by the vengeful spirits contained in the Ark. Indy of course survives to have other adventures.
Box Office:
Raiders of the Lost Ark ended up being a surprise hit at the US box office. It was so successful it ended up making close to $200 million at the global box office, and since then its take has only grown as it’s been shown in theaters subsequently.
Reception:
Raiders of the Lost Ark managed to be beloved by both the critics and audiences. Roger Ebert lavished praise on it, as did many of the other major critics of the time. Moreover, it even went on to be nominated for several Academy Awards, including best picture.
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Director Steven Spielberg continued his box office successes with E.T. The Extraterrestrial which, as its title suggests, focuses on an alien who ends up on Earth. There, he befriends the boy Elliott. Together the two have to find a way to get the little alien home while also keeping him out of the hands of the government.
Box Office:
E.T. did extremely well at the box office, yet another testament to Steven Spielberg’s ability to tap into what audiences want to see. It ended up earning over $350 million at the box office. This earned Spielberg the distinction of helming yet another top-earning film, a record which he then beat with Jurassic Park in 1993.
Reception:
Critics also lavished praise on the film. Roger Ebert gave it particular praise, as did many other critics for various news and trade organizations. It also received a lot of love at the Oscars, where it was nominated for several awards, including the coveted best picture (it did end up taking home four statues that night).
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The conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy once again focuses on Luke, Leia, and Han as they continue to battle against the Empire and Darth Vader. It all leads to the fateful confrontation between Luke, Vader, and the Emperor, the latter of which nearly kills Luke. Darth Vader, however, finally redeems himself by slaying his master, though he dies in the process.
Box Office:
As with its predecessors, Return of the Jedi became a box office success. It would make close to $250 million during its initial run. While this was less than its predecessor, it was still enough to make it the top draw of 1983.
Reception:
Return of the Jedi may not have been a huge hit with critics, but it was still beloved by many, and it remains popular among the fandom. Moreover, both fans and critics see it as a fitting end to the original saga. It has more in common with A New Hope than The Empire Strikes Back and, while there are sacrifices, it still ends on a note of triumph and good restored.
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Like its predecessor, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom focuses on the adventures of Harrison Ford’s title character. Remarkably, though, it actually takes place before the earlier film. In this case, the film veers in an even darker direction, as Indy ends up saving a group of children from a cult who worships the goddess Kali.
Box Office:
Like the first Indiana Jones movie, this one was a success at the box office. It would earn over $170 million which, considering its relatively modest budget (around $28 million) qualified it as a significant success for Spielberg.
Reception:
At the time of release, The Temple of Doom was greeted with a more muted critical response than its predecessor. In large part this is because it is a much darker movie, with scenes of sometimes remarkably graphic violence. Even Spielberg expressed some ambivalence about the final product.
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Plot:
Back to the Future focuses on teen Marty McFly, who ends up hurtled back to the 1950s thanks to the time traveling DeLorean created by his friend Doc Brown. Things get even more complicated when he almost changes history by separating his own parents. Much of the plot revolves around his efforts to both reconcile his parents and get back to his own time.
Box Office:
The film did very well at the box office, ultimately earning slightly more than $220 million. It managed to be a success despite some wrangling over its release date. It ended up being one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster summer season.
Reception:
Back to the Future wasn’t an overwhelming success among critics, but in general many reviewers liked it. They were particularly pleased with Robert Zemeckis’s subtle direction, but it was really the performances, particularly from Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, which elevated into the status of a beloved classic. This laid the foundation for its future critical success, and it has since come to be seen as both a sci-fi gem and a great film in its own right.
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Tom Cruise stars in Top Gun, in which he portrays Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, who enrolls in the prestigious Top Gun school. While there, though, he has to learn how to properly harness his reckless and cavalier attitude, particularly since he doesn’t get along with his fellow trainees. Ultimately, of course, he learns to control his own ego and becomes an even better pilot while also letting go of the ghosts of his past.
Box Office:
The film had a modest budget of $15 million, but it would go on to make over $350 million at the box office. This earned it the top spot both in the US and abroad for the year.
Reception:
Critics were mixed about the film. While many praised the cinematography and the aerial scenes, they were less impressed with either the story or the characters. They were also less than impressed with its notably jingoist atmosphere.
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Eddie Murphy returns in Beverly Hills Cop II which, as one might guess from the title, is a sequel to the 1984 film. This time, Murphy’s Alex Foley rejoins Billy Rosewood and John Taggart in an effort to foil a criminal organization. As such, it hits many of the same beats as its predecessor.
Box Office:
The film hit the ground running on its opening weekend, and it would build on its initial success to become quite successful. It ultimately earned just shy of $300 million at the box office. This earned not only its place as the top box office draw that year but also made it the most financially successful entry in the franchise (even exceeding the first film’s take, a remarkable accomplishment for a sequel) .
Reception:
Despite its box office success, the film wasn't well-received by critics. Most, such as Roger Ebert, found it both unfunny and a retread of the original. Even star Eddie Murphy wasn’t particularly fond of it.
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Plot:
In Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Bob Hoskins’s PI Eddie Valiant has to try to figure out who is responsible for the crime in the title. Everyone thinks toon Roger Rabbit committed a murder. Along the way, the two discover things are even more sinister than they first appeared, and that someone really does have it out for the toons and Toontown in general.
Box Office:
Thanks in part to its unique blend of animation and live-action, the movie did quite well at the box office. In fact, it was only beaten out by Rain Man. It ended up earning more than $230 million at the box office, and it performed well in both the United States and overseas.
Reception:
The critics adored Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Many were particularly impressed by the way it wove in an appreciation of cartoons from the Golden Age of American animation, especially the mixing of figures from both Warner Bros. and Disney. However, they were also impressed by the film’s story itself, which managed to be both entertaining and heartwarming.
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Plot:
Harrison Ford returned for his third outing as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This time he was joined by Sean Connery, who plays the character’s father, Henry Walton Jones Sr. The center of the film is the Holy Grail, which the Nazis (of course) want to get their hands on, leading them to kidnap Indy’s father.
Box Office:
The Last Crusade was an even bigger success than its predecessor. It would go on to make almost $475 million during its run. It ultimately became the most financially successful of the original three films.
Reception:
The film was better-received than the second film in the series by many critics. Most were pleased at the extent to which it managed to capture the original fun of the first movie. Likewise, critics were (and continue to be) impressed by Ford’s continued dynamism as the character, as well as the chemistry between him and co-star Sean Connery.
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Heartthrob Patrick Swayze stars in Ghost, in which he plays a man whose business partner schemes to have him murdered, after which he comes back as a spirit. He ends up saving his girlfriend from the clutches of said murderer, thanks in no small part to the help of a psychic. He gets to spend some time with his beloved before finally journeying into the afterlife.
Box Office:
The film hit just the right spot for audiences, thanks to its touching love story. It ended up making over $500 million at the box office. In addition to the money it made during its initial run, it also became very successful on home video.
Reception:
Ghost was a moderate success with critics, though many tended to be lukewarm or faintly praising. Many viewed it as more than a little sentimental. Nearly everyone, however, had nothing but praise for Whoopi Goldberg, who plays the psychic Oda Mae.
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The sequel to The Terminator, Judgment Day sees Arnold Schwarzenegger return, this time as a Terminator who has been reprogrammed by the resistance fighters of the future. In this film he joins Sarah Connor in order to protect her son, who will go on to become a leader of those determined to dethrone the machines.
Box Office:
Terminator 2 became a financial success, despite the fact it was released seven years after the first movie. It was the highest earner of 1991, eventually bringing in over $200 million.
Reception:
The film received significant critical acclaim both during its initial run and afterwards. Many praise both its special effects and the way in which it contained powerful messages while also showcasing James Cameron’s technical skill as a director. It thus retains its reputation as one of the director’s best and as a key part of the sci-fi film canon.
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Plot:
The third installment in the Lethal Weapon franchise sees Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs and Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh team up once again. This time, they have to take down a former lieutenant who has now become an arms dealer.
Box Office:
Even though this was the third installment of the series, it actually managed to do better than all of its predecessors. It ultimately made well over $140 million at the box office. It became the fifth most successful film that year.
Reception:
While the film managed to beat the box office malaise which often afflicts sequels, it was less successful among the critics. Most continued to admire the pairing of Gibson and Glover, but they felt the film lacked the dynamism and purpose of its predecessors.
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Plot:
Based on the novel by Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park focuses on a group of people who get stranded on an island inhabited by genetically modified dinosaurs. When a rogue park employee causes the systems to malfunction, everyone has to fight to stay alive. Ultimately several people lose their lives, but some of the franchise’s best-loved characters survive and manage to escape.
Box Office:
Jurassic Park was a massive success at the box office. It managed to make over $900 million in its initial run, which was quite an accomplishment for Steven Spielberg, who had already shown himself to be quite the box office draw. It remains his most successful film at the box office.
Reception:
The film became something of a critical darling. Many people, both among the general public and among critics, were astounded at the level of craftsmanship that had gone into creating the dinosaurs. Likewise, many were (and remain) impressed by the director’s ability to capture the same mix of awe and fear which had been such a key aspect of Jaws’ appeal nearly twenty years earlier.
15 Must-See Movies For Fans Of The 'Jurassic Park' FranchiseSee all- 1King Kong17 Votes
- 2Deep Blue Sea14 Votes
- 3Lake Placid14 Votes
Plot:
The Lion King is, in essence, Shakespeare’s play Hamlet but set on the African savannah and taking place amidst a pride of lions. The center of the story is Simba, the young lion prince who flees into exile when his nefarious uncle Scar murders his father, Mufasa. Befriended by the meerkat and warthog Timon and Pumbaa, he leads a life of leisure until he eventually takes up his mantle as king and brings about an end to Scar's reign of terror.
Box Office:
The Lion King was an unqualified success at the box office, both in the US and abroad. It would go on to become the highest earner of 1994, ultimately making over $700 million. It was for many years the most financially successful animated movie, until the release of Finding Nemo.
Reception:
Both at the time and since, The Lion King received praise. It has since been regarded as not just the high point of the Disney Renaissance but also for animation as a whole. Critics at the time lavished praise on almost every aspect of the film, from its songs (composed by Elton John and Tim Rice) and score (by Hans Zimmer) to its gorgeous animation. To some degree it remains the height against which the studio’s subsequent efforts are frequently measured.
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Plot:
Even though this was the third outing for Bruce Willis’s John McCLane, Die Hard with a Vengeance continues to build on the octane of the earlier entries in this series. This time, the hard-bitten hero has to try to keep a group of East German terrorists from bombing New York City and absconding with a large amount of gold.
Box Office:
The film ultimately became a decent box office success. It earned more than $360 million worldwide, on a budget of about $90 million. It was the seventh most successful film of the year.
Reception:
Die Hard with a Vengeance ended up being a modest hit with some critics. While Roger Ebert loved it and appreciated it for an action film, others weren’t enthusiastic. Most were critical of the extent to which it seemed to recycle many of the plot points and spectacle of the first two entries in the franchise.
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Plot:
Independence Day is a film which could only have emerged in the 1990s. It primarily focuses on a group of humans who decide to fight back against an alien race which has launched a series of coordinated and enormously destructive attacks against the world. They ultimately succeed in defeating the alien invasion force, though not without sacrifice.
Box Office:
The film definitely leans into the blockbuster mentality and aesthetic, and it paid off handsomely at the box office. It ultimately earned over $300 million. Given its modest budget of $75 million, this was quite a win for its studio and for director Roland Emmerich.
Reception:
Like many other spectacle-heavy blockbusters, Independence Day received a moderately mixed reception. While many praised the visuals, they found the story and the characters more than a little lacking. Moreover, it also earned some criticism for its overtly jingoistic tone.
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Like the first Jurassic Park, The Lost World is based on a novel by Michael Crichton, though it takes significant liberties with the source material. In this film, an unscrupulous businessman decides to try to make further use of the dinosaurs from the first film, this time by putting them in a park in San Diego. Things go predictably awry once the giant beasts escape, creating chaos in the city.
Box Office:
Unsurprisingly, given Spielberg’s name and the success of the first movie, The Lost World became a box office success. In addition to earning over $600 million, it also became the highest-earning movie of the year. This would mark the high point of the franchise’s fortunes until the release of Jurassic World in 2015.
Reception:
The Lost World received a thoroughly mixed reception from critics. Though many remained impressed by the special effects, they were less impressed by the human characters. Even Spielberg himself was not particularly fond of the movie, and it remains an example of a sequel which comes nowhere near the brilliance of the original.
Plot:
Directed by Michael Bay, the aptly-named Armageddon is an excellent example of the Hollywood disaster movie. The plot is relatively simple, focusing as it does on drillers who end up playing a key role in keeping Earth from being destroyed by an asteroid. Of course, this isn’t accomplished without sacrifice, and the film draws on melodrama as much as it does its action.
Box Office:
The film did a very good run at the box office, managing to make over $550 million. The only film which managed to earn more at the US box office was Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.
Reception:
Despite the significant box office haul, Armageddon really struggled with critics. Roger Ebert, for example, positively loathed it, seeing it as an assault on good filmmaking. Others were similarly unimpressed, and one can sense more than a little antipathy toward director Michael Bay and his particularly kinetic approach to Hollywood filmmaking.
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Plot:
Set several decades before the events of A New Hope, The Phantom Menace provides the backstory for Anakin Skywalker, the boy fated to become Darth Vader. In particular, it details his meeting with his future master Obi-Wan, as well as Padme, the woman who would become the love of his life. It also details the early manipulations of the sinister Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who has a grand destiny as the Emperor Palpatine.
Box Office:
The film was a truly unstoppable juggernaut at the box office, thanks in large part to the enormous anticipation, which greeted George Lucas’s return to his beloved universe. It made more than $900 million at the box office, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It still remains one of the most successful movies in Hollywood history.
Reception:
Given the heightened expectations which greeted the film, it was always going to be hard to meet them, and so it proved. The reception of the film was decidedly mixed, and its current Rotten Tomatoes score sits at a rather paltry 52%. Most agreed that it was a beautiful film but also felt that it was sorely lacking in terms of storytelling and critiqued the characters and some of the acting.
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Plot:
Tom Cruise returns to one of his best-known roles in Mission: Imposible 2, in which he portrays Ethan Hunt once again. In this case, he has to get his hand on a dangerous new disease before it can be unleashed on the world by an agent who has gone rogue.
Box Office:
The film was an undeniable success. It went on to earn over $500 million at the box office. This was significantly more than the first film, and this earned it the top spot of that year’s earners.
Reception:
While the film did receive some praise from critics, it was widely regarded as inferior to the first in the franchise. The critics were particularly impressed by Woo’s direction, and it solidified his reputation as one of the best action film directors. At the same time, they also thought the characterizations and story were too thin, particularly compared to its predecessor.
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Plot:
A satirical take on classic fairy tales (and the Disney films inspired by them), Shrek focuses on the title character, a green ogre voiced by Mike Myers. After he gets ensnared in a scheme by the villainous Lord Farquaad, Shrek not only gains a sidekick, Donkey, but also finds himself falling in love with Princess Fiona. Fortunately they manage to vanquish the villain and get their happy-ever-after.
Box Office:
The film ended up being a strong financial success for its studio, DreamWorks. Though it wasn’t the top film of the year, it nevertheless demonstrated the power of its studio. What’s more, its take of almost $500 million did put it in the top five films of the year.
Reception:
There’s no question that Shrek was a hit with the critics, and it remains beloved today. It reimagined what animated films could look like, and it gave birth to a franchise which continues today. It also has the distinction of winning the first best animated feature Oscar.
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Plot:
The first of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. After he is bitten by the famous spider and gains his powers, Spider-Man also has to foil the nefarious plots of the ruthless Green Goblin. At the same time, he also has to contend with the usual teenage angst, particularly concerning his love interest Mary Jane Watson.
Box Office:
Spider-Man showed once again how much of a box office giant a superhero movie could be, years before the advent of the MCU. It earned a staggering $114 million on its opening weekend. It would go on to make $825 million at the global box office.
Reception:
Raimi’s Spider-Man was highly-regarded by both fans and critics. Most were particularly impressed by the casting of Tobey Maguire, though Willem Dafoe also received praise for his interpretation of the Green Goblin. It remains a beloved film, and for many Maguire’s interpretation of the character is the definitive one.
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Plot:
In one of Pixar’s most beloved films, clownfish Marlin goes off on an adventure to save his son Nemo from human captivity. Along the way he meets a regal blue tang named Dory, with whom he develops an extraordinary friendship. They also encounter many other species of fish and other creatures along the way before managing to rescue Nemo.
Box Office:
Finding Nemo managed to make almost $900 million at the global office. This was quite a haul for any film, but it was a particularly large take for an animated one. It also outearned almost every other film of 2003, and it was only beaten at the global box office by Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Reception:
The film was also a hit among both critics and fans. It has an almost perfect score at Rotten Tomatoes, and many praised both its visual beauty as well as the heartwarming and emotionally resonant nature of its story. It would also go on to win the best animated feature Oscar, becoming the first movie from the studio to achieve this honor.
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Plot:
Picking up after the first Shrek, the sequel rejoins the characters audiences had already grown to love. Shrek’s happily-ever-after with Fiona is challenged by the Fairy Godmother, and the green ogre and Donkey must try to keep her from ruining everything. They’re also joined by Puss in Boots, who would go on to become a fan favorite in his own right.
Box Office:
The film enjoyed quite a romp at the summer box office. It would ultimately earn over $900 million globally. This set several records, both for its studio (DreamWorks) as well as for animation in general.
Reception:
While it might not have achieved the same height of critical fame as its predecessor, it was still warmly received. It might have hit several of the same plot beats as the first film, but it was and is still a joy to spend time with these characters. It would even go on to be nominated for the best animated feature Oscar.
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Plot:
In the conclusion to George Lucas’s prequel trilogy, Anakin continues to flirt with the Dark Side, particularly under the influence of the sinister Supreme Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious. He eventually succumbs, leading him to not only accidentally kill his beloved Padme but also engage in a brutal duel with his master and best friend Obi-Wan. The duel leaves him horribly scarred, but he’s saved by Palpatine, and the stage is set for the events of A New Hope.
Box Office:
Revenge of the Sith went on to become a box office success, ultimately earning significantly more than $800 million. This earned it the top place in the US box office for the year and second worldwide, after Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. While it didn’t earn as much as The Phantom Menace, it did outpace Attack of the Clones.
Reception:
Critical reception for this entry was significantly warmer than for either of its two predecessors, both among fans and critics. It has subsequently come to be seen as the best of the prequel trilogy, though many are still divided about the quality of the writing and in particular about the performance given by Hayden Christensen.
