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2. Toy Story 3 To be honest, I was never a big fan of the first two Toy Story movies. Both seemed childish to me (perhaps it didn’t help that I saw them as a teenager, when they were released) and by the time the third movie rolled around, I was skeptical and could not remember the difference between the first two.

But Toy Story 3 managed to touch the hearts of millions, including this numbed film buff, with its touching story about growing up and the relationship one has to one’s past/childhood through objects that mattered to it, such as toys. Disney/Pixar really outdid themselves with this one, and were rewarded for their efforts with one of only three Best Picture nominations to ever go to an animated film.

Moreover, Toy Story 3 holds the second-highest animated opening weekend of all time, behind only Shrek the Third. Debuting at a record $110 million in 2010, Toy Story 3 currently sits at #21 on the list, but is undoubtedly one of the best movies amongst all 50 listed there. If it weren’t for the unarguable best, it may have made it to number one. Alas, that honor clearly belongs to…

1. The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan’s second of three visions of the Batman universe is considered by many one of the best superhero movies of all time, and I have to agree. When it opened in 2008 at a stunning $158 million, it became only the second movie to cross that $150 threshold (Spider-Man 3 had done it the previous year). It also became the closest movie to threaten Titanic’s then 11-year old stranglehold on the all-time box office crown, reaching $533 million, somewhat shy of the now-surpassed record of just north of $600.

The Dark Knight caused ripples outside of the world of box office junkies, too. Its perceived snub for a Best Picture Oscar caused such a backlash in the film world that we are still living with the consequences today. The Academy’s decision to expand the Best Picture film beyond the five is arguably a result of The Dark Knight’s failure to make the cut.

Beyond these statistical quirks, it is clear that The Dark Knight is a masterpiece among the crowd-pleasing movies of our times. Perhaps it is Nolan’s dark but flawless vision, or Heath Ledger’s timeless, masterful performance, or the tight script and dazzling visual effects. Perhaps it is the questions that it raises and pushes the envelope on regarding the selfishness and brutal nature of humanity. Perhaps it is that it is simply a fun, entertaining movie that doesn’t miss a beat or contain a false note. Regardless of what theory you accept, it is clear that The Dark Knight will live among movie lore long after it’s been pushed out of the top 50 opening weekends (which will, hopefully, be many years from now, as it currently sits at #5.

Will the (anticipated?) Ben Affleck remake - now announced as a Justice League sequel with Superman - make this kinds of money? I guess we shall soon find out.

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