Most Popular Movies 2002
This chart shows the 2002 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 2002 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2002 - Top 2002 Worldwide
| ← 2001 | Most Popular Overall | 2003 → |
| Bend it Like Beckham |
| Director: Gurinder Chadha |
| Lead Roles: Parminder Nagra as Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra, Keira Knightley as Juliette "Jules" Paxton, Anupam Kher as Mr. Bhamra, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Joe |
| Initial Theatrical Release: April 12, 2002 (Limited) by Helkon Sk (United Kingdom) |
| Keywords: Soccer, Culture Clash, Comedy Drama, Immigration, Indians, Dysfunctional Family, Wedding Day, Wedding Planning, Romance, Love Triangle |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $32,543,449 |
|
International BO: $42,022,593 |
Synopsis
An Indian family in London tries to raise their soccer-playing daughter in a traditional way. Unlike her traditional older sister, Pinky, who is preparing for a lavish Indian wedding and a lifetime of cooking the perfect chapati, Jess dreams of playing soccer professionally, like her hero David Beckham. Wholeheartedly against Jess’ unorthodox ambition, her parents eventually reveal that their reservations have more to do with protecting her, than with holding her back. When Jess is forced to make a choice between tradition and her beloved sport, her family must decide whether to let her chase her dream—and a soccer ball—or follow a more orthodox path.
| Signs |
| Director: M. Night Shyamalan |
| Lead Roles: Mel Gibson as Graham Hess |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 2, 2002 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Alien Invasion, Psychological Thriller, Religious, Losing Your Faith, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Young Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $227,969,295 |
|
International BO: $180,281,283 |
Synopsis
A 500-foot crop circle mysteriously appears on the Bucks County, PA farm of reverend Graham Hess. As Hess and his family try to take stock of what the sign means, and how its message incorporates into their faith, they start to get the feeling they are not alone in the fields behind their house.
| Friday After Next |
| Director: Marcus Raboy |
| Lead Roles: Ice Cube as Craig Jones, Mike Epps as Day-Day Jones, K.D. Aubert as Donna, John Witherspoon as Mr. Jones, Gerry Bednob as Moly's Father, Terry Crews as Damon, Don "D.C." Curry as Uncle Elroy Jones |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 22, 2002 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: African Americans, Stoner Comedy, Christmas, Christmas in November, Money Troubles |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $33,253,609 |
|
International BO: $273,226 |
| Catch Me if You Can |
| Director: Steven Spielberg |
| Lead Roles: Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank W. Abagnale, Tom Hanks as Joe Shaye |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 25, 2002 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Biography, Confidence Men, Fugitive / On the Run, Non-Chronological, Intertitle, Dysfunctional Family, Infidelity, Police Procedural, Voiceover/Narration, Runaway, Homeless, Lawyers, Doctors, Romance, Relationships Gone Wrong, Prostitution, Epilogue, Biographical Drama |
| Classification: Based on Factual Book/Article, Drama, Live Action, Dramatization |
|
Domestic BO: $164,606,800 |
|
International BO: $191,005,491 |
| Ice Age |
| Director: Chris Wedge |
| Lead Roles: Ray Romano as Manfred the Mammoth, John Leguizamo as Sid the Sloth, Denis Leary as Diego the Sabertooth |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 15, 2002 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Road Trip, Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Cavemen, Betrayal, Family Adventure, Unexpected Families |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $176,387,405 |
|
International BO: $209,728,938 |
| Minority Report |
| Director: Steven Spielberg |
| Lead Roles: Tom Cruise as Officer John Anderton |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 21, 2002 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Film Noir, Fugitive / On the Run, Action Thriller, Police Detective, Psychics, Framed |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $132,024,714 |
|
International BO: $226,800,000 |
| xXx |
| Director: Rob Cohen |
| Lead Roles: Vin Diesel as Xander Cage, Asia Argento as Yelena |
| Initial Theatrical Release: August 9, 2002 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Secret Agent, Extreme Sports, Car Chase, Hostage, False Identity, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Slow Motion Scene, 2000s, Undercover, Faked Death, Redemption, Action Thriller |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $141,930,000 |
|
International BO: $125,270,000 |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers |
| Director: Peter Jackson |
| Lead Roles: Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf the White, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 18, 2002 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Lord of the Rings, Visual Effects, Exorcism, Motion Capture Performance, Heroic Adventure, 2003 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $342,548,984 |
|
International BO: $576,599,780 |
| Scooby-Doo |
| Director: Raja Gosnell |
| Lead Roles: Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Fred Jones, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Linda Cardellini as Velma Dinkley |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 14, 2002 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Live Action Cartoon, Animal Lead, Kids Horror, Amatuer Slueth, Surprise Twist |
| Classification: Based on TV, Adventure, Live Action, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $153,294,164 |
|
International BO: $123,000,000 |
Synopsis
Zoinks! Two years after a clash of egos forced Mystery Inc. to close its doors, Scooby-Doo and his clever crime-solving cohorts Fred, Daphne, Shaggy and Velma are individually summoned to Spooky Island to investigate a series of paranormal incidents at the ultra-hip Spring Break hot spot.
| Panic Room |
| Director: David Fincher |
| Lead Roles: Jodie Foster as Meg Altman |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 29, 2002 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
| Keywords: Psychological Thriller |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $95,308,367 |
|
International BO: $101,000,000 |
| Jet Li's Hero |
| Director: Zhang Yimou |
| Lead Roles: Jet Li as Nameless, Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Broken Sword, Maggie Cheung as Flying Snow, Donnie Yen as Sky, Daoming Chen as King of Qin, Zhang Ziyi as Moon |
| Initial Theatrical Release: October 24, 2002 (Wide), released as Yingxiong 英雄 (China) |
| Keywords: Martial Arts, Wire Fu, Political Assassination, Assassination, Political, Ancient China, War, Unreliable Narrator, Non-Chronological, Suicide, Action Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $53,652,140 |
|
International BO: $123,883,818 |
| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
| Director: Chris Columbus |
| Lead Roles: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 15, 2002 (Wide) by Warner Bros. |
| Keywords: Boarding School, IMAX: DMR, Family Adventure |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
|
Domestic BO: $262,233,381 |
|
International BO: $612,720,847 |
| Star Wars Ep. II: Attack of the Clones |
| Director: George Lucas |
| Lead Roles: Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman as Senator Padme Amidala, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 16, 2002 (Wide) by 20th Century Fox |
| Keywords: Visual Effects, Cloning, IMAX: DMR, Good vs. Evil, Space Opera, Civil War, Assassination, Political Assassination, Political, Heroic Adventure |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Science Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $310,676,740 |
|
International BO: $346,018,875 |
Synopsis
Ten years after the invasion of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of solar systems threaten to break away from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, twenty-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her. In the course of his mission, Anakin discovers his love for Padmé as well as his own darker side. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are drawn into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
| Deuces Wild |
| Director: Scott Kalvert |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 3, 2002 (Wide) by MGM |
| Keywords: Crime Drama, Crime, Gangs, Gang Warfare, Drug Overdose, Death of a Sibling, Life on the Outside, Set in Brooklyn, Epilogue, Disrupted by 2001 September 11 Attacks |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $6,044,618 |
|
International BO: $200,000 |
| Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron |
| Director: Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook |
| Lead Roles: Matt Damon as Spirit, Daniel Studi as Little Creek |
| Initial Theatrical Release: May 24, 2002 (Wide) by Dreamworks SKG |
| Keywords: Voiceover/Narration, Animal Lead, Native Americans, Land Developer, Family Adventure, 1800s |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Hand Animation, Kids Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $73,215,310 |
|
International BO: $33,300,000 |
Synopsis
Follows the adventures of a wild and rambunctious mustang stallion as he journeys through the untamed American frontier. Encountering man for the first time, Spirit defies being broken, even as he develops a remarkable friendship with a young Lakota brave. The courageous young stallion also finds love with a beautiful paint mare named Rain on his way to becoming one of the greatest unsung heroes of the Old West.
|
Domestic BO: $404,652,858 |
|
International BO: $418,000,000 |
Synopsis
Peter Parker who, after being bitten by a genetically-altered spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. He vows to use his abilities to fight crime, coming to understand the words of his beloved Uncle Ben: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
| Blade 2 |
| Director: Guillermo del Toro |
| Lead Roles: Wesley Snipes as Blade |
| Initial Theatrical Release: March 22, 2002 (Wide) by New Line |
| Keywords: Marvel Comics, Vampire, Monster, Visual Effects |
| Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
|
Domestic BO: $81,676,888 |
|
International BO: $72,661,713 |
| Narc |
| Director: Joe Carnahan |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 20, 2002 (Limited) by Paramount Pictures |
| Keywords: Film Noir, Hood Film, Crime Thriller, Crime, Narcotics, Undercover, Child Abuse, Child Prostitution, Corrupt Cops, Surprise Twist, Addiction, Police Brutality |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $10,465,659 |
|
International BO: $1,377,601 |
| Das Experiment |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 18, 2002 (Wide) |
|
Domestic BO: $141,072 |
| Big Fat Liar |
| Director: Shawn Levy |
| Lead Roles: Frankie Muniz as Jason Shepherd, Paul Giamatti as Marty Wolf, Amanda Bynes as Kaylee |
| Initial Theatrical Release: February 8, 2002 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Movie Business, Revenge, Summer School, Boss From Hell, Directing Yourself, Family Adventure, Director Cameo, Gratuitous Cameos |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $47,811,275 |
|
International BO: $4,649,742 |
| The Bourne Identity |
| Director: Doug Liman |
| Lead Roles: Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, Franka Potente as Marie St. Jaques |
| Initial Theatrical Release: June 14, 2002 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Secret Agent, Faulty Memory, Fugitive / On the Run |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $121,468,960 |
|
International BO: $92,888,411 |
| 8 Mile |
| Director: Curtis Hanson |
| Lead Roles: Eminem as Jimmy Smith, Jr. |
| Initial Theatrical Release: November 8, 2002 (Wide) by Universal |
| Keywords: Musicians, Hood Film, Inspired by a True Story, Biographical Drama, Biography, Autobiographical, Hip Hop and Rap |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $116,724,075 |
|
International BO: $129,044,309 |
| The Hot Chick |
| Director: Tom Brady |
| Lead Roles: Rob Schneider as Clive Maxtone/Jessica Spencer |
| Initial Theatrical Release: December 13, 2002 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Keywords: Body Swap, Farcical / Slapstick Comedy |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $35,081,550 |
|
International BO: $19,557,959 |
Synopsis
Jessica Spencer, a somewhat mean-spirited teen, is convinced that she has the perfect life. She's the hottest, most popular girl in high school, captain of the cheerleading squad and dating the dreamy quarterback. But she gets a big dose of reality when—due to a spell—she wakes up in the body of a thirty-year-old man. She quickly discovers that trading on your looks isn’t so easy when you’re a girl who constantly needs a shave. Moreover, until she can figure out how to change herself back, Jessica must find a way to win the “Cheer Competition,” go to the prom, and get her boyfriend back—all while she’s still a guy. In the process, she learns how shallow her life has been.
| Sweet Home Alabama |
| Director: Andy Tennant |
| Lead Roles: Reese Witherspoon as Melanie |
| Initial Theatrical Release: September 27, 2002 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
| Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
|
Domestic BO: $127,214,072 |
|
International BO: $55,151,042 |
| Stephen King's It |
| Director: Tommy Lee Wallace |
| Video Release Date: October 1, 2002 by Warner Home Video |
| Keywords: Supernatural, TV Mini-Series |
| Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |