In 2009, the box office set another record-breaking year with $9.9 billion in revenue. This exceeds 2007 and 2008 numbers of $9.6 each. While top grossing films like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($402 million) and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince ($301 million) lead the way to the box office’s success, the true heroes of 2009 were the many sleeper hits that crept up the ladder unsuspectingly. Movies like The Hangover ($277 mil.), The Blind Side ($166 mil), The Proposal ($163 mil.) and Taken ($145 mil.) were key factors in propelling the numbers.
With 2009 now in the record books, there are great expectations for 2010. Power Player Magazine wants to highlight some of the most anticipated films for 2010. It is yet to be known which films will emerge as the sleeper hits, but here some that are sure to impact the box office significantly.
Book of Eli
Usually January isn’t a great month for the box office but this film has lots of buzz around it. The story centers on a lone hero named Eli (Denzel Washington) who must fight his way across the wasteland of post apocalyptic America to protect a sacred book that might hold the key to saving the future of humanity. Release date: January 15.
Shutter Island
History shows that thrillers don’t usually make a dent in box office numbers but when you have movie juggernauts like Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio that could change. "Shutter Island" is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. Release date: February 19
Alice in Wonderland
Mixing the imaginative mind of Tim Burton with the eccentricity of Johnny Depp in a fantastical fairy tale setting is definitely something of intrigue. This adventure film is expected to deliver special effects and costumes to dazzle the mind. Release date: March 5
Iron Man 2
Sequels to blockbuster films have always proven to be successful and it shouldn’t be any different for this mega hit from 2007. In "Iron Man 2," the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces. Jon favreau returns as director. Release date: May 7
Shrek Forever
The highest grossing animation of all time is back with another installment. It is yet to be seen if this movie will have the legs of its predecessors, but it will surely make impact for the summer. In this one, a bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love. Release date: May 21
Prince of Persia: Sands Of Time
From the team that brought the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia. A rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. Release date: May 28
Toy Story 3
This is the long awaited sequel to the franchise that set the benchmark computer animation. In it this one, Andy is now a young adult, departing for college, and his toys, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear, are being sent to storage. Before his toys can be put in the attic, they are accidentally thrown away and are picked up by the garbage men. The toys find themselves at a local day-care center where they must try to survive pre-school children. Release date: June 18
Twilight Saga: Eclipse
What else can be said about the phenomenal success of the Twilight series. In “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life. Release date: June 30
Salt
Original written for Tom Cruise, Salt now stars Angelina Jolie as a CIA officer who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy. She eludes capture by superiors who are convinced he is out to assassinate the president. While trying to reunite with her family, she struggles to prove someone else is the traitor. Release date: July 23.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
This will be a 2-part series in the final adventure of Harry Potter. Part 2 is set for release 2011. Here Potter attempts to bring an end to his nemesis, Lord Voldemort who now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for them, so everything they do must go as planned. Release date: November 19.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace, where they encounter King Caspian aboard the royal ship Dawn Treader. They join him on a quest across the eastern sea for eight missing lords of Narnia; along the way, they encounter delights, dangers, and transformations before reaching the edge of the world and Aslan's country. Release date: December 10.