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'Barbie' (2023) -

Barely three weeks into its run, writer-director Greta Gerwig's blockbuster grossed an astounding US$1.03 billion at the global box office.

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'Frozen' (2013) -

Considered one of the best animated films of all time, 'Frozen' earned US$1.28 billion in worldwide box-office revenue. It was co-directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck.

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'Frozen II' (2019) -

By the same directors, 'Frozen II' was even more successful than its prequel, earning US$1.45 billion on global ticket sales.

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'Captain Marvel' (2019) -

Co-directed by Anna Boded and Ryan Fleck, with US$1.13 billion in ticket sales it became the first female-starring superhero movie to pass the billion-dollar mark.

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'Wonder Woman' (2017) -

With a world gross of US$821.8 million, 'Wonder Woman,' directed by Patty Jenkins, became not only a box-office hit, but also one of the best-reviewed films of the DCEU.

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'The Matrix Reloaded' (2003) -

Sisters Lilly and Lana Wachowski followed up their 1999 hit with 'The Matrix Reloaded' in 2003, which grossed US$741.8 million.

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'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003) -

Released six months after 'The Matrix Reloaded,' the Wachowski sisters' third Matrix installment grossed US$427.3 million worldwide.

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'Kung Fu Panda 2' (2011) -

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the martial art animation film grossed US$665 million worldwide against its US$150 million budget.

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'Mamma Mia!' (2008) -

Phyllida Lloyd's ABBA movie musical 'Mamma Mia!' made us all dream of Greece. This earned it US$611 million worldwide.

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'Fifty Shades of Grey' (2015) -

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the worldwide phenomenon grossed US$569.7 million globally.

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'Brave' (2012) -

Pixar's first film with a female protagonist, 'Brave' was directed by Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews. It grossed a whopping US$539 million worldwide.

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'Shrek' (2001) -

Co-directed by duo Vicky Jenson and Andrew Adamson, 'Shrek' was the first animated film since 1953’s 'Peter Pan' to compete for the Palme d’Or. Grossing US$484.4 million, it also won the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

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'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel' (2009) -

Grossing US$443.1 million on a $70 million budget, 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel' was directed by Betty Thomas.

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'Twilight' (2008) -

After the successful book series, the movie kicked off the vampire renaissance of the late 2000s. Directed by Catherine Hardwick, the film grossed US$408.4 million worldwide.

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'Shark Tale' (2004) -

Featuring an ensemble cast, 'Shark Tale' made US$374.6 million worldwide against its US$75 million budget. It was directed by Vicky Jenson, Bibo Bergeron, and Rob Letterman.

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'What Women Want' (2000) -

'What Women Want' is a 2000 rom-com directed by Nancy Meyers. It had a worldwide gross of US$374 million.

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'Deep Impact' (1998) -

Directed by Mimi Leder, the film depicts the attempts to prepare for and destroy a comet that will cause a mass extinction. It grossed over US$349.5 million worldwide.

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'The Proposal' (2009) -

A box-office success that starred Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, the movie earned US$317.4 million. It was directed by Anne Fletcher.

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'Look Who’s Talking' (1989) -

Written and directed by Amy Heckerling, this '80s rom-com was a box-office success, grossing US$297 million worldwide.

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'Dr. Dolittle' (1998) -

Another Betty Thomas-directed movie, this now classic comedy, starring Eddie Murphy, grossed US$294.5 million.

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'Pitch Perfect 2' (2015) -

Directed by co-star Elizabeth Banks, 'Pitch Perfect 2' outgrossed the original 'Pitch Perfect' (2012) in five days. It grossed US$287.1 million globally.

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'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001) -

Directed by Sharon Maguire, the iconic 'Bridget Jones's Diary' was a worldwide success, earning US$281.9 million around the world.

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'Something’s Gotta Give' (2003) -

Written, directed, and produced by Nancy Meyers, the hilarious 'Something’s Gotta Give' was a box-office success, earning US$265.3 million.

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'You've Got Mail' (1998) -

The iconic rom-com was directed by the late Nora Ephron. It ultimately grossed US$250.8 million in the global box office.

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'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993) -

Another highly successful Nora Ephron-directed flick with the same stars, 'Sleepless in Seattle' grossed US$227.8 million.

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'It's Complicated' (2009) -

Featuring an ensemble cast, 'It's Complicated' was another highly successful rom-com by Nancy Meyers. Worldwide, it grossed US$219.1 million.

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'Wayne's World' (1992) -

Based on the 'Saturday Night Live' sketch of the same name, the comedy was a critical and commercial success, grossing US$183.1 million. It was directed by Penelope Spheeris.

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'Big' (1988) -

Directed by Penny Marshall, 'Big' was pivotal to Tom Hank's career. It was also a huge commercial success, grossing US$151 million worldwide against a production budget of US$18 million.

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'A League of Their Own' (1992) -

Tom Hanks starred in another highly popular film directed by Penny Marshall. An all-time classic, 'A League of Their Own' grossed US$132.4 million. 

Sources: (Forbes) (Evening Standard) 

See also: The most essential rom-coms of the '90s 

© NL Beeld