Most Popular Movies 2008
This chart shows the 2008 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 2008 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2008 - Top 2008 Worldwide
← 2007 | Most Popular Overall | 2009 → |
Domestic BO: $534,235,491 |
International BO: $465,004,537 |
Iron Man |
Director: Jon Favreau |
Lead Roles: Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Terrence Howard as Rhodey, Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane, Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia "Pepper" Potts |
Initial Theatrical Release: May 2, 2008 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
Keywords: Marvel Comics, Corporate Malfeasance, Surprise Twist, Kidnap, Terrorism, Afghanistan War, Scene in End Credits, Arms Dealer, Inventor, Voiceover/Narration, Non-Chronological, Intertitle, Gratuitous Cameos, Origin Story, Motion Capture Performance, IMAX: DMR, Heroic Adventure |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Adventure, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $318,604,126 |
International BO: $266,567,421 |
Synopsis
Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull |
Director: Steven Spielberg |
Lead Roles: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko, Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, Ray Winstone as George "Mac" McHale, Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams |
Initial Theatrical Release: May 22, 2008 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
Keywords: Treasure Hunters, Delayed Sequel, Archaeology, Sequels With Returning Stars, Surprise Twist, Dysfunctional Family, Cold War, Double Agent, Psychics, Friendly Alien on Earth, Character's Journey Shown on Map, Mental Illness, Dead Language, Chase Adventure |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
Domestic BO: $317,101,119 |
International BO: $469,534,294 |
Synopsis
It’s the height of the Cold War, and famous archaeologist Indiana Jones, returning from his latest adventure, finds out his job at Marshall College is in jeopardy. He meets Mutt, a young man who wants Indy to help him find the legendary Crystal Skull of Akator, and the pair set out for Peru. However, deadly agent Irina Spalko is searching for the powerful artifact, too, because the Soviets believe it can help them conquer the world.
Kung Fu Panda |
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson |
Lead Roles: Jack Black as Po |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 6, 2008 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
Keywords: Animal Lead, Talking Animals, Martial Arts, Prison Break, IMAX: DMR, Training Montage, Family Adventure |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $215,434,591 |
International BO: $416,475,940 |
Tropic Thunder |
Director: Ben Stiller |
Lead Roles: Ben Stiller as Speedman, Jack Black as Jeff 'Fats' Portnoy, Robert Downey, Jr. as Kirk Lazarus |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 13, 2008 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures |
Keywords: Movie Business, War, Gratuitous Cameos, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy, LGBTQ+, Coming Out, Singers, Comeback |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $110,515,313 |
International BO: $80,629,943 |
WALL-E |
Director: Andrew Stanton |
Lead Roles: Ben Burtt as WALL-E/M-O |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 27, 2008 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
Keywords: Robot, Family Movie, Family Adventure, Set in Outer Space, Artificial Intelligence, Romance, Environment |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $223,808,164 |
International BO: $308,699,861 |
Synopsis
WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he's more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE, a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy.
Mamma Mia! |
Director: Phyllida Lloyd |
Lead Roles: Meryl Streep as Donna, Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Austin, Julie Walters as Rosie, Dominic Cooper as Sky, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Christine Baranski as Tanya |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 2, 2008 (Wide) (Netherlands) |
Keywords: Unexpected Families, Jukebox Musical, Wedding Day, Dysfunctional Family, Relationships Gone Wrong |
Classification: Based on Musical or Opera, Musical, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $144,540,088 |
International BO: $441,725,109 |
Synopsis
Donna, an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.
Role Models |
Director: David Wain |
Lead Roles: Seann William Scott as Wheeler, Paul Rudd as Danny, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Augie |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 7, 2008 (Wide) by Universal |
Keywords: Bad Role Models, LARP, Buddy Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $67,300,955 |
International BO: $27,199,871 |
Rambo |
Director: Sylvester Stallone |
Lead Roles: Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo |
Initial Theatrical Release: January 25, 2008 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
Keywords: Delayed Sequel |
Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $42,754,105 |
International BO: $70,490,185 |
Stargate - Continuum |
Lead Roles: Ben Browder as Colonel Cameron Mitchell / Captain of the Achilles, Amanda Tapping as Colonel Samantha Carter, Christopher Judge as Teal'c |
Video Release Date: July 29, 2008 by MGM Video |
Keywords: Direct-to-Video |
Classification: Based on TV, Action, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
Burn After Reading |
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen |
Lead Roles: George Clooney as Harry Pfarrer, Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke, John Malkovich as Osbourne Cox, Tilda Swinton as Katie Cox, Brad Pitt as Chad Feldheimer |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 12, 2008 (Wide) by Focus Features |
Keywords: Secret Agent, Black Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Black Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $60,355,347 |
International BO: $107,812,451 |
Synopsis
When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of Linda Litzke and Chad Feldheimer, the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.
Pineapple Express |
Director: David Gordon Green |
Lead Roles: Seth Rogen as Dale Denton, James Franco as Saul Silver, Danny McBride as Red |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 6, 2008 (Wide) by Sony Pictures, released as The Pineapple Express |
Keywords: Organized Crime, Corrupt Cops, Judd Apatow Buddy Comedy, Stoner Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $87,341,380 |
International BO: $15,062,639 |
Vicky Cristina Barcelona |
Director: Woody Allen |
Lead Roles: Javier Bardem as Juan Antonio, Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena, Scarlett Johansson as Cristina |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 15, 2008 (Wide) by MGM |
Keywords: Relationships Gone Wrong, Comedy Drama, Romance, Love Triangle |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $23,216,709 |
International BO: $81,288,108 |
Synopsis
Vicky and Cristina, these two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist and his beautiful but insane ex-wife. Vicky is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, both comedic and harrowing results ensue.
Changeling |
Director: Clint Eastwood |
Lead Roles: Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins |
Initial Theatrical Release: October 24, 2008 (Limited) by Universal |
Keywords: Crime Thriller, 1920s, Set in Los Angeles, Missing Child, LAPD, Corrupt Cops, False Identity, Falsely Accused, Mental Hospital, Media Circus, Serial Killer, 1930s, Epilogue |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $35,739,802 |
International BO: $78,065,778 |
Baghead |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 13, 2008 (Limited) by Sony Pictures Classics |
Keywords: Mumblecore, 2008 Sundance Film Festival |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $140,016 |
One Missed Call |
Director: Eric Valette |
Lead Roles: Shannyn Sossamon as Beth Raymond, Edward Burns as Jack Andrews |
Initial Theatrical Release: January 4, 2008 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
Keywords: Supernatural, Supernatural Horror, Remake, Foreign-Language Remake |
Classification: Remake, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $26,890,041 |
International BO: $17,623,425 |
Synopsis
What will it sound like when you die? A chain of people receive terrifying cell phone messages of their own final, fatal moments. Though the messages can be deleted, their number is up. Beth Raymond is traumatized when she witnesses the gruesome deaths of two friends just days apart. Even more disturbing, she knows that both of them had received chilling cell phone messages; —actual recordings of their own horrifying last moments. Impossibly, the calls were received days before they died, but each death occurred precisely when and how the messages foretold. The police think Beth is delusional—except for Detective Jack Andrews, whose own sister was killed in a freak accident that bears a strange similarity to the deaths of Beth’s friends. Together, Jack and Beth work feverishly to unravel the mystery behind the ominous calls. But even as they get closer to the truth, Beth’s cell phone begins to ring with an eerie tune, and the readout says One Missed Call….
Barbie and the Diamond Castle |
Video Release Date: September 9, 2008 by Universal Home Entertainment |
Keywords: Direct-to-Video |
Classification: Kids Fiction |
The X-Files: I Want to Believe |
Director: Chris Carter |
Lead Roles: David Duchovny as Special Agent Fox Mulder, Gillian Anderson as Special Agent Dana Scully |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 25, 2008 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
Keywords: Action Horror, Supernatural, FBI, Priest, Kidnap, Child Abuse, Sex Crimes, Scene in End Credits, Human Experimentation |
Classification: Based on TV, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $20,982,478 |
International BO: $47,188,314 |
The Happening |
Director: M. Night Shyamalan |
Lead Roles: Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore, Zooey Deschanel as Alma Moore |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 13, 2008 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
Keywords: End of the World, Survival Thriller, Teachers, Set in New York City, Epilogue, Environment, Suicide |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $64,506,874 |
International BO: $98,271,510 |
Synopsis
An apocalyptic threat to humanity arrives out of the clear blue sky with a series of violent, inexplicable deaths spreading across the country. The cause of the terrifying phenomenon remains unknown, prompting science teacher Elliot Moore, his wife Alma and his colleague Julian to try to elude the invisible killer in Pennsylvania’s farmland. Soon it becomes clear that no one is safe.
White Noise 2: The Light |
Video Release Date: January 8, 2008 by Universal Home Entertainment |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Fantasy |
International BO: $8,243,567 |
Synopsis
White Noise 2 takes EVP, the phenomena that captivated audiences in the original movie, to the next level with Near Death Experience (NDE): eight out of ten people who have had an NDE report seeing the white light. As Abe Dale will discover, once you have seen the white light, there is no turning back... - Gold Circle Films
You Don't Mess With the Zohan |
Director: Dennis Dugan |
Lead Roles: Adam Sandler as Zohan |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 6, 2008 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
Keywords: Secret Agent, Beauty Industry, Mistaken Identity, Judd Apatow Buddy Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $100,018,837 |
International BO: $102,892,154 |
Step Brothers |
Director: Adam McKay |
Lead Roles: Will Ferrell as Brennan Huff, John C. Reilly as Dale Doback |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 25, 2008 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
Keywords: Unexpected Families, Dysfunctional Family, Delayed Adulthood, Judd Apatow Buddy Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $100,468,793 |
International BO: $27,638,849 |
Mirrors |
Director: Alexandre Aja |
Lead Roles: Kiefer Sutherland as Ben Carson |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 15, 2008 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
Keywords: Haunting, Foreign-Language Remake, Supernatural, Supernatural Horror |
Classification: Remake, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $30,691,439 |
International BO: $46,529,157 |
Synopsis
In a bid to pull his shattered life back together, troubled ex-cop Ben Carson takes a job as a security guard at the burned out ruins of a once-prosperous department store. As Ben patrols the charred hallways, he begins to see horrifying images in the ornate mirrors that still adorn the walls. Ben soon realizes that a malevolent force is using the mirrors to gain entrance into this world, threatening the lives of his wife and children.
Taken |
Director: Pierre Morel |
Lead Roles: Liam Neeson as Bryan, Maggie Grace as Kim |
Initial Theatrical Release: April 9, 2008 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $145,000,989 |
International BO: $81,940,596 |
Transporter 3 |
Director: Camille Delamarre |
Lead Roles: Jason Statham as Frank Martin, Natalya Rudakova as Valentina Tomilenko |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 26, 2008 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
Keywords: Action Thriller, Corporate Malfeasance, Kidnap, Ransom, Romance |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $31,715,062 |
International BO: $81,215,895 |
Synopsis
Mob courier Frank Martin’s latest assignment pairs him with Valentina, the cynical daughter of a Ukrainian official. While her father ponders what to do with three boatloads of toxic waste, Frank must guard the problematic woman and prevent her from wandering too far from his vehicle, or risk triggering the explosive shackles they both wear.