The best summer movie by year

Released 25 years after the animated version of the film, this computer-animated take on the heartwarming tale of Simba and Co. was told to a whole new crop of fans — especially the younger ones. While the story is updated and enhanced from a visual and creative standpoint, the message is not lost. We might be partial to the 1994 film, but this is well worth a watch — as the $543.6 million in North America showed.

This sequel was 14 years in the making, and the audiences were more than ready for the Parr Family to get back into theaters. This crime-fighting, superhero family was more entertaining than ever, especially, Jack-Jack, who should be everybody's favorite superhero baby. The movie made almost $609 million and hung with other 2018 blockbusters like "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War."

It was great to see "Wonder Woman" (Gal Gadot) on the big screen. We also can't wait for the follow-up, "Wonder Woman 1984," when it eventually makes it into theaters. This 2017 film, that took us into the life and progression of the Amazon warrior, made almost $413 million in the U.S. and kicked off a new franchise within the DC Extended Universe. The more the merrier.

It took 13 years, but fans of "Finding Nemo" finally got their sequel (or spinoff, actually) to the hit film from 2003. This time, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is on the hunt for her parents, but her memory loss presents a challenge. Though some might think it doesn't quite live up to the charmingly brilliant "Nemo," it's highly entertaining and tends to tug at the heart like the first movie did. In the U.S., it made $486.3 million. 

We've already touched on the film that ignited the "Jurassic Park" franchise, but this is the one that made the most money. Out 14 years after "Jurassic Park III," "Jurassic World" stars Chris Pratt in the lead, trying to contain the genetically modified/cloned dinosaurs from wreaking havoc. As they always seem to do. It made a whopping $652.3 million in front of American audiences. 

A fan favorite within the MCU, "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a huge hit and a nice break from the traditional, more well-known Marvel stalwarts. It's both retro and futuristic and a good time overall. Plus, the soundtrack is pretty sweet to boot. The movie, which was released in August of 2014, made $333.2 million in the U.S. and paved the way for a popular sequel. 

Robert Downey Jr. resurrected his career with "Iron Man." The last of this particular film series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe is right around par with the first two. It made just under $410 million nationwide and finished second to "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" when it came to highest-grossing movies of 2013. Of course, this was not the last we saw of Iron Man on the big screen. 

The first of three straight films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that we'll showcase. Bringing the "Avengers" together was obviously an instant recipe for success. Plus, the banter between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans) is quite comical. The film made a ridiculous $623.4 million in the U.S. and was not only the highest-grossing domestic film of the summer but also for all of 2012.

This was the end of the line for the "Harry Potter" film franchise. They've grown up and are ready to move on. And, perhaps, their fans were ready to do the same. This bittersweet goodbye, meanwhile, made some serious coin: $381.2 million in the United States. According to USA Today, it made $90 million more than "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1." 

Any time Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang make an appearance on the big screen, it's a big deal. The third installment of the "Toy Story" franchise was no different. It's also, perhaps, the most endearing of the four films as Andy heads off to college and must say goodbye to his toys. Audiences might have felt the same way while helping it earn $415.0 million in the U.S. 

The more "Transformers" movies that were made, the worse they seemed to get. That said, this sequel to 2007's "Transformers" is actually more than serviceable. At the time, there was still plenty of anticipation and excitement surrounding the "Transformers" brand. And Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox were still relevant in their starring roles. It was the second-highest grossing film of 2009 and made $402.1 million nationwide.

Arguably the best of any film within the "Batman" movie franchise. Christian Bale is one of the best to put on the famed suit, while director Christopher Nolan's dark, almost subterranean, feel of the movie brings a new look and feel of the franchise. Of course, the late Heath Ledger steals the show with his brilliantly disturbing portrayal of The Joker, one that earned him a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Academy Award. The movie earned a domestic gross of just over $535 million. 

This was the end of the run for Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, and it might be one of the darker storylines within the Spider-Man film universe, which offered a new approach of sorts to fans. It's almost as if the superhero is at a crossroads. All that was more than enough for fans to flock to theaters during the summer of '07. Domestically, the film grossed $336.5 million, including $151 million during its opening weekend.

The sequel to "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" followed the usual path for a follow-up to a massively successful film, that is benefiting from plenty of hype and anticipation. Fans apparently could not get enough of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Co., so much so, that the film made $423.3 million in the United States and did a more than an above-average job of paving the way for more quality films in the Pirates series.

This arguably is the best of the three films predating but following in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. It's a decent lead into "A New Hope," especially the final half-hour or so. Prior to that, the movie drags some, but it is still more tolerable than both "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones." Regardless of the thinking, the movie made a ton of money — to the tune of a $380.3 million domestic gross.

Shrek (Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) were all back for the follow-up to the 2001 summer smash. This sequel actually blew away the original, in terms of box-office success, generating a domestic gross of $441.2 million. This is one example where a sequel was as good, or perhaps better, than the first film.

One of the all-time animated classics. It's hard to go wrong with Pixar, and Nemo (Alexander Gould) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) are quite beloved. Their adventure is heartwarming, endearing and funny, and it is a film that families can enjoy, pretty much with children of all ages. In the United States, the movie made $380.8 million and spawned a sequel we'll get to in a bit.

The first of three "Spider-Man" movies directed by Sam Raimi, each with Tobey Maguire in the lead role. Eventually others would take their crack at delivering the web wonder to the big screen (Tom Holland fan, here). It seems like forever ago that this came out, but it should be praised among all that have come after. Its $403.7 million domestic box-office gross still makes it the champ of the franchise.

As we've seen and will see again, animated films seem to be made for summer. When it's hot and the kids need to get out of the house, head to an air-conditioned theater for a little computer-animated comedy. "Shrek" was a monster, (somewhat pun intended), hit, making almost $268 million in the United States. It also spawned a sequel that we'll get to in a bit. 

The sequel to the 1996 film reboot of the popular television series. Tom Cruise needed a movie franchise, and he certainly got with the "MI" family. Somewhat fitting for the current times, Cruise's Ethan Hunt is trying to put an end to a genetically modified virus. Movie goers ate it up, as the film made $215.4 million and helped pave the way for four more "Mission: Impossible" titles. 

Within the Star Wars movie franchise, including one-offs like "Rogue One" and "Solo," this might be the worst of them all. Of course, the anticipation for the film was what helped it gross $474.5 million in the U.S. The film can be best described as dull, even though the cast is pretty strong (Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman). But Jar Jar Binks. Really?

Great movies usually have scenes that we can't get out our mind. The opening scenes of the allied invasion of Omaha Beach is perhaps the most indelible images from this Steven Spielberg masterpiece and surely some of the most memorable in film history. The rest of the movie is pretty good too. How it did not win the Best Picture Oscar is almost criminal. At least it made $217 million in the U.S.

Staying on the topic of Will Smith. One year later, he teamed with Tommy Lee Jones for more sci-fi fun. These two buddies fought extraterrestrials on Earth but in a way that's appealing to just about any age group. The movie spawned an MIB franchise, but there should be no doubt that this is the best of the bunch. It grossed just over $250 million in the U.S. and solidified Smith's status as a versatile superstar entertainer.

Summertime and action movies go hand-in-hand. One of the biggest was this Will Smith-driven vehicle. Aliens, spaceships, the White House — and the Fresh Prince. Something for everybody, right? Now, there have been much better end-of-the-world action movies made, but this is the kind of film that summer is all about. American Moviegoers thought so, too, to the tune of $306.2 million. 

In the annals of the Batman franchise, this movie does not rank all that high among both critics and fans of the superhero. However, Batman was still a big deal (grossing just over $184 million domestically) during the summer of '95. Joel Schumacher was directing these films, Val Kilmer now donned the Batsuit and Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face) and Jim Carrey (The Riddler) were raising hell in Gotham City. The premise made sense, but the execution proved to be lacking. 

The first of two versions of this monster Disney hit that we will be discuss, this is the animated tale starring Matthew Broderick as the voice of young Simba, who grows to become king of the pride. The story is wonderfully poignant, the music iconic ("Hakuna Matata," anyone?) and the humorous moments well placed, all reasons why it cleared nearly $423 million.

The popular Michael Crichton book literally came alive on the big screen. The original Jurassic Park movie took the world by storm, made dinosaurs cool and kick-started a film franchise that is still going strong. Even though the rest of the film series was mostly decent, this should still have a special place in the heart of the franchise fans — much Like "Star Wars: A New Hope" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." It made over $400 million in the U.S. alone.

The first of a few times we'll showcase the Batman franchise. This particular effort is the sequel to 1989's "Batman," the first of the Tim Burton-directed films that gave new life to the popular DC Comics superhero. Michael Keaton returned as the Caped Crusader, taking on The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). The movie brought home nearly $163 million — and more than $350 million when adjusted for inflation. 

Seven years after success of "The Terminator," Arnold Schwarzenegger returned as the gun-toting, motorcycle-driving cyborg. This time he was the good guy. The sequel, which was filled with much more Hollywood bombast than the first film, grossed almost $206 million while becoming the hit of the summer movie season in '91. Action sells during the summer. We know that, and this remains one of the biggest hits of the season.

Schlocky, sure. But "Ghost" was a massive hit. The spirit of Sam (Patrick Swayze) returning to lovingly haunt Molly (Demi Moore) made a ton of money (grossing more than $217 million in the United States) and remains one of the most endearing romantic dramas ever. It also made pottery and the Righteous Brothers more popular than likely ever before.