2017 Potential Blockbusters

Actual Worldwide Gross: 1.332 Billion Predicted Worldwide Gross: 1.955 Billion Actual to Predicted Difference: -68.2% Guess Grade: D+

Expectation: Based off of the success of The Force Awakens and Rogue One, it is a given that Episode VIII will surpass one billion, however whether it can surpass the box office of its predecessor will depend on whether or not audiences will accept this new trend of one Star Wars film a year.

Reality: Didn't earn as much as I thought it would. I think the divided reception the film received from fans may have played a factor in it's box office run. However, it is unfair to compare The Last Jedi's performance to The Force Awakens, as the latter had the advantage of being the first SW film in ten years and the hype that came along with that.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 1.263 Billion Predicted Worldwide Gross: 692 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +58.45% Guess Grade:

Expectation: The hype around this film has been phenomenal. With a star-studed cast, it has the potential to rake in some serious box office. However, Disney's live-action remakes have been very hit and miss, although they have all done well at the box office. Still i am going with a modest (for Disney at least) prediction.

Reality: Like I said these Disney live-action remakes can be hit or miss. This one was obviously a hit, a very very big hit.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 1.236 Billion Predicted Worldwide Gross: 1.340 Billion Actual to Predicted Difference: -8.07% Guess Grade: A

Expectation: The reason the Fast & Furious franchise has endured for so long is because it has been able to reinvent itself when it needs to. Looking at the success of Furious 7 it would appear that audiences are enjoying the direction in which the franchise is headed. Therefore i can see this installment in the franchise easily joining the billion dollar club.

Reality: I think I was pretty much on the money here.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 1.034 Billion Predicted Worldwide Gross: 905 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +13.38% Guess Grade: B

Expectation: Based off of the success of previous films in the franchise, it would appear that Despicable Me 3 should break that billion dollar ceiling, however as its release coincides with the release of several other blockbuster films such as Spider-Man: Homecoming, Dunkirk and War for the Planet of the Apes it could be difficult for the film to surpass it's predecessor. However, it has the potential to go the opposite way, it may be able to dominate the family market, as it's competition doesn't have nearly the same amount of brand recognition. Therefore i am going to guess the film will land just a little behind it's predecessor.

Reality: The film did exactly what I thought it would. It dominated the family market, running through August with no competition Despicable Me 3 managed to join the billion dollar club.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 962.07 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 350 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +93.29% Guess Grade: D

Actual Worldwide Gross: 880.16 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 750 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +15.96% Guess Grade: B

Expectation: With Tom Holland's Spider-Man debuting in Civil War to ecstatic reviews and reactions from critics and audiences alike, it is clear that audiences still want to see a new Spider-Man film. Every Spider-Man film has grossed more than 700 million at the worldwide box office. This installment seems poised to be a force at the box office, however it will have a lot of competition with War of the Planet of the Apes and Dunkirk coming out in the weeks following Homecoming's release. Therefore it will most likely follow a similar path to that of Guardians of the Galaxy at the box office.

Reality: The film did a lot better than I expected. I think the film benefited from the hype Tom Holland's Spider-Man generated in Civil War and this translated into the box office.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 807 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 810 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -0.36% Guess Grade: A+

Expectation: In previous years, I have underestimated Pixar films, with both Finding Dory and Inside Out grossing more than 850 million worldwide. Coco is opening to little competition and should have no problem dominating the animated box office for at least a couple of weeks.

Reality: I was so close.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 863.75 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 1.012 Billion Actual to Predicted Difference: -15.80% Guess Grade: B

Expectation: There is no question in my mind that the follow up to 2014's surprise success Guardians of the Galaxy will be a box office gold mine for Disney and Marvel. The question is how much of a success will it be? The answer, a massive success, if you base it off of the reception to the trailers and the franchise's name recognition. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has a real chance at becoming the fifth film in the MCU to surpass one billion dollars.

Reality: I got a little bit carried away, I overestimated the effect of the hype train, that being said the film still earned almost a $100 million more than it's predecessor, making it one of the more successful sequels on this list.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 853.97 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 721 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +16.88% Guess Grade: B

Expectation: Fans have high expectations for Thor: Ragnarok and the hype-train has begun to pick up speed. Each Thor film has made more money than the last, so i predict this film will make more than 700 million.

Reality: Ragnarok exceeded expectations, including mine.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 821.84 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 743 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +10% Guess Grade: A

Expectation: With the success of Suicide Squad and BvS: Dawn of Justice, it would be a surprise if Wonder Woman were to fail. The film should comfortably gross 500 million and granted it has the legs and is released to favorable reviews, Wonder Woman will be able to gross upwards of 700 million.

Reality: I was right, I think I underestimated the impact Wonder Woman being the first female-led superhero film, as this factor certainly had an impact on WW's box office run.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 794.86 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 650 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +20.05% Guess Grade: B

Actual Worldwide Gross: 527.26 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 690 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -26.73% Guess Grade: C

Actual Worldwide Gross: 657.92 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 936 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -34.89% Guess Grade: C

Expectation: In spite of less than favourbale reviews from critics, audiences have shown they are excited to see what the DC Cinematic Universe has to offer. Out of all the films on the upcoming DCCU roster, Justice League will most likely be the most successful in terms of box office return. However, the success of Justice League may depend on both the critical and commercial success of Wonder Woman, as audiences may be trepidatious if Wonder Woman does not meet expectations. For now I predict Justice League's box office will go the way of Dawn of Justice and sit just below the billion dollar mark.

Reality: Justice League SHOULD have easily made one billion at the box office, however audiences and critics alike weren't impressed with the film, along with highly publicised production problems and a marketing campaign that began 18 months prior to the release date all contributed to Justice League's underwhelming performance.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 619.02 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 587 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +5.31% Guess Grade: A

Actual Worldwide Gross: 605.42 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 1.025 Billion Actual to Predicted Difference: -51.47% Guess Grade: D+

Expectation: The previous installment in the franchise, Age of Extinction, succeeded due to a strong foreign box office. If this film can tap into that same vein it will probably surpass one billion. However, this installment could potentially fall victim to franchise fatigue if it does not introduce new elements that shake up the established formula.

Reality: Whilst the film did very well in China, it underperformed in pretty much every other market. Domestically, the film $100 million less than Revenge of the Fallen, signaling to me that despite a solid gross of 600 million, this will be the last Transformers film.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 566.65 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 550 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: +2.98% Guess Grade: A+

Actual Worldwide Gross: 490.71 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 715 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -37.20% Guess Grade: C

Expectation: Apes has tough competition to overcome, i have been generous because i expect a strong outing from fans. Additionally Dawn of the planet of the Apes did quite well while having quite a bit of competition, so i expect a similar box office.

Reality: Like I said my prediction was quite generous and I knew one film coming out in that late July/ early August was going to take a hit at the box office and unfortunately War took the brunt of it.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 410.90 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 540 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -27.15% Guess Grade: C

Actual Worldwide Gross: 409.23 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 570 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -32.83% Guess Grade: C

Actual Worldwide Gross: 383.93 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 707 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -59.22% Guess Grade: D+

Expectation: Looking at past films in the franchise, it would seem that the third outing will just creep over 700 million. IF the film can achieve better critical reception than its predecessors, then it has the potential to outperform my prediction. But for now, i am keeping it around the 700 million mark.

Reality: I don't know what I was thinking. It really didn't have a chance of making anywhere near my prediction.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 376.96 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 610 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -47.22% Guess Grade: C

Actual Worldwide Gross: 311.95 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 640 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -68.92% Guess Grade: D+

Expectation: HYPE! HYPE! Warner Bros. is hoping that they can repeat the success of the LEGO movie. It may happen, it may not.

Reality: I don't know what I was thinking. Completely wrong.

Actual Worldwide Gross: 240.89 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 580 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -82.61% Guess Grade: D

Actual Worldwide Gross: 197.18 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 540 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: -93% Guess Grade: D

Actual Worldwide Gross: 177.85 Million Predicted Worldwide Gross: 400 Million Actual to Predicted Difference: 76.88% Guess Grade: D