History's Best Selling Movies of 2006

Revisiting 2006 presents a grand parade of movies history, marked by Y2K fever and early digital revolution and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Glory Road, High School Musical, and Ice Age: The Meltdown took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like James Gartner and Kenny Ortega 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. Glory Road

   Released in 2006 by James Gartner, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Walt Disney Pictures

   On January 13, 2006, coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Walt Disney Pictures released "Glory Road," a powerful sports drama based on a monumental true story. The film premiered at a time when inspirational sports biopics were a popular genre, but "Glory Road" stood out by focusing on a pivotal moment in the intersection of sports and the American Civil Rights Movement. Its release date was a deliberate choice to honor the legacy of the real-life events it depicted, bringing a crucial piece of American history to a new generation of moviegoers.

2. High School Musical

   Released in 2006 by Kenny Ortega, Disney Channel

   On January 20, 2006, the Disney Channel premiered a made-for-television movie that would unexpectedly become a global pop culture phenomenon: "High School Musical". This date marked the first time audiences were introduced to the students of East High School, catapulting its young cast to stardom and redefining the modern movie musical for a new generation. The film's debut wasn't just another TV movie release; it was the start of a multi-billion dollar franchise that captured the hearts of millions of tweens and teens, proving that a simple story about breaking stereotypes and following your passion, set to catchy pop tunes, could resonate on an unprecedented scale.

3. Ice Age: The Meltdown

   Released in 2006 by Carlos Saldanha, 20th Century Fox

   March 31, 2006, marked a significant date in animated film history with the North American theatrical release of 'Ice Age: The Meltdown'. As the eagerly awaited sequel to the highly successful 2002 hit 'Ice Age', this film was launched with considerable anticipation, capitalizing on the beloved characters and humor of its predecessor. Its premiere quickly propelled it to become a monumental box office success, enchanting audiences worldwide and solidifying the 'Ice Age' franchise as a major contender in the animation landscape. This release date was pivotal, launching the film into the global consciousness and setting the stage for its record-breaking commercial performance, proving that audiences were more than ready for another adventure with Manny, Sid, and Diego.

4. The Da Vinci Code

   Released in 2006 by Ron Howard, Columbia Pictures

   The launch of 'The Da Vinci Code' on May 19, 2006, was a global cinematic event, marked by fervent anticipation and significant controversy. Based on Dan Brown's hugely popular novel, the film adaptation was poised for massive success, and it delivered, setting impressive box office records and dominating public discourse. This particular date signifies its worldwide theatrical premiere, igniting a cultural phenomenon that saw millions flock to cinemas, eager to see the complex mystery unfold on the big screen. The film’s debut was not just a movie release; it was the culmination of years of literary sensation, translating into an immediate box office juggernaut and solidifying its place as one of the highest-grossing films of the year, despite divisive critical reception.

5. X-Men: The Last Stand

   Released in 2006 by Brett Ratner, 20th Century Fox

   May 26, 2006, marked the highly anticipated worldwide theatrical release of 'X-Men: The Last Stand,' a film that promised to bring the original X-Men trilogy to an epic conclusion. Opening over the crucial Memorial Day weekend, the movie shattered box office records, proving the enduring appeal of Marvel's mutant heroes. This date was special as it delivered a blockbuster spectacle, capitalizing on years of fan investment in Professor X's team and setting the stage for one of the most intense conflicts in mutant history. Despite later mixed critical reception, its initial launch was a massive commercial success, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year and solidifying the superhero genre's dominance.

6. Cars

   Released in 2006 by John Lasseter, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

   On June 9, 2006, audiences were welcomed to the world of Radiator Springs with the theatrical premiere of Disney and Pixar's "Cars." The film represented a significant project for director John Lasseter, who channeled his personal love for automobiles and the history of Route 66 into a heartfelt story. Its release on this date marked the debut of a new, vibrant universe populated by anthropomorphic vehicles, a concept that would quickly race into the hearts of families worldwide. "Cars" was more than just another animated hit; it was the starting line for a massive, multi-billion dollar franchise that would cement its place as one of Pixar's most commercially successful and enduring properties.

7. Superman Returns

   Released in 2006 by Bryan Singer, Warner Bros. Pictures

   June 28, 2006, marked the highly anticipated North American theatrical release of 'Superman Returns', a film that carried the weight of a beloved cinematic legacy and the hopes of Warner Bros. for a revitalized superhero franchise. After nearly two decades since the last standalone Superman movie, the return of the Man of Steel to the big screen was an event of immense pop culture significance. This date represented not just the premiere of a major summer tentpole but a critical juncture for the superhero genre, aiming to capture the magic of the Donner films while introducing Kal-El to a new generation. The film's launch was met with a flurry of excitement, though its eventual box office performance sparked debates about its commercial viability and direction.

8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

   Released in 2006 by Gore Verbinski, Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films

   Unleashed in theaters on July 7, 2006, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was not just a movie premiere; it was a global box office event. The 2003 original, "The Curse of the Black Pearl," had been a surprise smash hit, turning a theme park ride into a beloved film franchise and making Captain Jack Sparrow a household name. The anticipation for its sequel was immense. "Dead Man's Chest" promised to be bigger, darker, and more spectacular, expanding the lore of the high seas and pitting Captain Jack against a terrifying new supernatural foe. It arrived as the definitive summer blockbuster of its year, ready to shatter records and solidify the franchise's place in cinema history.

9. Idiocracy

   Released in 2006 by Mike Judge, Etan Cohen, 20th Century Fox

   On September 1, 2006, the satirical science-fiction comedy "Idiocracy" received a theatrical release so limited and unceremonious that it barely registered as a blip at the box office. Directed by "Office Space" creator Mike Judge, the film was effectively dumped by its studio, 20th Century Fox, with virtually no marketing, trailers, or even a movie poster. This bizarre release strategy stemmed from the studio's discomfort with the film's sharp critique of corporate culture and consumerism. However, this inauspicious debut was merely the beginning of the story. The film's eventual release on DVD would ignite a slow-burning word-of-mouth campaign that transformed it from a forgotten flop into a prophetic and beloved cult classic, proving that its premiere date was not its end, but the start of its unlikely legacy.

10. The Departed

    Released in 2006 by Martin Scorsese, Warner Bros. Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, Initial Entertainment Group, Vertigo Entertainment

    On October 6, 2006, audiences were treated to the premiere of Martin Scorsese's gripping crime thriller, "The Departed." The film's release was a major cinematic event, bringing together a powerhouse cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg. Based on the 2002 Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," this American remake immediately garnered critical acclaim for its taut direction, sharp script, and explosive performances. For Scorsese, a master of the crime genre, the film represented a triumphant return to form that resonated with both critics and audiences, ultimately leading to his long-overdue Academy Award for Best Director and the film's win for Best Picture, cementing this date as a significant moment in modern film history.

11. The Prestige

    Released in 2006 by Christopher Nolan, Touchstone Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures

    On October 20, 2006, director Christopher Nolan invited audiences to look closely at a puzzle box of a film with the wide theatrical release of "The Prestige." Arriving between his blockbuster Batman films, this intricate period thriller demonstrated Nolan's mastery of complex, non-linear storytelling and his fascination with obsession and deception. The film premiered at a time when audiences were hungry for intelligent, thought-provoking cinema, and it delivered in spades. Pitting two rival magicians against each other in a deadly game of one-upmanship, its release on this date unveiled a cinematic sleight-of-hand that would captivate, confound, and reward viewers for years to come, cementing its status as a modern classic.

12. Casino Royale

    Released in 2006 by Martin Campbell, Columbia Pictures/MGM

    November 14, 2006, marked a pivotal moment for the James Bond franchise with the world theatrical premiere of 'Casino Royale' in London. This date heralded a bold new direction for Agent 007, introducing Daniel Craig as the sixth actor to portray the iconic spy. Far from a traditional sequel, this film served as a gritty reboot, drawing directly from Ian Fleming's inaugural Bond novel and offering audiences a raw, more grounded interpretation of the character. Its launch was met with immense anticipation, critically acclaimed for breathing fresh life into the long-running series, and it swiftly broke box office records, solidifying its place as a fan favorite and a commercial triumph that redefined the modern spy thriller.

13. Night at the Museum

    Released in 2006 by Shawn Levy, Ben Stiller, 20th Century Fox

    On December 22, 2006, just in time for the holiday season, audiences were invited to a museum where history literally comes to life with the theatrical release of "Night at the Museum." Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ben Stiller, the film tapped into a universal childhood fantasy: what if the exhibits in a museum could move and talk after closing time? This high-concept premise, combined with Stiller's comedic timing and a supporting cast of beloved actors, created a box office sensation. Its release during the Christmas week positioned it as the go-to family film of the season, and it exceeded all expectations, becoming a global phenomenon that proved history could be both hilarious and full of heart.