2022 has been a year of blockbusters, from Top Gun: Maverick, the year’s highest grossing movie to date¹, to Minions: The Rise of Gru, the top grossing film worldwide for the longest time this year¹.
We analyzed the highest-grossing movies of 2022 from the 20 biggest film-producing countries2, and found that 2022 really has been the year of the action movie. Thanks to Hollywood blockbusters including Top Gun: Maverick, The Batman, and Jurassic World Dominion, action and adventure came out on top as the highest-grossing movie genres this year, bringing in 18.29% and 15.63% of the total worldwide box office.
There is evidence to suggest that action movies not only bring in the highest ticket sales, but that the tension, buildup, and conflict often seen in such movies can drive enjoyment of the film and arouse emotional and cognitive senses3.
When analyzing the most popular genre of movie in each country, action movies topped the list in 14 of the 20 countries considered, making it the most popular genre worldwide and accounting for an average of 18.29% of all box office income. Adventure movies came in second spot, with Sci-fi films totaling the third highest for worldwide box office earnings.
The percentage of total box office earnings for the top three most popular movie genres in each country can be found below:
While action movies grossed the most at box offices worldwide this year, it is not the most popular genre in every country. Adventure movies were revealed as the favorites in China, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden¹.
We also researched the highest-grossing movies of 2022 so far, and worldwide Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World Dominion, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that topped the list. All three fall under the genre of action, and in total have grossed more than $3.5 billion dollars in worldwide box office takings since their release.
Although it is the latest movie in the Minions franchise, Minions: The Rise of Gru, which has been the highest grossing movie for the longest time this year. The family favorite, coming under the genres of adventure, animation and comedy, grossed a total of $927,481,180 worldwide¹.
This year has already been a fantastic year for movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to independent movies, the industry is booming. And, as it turns out, 2022 has been the year of action movies, with Top Gun: Maverick, the eleventh highest grossing movie of all time4 released this year. But it’s not only us here in the U.S that love action movies, the genre is a fan favorite around the world. While all movies offer an escape from reality, action and adventure films can leave us with an emotional high and actually get our cognitive thinking working3.
So what are you waiting for? Grab that popcorn and your favorite movie!
