Top-Grossing Films of 2017
According to the latest public box office data, Star Wars: The Last Jedi ranked among the highest-grossing films of the year, earning over $1.3 billion worldwide and placing it among the top titles in the global box office for 2017. The film was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Lucasfilm, with production led by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director Rian Johnson, and it opened in December 2017 across major markets including North America, China, and the United Kingdom. Another major performer was Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok, which grossed more than $850 million globally and was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in November 2017, directed by Taika Waititi and starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Cate Blanchett. Both films benefited from large international marketing campaigns and extensive merchandise programs, contributing to their strong cumulative totals across theatrical runs in dozens of countries. For additional context on studio financials and market share, see the latest SEC filings and investor reports from The Walt Disney Company, which detail segment revenue and studio entertainment performance. Access Disney's latest annual report and financial statements for details on studio revenue and film performance.
The third major performer was Warner Bros.' Wonder Woman, which earned more than $820 million worldwide after its June 2017 release and became one of the highest-grossing superhero films directed by a woman, with Patty Jenkins directing and Gal Gadot starring as Diana Prince. The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, and RatPac Entertainment, and its strong opening weekend set multiple records for a female-directed film at the time. Other notable high earners included Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which grossed over $863 million globally and was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in May 2017, directed by James Gunn and featuring an ensemble cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista. Combined, these titles represented a significant share of the 2017 global box office and highlighted the continued dominance of franchise films from major studios with extensive intellectual property portfolios.
Major Award Winners and Critical Recognition
At the 90th Academy Awards ceremony held in March 2018, several films from the 2017 theatrical window received major recognition, with The Shape of Water directed by Guillermo del Toro winning Best Picture and Best Director, and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox at the time. The film earned 13 nominations and won four Oscars, including Best Actress for Sally Hawkins and Best Production Design, and its box office total exceeded $195 million worldwide against a production budget reported at around $19.5 million. Another major winner was Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which took home Best Actress for Frances McDormand and Best Supporting Actor for Sam Rockwell, with Fox Searchlight Pictures distributing the film in the United States and Film4 and Blueprint Pictures among the production companies. These wins reflected the continued influence of specialty distributors and independent financing structures in the awards ecosystem, even as major studios dominated the overall box office. For more on studio financial structures and distribution strategies, see Forbes coverage of the film industry and box office trends. Read Forbes analysis of 20