Hollywood has seen countless box office highs, but no year in cinema history matched the sheer dominance of 2019. That year didn’t just break records. It rewrote them. With the streaming revolution still in its early stages and global theatrical markets firing on all cylinders, 2019 marked the final crescendo of the pre-pandemic moviegoing era.

It wasn’t just about quantity or sequels. The variety of billion-dollar earners that year, including superhero finales, animated adventures, live-action remakes, and action spectacles, spoke to a moment when studios knew how to maximize nostalgia and event filmmaking. Audiences flocked to theaters worldwide, and in return, the box office delivered an unprecedented nine movies that crossed the mark globally. No other year, not 2015, not 2022, has matched that figure.

One could also say that Hollywood had finally found the formula for minting billions at the box office. It would have capitalized further on the model and even had better years if not for COVID-19. Once the pandemic struck, fans started enjoying the comfort of streaming services, which have since given cinema a run for its money.  Let’s take a look at the 9 billion-dollar movies of 2019 with numbers referenced from Box Office Mojo.

Avengers: Endgame wasn’t just the culmination of Marvel’s Infinity Saga but a cultural moment. Building on over a decade of interconnected storytelling, the film united nearly every MCU character for an epic final battle. Audiences flooded theaters multiple times, with fan screenings, rewatches, and a limited re-release helping it become, briefly, the highest-grossing film of all time. It grossed in just 5 days, an unbeatable feat. From heartbreak to heroism, Endgame became a rare event film that defined a generation and closed out an era with massive commercial and emotional payoff.

Despite mixed reviews for its “photorealistic” style, The Lion King proved that nostalgia sells, and it sells big. A scene-for-scene remake of the 1994 animated classic, it featured an all-star voice cast including Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and James Earl Jones. While critics debated its creative value, audiences across generations appeared in droves. It earned globally, making it the highest-grossing remake ever and one of Disney’s most successful films of the decade.

Frozen II had the impossible task of following one of the most successful animated films of all time. Yet, it exceeded expectations with mature themes, new chart-topping songs like Into the Unknown, and deeper world-building. The sequel drew in both new audiences and families returning for another round of Arendelle magic. It earned, setting the record for the highest-grossing animated film in history, until 2024’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie challenged the crown.

As the first post-Endgame film, Spider-Man: Far From Home carried the emotional weight of Tony Stark’s death and explored Peter Parker’s evolution into a leader. International locations, light-hearted humor, and MCU stakes made it a crowd favorite. It became Sony’s first movie to cross , earning worldwide, and proved that Spider-Man could be both a solo hero and a connective thread in Marvel’s larger universe.

Released just before Endgame, Captain Marvel introduced Carol Danvers as the MCU’s most powerful hero. The 1990s setting, blockbuster soundtrack, and feminist themes brought in new fans while deepening Marvel’s lore. Its strong opening and global reception led to a total of showing that Marvel could succeed outside its core Avengers without male leads. It also marked the first solo female-led superhero film to join the billion-dollar club.

Fans wondered if Toy Story 3 should’ve been the end, but Toy Story 4 proved there was one more heartfelt tale to tell. With the introduction of Forky and Woody’s emotional goodbye to his past, the film struck a nostalgic and philosophical chord. Earning it became another Pixar triumph, ending one of the most beloved animated series critically and financially on a high note.

No one expected an R-rated, standalone origin film for a comic book villain to gross over but Joker did just that. Joaquin Phoenix’s haunting performance earned him an Oscar, and the film sparked global debate about violence, mental health, and society. Joker broke records with a modest budget to become the most profitable comic book film ever, finishing at worldwide without China’s release.

The finale to the Skywalker Saga came with high expectations and divided fan reactions. While critics weren’t entirely sold on the pacing and plot twists, global fans still turned out in massive numbers. The Rise of Skywalker wrapped up four decades of storytelling and grossed closing the sequel trilogy with a strong, albeit controversial, commercial result.

Another Disney remake that defied critical expectations, Aladdin featured energetic choreography, lavish sets, and Will Smith’s reinvention of the Genie. It became a family favorite in several key markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East. With earned globally, it quietly became one of Disney’s most commercially successful live-action updates, even if it didn’t get much awards buzz.

Note: Box office numbers are based on estimates and various sources. Numbers have not been independently verified by Koimoi.

Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office stories & updates!

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