2016 Projected as Biggest Ever in US Cinema History

Movie fans know that 2016 has had some big hits, with films like Captain America: Civil War, Suicide Squad, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Deadpool, Doctor Strange and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story all jumping out of geek culture to become massive hits.

However, as the year closes out, it seems that 2016 won't just be a milestone year for numerous beloved celebrity deaths; it will also be the biggest ever box office year in US cinema history.

NEXT: Top Grossing Actor of 2016 Revealed

Those projections come as part of a Forbes report on top-grossing actors of the year; according to the financial publication:

"Thanks in part to hits such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, when 2016 wraps up this week, analysts expect it to conclude as the biggest ever year in U.S. cinema history. The North American box office has already cleared an estimated $11.05 billion, with projections inching the total to some $11.3 billion by year-end."

In addition to the aforementioned superhero movies and a new Star Wars standalone film, animated features also carried the year in movies. Finding Dory tops the 2016 US box office ($486 million) with The Secret Life of Pets at no. 3 ($368 million) and Zootopia at no. 6 ($341 million). Other notable additions were new properties like Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ($215 million) and Disney's Moana ($185 million) - as well as franchise sequels like X-Men: Apocalypse ($155 million), Jason Bourne ($162 million) and Star Trek Beyond ($158 million).

...Don't expect the record to last, though: with 2017 bringing probably the most extensive lineup of highly-anticipated movies ever (including more DC, Marvel and Star Wars), these box office records are just going to keep climbing.