8 Highest-Grossing British Films of All-Time
Hollywood and China still lead the draw, but the British cinema industry is no slouch, either. Just a couple of years ago, the United Kingdom box office market ranked 4th in revenue, trailing China, United States, Canada, and Japan.
Moreover, there are tons of British-produced films that gained worldwide fame. The celebrated James Bond franchise immediately comes to mind, but UK cinema is much more than the iconic, peerless spy.
If you’re looking for a movie to watch this weekend, just pick one from this list of highest-grossing British films of all time.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II (2011) – $1.34 billion
Many kids have grown through the whole Harry Potter series, and it finally ended with a bang in 2011. The Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows wasn’t the end of Hogwarts as we know though; five years later the Harry Potter spin-off prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was released worldwide.
2. Skyfall (2012) – $1.12 billion
Skyfall may have had its pitfalls, but its massive revenue is a classic example of the weight of a branded name. Skyfall, which was the third Bond movie that Daniel Craig starred in, opened with ₤20.1 million on its first day at the UK box office alone.
3. Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – $974 million
Known as the topmost-grossing movie in 2021, The Philosopher’s Stone started the Harry Potter movie franchise in such great fashion. Moviegoers were left wanting for more, and the wizardry world didn’t disappoint with seven more fantastic movies.
4. Spectre (2015) – $880.7 million
A massive $200 million was spent on producing Spectre, which was Craig’s fourth movie in the Bond series. Spectre didn’t break any ground though, as it was way below the box office performance of Skyfall.
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) – $879.8 million
The second iteration of the Harry Potter saga was a huge success too. It was the second-highest-grossing film in the year 2022, just trailing the top-ranked The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The Chamber of Secrets also proved to everyone that the first HP movie wasn’t a fluke.
6. No Time To Die (2021) – $708 million
Sold under the impression that it will be Craig’s last act in the Bond series, many people flocked to see No Time To Die. It was the longest film under the Bond franchise, but it surely met the hype that it garnered pre-screening.
7. Casino Royale (2006) – $616 million
With the Bond franchise underperforming in previous years, they decided to bring in a new, fresher face to spice things up. Before the landing the coveted James Bond role, Craig was prominent for his roles in Road To Pertition, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Layer Cake, and Elizabeth.
8. Mamma Mia (2008) – $611.3 million
Powered by an influential cast led by Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, and Colin Firth, Mamma Mia didn’t disappoint at the box office. It is still one of the best jukebox musical movies of all time.
Movie Marketing as a Driving Factor in Box Office Success
Marketing plays a huge role in the success of these movies. Star Wars: The Force Awakens spent north of $350 million in their marketing efforts, and it was all worth it considering the massive profits they raked in.
If you’re an independent filmmaker or aspiring content creator, partnering with marketing experts like Gruvi is always a step forward. This way, you can focus on creating engaging content while these marketing experts work in the background to promote your brand.