It wasn't the greatest summer for Hollywood, but it could have been worse. <strong>"22 Jump Street"</strong> proved that sequels didn't have to be the same old-same old -- mainly by making fun of the fact that it was, indeed, the same old-same old. The Jonah Hill-Channing Tatum vehicle earned $190 million (on a $50 million budget).
Summer box office winners and losers —
It wasn't the greatest summer for Hollywood, but it could have been worse. "22 Jump Street" proved that sequels didn't have to be the same old-same old -- mainly by making fun of the fact that it was, indeed, the same old-same old. The Jonah Hill-Channing Tatum vehicle earned $190 million (on a $50 million budget).
Columbia Pictures
<strong>"Guardians of the Galaxy"</strong> was the summer's top hit. It has made north of $250 million and has been beloved by critics as well, with a RottenTomatoes.com approval rating of 92%. With winter's "Lego Movie" also to his credit, star Chris Pratt, pictured, has emerged as 2014's top new star.
Summer box office winners and losers —
"Guardians of the Galaxy" was the summer's top hit. It has made north of $250 million and has been beloved by critics as well, with a RottenTomatoes.com approval rating of 92%. With winter's "Lego Movie" also to his credit, star Chris Pratt, pictured, has emerged as 2014's top new star.
Marvel Studios
<strong>"Transformers: Age of Extinction"</strong> was scorched by critics -- 18% on the Tomatometer -- and had the poorest domestic showing ($244 million) of any "Transformers" film. But director Michael Bay is still laughing all the way to the bank: The film has made $821 million overseas and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F07%2F08%2Fshowbiz%2Fmovies%2Ftransformers-china-box-office-ew%2F">set a record in China</a>.
Summer box office winners and losers —
"Transformers: Age of Extinction" was scorched by critics -- 18% on the Tomatometer -- and had the poorest domestic showing ($244 million) of any "Transformers" film. But director Michael Bay is still laughing all the way to the bank: The film has made $821 million overseas and set a record in China.
Paramount Pictures
Star vehicles were a tough sell this summer, but Angelina Jolie's <strong>"Maleficent,"</strong> despite middling reviews, emerged as a solid hit, with $238 million domestically.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Star vehicles were a tough sell this summer, but Angelina Jolie's "Maleficent," despite middling reviews, emerged as a solid hit, with $238 million domestically.
Walt Disney Pictures
Young adult adaptations continued their hot streak, with<strong> "The Fault in Our Stars,"</strong> based on the popular novel, making $124 million. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were praised for their performances; the film rates 80% on the Tomatometer.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Young adult adaptations continued their hot streak, with "The Fault in Our Stars," based on the popular novel, making $124 million. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were praised for their performances; the film rates 80% on the Tomatometer.
Copyright © 20th Century Fox
Perhaps the year's most talked-about film is <strong>"Boyhood,"</strong> Richard Linklater's story of a boy (Ellar Coltrane, right, with Lorelai Linklater and Ethan Hawke) growing up. It was filmed over the course of 12 years, so Coltrane really did grow up during production. The film has 99% critical approval and has made $16 million at the box office on a tiny budget. It has been touted as an Oscar hopeful.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Perhaps the year's most talked-about film is "Boyhood," Richard Linklater's story of a boy (Ellar Coltrane, right, with Lorelai Linklater and Ethan Hawke) growing up. It was filmed over the course of 12 years, so Coltrane really did grow up during production. The film has 99% critical approval and has made $16 million at the box office on a tiny budget. It has been touted as an Oscar hopeful.
IFC Films
Despite solid reviews -- 90% approval at Rotten Tomatoes -- Tom Cruise's<strong> "Edge of Tomorrow" </strong>flopped domestically, with barely a $100 million gross on a $178 million budget. Overseas, Cruise fared better; the film has made $264 million outside the United States.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Despite solid reviews -- 90% approval at Rotten Tomatoes -- Tom Cruise's "Edge of Tomorrow" flopped domestically, with barely a $100 million gross on a $178 million budget. Overseas, Cruise fared better; the film has made $264 million outside the United States.
Warner Bros.
Moviegoers gave thumbs down to <strong>"Hercules,"</strong> a sword-and-sandals film based on the Greek myth (and a Steve Moore comic). It made $70 million, despite the presence of star Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson and director Brett Ratner.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Moviegoers gave thumbs down to "Hercules," a sword-and-sandals film based on the Greek myth (and a Steve Moore comic). It made $70 million, despite the presence of star Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson and director Brett Ratner.
Kerry Brown/MGM/Paramount
Director Clint Eastwood's <strong>"Jersey Boys" </strong>must have seemed like a sure-fire project, with its roots in both a hit Broadway musical and the songs of the Four Seasons. But the film, starring, from left, Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, John Lloyd Young and Michael Lomenda, got mediocre reviews and made just $47 million.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Director Clint Eastwood's "Jersey Boys" must have seemed like a sure-fire project, with its roots in both a hit Broadway musical and the songs of the Four Seasons. But the film, starring, from left, Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, John Lloyd Young and Michael Lomenda, got mediocre reviews and made just $47 million.
Keith Bernstein/Warner Bros. Pictures
Two years ago, Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" was a huge hit, making $218 million domestically and more than double that overall. But <strong>"A Million Ways to Die in the West,"</strong> directed, written by and starring MacFarlane, right, flopped, making just $43 million and scoring a dismal 33% on the Tomatometer.
Summer box office winners and losers —
Two years ago, Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" was a huge hit, making $218 million domestically and more than double that overall. But "A Million Ways to Die in the West," directed, written by and starring MacFarlane, right, flopped, making just $43 million and scoring a dismal 33% on the Tomatometer.
Universal Pictures
The sizzling performance of Chadwick Boseman, center, as James Brown wasn't enough to make <strong>"Get on Up" </strong>into a hit. It's grossed $29 million on a $30 million budget.
Summer box office winners and losers —
The sizzling performance of Chadwick Boseman, center, as James Brown wasn't enough to make "Get on Up" into a hit. It's grossed $29 million on a $30 million budget.
Universal Pictures
The third time wasn't even close to the charm for <strong>"The Expendables 3," </strong>which rounded up its all-star action cast and grossed less than $30 million. (It has done even worse overseas.)
Summer box office winners and losers —
The third time wasn't even close to the charm for "The Expendables 3," which rounded up its all-star action cast and grossed less than $30 million. (It has done even worse overseas.)
Phil Bray/Lionsgate
The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rottentomatoes.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fadam_sandler%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">critics usually hate</a> Adam Sandler movies. Audiences, however, love them. Not so with <strong>"Blended,"</strong> which made $46 million on a $40 million budget. However, overseas it has made $77 million, so if there's a "Blended 2," you'll know who it's for.
Summer box office winners and losers —
The critics usually hate Adam Sandler movies. Audiences, however, love them. Not so with "Blended," which made $46 million on a $40 million budget. However, overseas it has made $77 million, so if there's a "Blended 2," you'll know who it's for.
Warner Bros.