History's Best Selling Movies of 2002

Revisiting 2002 presents a grand parade of movies history, marked by Y2K fever and early digital revolution and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Resident Evil, Ice Age, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Paul W. S. Anderson and Chris Wedge led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Resident Evil

   Released in 2002 by Paul W. S. Anderson, Constantin Film, Screen Gems

   Premiering on March 12, 2002, "Resident Evil" brought one of video gaming's most iconic horror franchises to the silver screen. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, the film was tasked with translating the tense, claustrophobic survival horror of the Capcom games into a blockbuster action-horror experience. At the time, video game-to-film adaptations had a notoriously poor track record. The release of "Resident Evil" was a pivotal moment, a high-stakes attempt to prove that a popular game series could be successfully adapted into a profitable and compelling cinematic property. Its debut marked the beginning of what would become the most financially successful video game film franchise in history.

2. Ice Age

   Released in 2002 by Chris Wedge, Blue Sky Studios, 20th Century Fox

   On March 15, 2002, a new epoch of animation began with the theatrical release of "Ice Age." At a time when the computer-animated film landscape was dominated by the friendly rivalry of Pixar and DreamWorks, this film from the relatively unproven Blue Sky Studios arrived as a delightful surprise. Introducing audiences to a trio of mismatched prehistoric animals and a perpetually frustrated saber-toothed squirrel, the film's debut marked the birth of a global entertainment phenomenon. It established a third major player in the animation arms race and launched one of the highest-grossing animated franchises in cinema history.

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

   Released in 2002 by Nia Vardalos, Joel Zwick, HBO Films, Playtone, Gold Circle Films, IFC Films

   On April 19, 2002, a small independent film called "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" premiered in a limited number of theaters in the United States. With no major stars and a modest marketing budget, expectations were low. However, the film, a romantic comedy about a Greek-American woman falling in love with a non-Greek man, began to build powerful word-of-mouth buzz. Its release on this date marked the beginning of one of the most extraordinary sleeper-hit stories in modern cinema history. The film would go on to play in theaters for over a year, defying all industry logic and becoming a cultural phenomenon that resonated with audiences far beyond the Greek community, proving that a heartfelt story with universal themes could conquer Hollywood.

4. Spider-Man

   Released in 2002 by Sam Raimi, Marvel Enterprises, Columbia Pictures

   On May 3, 2002, the modern era of superhero cinema was born with the theatrical release of Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man." While superhero films had existed before, none had captured the public's imagination with such sincerity, spectacle, and heart. The film's premiere was a watershed moment, not just for comic book adaptations but for the blockbuster landscape as a whole. It arrived in a post-9/11 America, and its depiction of a homegrown New York City hero resonated deeply with audiences. "Spider-Man" became the first film in history to earn over $100 million in its opening weekend, shattering box office records and proving that comic book characters, when treated with respect and cinematic flair, could dominate the global box office and cultural conversation.

5. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

   Released in 2002 by George Lucas, 20th Century Fox

   On May 16, 2002, "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" exploded onto cinema screens across North America, marking the highly anticipated fifth installment in the sprawling Star Wars saga and the second chapter of its prequel trilogy. Following the colossal success of "The Phantom Menace," expectations were incredibly high for George Lucas's return to the galaxy far, far away. This release date was a global cinematic event, drawing millions of fans eager to witness the deepening mystery surrounding the Separatist crisis, the genesis of the Clone Wars, and Anakin Skywalker's continued descent. Despite a polarized critical reception, the film quickly amassed an impressive box office haul, solidifying its place as a major commercial success and a significant moment in early 21st-century blockbuster filmmaking.

6. Minority Report

   Released in 2002 by Steven Spielberg, 20th Century Fox

   June 21, 2002, marked the eagerly anticipated North American theatrical release of 'Minority Report,' a sophisticated sci-fi thriller that captivated audiences and critics alike. Helmed by the legendary Steven Spielberg and starring an in-his-prime Tom Cruise, the film arrived with immense buzz, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a future where crime could be prevented before it even happened. This date was a significant moment for summer blockbusters, ushering in a movie that blended high-octane action with profound philosophical questions. Its launch positioned it as a groundbreaking cinematic achievement, celebrated for its visionary aesthetics and thought-provoking narrative, immediately setting it apart from its contemporaries.

7. Signs

   Released in 2002 by M. Night Shyamalan, Touchstone Pictures, Blinding Edge Pictures

   Premiering on August 2, 2002, M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs" arrived in theaters as one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Following his breakout supernatural hits "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable," audiences eagerly awaited his next suspenseful tale. Released less than a year after the September 11th attacks, the film's themes of invasion, fear of the unknown, and the search for faith in a chaotic world struck a powerful chord with the public consciousness. It masterfully blended science fiction horror with an intimate family drama, focusing not on global destruction, but on one family's personal struggle to survive and find meaning amidst a terrifying crisis.

8. Sweet Home Alabama

   Released in 2002 by Andy Tennant, Touchstone Pictures, Original Film

   On September 27, 2002, the romantic comedy "Sweet Home Alabama" premiered in theaters across the United States, quickly becoming a box office sensation. The film arrived at a time when its star, Reese Witherspoon, was ascending to the height of her Hollywood power, following the success of "Legally Blonde" a year earlier. Capitalizing on her immense charm and comedic timing, the film offered a classic "fish out of water" story, contrasting sophisticated New York City life with the folksy, traditional values of the American South. Its release on this date marked the beginning of a remarkable box office run, breaking records for a September opening and cementing its place as an enduring early-2000s rom-com favorite.

9. 8 Mile

   Released in 2002 by Curtis Hanson, Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

   On November 8, 2002, the world of film and music collided with the premiere of "8 Mile." At the time, Marshall Mathers, known as Eminem, was the most famous and controversial musician on the planet. His transition to the big screen was met with a mixture of intense anticipation and deep skepticism. Few knew if his raw lyrical talent and magnetic stage persona would translate into a credible acting performance. Directed by the acclaimed Curtis Hanson, the film was not a direct biopic but a semi-autobiographical story set against the gritty backdrop of Detroit's underground hip-hop scene. Its release was a major cultural event, testing whether a rapper's story could become a universally resonant cinematic underdog tale.

10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    Released in 2002 by Chris Columbus, Warner Bros. Pictures

    On November 15, 2002, the wizarding world returned to the big screen with the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." The release was a major global cinematic event, arriving amidst a whirlwind of anticipation. The first film had been a colossal success, turning J.K. Rowling's book series into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Fans, having been introduced to Hogwarts and its heroes, were desperate to continue the journey. This second installment carried the immense pressure of proving the franchise's staying power. Its release was not just a movie premiere; it was a validation that the magic was real, sustainable, and ready to grow with its rapidly expanding audience worldwide.

11. Die Another Day

    Released in 2002 by Lee Tamahori, MGM

    Die Another Day marked the spectacular 20th official James Bond film and the fourth and final outing for Pierce Brosnan as 007. Premiering on November 18, 2002, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, this release was a significant milestone, celebrating the franchise's 40th anniversary since Dr. No first graced screens in 1962. The film launched with immense anticipation, promising a blend of classic Bond elements with contemporary action. Its initial box office performance was robust, quickly establishing itself as a commercial success and setting the stage for what would be one of the highest-grossing films in the series at that time. This premiere date wasn't just a film release; it was a global cinematic event commemorating a storied legacy.

12. Catch Me If You Can

    Released in 2002 by Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

    On December 25, 2002, audiences were gifted a perfect piece of holiday counter-programming with the release of "Catch Me If You Can." Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, the film's Christmas Day premiere was a strategic masterstroke. It positioned the breezy, stylish caper as the ideal choice for adult audiences and families with older children, away from the usual fantasy and animated fare. Its release at the height of awards season also ensured it was fresh in the minds of critics and voters, capping a remarkable year for Spielberg, who had also released the sci-fi thriller "Minority Report" just months earlier. The film's debut perfectly captured the spirit of a smart, sophisticated, and thoroughly entertaining cinematic event.

13. Chicago

    Released in 2002 by Rob Marshall, Miramax Films, The Producers Circle

    On December 27, 2002, Rob Marshall's dazzling adaptation of "Chicago" began its limited theatrical run, injecting a shot of adrenaline into a genre many considered dormant. In the early 2000s, the live-action movie musical was largely a relic of Hollywood's past, with few major successes in recent decades. The release of "Chicago," a stylish and cynical take on the 1975 Broadway hit, was therefore a significant gamble. Its immediate critical acclaim and subsequent box office triumph, starting from this date, single-handedly sparked a major revival for the Hollywood musical, proving that the genre could still be both a commercial powerhouse and an awards-season darling in the 21st century.