Most Popular Movies 2020
This chart shows the 2020 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 2020 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2020 - Top 2020 Worldwide
← 2019 | Most Popular Overall | 2021 → |
Tenet |
Director: Christopher Nolan |
Lead Roles: John David Washington as “The Protagonist”, Robert Pattinson as Neil, Elizabeth Debicki as Kat, Michael Caine as Crosby, Kenneth Branagh as Sator |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 26, 2020 (Wide) by Warner Bros. (United Kingdom) |
Keywords: IMAX: DMR, Time Travel, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Terrorism, Tortured for Information, Unnamed Character, C.I.A., Rescue, Surprise Twist, Action Thriller, False Identity |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $58,504,105 |
International BO: $301,014,361 |
Synopsis
Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time. Not time travel. Inversion.
Play |
Director: Anthony Marciano |
Initial Theatrical Release: January 3, 2020 (Wide) (France) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Romantic Comedy, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
International BO: $1,899,658 |
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」 無限列車編) |
Director: Haruo Sotozaki |
Initial Theatrical Release: October 16, 2020 (Wide), released as Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-Hen (Japan) |
Keywords: 2D Digitally Animated Films, Dysfunctional Family, Possessed, Action Adventure, Demons, Anime |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Adventure, Digital Animation, Fantasy |
Domestic BO: $49,888,502 |
International BO: $457,230,556 |
Synopsis
A youth begins a quest to fight demons and save his sister after finding his family slaughtered and his sister turned into a demon.
Soul |
Director: Pete Docter |
Lead Roles: Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner, Tina Fey as 22, Graham Norton as Moonwind |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 20, 2020 (Canceled) by Walt Disney |
Keywords: Family Adventure, Musicians, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $946,154 |
International BO: $119,077,038 |
Synopsis
Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz — and he’s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.
Enola Holmes |
Director: Harry Bradbeer |
Lead Roles: Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, Sam Claflin, Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes, Helena Bonham Carter |
Video Release Date: September 23, 2020 by Netflix |
Keywords: 1880s, Set in England |
Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
Synopsis
While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord.
Mulan |
Director: Niki Caro |
Lead Roles: Liu Yifei as Hua Mulan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Gong Li as Witch, Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan, Jet Li as Chinese Emperor, Yoson An as Chen Honghui |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 23, 2020 (Canceled) by Walt Disney (Australia) |
Keywords: IMAX: DMR, Live Action Cartoon, Ancient China, War, Cross-Dressing, Romance, Witches, Shapeshifter, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Revenge |
Classification: Remake, Adventure, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
International BO: $69,973,540 |
Synopsis
A fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.
Funhouse |
Director: Jason William Lee |
Lead Roles: Valter Skarsgard, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Khamisa Wilsher |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 13, 2020 (Wide), released as ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТ «ЗА СТЕКЛОМ» (Russia (CIS)) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $507 |
International BO: $110,064 |
Synopsis
Down and out backup singer and celebrity ex-husband Kasper is invited to compete in the Funhouse, an online ‘Big Brother’ style reality show. To rebrand his image and tarnished reputation, Kasper reluctantly accepts the offer. Together with 7 other C-list celebrities from around the globe he will compete for the price of 5 million dollars. At first, the Funhouse is just as the name suggests, full of wild times, budding friendships, love connections and brewing rivalries. To everyone's surprise, the fun quickly turns into misery when the first challenge leaves one of the contestants brutally murdered.
Saint Maud |
Director: Rose Glass |
Lead Roles: Morfydd Clark as Maud, Jennifer Ehle as Amanda |
Initial Theatrical Release: October 1, 2020 (Wide) (New Zealand) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
International BO: $1,640,824 |
Synopsis
Maud, a newly devout hospice nurse, becomes obsessed with saving her dying patient’s soul — but sinister forces, and her own sinful past, threaten to put an end to her holy calling.
The Last Full Measure |
Director: Todd Robinson |
Lead Roles: Sebastian Stan as Scott Huffman, Christopher Plummer as Frank Pitsenbarger, William Hurt as Tully, Ed Harris as Ray Mott, Samuel L. Jackson as Takoda, Peter Fonda as Jimmy Burr, Jeremy Irvine as William Pitsenbarger |
Initial Theatrical Release: January 24, 2020 (Wide) by Roadside Attractions |
Keywords: War, Vietnam War, Search and Rescue, 1960s, War Drama, Rescue |
Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
Domestic BO: $2,949,212 |
International BO: $371,899 |
Synopsis
The true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen medic. During a mission on April 11, 1966, he was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone, but he stayed behind to save and defend the lives of his fellow soldiers, before making the ultimate sacrifice in the bloodiest battle of the war. Thirty-two years later, respected Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman is tasked with investigating a Congressional Medal of Honor request for Pitsenbarger. But as Huffman learns more about Pitsenbarger’s courageous acts, he uncovers a high-level conspiracy behind the decades-long denial of the medal, prompting him to put his own career on the line to seek justice for the fallen airman.
The Empty Man |
Director: David Prior |
Lead Roles: James Badge Dale as James Lasombra |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 7, 2020 (Wide) by Walt Disney (United Kingdom) |
Keywords: Supernatural, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Missing Person, Death of a Son or Daughter, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Supernatural Horror, Car Accident, Prologue, 1990s, Police Detective, Cults |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $2,995,698 |
International BO: $973,982 |
Synopsis
On the trail of a missing girl, an ex-cop comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity.
The Comeback Trail |
Director: George Gallo |
Lead Roles: Robert De Niro as Max Barber, Tommy Lee Jones as Duke Montana, Morgan Freeman as Reggie Fontaine |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 12, 2020 (Limited) (Australia) |
Classification: Based on Movie, Action, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
International BO: $2,736,770 |
Synopsis
Two movie producers who owe money to the mob set up their aging movie star for an insurance scam to try and save themselves. But they wind up getting more than they ever imagined.
Home |
Director: Franka Potente |
Lead Roles: Jake McLaughlin as Marvin Hacks |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Synopsis
Marvin Hacks is skateboarding home after more than 17 years in prison in the same Adidas tracksuit he was wearing when he was arrested as a teenager. He quickly finds out that, even after two decades, his small hometown has not forgotten the atrocity he committed, but Marvin is prepared to accept the repercussions of his past, whatever the cost…
The Call |
Director: Timothy Woodward, Jr |
Lead Roles: Lin Shaye as Edith Cranston, Tobin Bell as Edward Cranston, Chester Rushing as Chris |
Initial Theatrical Release: October 2, 2020 (Limited) by Atlas Distribution |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $516,520 |
International BO: $947,352 |
Synopsis
After an attempted murder of an old woman suspected to be a witch, four friends sign a contract to meet up five years after her death to call a phone she installed in her casket; to their horror, someone on the other end picks up and gives them hell to pay.
Lyod 2 |
Director: Zhora Kryzhovnikov |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 13, 2020 (Wide), released as Лёд 2 (Russia (CIS)) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
International BO: $24,599,113 |
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom |
Director: Pawo Choyning Dorji |
Lead Roles: Sherab Dorji as Ugyen |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 30, 2020 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
International BO: $1,173,844 |
Miss Marx |
Director: Susanna Nicchiarelli |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 17, 2020 (Wide) (Italy) |
Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
International BO: $624,027 |
Gather |
Director: Sanjay Rawal |
Video Release Date: September 8, 2020 by Monument Releasing |
Classification: Based on Real Life Events, Documentary, Live Action, Factual |
Synopsis
An Indigenous chef embarks on a ambitious project to reclaim ancient food ways on the Apache Reservation; in South Dakota a gifted Lakota high school student raised on a buffalo ranch is proving her tribe’s Native wisdom through her passion for science; and a group of young men of the Yurok tribe in Northern California are struggling to keep their culture alive and rehabilitate the habitat of their sacred salmon. All these stories combine to show how the reclaiming and recovery of ancient food ways is a way forward for Native Americans to bring back health and vitality to their people.
Onward |
Director: Dan Scanlan |
Lead Roles: Chris Pratt as Barley Lightfoot, Tom Holland as Ian Lightfoot, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Laurel Lightfoot, Octavia Spencer as Corey, Lena Waithe as Specter, Ali Wong as Gore, Mel Rodriguez as Colt Bronco |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 28, 2020 (Wide), released as Frčíme (Czech Republic) |
Keywords: 3-D, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, IMAX: DMR, Road Trip, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Family Bonding, Urban Fantasy, Family Adventure, Dysfunctional Family |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $61,555,145 |
International BO: $71,802,456 |
Synopsis
Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
Kajillionaire |
Director: Miranda July |
Lead Roles: Evan Rachel Wood as Old Dolio, Debra Winger as Theresa, Gina Rodriguez as Melanie, Richard Jenkins as Robert |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 25, 2020 (Limited) by Focus Features |
Keywords: Sundance Film Festival 2020, Comedy Drama, Crime, Crime Caper |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $531,430 |
International BO: $1,083,741 |
Synopsis
Low-stakes grifters, Old Dolio and her parents invite a chipper young woman into their insular clan, only to have their entire world turned upside down.
Possessor |
Director: Brandon Cronenberg |
Lead Roles: Christopher Abbott as Colin Tate, Andrea Riseborough as Tasya Vos |
Initial Theatrical Release: October 2, 2020 (Limited) by Neon |
Keywords: Sundance Film Festival 2020, Psychological Thriller, Hitmen, Dystopia, Dysfunctional Family, Inheritance, Corporate Malfeasance, Mind Control |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $752,885 |
International BO: $161,522 |
Synopsis
Vos is a corporate agent who uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies, driving them to commit assassinations for the benefit of the company. When something goes wrong on a routine job, she finds herself trapped inside a man whose identity threatens to obliterate her own.
Law |
Director: Raghu Samarth |
Lead Roles: Ragini Prajwal |
Video Release Date: June 26, 2020 by Self Distributed |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
The War with Grandpa |
Director: Tim Hill |
Lead Roles: Robert De Niro as Ed, Oakes Fegley as Peter |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 28, 2020 (Wide), released as Karas su seneliu (Lithuania) |
Keywords: Dysfunctional Family, Generational Conflict, Delayed Release, Development Hell, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Family Comedy, Family Movie |
Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Comedy, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $21,277,892 |
International BO: $25,541,177 |
Synopsis
Peter and his Grandpa Jack used to be very close but when Grandpa Jack moves in with the family, Peter is forced to give up his most prized possession: his bedroom. Peter will stop at nothing to get his room back, scheming with friends to devise a series of pranks to drive him out. But Grandpa doesn’t give up easily, and it turns into an all-out war between the two.
The New Mutants |
Director: Josh Boone |
Lead Roles: Anya Taylor-Joy as Illyana Rasputina/Magik, Maisie Williams as Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane, Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie / Cannonball, Henry Zaga as Roberto da Costa / Sunspot, Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar / Mirage |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 26, 2020 (Wide), released as Nowi mutanci (Poland) |
Keywords: Marvel Comics, The Past Catching up with You, Survival Horror, Mutants, Medical Crimes, 2010s, Delayed Release, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Development Hell |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Horror, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $23,855,569 |
International BO: $20,752,678 |
Synopsis
Five young people demonstrate special powers are brought to a secret institution to undergo treatments they are told will cure them of the dangers of their powers. Included are Danielle Moonstar aka Mirage, who creates illusions from other people’s fears; Rahne Sinclair, who transforms into the werewolf Wolfsbane; Sam Guthrie, who, as Cannonball, can fly at jet speeds protected by a force field; Roberto da Costa aka Sunspot, who absorbs and channels solar power; and Illyana Rasputin aka Magik. The younger sister of Colossus, Magik becomes encased in armor at will and wields a soulsword that amplifies her multiple superhuman and psychic abilities. Invited by Dr. Cecilia Reyes to share their stories about when their powers first manifested, the five “patients” come to understand that they are in a class of people called mutants, who have historically been marginalized and feared. As they relive their origin stories, their memories seem to turn into terrifying realities. Soon, they question what is real and what isn’t, and it becomes clear that the institution isn’t what it seems. Now the question is — why are they being held captive? And who is trying to destroy them?
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) |
Director: Cathy Yan |
Lead Roles: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli/Huntress, Jurnee Smollett as Dinah Lance/Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Ali Wong as Ellen Yee, Ewan McGregor as Roman Sionis |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 5, 2020 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Keywords: 3-D, IMAX: DMR, F-Rated, Relationships Gone Wrong, Enemies Forced to Work Together, Ensemble, LGBTQ+, D.C. Comics |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $84,158,461 |
International BO: $116,847,091 |
Synopsis
When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley Quinn, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You |
Director: Paul Dugdale |
Video Release Date: December 21, 2020 by Netflix |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Concert/Performance, Live Action, Factual |