The Ten Biggest Summer Movies of 2010: 'Toy Story 3,' 'Eclipse,' 'Iron Man 2' and more

Predicting the box office battle from May to August

Will Woody, Jacob or Tony Stark come out on top?

Will Woody, Jacob or Tony Stark come out on top?

At the beginning of the summer movie season you can make a case that every picture has a chance to be a hit or, at the very least, a profitable performer.  Unfortunately, that's never quite the case.  Theatrical distribution is as much game of strategy and marketing as it is about the quality of a picture and in that scenario there will always be winners and, boy, will there be losers.  2010 is no different.

Looking over this upcoming season, many of the hits are easy to spot.  "Iron Man 2," "Toy Story 3," "Sex and the City 2"?  Easy dough.  It's when you look more carefully at the release schedule that the toss ups come into play.  Is "Get Him to the Greek" another Judd Apatow-produced sleeper hit?  Can Katherine Heigl go four-for-four with "Killers"?  Is "The Last Airbender" the launch of a powerful new franchise for Paramount?  Can Jake Gyllenhaal become a real action star and break the video game movie jinx in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time"?  The answer may be "yes" across the board, but that doesn't mean those films or others will make the list of top ten grossing movies of the season.  That's for the true high rollers and much harder to determine.  Maybe.

For some educated predictions on Hollywood's true blockbusters over the next four mouths, click the tabs above. 

Agree? Disagree?  Share your thoughts below.

 

 

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  • Xavier_s_talkback_profile

    lazygarfield

    Seeing as how the 10th movie in this list is expected to gross $110 million, I find it kinda hard to understand why Prince of Persia wasn't included. Do you think it won't even cross 100mil Greg?

    And, maybe I am getting a bit too optimistic, but what about Scott Pilgrim?

    April 26, 2010 at 7:13AM EST Reply to Comment
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    JoeK

    Not enough attn. paid to Prince of Persia here imo. Sorcerer's is already DOA even though it looks well made - the new trailer is an improvement. The Other Guys has a finite audience and it's not as big as what is being suggested here imo. The no brainers are Toy Story 3 (will be monstrous), Shrek and Iron Man 2. Inception should get the non-kiddie prize but who knows.

    April 26, 2010 at 12:56PM EST Reply to Comment
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    bubbatwo420

    I think Christopher Nolan has proved he is a force to be reckoned with so I say Inception will make at least $250-$300 million. Prince of Persia will also make close to $200 million just on the fact that it's similar to POTC. I think Salt, Despicable Me, and Knight and Day might break the $100 million mark as well. I'd take of The Other Guys

    April 26, 2010 at 6:44PM EST Reply to Comment
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    edickins

    Twilight fans can hardly wait for "Eclipse" to come out on June 30--I think it will do as well, or better, than the first two movies...and on IMAX this time! I'll drive 2 hours to the nearest IMAX theater to see it there!

    April 26, 2010 at 11:36PM EST Reply to Comment
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    wildphantom

    Where's 'The A-Team' and 'Knight & Day'??
    Both of those are going to do well over $100 million. The latter I think might push $200 million.

    As for Iron Man above Toy Story? I don't even think its a contest. Iron Man will post the biggest opening of all time next weekend and smash past $330 million total, but I can't see Toy Story bringing home anything less than $400 million. Sequel to one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Made for 3D. Nothing in its way by the time it opens. It'll no doubt be the best film of the summer anyway. Pixar films tend to have very good multipliers, and this movie is easily going to open around the $150 million mark.

    May 2, 2010 at 7:51AM EST Reply to Comment


  • I luv those 3 movies OmG[R+H]= Rebeca Hernandez

    May 18, 2010 at 9:05PM EST Reply to Comment
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    OhScotty

    It's interesting to go back and read these now at the end of summer. Seems like there were less hits than there were disappointments.

    August 28, 2010 at 3:45AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Ryan

    one of you faggots want to suck my dick the way your dads eats yours?

    September 24, 2011 at 2:53AM EST Reply to Comment