The Top Ten Movies of 2014

2014 was a year packed with memorable films, from superhero epics to heartwarming dramas. To determine the best of the best, we’re taking a look at the films that resonated most with audiences and critics alike, ranking them based on their box office performance, critical acclaim, audience reception, and Rotten Tomatoes score.

10. Transformers: Age of Extinction

• Box Office: $1,104 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Mostly negative reviews, with critics criticizing the film’s CGI overload and lack of plot.
• Audience Reception: Mixed audience reactions, with a 59% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%

What Made it Special: Despite its divisive reviews, the fourth installment of the Transformers franchise continued to draw audiences with its action-packed spectacle.

9. The Fault in Our Stars

• Box Office: $307.2 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Mixed reviews, with some praising the film’s emotional impact while others found it overly sentimental.
• Audience Reception: Overwhelmingly positive, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

What Made it Special: This 2014 adaptation of the popular young adult novel explored themes of love, loss, and the importance of living life to the fullest, resonating with audiences on a deeply emotional level.

8. The Lego Movie

• Box Office: $469.2 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Overwhelmingly positive reviews, praised for its creativity, humor, and heart.
• Audience Reception: A 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

What Made it Special: This animated adventure, crafted entirely from Lego bricks, surprised audiences with its witty humour, heartfelt message, and catchy musical score.

7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

• Box Office: $755.3 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Mixed reviews, with some praising the film’s darker tone and political commentary, while others found it lacking in action.
• Audience Reception: Strong audience approval, with a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

What Made it Special: This 2014 installment of the Hunger Games saga continued to explore themes of rebellion and political oppression, solidifying its place as a popular young adult franchise.

6. Gone Girl

• Box Office: $369.3 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Highly acclaimed, with praise for the film’s sharp writing, suspenseful plot, and powerful performances.
• Audience Reception: A 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

What Made it Special: This psychological thriller, based on the best-selling novel, kept audiences on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns.

5. Big Hero 6

• Box Office: $657.8 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Positive reviews, praising the film’s animation, heartwarming story, and charming characters.
• Audience Reception: A 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

What Made it Special: This animated adventure from Disney, featuring a unique blend of sci-fi, action, and heart, won over audiences with its charming characters and compelling story.

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past

• Box Office: $747.9 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Positive reviews, praising the film’s ambitious scope, impressive visual effects, and compelling performances.
• Audience Reception: A strong 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

What Made it Special: This time-traveling adventure brought together the original X-Men cast with the newer generation, offering an epic and nostalgic experience for fans.

3. Guardians of the Galaxy

• Box Office: $773.3 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Overwhelmingly positive, praised for its humour, heart, and unique blend of genres.
• Audience Reception: Loved by fans, earning a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

What Made it Special: This 2014 space opera, with its quirky, misfit heroes and infectious soundtrack, took the world by storm. It proved that superhero films could be both entertaining and emotionally resonant, making it a critical and commercial success.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

• Box Office: $714.4 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Universally acclaimed, praised for its action sequences, political themes, and character development.
• Audience Reception: Enthusiastic audience approval, earning a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

What Made it Special: This superhero film went beyond just punching bad guys, tackling themes of espionage, government surveillance, and the erosion of civil liberties.

1. Interstellar

• Box Office: $675.1 million worldwide
• Critical Reception: Positive reviews, praising the film’s ambitious scope, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes.
• Audience Reception: Strong audience approval, with a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

What Made it Special: This science fiction epic took audiences on a journey to the farthest reaches of space, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for a new home for humanity.