Whereas James Gunn has been finest recognized for guiding Guardians of the Galaxy, he is truly been concerned in plenty of different nice movies through the years. Gunn has not simply labored as a movie director, but additionally as a screenwriter and as a producer. And in a flip of occasions, he has change into a co-Chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios. Serving because the studio’s inventive head, Gunn’s new place will definitely maintain him busy, and he himself will deal with new tasks similar to Superman: Legacy.
Gunn’s ardour and creativity have made him a power to be reckoned with. His signature type has change into related to highly effective emotional beats, robust character growth, and iconic soundtracks. It is one thing that has served him effectively throughout his greater than 20 years within the movie business. As we await his future work, here is a have a look at James Gunn’s highest-grossing films so far, ranked.
9 The Belko Experiment (2016) — $11.1M
The Belko Experiment was not directed by Gunn, but it surely was written and co-produced by him together with Peter Safran. Advertising for the 2016 horror movie featured the usage of the tagline, “Workplace Area meets Battle Royale.” It was an correct manner of describing the movie, as The Belko Experiment trapped 80 American workers in a constructing and compelled them to struggle towards one another. Though not amongst Gunn’s finest work, The Belko Experiment supplied the correct quantity of gory thrills and darkish humor to entertain. The movie went on to gross over $11 million on the field workplace.
8 Slither (2006) — $12.8M
Gunn has accomplished sci-fi, darkish comedies, and horror, and he did them all of sudden in his directorial debut known as Slither. Nathan Fillion starred as Invoice Pardy, a sheriff who discovers a world-threatening alien parasite in his city. The movie additionally starred frequent Gunn collaborators Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Banks, and Gregg Henry. Slither acquired reward for its script, performances, ambiance, and notably for Gunn’s route. Sadly it failed on the field workplace, grossing lower than $13 million when Slither had an estimated $15 million funds.
7 Brightburn (2019) — $32.9M
When Brightburn was first introduced, it was often called the “Untitled James Gunn Horror Challenge.” Nevertheless, the movie was solely produced by Gunn, whereas the script was written by his brother, Brian, and his cousin, Mark. Brightburn centered on a super-powered boy with an upbringing that mirrored that of Clark Kent, however with a serious twist: the boy didn’t change into Superman, and as a substitute grew to become a horror-style villain. The movie was firmly rooted within the style of horror, offering a stark distinction to different “evil Superman” tales similar to The Boys, which leaned rather more in direction of satire. In opposition to an estimated funds of $6-12 million, Brightburn grossed $32.9 million on the field workplace.
6 Daybreak of the Useless (2004) — $102.3M
Zack Snyder’s directorial debut, Daybreak of the Useless, was written by Gunn, serving as a remake of the late-70s horror flick of the identical identify. Set throughout a zombie apocalypse, the movie adopted Ana as she joined a gaggle of survivors taking shelter at a neighborhood mall. The movie was full of apocalyptic mayhem, horror, and zombie-slaying motion, making it a success with 2000s audiences. With a field workplace whole surpassing $100 million, Daybreak of the Useless was the second-highest-grossing horror movie of 2004, solely behind The Grudge. Within the present-day, Daybreak of the Useless has continued to obtain reward, even being considered probably the greatest zombie movies ever made.
5 The Suicide Squad (2021) — $171.7M
To not be confused with 2016’s Suicide Squad, Gunn added a “The” to the title of his 2021 non secular reboot. The Suicide Squad introduced again a number of acquainted faces, together with Viola Davis, Margot Robbie, and Joel Kinnaman. On the identical time, the movie featured many unimaginable additions to the solid, together with Idris Elba, John Cena, Daniela Melchior, David Dastmalchian, and the voice of Sylvester Stallone. Launched when individuals have been nonetheless hesitant to go again to theaters in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Suicide Squad solely managed to gross $171.7 million on the field workplace — a steep drop from Suicide Squad‘s $746.8 million. The simultaneous launch of The Suicide Squad on HBO Max undoubtedly harm the movie’s field workplace efficiency.
4 Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) — $181.2M
Gunn has change into so related to superheroes that individuals have both forgotten or by no means realized that he was very concerned with the Scooby-Doo movies. Certainly, he was the author behind Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, bringing his type of humor in addition to his love for monsters. The movie grossed greater than $180 million throughout its theatrical run, and, in fact, was watched by many when it was launched on DVD and commenced airing on tv. Gunn was set to put in writing and direct a Scooby-Doo 3, however that sadly by no means got here to fruition. Throughout an Instagram Q&A, he revealed that though Monsters Unleashed did effectively, it “did not do effectively sufficient to warrant a 3rd” (through ComicBook.com).
3 Scooby-Doo (2002) — $275.7M
Scooby-Doo proved {that a} speaking canine fixing mysteries with a gaggle of younger adults surprisingly labored effectively outdoors an episodic cartoon. The movie setting of the tropical island resort often called Spooky Island was an fascinating one, the location of many weird paranormal incidents. Scooby-Doo was a pleasure to look at due to the banter and chemistry between its solid, and the superb casting of Matthew Lillard as Shaggy. The primary live-action Scooby-Doo movie was a serious a part of many individuals’s childhoods. It was additionally a business success, grossing $275.7 million on the field workplace and resulting in the discharge of a sequel solely two years later.
2 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — $773.3M
Earlier than 2014, few individuals who weren’t already devoted comedian followers have been conversant in the Guardians of the Galaxy. As such, there was doubt that the primary Guardians of the Galaxy movie would be capable to succeed. However in a flip of occasions, it grossed over $770 million on the field workplace, surpassing that very same yr’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Superb Spider-Man 2, and X-Males: Days of Future Previous. On the time, Guardians of the Galaxy was the best grossing non-Avengers movie within the MCU apart from Iron Man 3. Gunn shortly turned the cosmic crew of misfits right into a family identify and helped the MCU attain new heights.
1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) — $863.8M
Following the success of 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the superhero crew returned in a highly-anticipated sequel titled Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Gunn returned as each author and director, additional exploring the theme of household that has been on the coronary heart of the franchise. Like its predecessor, Vol. 2 was the highest-grossing Marvel movie of that yr, grossing greater than 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok. The movie was one other win for Gunn and Marvel Studios, and was positively acquired by each critics and followers. It additionally tied in with Avengers: Infinity Battle and Avengers: Endgame, each of that are among the many highest grossing movies of all time.