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The Golden Globes kick off awards season next month, so it’s a good time to take a look at the leading films of 2006 — in terms of dollars. The industry projects $11.9 billion in domestic revenues for the year, a 4.2 percent increase from 2005. Here, WWD highlights the films that have grossed $100 million or more in the U.S. The trends included successful sequels such as “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” as well as animated films like “Cars” and “Happy Feet.” A few of the movies are still going strong at the box office (“Borat” and “Casino Royale”), while others have left theaters for good (“Pirates” and “The Da Vinci Code”).
“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST”
Gross domestic revenues to date: $423.3 million Release date: July 7
No movie came close to this blockbuster hit. It’s got adventure, romance, humor — and it appeals both to adults and children. Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow returns in this sequel to settle a debt to Davey Jones, the infamous captain of the ship, the Flying Dutchman. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom are again Depp’s sidekicks.
“CARS”
Revenues: $244.1 million
Release date: June 9
This Disney/Pixar flick features a rookie race car named Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson) who takes a detour in a sleepy town and learns about life’s lessons through the other cars in the town. Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt are two other members of the all-star cast.
“X-MEN: THE LAST STAND”
Revenues: $234.4 million
Release date: May 26
This third installment of the X-Men franchise (based on the comic book series) “still manages to be an eye-filling fantasy extravaganza and a big crowd-pleaser,” said the Seattle-Post Intelligencer. Directed by Brett Ratner, the movie features Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Sir Ian McKellen.
“THE DA VINCI CODE”
Revenues: $217.5 million
Release date: May 19
Sony Pictures and director Ron Howard took a gamble making this film. Would it ever live up to Dan Brown’s best-selling book? Well, $217.5 million ain’t too shabby. “The movie works; it’s involving, intriguing and constantly seems on the edge of startling revelations,” said critic Roger Ebert. Tom Hanks surely helped to attract moviegoers. Other big names in the cast: Sir Ian McKellen and Paul Bettany.
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“SUPERMAN RETURNS”
Revenues: $200 million
Release date: June 28
When word got out that a new “Superman” was hitting theaters, fans wondered if young Brandon Routh could fill Christopher Reeve’s giant footprints in the starring role. The movie was a refreshing take on the comic book character, and the sequel, “Superman: The Man of Steel,” is set for release in 2009.
“ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN”
Revenues: $195.3 million
Release date: March 31
This film opened just in time for kids to see the animated sequel to “Ice Age” during spring break. Ray Romano was the voice of Manny, a mammoth elephant who — along with Diego (Denis Leary) and Sid (John Leguizamo) — tries to warn everyone in his valley that the Ice Age is over and the ice is starting to melt.
“OVER THE HEDGE”
Revenues: $155 million
Release date: May 19
Yes, this is another animated movie that raked in solid revenues, but “Over the Hedge” had a secret weapon: its opening date, which fell right when school ended and summer began for millions of kids. This all-star cast of voices includes: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner and many others.
“HAPPY FEET”
Revenues: $150.2 million
Release date: Nov. 17
Still in theaters, this animated flick features Mumble, a penguin that cannot sing, but has a natural knack for tap dancing. Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Robin Williams all lent their voices to the Warner Bros. film.
“TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY”
Revenues: $148.2 million
Release date: Aug. 4
What’s a top-grossing movie list without Will Ferrell? Though “Talladega Nights” wasn’t as well-received as the comic actor’s other recent films, such as “Wedding Crashers” and “Stranger Than Fiction” (he got a Golden Globe nomination for his role), the movie still oozes plenty of Will Ferrell hilarity. The co-stars are Sacha Baron Cohen, of “Borat” fame and John C. Reilly.
“CASINO ROYALE”
Revenues: $138.1 million
Release date: Nov. 17
James Bond is back. And this version presents a refreshing spin on the series, taking viewers back to the early days of the British secret agent, 007. “The movie is so retro it begins with a black-and-white sequence in which Bond brutally earns his 00 status with two textbook-perfect killings,” The Hollywood Reporter said. Bond’s character is played by the handsome Daniel Craig.
“CLICK”
Revenues: $137.3 million
Release date: June 23
Funnyman Adam Sandler was definitely the lure to this film, which tells the tale of an overworked architect who finds a remote control device and uses it to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken and Jennifer Coolidge also star.
“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III”
Revenues: $133.5 million
Release date: May 5
Tom Cruise stars in this “threequel,” directed by J.J. Abrams, about a secret agent who serves as a point man on a squad of intelligence operatives. In this installment, Hunt is trying to settle down and live a normal life, but ends up battling a dangerous arms dealer. Cast members include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan and Keri Russell.
“THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA”
Revenues: $124.7 million
Release date: June 30
This is the movie version of Lauren Weisberger’s bestseller of the same name. With Oscar winner Meryl Streep playing imperious and impossibly demanding magazine editor Miranda Priestly, “Prada” reeled in audiences across the country. Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt (another Golden Globe nominee) also star in this comedy. Patricia Field designed the costumes.
“BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN”
Revenues: $123 million
Release date: Nov. 3
Sacha Baron Cohen is having a tremendous year. After appearing in “Talladega Nights,” this Cambridge-educated comic actor released his own often outrageous film about a fictional TV personality from Kazakhstan who travels across the U.S. to incorporate pieces of American culture into his own country’s culture, and to marry Pamela Anderson.
“THE DEPARTED”
Revenues: $119.3 million
Release date: Oct. 6
The accolades for this movie, which centers around two men who go undercover — one in the Massachusetts State Police and the other in the Irish mob — keep building. Director Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, have received Golden Globe nominations for their work, and the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
“THE BREAK-UP”
Revenues: $118.7 million
Release Date: June 2
This comedy’s two stars, who were romantically involved offscreen, lured moviegoers. Fresh off his “Wedding Crashers” run, Vince Vaughn starred as a tour bus operator at odds with his girlfriend, an art gallery worker, played by Jennifer Aniston. And yes, the couple has called it quits in real life.