There's no earth-shattering hump in the works?

Prediction: 2015 Box Office

Part I: 115 - 31

For Part II click here.

So here’s my annual combination of good bets and (mostly) complete guesswork about what I think will and won’t do well the next year. The Top Five are pretty much a given, although even there the order is less of a fait accompli. Last year’s tries and fails are can be found at the end of this section.

115=. American Ultra 

(US: $20m: WW: $30m)

Hyperactive scribbler Max Landis gives us Jesse Eisenberg as a sleeper assassin on the run from the CIA with Kristen Stewart.

115=. The Whole Truth 

(US: $20m, WW: $30m)

Keanu Reeves defends a teenager accused of killing his rich dad. Renée Zellweger co-stars, but the whole truth is, you may not recognise her.

114. The Kitchen Sink 

(US: $15m, WW: $30m)

(6 November UK, 4 September US)

Vampires, and humans, and zombies, living together. Total anarchy.

113. Man Down 

(US: $15m, WW: $30m)

(30 October)

More post-apocalyptic-ness, with Jai Courtney.

 112. Jane Got a Gun 

(US: $15m, WW: $35m)

(4 September UK, 25 September US)

That troubled Natalie Portman western. Everyone will probably wonder if it was worth the effort.

111. Legend 

(UK: $15m, WW: $35m)

(Autumn 2015)

Tom Hardy plays the Krays. Both of them.

110. Untitled John Wells project 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

Bradley Cooper is a chef with a pearly white smile. That’s not essential to the role, it just comes with the Cooper package.

109. McFarland, USA 

(US: $35m, WW: $40m)

(20 February US)

Costner coaches. It’s his thing.

108. Point Break 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(28 August UK, 31 July US)

No Keanu, no deal.

107. Trainwreck 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(28 August UK, 17 July US)

Judd Apatow directs Daniel Radcliffe. The world awaits with baited breath.

106. The Last Witch Hunter 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(6 November UK, 23 October US)

Vin! Killing witches! The humanity!

105. Unfinished Business 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(6 March)

"Hilarious" Vince Vaughn business trip comedy. Or maybe it will become this year’s Identity Thief (as in crappy, but incontinently popular in the US).

104. Dirty Grandpa 

(US: $30m, WW: $40m)

(25 December US)

That’s Bob De Niro. Being hilariously dirty. That’s not Zac Efron sniffing a lot.

103. Entourage 

(US: $30m, WW: $40m)

(19 June UK, 5 June US)

How popular is Entourage? As in, how many will pursue it to the cinema? I’m probably completely out of touch with this.

102. Midnight Special 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(25 November US)

Joel Edgerton’s son has special powers. Run from the Feds, Joel! Jeff Nichols’ take on Starman.

101. Ricki and the Flash 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

(7 August UK, 26 June US)

Jonathan Demme directing a Diablo Cody script starring Meryl Streep as an aging rock star (isn’t there one of those with Pacino? Danny Collins!) Clearly intending to counter-programme to the willing Streep summer movie sleeper fanbase, but do they want this kind of Streep?

100. Z for Zachariah 

(US: $15m, WW: $40m)

Adaptation of the post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel by Robert C O’Brien.

99. Barely Lethal 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

Hailee Steinfeld as an assassin in high school. Action comedy with Samuel L Jackson. Is the title in good taste? No.

98. Sisters 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as… sisters! Having a house party.

97. Kidnap

(US: $20m, WW: $40m)

(9 October US)

The strangely non-descript thriller career of Halle Berry continues.

96. Triple Nine 

(US: $20m, WW: $40m)

(11 September)

John Hillcoat heist movie. Splendid cast, but then so was Lawless.

95. Sicario 

(US: $25m, WW: $40m)

Emily Blunt chases down a drug lord.

94. Child 44 

(US: $25m, WW: $45m)

(17 April)

Tom Hardy investigates a real-life Soviet serial killer.

93. The Sea of Trees 

(US: $25m, WW: $45m)

Gus Van Sant directs Matthew McConaughey, who’s feeling all suicidal in Japan. Just like Wolverine did the other year.

92. Run All Night 

(US: $25m, WW: $45m)

(17 April)

Liam Neeson not indulging in as much carefree killing as grants him huge hits.

91. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension 

(US: $30m, WW: $50m)

(13 March)

Does anyone care at this point?

90. Far From the Madding Crowd 

(US: $25m, WW: $50m)

(1 May)

Thomas Vinterberg gives Hardy a go (not that Tom). Carey Mulligan stars.

89. Max 

(US: $35m, WW: $50m)

(20 March UK, 21 August US)

A heart-warming tale of a military hound that gets all Littlest Hobo when he meets new friends and helps a grieving family heal.

88. Ex Machina 

(US: $20m, WW: $55m)

(23 January UK, 10 April US)

Alex Garland directs Star Wars guys Domnhall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac. Will it all go pear-shaped in the third act? If Garland has anything say in the matter, most certainly.

87. Mortdecai 

(US: $25m,WW: $55m)

(23 January)

I don’t think anyone is expecting much from this. Depp’s moustache won’t save it.

86. Money Monster 

(US: $35m, WW: $65m)

Gorgeous George directed by Jodie Foster in a Network-esque satire.

85. A Hologram for the King 

(US: $35m, WW: $65m)

(November)

Hanks and Twyker reunite, to as mixed reception as Cloud Atlas?

84. Macbeth 

(US: $25m, WW: $65m)

The latest adaptation of the Scottish play has Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard chewing highland scenery.

83. Chappie 

(US: $35m, WW: $70m)

(6 March)

Oh dear. Has a director so quickly exhausted his goodwill? Stop writing your own scripts Neill Blomkamp. A tale of a loveable robot getting involved with gangsters.

82. The Woman in Black 2 

(US: $25m, WW: $70m)

(1 January)

No Daniel, but as if that would kill a franchise…

81. Sinister 2

 (US: $45m, WW: $70m)

(21 August)

More nasties in the family home.

80. The Visit 

(US: $30m, WW: $70m)

(11 September)

M Night Shyamalan does a low budget comedy horror, but excises the comedy.

79. Silence 

(US: $40m WW: $75m)

Will this be out in 2015? I doubt it, but it would be remiss not to consider the possibility. Will it be successful when it arrives? Jesuit priests Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver seek out Liam Neeson in 17^th century Japan. Whether or not it finds an audience, it’s likely to be Martin Scorsese’s most resonant picture in years.

78. Amityville: The Awakening 

(US: $50m, WW: $80m)

Amityville exhumed once again, 10 years on.

77. Straight Outta Compton 

(US: $75m, WW: $85m)

F Gary Gray’s NWA biopic.

76. Black Mass 

(US: $45m, WW: $85m)

(18 September US)

Depp will want to get behind the make-up again in short order, as this might not be the best of box office years for him. This Whitey Bulger picture sounds interesting, but will people want to see Baldy D in it?

75. Don’t Mess with Texas 

(US: $55m, WW: $85m)

(8 May)

Police officer and prisoner on-the-run comedy. But the twist is, they’re ladies! With Reece Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara.

74. Survivor 

(US: $30m, WW: $85m)

(November 2015)

Milla Jovovich whups butt once again. Framed, Salt-like, for a terrorist attack she didn’t commit, she tries to clear her name. James McTeigue continues to prove his directorial chops away from the Wachowskis.

73. Hitman: Agent 47 

(US: $35m, WW: $85m)

(28 August)

I’ve no idea how this got rebooted, but it probably has something to do with how the first one scraped together nearly $100m eight years ago.

72. A Walk in the Woods 

(US: $55m, WW: $85m)

(August 2015)

Robert Redford is Bill Bryson, Nick Nolte his pal on the Appalachian Trail.

71. Victor Frankenstein

(US: 40, WW: 90)

(2 October)

Paul McGuigan in the latest Frankenstein take, this time Max Landis (overflowing with ideas, that lad) furnishes a screenplay from Igor’s (Daniel Radcliffe’s) point of view.

70. The Disappointments Room 

(US: $50m, WW: $95m)

(23 September US)

Horror flick with low expectations from DJ Caruso and Wentworth Miller (Stoker).

69. By the Sea 

(US: $45m, WW: $95m)

Angelina Jolie is directing like a demon unleashed, and here she gets Brad to appear in a very ‘70s very Frenchy affair. Maybe a bit like A Good Year, but good?

68. Untitled Christmas Eve Project 

(US: $65m, WW: $100m)

(11 December UK, 25 November US)

Boorish oaf Seth Rogen co-stars in this tale of partying like tomorrow is Christmas Day. Expect copious toking and mild persistent homophobia.

67. Blackhat 

(US: $45m, WW: $100m)

(20 February UK, 16 January US)

We’ll find out if this is any good very soon. The cyber-terrorism theme couldn’t be more topical, but will Michael Mann “get it” or make it look a bit daft and pumped-up? That its release is mere weeks away and no one is talking about it suggests a bit of a fizzle.

66. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 

(US: $45m, WW: $100m)

Long in development (David O Russell was attached), Burr Steers might be able to give this an appropriately twisted appeal given that Seth Graham-Smith isn’t credited on the screenplay. Even Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter made more than $100m.

65. The Boy Next Door 

(US: $50m, WW: $105m)

(27 February UK, 23 January US)

Rob Cohen recently underwhelmed with Alex Cross. J-Lo recently underwhelmed with everything post-Out of Sight.  She also hasn’t had a solo hit in years. But this one might have a bit of draw (woman falls for younger man across the street, unsettling events ensue) even if it is complete toss.

64. Goosebumps 

(US: $55m, WW: $105m)

(7 August UK, 15 April 2016 US)

An adaption of R L Stine’s series of children’s books. This has been knocking around in development limbo since 1998.

63. Pitch Perfect 2 

(US: $60m, WW: $110m)

(15 May)

Singing sequel.

62. Untitled Cameron Crowe project 

(US: $60m, WW: $110m)

And still crusty Cameron keeps trying. Will the team of Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone dispel public indifference any more than Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson did when surrounded by zoo animals? Rachel McAdams and Bill Murray also show up in a plot that sounds a wee bit laborious (a love triangle involving a military contractor).

61. The Gunman 

(US: $50m, WW: $110m)

(20 March)

Pierre Morel, clearly given up on Dune, directs principled Sean Penn (so there will be real consequences when he shoots someone in the head) and Idris Elba in an adaptation of Jean-Patrick Manchette’s 1981 novel The Prone Gunman.

60. Masterminds 

(US: $45, WW: $115m)

(14 August)

Heist comedy based on the Loomis Fargo robbery, with Owen Wilson and Kristen Wiig. Could be a summer sleeper hit if gets the balance right.

59. Paper Towns 

(US: $70m, WW: $115m)

(19 June UK, 5 June US)

Adapted from John Green’s novel and positioned by Fox as a next Fault in Our Stars (they share Nat Wolff).

58. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 

(US: $55m, WW: $120m)

(14 August)

Much like Kingsman, I’m eager to see Guy Ritchie’s period spy movie (presumably, like Matthew Vaughn, he’s rankling at not getting a Bond gig). I’m just not convinced it spells box office with these guys starring. Perhaps U.N.C.L.E. will be saving the world from the very Illuminati itself, the one to which the ex- Mr Madonna’s wife is currently dedicating her lyrics.

57. The Walk 

(US: $65m, WW: $120m)

(2 October)

Zemeckis directs Joseph Gordon Levitt on a high wire in a movie you probably don’t need to see if you’ve seen Man on Wire. The thing that might make the difference here is the 3D. If it really wows audiences, to the point of attacks of vertigo in cinemas, You might be talking another £100m or so.

56. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 

(US: $45m, WW: $125m)

(26 February UK, 6 March US)

Aged sequel with Richard Gere acting all smooth and piggy-eyed.

55. The Intern 

(US: $75m, WW: $125m)

(2 October UK, 25 September US)

Nancy Myers directs Robert De Niro as an intern at a fashion magazine. With Anne Hathaway as the firm boss and Rene Russo (probably falling for Bob). De Niro, as we all know, is a comedy legend.

54. Insidious: Chapter 3 

(US: $75m, WW: $130m)

(5 June)

Prequel following the psychic investigators on another case. Well, a prior case.

53. London has Fallen 

(US: $75m, WW: $140m)

(2 October)

Gerard Butler is back, stabbing and snapping necks, this time in dear old Blighty.

52. Poltergeist 

(US: $70m, WW: $140m)

(31 July UK, 24 July US)

Monster House’s Gil Kenan directs an unnecessary horror remake of a classic original. Is there any reason to think it will be more worthwhile than any of the others? Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie de Witt are leads, and they’re great, but expectations should be tempered.

51. Magic Mike XXL 

(US: $80m, WW: $140m)

(31 July UK, 1 July US)

Channing Tatum in his skimpies might have been a novelty, but will anyone’s pants be bulging at the thought of seconds? Without McConaughey?

50. Kingsman: The Secret Service 

(US: $55m, WW: $165m)

(25 January UK, 13 February US)

Apart from an awful title, Matthew Vaughn’s attempt to do his own bone-crunching, sweary version of a Bond movie is to which I’m looking forward. But do I rate its chances of success? I’m doubtful, even with a kick-ass Colin Firth.

49. Everest 

(US: $65m, WW: $165m)

(2 October UK, 18 September US)

Baltasar Kormakur leads Jake Gyllenhaal up a mountain in this based on fact tale. Will Jake make love to the mountain? Here’s betting Sam Worthington (the next Sean Bean?) doesn’t make it.

48. Shaun the Sheep 

(US: $50m, WW: $165m)

(6 February UK)

Aardman seems to have an upper limit, and this Wallace and Gromit spin-off has a built-in audience but might find it difficult getting any higher.

47. Crimson Peak 

(US: $85m, WW: $165m)

(16 October)

Guillermo Del Toro does the horror thing in the English language this time. A strong cast (Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain), its pedigree might get this into the upper $200ms if it breaks the horror ceiling.

46. Vacation 

(US: $115m, WW: $170m)

(13 November UK, 9 October US)

Chevy Chase as granddad Griswald, with Ed Helms inheriting the Rusty mantle.

45. Get Hard 

(US: $125m, WW: $175m)

(27 March)

Will Ferrell’s businessman hires Kevin Hart to teach him how to tough it out in prison. The results? Big in the States, mediocre elsewhere.

44. Joy 

(US: $125m, WW: $180m)

(1 January 2016 UK, 25 December US)

David O Russell, something of an awards-whore with his choices of late, dives back in with a star vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence (playing inventor/entrepreneur Joy Mangano). Nominations ensue.

43. San Andreas 

(US: $70m, WW: $185m)

(29 May)

Yeah, earthquake movies do well. Just like volcano movies. And Rock movies do too, if they star Sean Connery. Brad Peyton gives it the 3D boost, but will it become another Journey 2?

42. Acme 

(US: $100m, WW: $195m)

(13 November UK, 30 October US)

Will this latest attempt by Warner Bros at a live action/CGI Loony Tunes appear this year? Possibly not, but Glen Ficarra and John Requa are certainly funny guys, so I wouldn’t bet against it working if they’re steering it to completion (Back in Action! is underrated).

41. Peanuts 

(US: $120m, WW: $200m)

(21 December UK, 6 November US)

What’s the scope for something as 2D as this being turned 3D? And will this be a Muppets affair where a big screen reboot didn’t quite take? It comes from Blue Sky, a fairly sure thing for Fox, but still…

40. The Age of Adaline 

(US: 105, WW: 205)

(1 May UK, 24 April US)

Blake Lively in a swoon-inducing immortality romance could turn out to be one of the year’s sleeper hits. M83 on the trailer helps sell the emotive flourish.

39. Grimsby 

(US: $95m, WW: $210m)

(24 July UK, 31 July US)

Sacha Baron Cohen up to spy larks, pulling double duty as a 007-type and his football hooligan brother. Could be good fun, given The Dictator was, and Louis Letterier’s presence suggests Cohen wants to make sure the action chops are convincing.

38. Me Before You 

(US: $120m, WW: $215m)

(21 August US)

Picking up where Fault in Our Stars left off, Emilia Clarke falls for wheelchair-bound Sam Claflin. Tears will flow, noses will be blown. Or will Paper Towns score first, and audience will be all cried out by the time this is released?

37. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 

(US: $125m, WW: $220m)

(27 March UK, 6 February US)

This just looks offputtingly odd as a live action CGI movie. Maybe that’s the point, maybe it will be freakishly huge (like the superhero versions of the characters), but SpongeBob’s natural home feels like it ought to be in 2D animation.

36. The Jungle Book 

(US: $110m, WW: $230m)

(16 October UK, 9 October US)

What’s with this Jungle Book fever? Dictating that there’ll be an audience for this live action version is dicey, and Jon Favreau’s not proved himself since Iron Man. It could be great, of course.

35. Focus 

(US: $115m, WW: $235m)

(27 February)

I don’t doubt the public are dying to see a Will Smith movie they can get behind, but I’m dubious this is it. Glen Ficarra and John Requa direct. Big Willy is a grifter, Margot Robbie his protégé. It doesn’t have the buzz or broadness of tone of another Hitch, that’s for sure (that’s not saying that, with these writer-directors involved, it wont be pretty good).

34. In the Heart of the Sea 

(US: $105m, WW: $250m)

(13 March)

Little Ronny Howard goes berserk once more with his new favourite cinematographer and his star from Rush. With the true story that inspired Moby Dick to hand, this finds first mate Chris Hemsworth and the rest of his whaling crew buffeted by a sperm whale. Before too long, they’re reduced to chowing down on each other. Howard rarely enthuses me, but Rush was pretty good by his own pedestrian standards, and Anthony Dod Mantle’s eye candy visuals actually managed to make the movie seem bright and lively. Is Hemsworth a star outside of Thor?

33. Spy 

(US: $165m, WW: $245m)

(5 June UK, 2 May US)

Melissa McCarthy misfired with Tammy, but this looks to be in safer fat=funny territory. Instead of police (The Heat) she’s a spy! My, that will be a hoot. Paul Feig, about to kill Ghostbusters stone dead with a reboot, directs. Expect this to make a mint in the US, and be met with a shrug elsewhere. The supporting cast includes the Stat, deadpanning.

32. Monster Trucks 

(US: $90m, WW: $250m)

(22 May UK, 29 May US)

Chris Wedge (Ice Age) directs this live action/CGI combination, which sounds about as enticing as its title. One imagines something in the ball park of Cars meets Transformers, but the plot is unknown at present. It’s going to have trouble making its presence felt in its release slot. A Duel sight gag seems inevitable.

31. Jupiter Ascending 

(US: $70m, WW: $260m)

(6 February)

The Wachowskis’ unloved sci-fi fantasy was bumped from summer 2014 to February 2015, with effects issues cited. But still too late to fix pointy-eared Channing Tatum and his chemistry-free entanglement with Mila Kunis. I’m sure this will be sporadically good fun, but it seems to sorely lack the sense of humour (think The Fifth Element) that lets this kind of campery play. A lot of people may just find it silly, but, without post-Guardians of the Galaxy self-awareness, not in an endearing way.

 My 2014 scorecard

Final grosses above, my guesstimates below.

1. Transformers: Age of Extinction 

(WW: $1.087m/ US: $245.4m)

(1) WW: $1.1bn/ US: $325m

The only thing to note here is the declining US stake; whatever it lost there (and it was significant) it made up and then some elsewhere (not least the Chinese attendance).

2. Guardians of the Galaxy

 (WW: $772.2m/ US: $333m)

(13) WW: $425m/US: $145m

I suspect everyone, Marvel included, is quietly surprised by how well this did. It’s why every imbecilic studio exec now wants a talking raccoon in their movie.

3. Maleficent 

(WW: $757.8m/ US: $241.4m

(19) WW: $280m/ US: $100m

A success like this is nigh on confounding. No one is saying it’s a great movie, and probably no one can really countenance the business it did. The dearth of strong female-led roles? Certainly, it gives heart to all those aware they have made something crappy and wondering if it will sell.

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past 

(WW: $746m/ US: $233.9m)

(11) WW: $450m/US: $145m

I seriously underestimated the power of having the old gang back, and the hi-concept; given the deteriorating performances of the last couple of X-flicks, this is highly impressive. Curious that there’s only $40m in it, but this is seen to have resuscitated a franchise whilst Sony’s Spidey outing is regarded as a killer.

5: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 

(WW: $722.9m/ US: $220.8m)

(2) WW: $975m/ US: $250m

Yet early days, but it’s running on a par with Desolation of Smaug so it ought to ultimately end up in the $900m+ range and No.2 for the year.

6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

(WW: $714.1m/ US: $259.8m)

(7) WW: $610m/ US: $225m

7. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 

(WW: $709m/ US: $202.9m)

(6) WW: $665m/ US: $215m

I liked this more than most people, it seems, and more than I expected, but it’s one of the few in the Top 10 I called pretty much right in terms of position and gross.

8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

(WW: $708.3m/ US: $208.5m)

(8) WW: $605m/ US: $200m

One thing about this 2014’s performances; if in doubt bet ever-upwards on international and ever downwards on US. This is a franchise grower, but that $200m bump is mostly outside of home turf.

9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 

(WW: $695.5m/ US: $323.9m)

(3) WW: $900m/ US: $375m

Still in release, this will end up the most successful movie of 2014 Stateside, but it won’t get anywhere near the stratosphere of its predecessor. It could yet hit the No.4 spot for the year globally, if it’s lucky. Still, though. Franchise burnout, or just that it’s a bit of a fizzle as a movie?

10. Interstellar 

(WW: $653.4m/ US: $182.7m)

(5) WW: $675m/ US: $275m

Not too far out, but the US factor again let down its performance.

11. How to Train Your Dragon 2 

(WW: $618.9m/ US: $177m)

(4) WW: $865m/ US: $350m

Animation-wise, 2014 was a big disappointment for the US market. I expected Shrek 2/ Despicable Me 2 things from this sequel, and even internationally it was about $100 less than my guesstimate. DreamWorks can’t catch a break, but this is still the biggest animation of the year. It’s the first time since 1997 that the Top 10 globally hasn’t featured an animated movie.

 12. Godzilla 

(WW: $525m/ US: $200.7m)

(12) $445m/ US: $125m

Hailed as a success, but it appears I was right to be sceptical. It did much better in the US than I expected (the opposite to Pacific Rim, in fact), and secured a sequel, but its lack of legs were down to it not being much cop.

13. Rio 2 

(WW: $498.8m/ US: $131.5m)

(10) $560m/ US: $120m

14. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 

(WW: $477.2m/ US: $191.2m)

(26) $215m/ US: $75m

I did admit I was in the dark about this one’s potential. Michael Bay works his inscrutably bombastic magic.

15. The LEGO Movie 

(WW: $468.1m/ US: $257.8m)

(9) WW: $600m/ US: $245m

16. Lucy 

(WW: $458.9m/ US: $100.2m)

Not even on my radar.

17. Big Hero 6 

(WW: $378.7m/ US: $211.3m)

(14) WW: $400m/ US: $175m

Still has a lot of territories in which to open, so could do significantly better than predicted.

18. Edge of Tomorrow 

(WW: $369.2m/ US: 100.2m)

(20) $275m/ US: $80m

The fact that this was very good allowed it to exceed the expected (non-M:I) performance of a Cruise film.

19. Noah 

(WW: 362.6m/ US: $101.2m)

(37) WW: $175m/ US: $90m

Perhaps it was the pre-Easter release, but I can see no good reason for this peculiar snooze-fest performing when Exodus has fizzled.

20. Gone Girl 

(WW: $362.3m/ US: $166.7m)

(23) WW: $245m/ US: $105m

In unadjusted numbers, this is the biggest hit of Fincher’s career. It should give him some clout to do something a bit less potboiler next time.

21. The Maze Runner 

(WW: $339.8m/ US: $102.1m)

(57) WW: $75m/ US: $35m

Everyone had their eyes on Divergent, but this is the real YA breakout of the year.

22. 22 Jump Street 

(WW: $331.3m/ US: $191.7m)

(30) WW: $200m/ US: $110m

Making a very smart, very funny sequel gave this a shot in the arm (But still, that’s mostly from the US; the curse of the comedy not always translating).

23. 300: Rise of An Empire 

(WW: 331.1m/ US: 106.6m)

(28) WW: $215m/ US: $70m

24. The Fault in our Stars 

(WW: $304.2m/ US: $124.9m)

Nope, didn’t see that one coming. I blame Jonathan Cainer.

25. Divergent 

(WW: $288.7m/ US: $137.8m)

(24) WW: $225m/ US: $100m

26: Mr. Peabody & Sherman 

(WW: $272.9m/ US: $111.5m

(17) WW: $300m/ US: $105m)

27. Penguins of Madagascar 

($270.7m/ US: $78.1m)

This one was brought forward. It can’t be making DreamWorks any more comfortable with the state of their animations.

28. Neighbors 

(WW: $268.2m/ US: $150.2m)

(50) WW: $115m/ US: $75m)

It more than doubled my guess, but on the plus side, audiences were mostly spared The Interview.

29. Annabelle 

(WW: $252.7m/ US: $84.3m)

Nope.

30. Hercules 

(WW: $243.4m/ US: $72.7m)

(47) WW: $140m/ US: $75m

31. Robocop 

(WW: $242.7m/ US: $58.6m)

(45) WW: $145m/ US: $75m)

32. Non-Stop 

(WW: $222.8m/ US: $92.2m)

(46) WW: $145m/ US: $70m

33. Dracula Untold 

(WW: $215.2m/ US: $56m)

34. The Expendables 3 

(WW: 206.2m/ US: $39.3m)

(18) WW: $300m/ US: $90m

The bottom really dropped out of that one.

35. Need for Speed 

(WW: $203.3m/ US: $43.6m)

36. Exodus: Gods and Kings 

(WW: $202.8m/ US: $61.2m)

(21) WW: $270m/ US: $100m

This is making a bad smell.

37. The Other Woman 

(WW: $196.6m/ US: $83.9m)

(35) $185m/ US: $90m

38. Fury 

(WW: 194.8m/ US: $84.7m)

(36) WW: $175m/ US: $85m

39. The Equalizer 

(WW: 191.7m/ US: $100.9m)

(40) $165m/ US: $80m

40. A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb 

(WW: $180.9m/US: $89.7m)

(15) WW: $315m/ US: $120m

41. The Grand Budapest Hotel 

(WW: $172.7m/ US: 59.1m)

I’m enormously pleased for its success, but I didn’t figure on it.

42. Into the Storm 

(WW: $159.7m/ US: $47.6m)

43. The Monuments Men 

(WW: $155m/ US: $78m)

44. Ride Along 

(WW: $154m/ US: $134.9m)

45. Planes: Fire & Rescue 

(WW: $147m/ US: 59.2m)

46. Dumb and Dumber To 

(WW: $144.9m/ US: $85.4m)

(49) WW: $125m/ US: $70m)

47. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 

(WW: $135.5m/ US: $50.6m)

(22) WW: $250m/ US: $110m

That new franchise for Jack? Er, no.

48. Let’s Be Cops 

(WW: $126.1m/ US: $82.4m)

49. Blended 

(WW: $126.1m/ US: $38.5m)

(38) WW: $170m/ US: $80m

50. Sex Tape

 (WW: $126.1m/ US: $38.5m)

(34) WW: $185m/ US: $90m

The rest of my picks:

52. Pompeii 

(WW: $117.8m/ US: $23.2m)

(44) WW: $145m/ US: $60m

53. The Nut Job 

(WW: $113.3m/ US: $64.3m)

(55) WW: $85m, US: $45m

57. Transcendence 

(WW: $103m/ US: $23m)

(16) WW: $310m/ US: $105m

OUCH!

59. Tammy 

(WW: $100.4m/ US: $84.5m)

(25) WW: $225m/ US: $135m

60. Horrible Bosses 2 

(WW: $100.1m/ US: 53.1m)

(46) WW: ($145m, US: $85m

61. Into the Woods 

(WW: $97.0m/US: $91.2m

(42) $165m, US: $80m

This one is a definite US hit, so the question becomes; does it catch on internationally.

65. Annie 

(WW: $89.5m/ US: $72.6m)

(40) $165m, US: $95m

Poorly reviewed and not great word of mouth mean this one won’t have the legs of Into the Woods.

69: A Million Ways to Die in the West 

(WW: $86.4m/ US: $43.1m)

(51) WW: $115m/ US: $75m

71. Alexander and the Terrible, No Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day 

(WW: 85.0m/ US: 65.7m

(41) WW: $160m, US: $75m

74. Muppets Most Wanted 

(WW: $78.2m/ US: $51.2m)

(48) $135m, US: $75m

76. The Judge 

(WW: $75.9m/ US: $46.9m)

(29) WW: $205m, US: $95m

83. Jersey Boys 

(WW: $67.3m/ US: $47m)

(59) WW: $75m, US: $45m

92. 3 Days to Kill 

(WW: $52.6m/ US: $30.7m)

(52) WW: $95m, US: $40m

96. St. Vincent 

(WW: $48.2m/ US: $43.0m)

(58) WW: $75m/ US: $40m)

97. Chef 

(WW: $46m/ US: $31.4m)

(61) WW: $65m, US: $35m

105. Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Die For 

(WW: $39.4m/ US: $13.8m)

(31) $195m, US: $95m

Robert Rodriguez drifts inexorably closer to cinematic oblivion.

118. Winter’s Tale 

(WW: $30.8m/ US: $12.6m)

(54) WW: $85m, US: $45m

139. Sabotage 

(WW: $17.5m/ US: $10.5m)

(60) WW: $70m, US: $35m

142. Vampire Academy 

(WW: $15.4m/ US: $7.8m)

(53) $85m, US: $35m