Determining the most profitable movies of 2024 requires

looking at both box office earnings and production budgets, as profitability is the difference between revenue and cost. Based on available data here’s an analysis of some of the standout films from 2024. Note that exact profitability can shift as final figures settle and additional revenue streams (like streaming or home media) emerge, but I’ll focus on theatrical performance and reported budgets.

1. Inside Out 2 . Worldwide Box Office: about $1.7 billion. Estimated Budget: $200 million. Profit Estimate: Roughly $1.5 billion (before marketing and revenue splits). Pixar’s sequel dominated 2024, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. With a budget typical for high-end animation, its massive haul—driven by family audiences and strong international performance — makes it a top contender for profitability.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine. Worldwide Box Office: about $1.34 billion. Estimated Budget: $200 million. Profit Estimate: Around $1.14 billion (pre-split). This R-rated superhero flick leveraged the MCU’s hype and Ryan Reynolds’ star power. Its budget, while substantial, was dwarfed by its earnings, marking it as a highly profitable venture for Disney/Marvel.
3. Terrifier 3. Worldwide Box Office: about $81 million. Estimated Budget: $2 million. Profit Estimate: Approximately $79 million (pre-split). This indie horror film is a profitability titan on a percentage basis. With a minuscule budget, its niche appeal and viral buzz delivered a return over 40 times its cost, making it one of the year’s most efficient earners.
4. Despicable Me 4. Worldwide Box Office: about $969 million. Estimated Budget: $100 million. Profit Estimate: About $869 million (pre-split). Illumination’s reliable franchise kept costs low relative to its animated peers, and its near-billion-dollar gross ensured a massive profit margin.
5. Worldwide Box Office: about $641 million (still in theaters as of early 2025). Estimated Budget: $150 million. Profit Estimate: Around $491 million so far (pre-split). The musical adaptation’s strong legs at the box office suggest it’ll climb higher, but even now, its earnings far exceed its budget, bolstered by holiday season momentum.

Profit Calculation: These estimates subtract the budget from the gross box office, but actual profits are lower after theater splits (typically 50% domestically, less internationally) and marketing costs (often $50-100 million+). Studios still net hundreds of millions on big hits.

Small Budget Wins: Films like Terrifier 3 highlight how low-budget movies can achieve outsized profitability compared to blockbusters, even if their total earnings are smaller.

2024 Trends: Animation and franchise films dominated, reflecting audience preference for familiar existing creative works, characters etc.