History's Best Selling Movies of 2003

Hats off to 2003! Few movies commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Chicago. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Final Destination 2 and Old School, consumers eagerly embraced the Y2K fever and early digital revolution. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Rob Marshall and David R. Ellis set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Chicago

   Released in 2003 by Rob Marshall, Miramax Films, The Producers Circle

   On January 24, 2003, the cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical "Chicago" expanded into wide release across North America. After a successful limited run in December 2002 to qualify for awards season, this date marked the moment the film was unleashed upon the general public. It was a critical juncture for a genre—the live-action movie musical—that had long been considered commercially risky and past its prime. The film's expansion proved to be a roaring success, capturing the cultural zeitgeist and setting the stage for a spectacular run that would culminate in a history-making night at the Academy Awards, forever changing the landscape for musicals in modern cinema.

2. Final Destination 2

   Released in 2003 by David R. Ellis, New Line Cinema

   On January 31, 2003, audiences were reminded that death cannot be cheated as "Final Destination 2" premiered in theaters across North America. Arriving three years after the original film became a surprise horror hit, the sequel faced the challenge of escalating the stakes while staying true to the franchise's unique premise. Released in the post-"Scream" era of self-aware horror, this date marked the successful transformation of a clever concept into a reliable and beloved horror franchise. The film's release capitalized on the winter box office lull, unleashing a new wave of paranoia about everyday accidents and cementing its place as a benchmark for creative horror sequels.

3. Old School

   Released in 2003 by Todd Phillips, DreamWorks Pictures, The Montecito Picture Company

   On February 21, 2003, theaters across America invited audiences to go streaking through the quad with the release of "Old School." Directed by Todd Phillips, this raucous comedy captured a specific brand of early-30s angst and channeled it into a story of anarchic, collegiate rebellion. The film's premiere marked a pivotal moment in 21st-century comedy, helping to solidify the

4. X2

   Released in 2003 by Bryan Singer, 20th Century Fox

   May 2, 2003, marked a pivotal moment for superhero cinema with the North American theatrical release of 'X2', also known as 'X2: X-Men United'. Following the groundbreaking success of the first 'X-Men' film, expectations were astronomically high for its sequel. This date ignited a box office frenzy, with the film quickly soaring to become one of the year's highest-grossing movies and cementing the X-Men franchise as a cornerstone of the burgeoning comic book film genre. Its release was a cultural event, celebrated by critics and fans alike for pushing the boundaries of what superhero films could achieve, both thematically and in terms of action spectacle, making this specific date synonymous with a new benchmark in cinematic storytelling.

5. Bruce Almighty

   Released in 2003 by Tom Shadyac, Universal Pictures

   May 23, 2003, marked the highly anticipated theatrical release of 'Bruce Almighty,' a supernatural comedy that captured the imagination and laughter of audiences worldwide. This date wasn't just another Friday for moviegoers; it heralded the return of comedic titan Jim Carrey in a role that perfectly showcased his unique brand of physical comedy and heartfelt performance. The film's launch was met with massive enthusiasm, quickly establishing it as a box office juggernaut and solidifying its place as one of the year's biggest hits. Its premiere promised a unique blend of humor, fantasy, and poignant reflection on divine power and personal responsibility, making this particular release date a memorable moment in cinematic history.

6. Finding Nemo

   Released in 2003 by Andrew Stanton, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

   On May 30, 2003, Pixar Animation Studios released its fifth feature film, "Finding Nemo," to theaters across the United States. At the time, Pixar was already a powerhouse of animation, with an unprecedented streak of critically and commercially successful films including "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," and "Monsters, Inc." The release of "Finding Nemo" was a major cinematic event, eagerly awaited by audiences of all ages. It plunged viewers into a breathtakingly beautiful and dangerous underwater world, setting a new benchmark for computer-generated imagery while telling a story with universal appeal. Its debut marked the continuation of Pixar's golden age, solidifying its reputation as the preeminent studio in modern animation.

7. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

   Released in 2003 by Jonathan Mostow, Warner Bros. Pictures

   July 2, 2003, marked the highly anticipated North American theatrical release of 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,' a date eagerly awaited by fans of the iconic sci-fi action franchise. This film was a monumental return for Arnold Schwarzenegger's titular character after a 12-year hiatus since 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day.' The launch represented a significant cultural event, as it brought back one of cinema's most recognizable action heroes in a new chapter, promising the high-octane action and technological dread that defined its predecessors. Despite facing immense expectations, the movie opened strongly, solidifying its place as a major summer blockbuster and proving the enduring appeal of the Terminator universe.

8. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

   Released in 2003 by Gore Verbinski, Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films

   On July 9, 2003, audiences were introduced to the swashbuckling world of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." The film's premiere was a massive gamble for Disney. Pirate movies had been considered box office poison for years, and the idea of basing a blockbuster on a theme park ride was met with considerable skepticism. However, its release on this date marked the beginning of a cultural phenomenon. It single-handedly revived the pirate genre for the 21st century, launched one of the most successful film franchises in history, and introduced the world to the unforgettable Captain Jack Sparrow, an iconic character that would define a generation of cinema.

9. Bad Boys II

   Released in 2003 by Michael Bay, Columbia Pictures

   The summer of 2003 was set ablaze with the highly anticipated release of 'Bad Boys II', hitting North American theaters on July 18th. Eight years after the original high-octane buddy-cop film, director Michael Bay reunited stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for an even bigger, louder, and more explosive cinematic spectacle. This premiere date marked the arrival of a true summer blockbuster, promising audiences an unparalleled dose of adrenaline, humor, and Bay's signature style. While dividing critics, its commercial performance underscored its status as a major event film, solidifying its place in the pantheon of action movie sequels and demonstrating the enduring appeal of its charismatic leads.

10. Kill Bill: Volume 1

    Released in 2003 by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films

    On October 10, 2003, director Quentin Tarantino stormed back into cinemas after a six-year absence with "Kill Bill: Volume 1." The film's premiere was a major cultural event, ending a long wait for fans eager for his follow-up to 1997's "Jackie Brown." From its opening frames, featuring a black-and-white shot of a battered and bloody bride, the film announced itself as a bold, audacious, and unapologetically stylized piece of filmmaking. It was an immediate sensation, blending genres with masterful glee and creating a pop-culture footprint that included iconic costumes, quotable lines, and a killer soundtrack. This date marked the arrival of a new, defining chapter in Tarantino's celebrated career.

11. Elf

    Released in 2003 by Jon Favreau, Will Ferrell, New Line Cinema

    On November 7, 2003, theaters across North America welcomed the premiere of "Elf," a holiday comedy that would soon become a cherished modern classic. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell in a career-defining role, the film's release date positioned it perfectly to capture the burgeoning holiday spirit. At the time, Ferrell was best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live," and "Elf" was a major test of his ability to carry a film as a leading man. The movie arrived with a charming, fish-out-of-water premise: a human raised as an elf at the North Pole journeys to New York City to find his biological father. Its debut on this day marked the beginning of its journey from a promising holiday comedy to an essential piece of annual Christmas pop culture.

12. Love Actually

    Released in 2003 by Richard Curtis, Universal Pictures, Working Title Films, DNA Films

    On November 14, 2003, the British-American film "Love Actually" received its wide theatrical release in the United States, following its UK debut a week earlier. Written and directed by Richard Curtis, the master of the British romantic comedy, the film arrived just in time for the holiday season. It presented a novel and ambitious structure, weaving together ten separate, loosely interconnected stories about the complexities of love, set in London during the frantic five weeks leading up to Christmas. This release date positioned it perfectly to become a holiday viewing staple, and its unique blend of humor, star power, and heartfelt emotion would ultimately transform it from a successful rom-com into an enduring, and debated, Christmas classic.

13. The Last Samurai

    Released in 2003 by Edward Zwick, Warner Bros. Pictures

    November 20, 2003, marked the momentous world premiere of 'The Last Samurai' in Tokyo, Japan, setting the stage for one of the most compelling historical dramas of the early 21st century. This initial launch, ahead of its wide release in North America and other international markets, was a special occasion, celebrating a film that would go on to captivate audiences globally and achieve substantial box office success. The date signifies the first public unveiling of a cinematic epic that blended breathtaking action with profound cultural and philosophical themes, firmly establishing its place in modern film history and introducing a new generation to the captivating world of the samurai through a uniquely Hollywood lens.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

    Released in 2003 by Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema, WingNut Films

    On December 17, 2003, the world witnessed the cinematic event of a generation with the premiere of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." It was far more than just a movie release; it was the epic, highly anticipated conclusion to Peter Jackson's groundbreaking trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. After the phenomenal success of the first two installments, expectations were astronomically high. This release date marked the culmination of a massive undertaking in film history, promising to deliver a final, emotionally resonant, and visually spectacular battle for Middle-earth that would define the fantasy genre for decades to come and cap off one of the most ambitious filmmaking projects ever attempted.