In a pivotal Star Wars: The Last Jedi scene, one character urges another to "let it all die." The character is talking about relics of past generations: Jedi, Sith, rebels, empires. At times, this movie feels determined to do just that. If 2015's The Force Awakens bent over backward to be like the original movies, The Last Jedi does the same to buck your expectations. It doesn't "let it all die," but it does clear away enough of the old to set the newest Star Wars trilogy on a surprising path toward its conclusion.
The Last Jedi's determination to move forward comes with good and bad consequences. On one hand, there are genuinely shocking moments in this movie. Characters you thought were good have a dark side. Those who should be wise act foolishly, and a single decent act doesn't suddenly make a bad guy good. If you think you know which way this thing will go purely on a narrative level, you're probably wrong. For a Star Wars movie, that unpredictability is refreshing.
But The Last Jedi treats many of the series' vestiges with equal contempt, no matter how distant or relatively near in the past they are. More than one character or plot established in The Force Awakens gets unceremoniously blown up here. After Episode VII, this trilogy's path felt too familiar; now, it might go anywhere, but that's also made the whole endeavor feel shakier, like the plan might change again before it's all over. The plot being unpredictable is refreshing; axing entire storylines from The Force Awakens before they ever had a chance to pay off seems sloppy.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi picks up more or less right where The Force Awakens left off. Rey has traveled to a distant corner of the galaxy to get Luke Skywalker back in the fight, and General Leia's Resistance alternately flees and fights the much more powerful First Order. Without the need to introduce so many new characters, The Last Jedi does what middle trilogy movies do: It lets us spend more time with those already established.
Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is still a hot-headed but skilled Resistance pilot. Finn (John Boyega) is struggling to find his place in the Resistance as a First Order deserter. Rey (Daisy Ridley) has quite a job convincing Luke (Mark Hamill) to come out of exile, while Kylo Ren (Adam Driver)--a.k.a. Ben Solo--battles his inner conflict, not to mention Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). Leia (Carrie Fisher) leads the Resistance against overwhelming odds. Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) is still pointless. Chewbacca chewbaccas. BB-8 is still great.
Add to this already unwieldy cast: Kelly Marie Tran's Rose Tico, an intensely likable Resistance maintenance worker who gets in above her head; Benicio del Toro's DJ, a thief who toes the line between good and bad; and Laura Dern's Vice Admiral Holdo, an utterly unnecessary addition who takes screen time away from better characters.
What really doesn't help The Last Jedi is how grossly bloated it is with circuitous subplots, narrative cul-de-sacs, and detours that amount to little more than distractions. The movie's main event is actually a drawn out stalemate between Snoke's armada and Leia's pathetic forces, which probably wasn't a smart structural choice for a middle movie that would have threatened to drag even without a lengthy standoff in the middle.
Various characters on both sides give regular reports on the Resistance ships' dwindling fuel supply, which graciously serves to signal to audiences approximately how much more foot-tapping non-action remains before the movie gets good again. There are entire schemes, mutinies, and double-crosses that serve only to tread water while The Last Jedi's many moving pieces all get into place for a finale that is, admittedly, awfully grand.
That sounds grim, but The Last Jedi gets many important things right too. Like The Force Awakens, it's beautiful to behold. It's also just the right amount of funny. Even the Porgs, which drew such a following before the movie had even released, provide the right amount of cute without feeling overused.
Luke Skywalker's decades-long arc pays off in a way that Han Solo's, sadly, did not in The Force Awakens. Yet Luke's scenes never dissolve into pandering or fan service; in fact, his journey provides more surprises than any other plot in the movie. Carrie Fisher's performance comes with surprises too, although the exact details of her plot will surely cause some to wonder how much of the film was changed after the actress's death in late 2016. Regardless of whether we ever find out, The Last Jedi is a beautiful send-off for the iconic character and the actress who played her.
Most importantly, The Last Jedi provides real momentum and growth for its core characters. Poe, Rey, Finn, and Kylo were all right where we left them when the movie started, which made it easy to jump straight into the conflict. By the end, they're in very different places.
Episode VII and, now, Episode VIII have accomplished something as difficult as it is crucial: They've made us care about a new generation of Star Wars heroes. Looking toward the past in these movies has been fun and emotional, but the new trilogy was always going to live or die by what it added to the series, not what it rehashed. And the journeys of characters like Rey and Ben Solo are starting to feel as nuanced and essential as those of Han, Luke, and Leia in the original trilogy. Regardless of where it ends, that's something to admire, and despite its issues, The Last Jedi overall is as enjoyable a Star Wars film as The Force Awakens was before it.
The Good
The Bad
Characters introduced in Force Awakens continue to evolve
Bloated with unnecessary subplots and distractions
Luke and Leia's journeys and payoff
Some new characters add little
Stylistically beautiful and funny
Treads water for much of the middle
Subverts the series' established tropes and provides genuine surprises
GameSpot's Best Games of 2017 has finally kicked off, so join us as we unveil what we thought were the 10 best games released this year. We recently revealed that the #10 spot went to Nier Automata this year. At the coveted #9 spot is What Remains of Edith Finch, which is available on the PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Read on to see why we chose it as one of the best for 2017.
While What Remains of Edith Finch might look like a simple walking simulator at first glance, its engrossing story makes it one of the most compelling games of the year. It shouldn't be missed, even by people who don't care for the genre.
You play as titular character Edith Finch as you explore your family's old, mysterious, and larger-than-life estate. The premise is that there may or may not be a curse that ends up killing all members of your lineage in strange and unexpected ways. As you walk through the labyrinthine mansion and explore the rooms of your fallen family members, the game flashes back and allows you to relive your relatives' last moments. You take control of distant cousins, long-lost uncles, and more as you play out the moments leading to their bizarre deaths. What Remains of Edith Finch ends up feeling a bit like "Final Destination" in this regard, but these vignettes are often wonderfully imaginative and haunting, sticking with you long after you've completed the journey.
The narrative can be funny, dark, or heartbreaking, but it's always gripping and well-paced. What Remains of Edith Finch feels like a great page turner of a book that is full of unexpected twists and turns. It's a game that you'll want to recommend to friends as soon as you finish it. Without giving too much away, one of its greatest strengths is that it tells a story that can only effectively be conveyed through a video game. The impact is bolstered by top-notch voice acting and a surreal and magical world that is somehow still rooted in reality. If you decide to give What Remains of Edith Finch a shot, you'll be treated to one of the most surprising and riveting hits of the year.
Ni no Kuni gained a devoted following when it launched back in 2013, and Ni no Kuni II aims to give players even more of its distinctive JRPG gameplay and story. Today, however, Bandai Namco announced that players will have to wait a bit longer for the game, as it's been delayed for two months.
Previously scheduled for release on January 19 on PS4 and PC, Ni No Kuni II has been pushed back until March 23 . According to a press release, this delay is due to developer Level-5 needing more time to ensure that the game meets the studio's standards.
"With innovation and new ideas comes the need to ensure everything works together in a fun and cohesive way," Level-5 President Akihiro Hino said. "This means we'll need a bit more time to make sure the entire Ni no Kuni II experience meets our highest quality standards."
This is the second time that the game has been delayed; the developer originally aimed for a November 10 launch. Alongside this announcement, Bandai Namco also released a new trailer showing off some of the Japanese voice acting. You can watch it above.
The Nintendo Switch continues to sell at a rapid pace. Rather than waiting for its next quarterly earnings report to disclose an updated sales total, Nintendo has announced that Switch has now sold 10 million units worldwide.
That figure is according to Nintendo's internal sales data through the system's first nine months. That would suggest this data accounts for sales through early December, though Nintendo did not provide an exact cut-off date. We've followed up with the company and will report back with any additional information we receive.
This is our first update in more than a month; by Nintendo's previous tally, it had sold 7.63 million Switch units at the end of September. That prompted the company to revise its forecast for the current fiscal year, which runs through March 2018. It now expects to sell 14 million units during the current fiscal year, on top of those it sold during Switch's launch month of March. That puts it on pace to top lifetime sales of Wii U in about a year's time.
During its launch month, Switch sold 2.74 million units worldwide. If it does manage to sell 14 million units by the end of March, that will push its total to 16.74 million units. That brings it close to the lifetime sales of GameCube (21.74 million) but still far behind that of the ultra-successful Wii (101.63 million).
Nintendo celebrated today's announcement with a tweet containing the image above. It references many of its big first-party Switch releases this year, though Arms is sadly forgotten. For a look back at the full year, check out our 2017 Nintendo report card.
Following on the heels of the limited-time Game Awards Flash Sale this past weekend, a new slate of discounts are now available in the PlayStation Store. Ahead of the holidays, Sony has kicked off the first week of its 2017 Holiday Sale, which offers a ton of discounts on PS4, PS3, and Vita titles.
Many of these deals will be available until December 19, while some will be around until just after Christmas, on December 26. As this is only the first week of the PSN Holiday Sale, Sony will presumably add another selection of discounts next week. Until then, you can see all the deals available right now on the PlayStation Store.
Because other companies own the rights to some of Marvel's properties, characters from all across the Marvel universe have been featured in twice as many films as DC. This includes characters from The Avengers, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and more. Here are how all those films did in the box office, in order by worldwide totals, adjusted for inflation.
The late '80s Punisher film was full of bad dialogue, a cheesy plot, and many unmemorable moments. Somehow, the Dolph Lungren driven film found a cult following.
Worldwide total: $533,411 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,036,873)
The Punisher was only released in Europe.
Man-Thing (2005)
Man-Thing went straight to the Syfy Channel in the States; however, it did get a small release in Europe.
Worldwide total: $1,123,136 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,386,167)
Punisher: War Zone (2008)
The over-the-top, ultra-violent Punisher: War Zone didn't have the box office success it hoped for, even with the Punisher spinning from a chandelier, shooting people.
US: $8,050,977 (Adjusted for Inflation: $9,013,304)
Worldwide total: $10,100,036 (Adjusted for Inflation: $11,307,285)
The Punisher (2004)
Thomas Jane played Frank Castle in the highly-anticipated 2004 film, but it received mixed reviews, even with WWE wrestler Kevin Nash playing one of the villains.
US: $33,810,189 (Adjusted for Inflation: $43,142,087)
Worldwide total: $54,700,105 (Adjusted for Inflation: $69,797,797)
Elektra (2005)
Spinning out of 2003's Daredevil, Jennifer Garner starred as the titular Elektra in this critically panned film.
US: $24,409,722 (Adjusted for Inflation: $30,126,321)
Worldwide total: $56,681,566 (Adjusted for Inflation: $69,956,023)
Howard the Duck (1986)
Most people remember only a couple things from Howard the Duck: Lea Thompson having sex with the titular character and a topless female duck. It was a pretty weird film.
US: $16,295,774 (Adjusted for Inflation: $35,838,510)
Worldwide total: $37,962,774 (Adjusted for Inflation: $83,489,699)
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)
The Ghost Rider sequel didn't win over American moviegoers as much as the rest of the world, with the majority of its box office coming from other countries.
US: $51,774,002 (Adjusted for Inflation: $54,354,651)
Worldwide total: $132,563,930 (Adjusted for Inflation: $139,171,513)
Blade: Trinity (2004)
The third and final Blade film had the titular character joining up with the famed Nightstalkers to hunt vampires.
US: $52,411,906 (Adjusted for Inflation: $66,878,035)
Worldwide total: $128,905,366 (Adjusted for Inflation: $164,484,338)
Fantastic Four (2015)
Last year's Fantastic Four was a bit of a mess, but it still managed to pull in over $100 million from the rest of the world.
US: $56,117,548 (Adjusted for Inflation: $57,069,583)
Worldwide total: $167,977,596 (Adjusted for Inflation: $170,827,340)
Blade (1998)
Blade was the film that really kicked off the comic book movie craze that's been running for 18 years now.
US: $70,087,718 (Adjusted for Inflation: $103,642,965)
Worldwide total: $131,183,530 (Adjusted for Inflation: $193,989,053)
Blade II (2002)
The sequel to Blade did well, and it helped studios realize that mass audiences have a thirst for superheroes.
US: $82,348,319 (Adjusted for Inflation: $110,333,930)
Worldwide total: $155,010,032 (Adjusted for Inflation: $207,689,316)
Daredevil (2003)
The only superhero film to feature a fight on a see-saw didn't have a great reach to the international market.
US: $102,543,518 (Adjusted for Inflation: $134,330,893)
Worldwide total: $179,179,718 (Adjusted for Inflation: $234,723,482)
Ghost Rider (2007)
Nicolas Cage suited up as Johnny Blaze in what many comic book fans consider to be an entirely forgettable film.
US: $115,802,596 (Adjusted for Inflation: $134,622,151)
Worldwide total: $228,738,393 (Adjusted for Inflation: $265,911,608)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Incredible Hulk was the second film in Marvel's Cinematic Universe. This was the only film in which Edward Norton played Bruce Banner.
US: $134,806,913 (Adjusted for Inflation: $150,920,278)
Worldwide total: $263,427,551 (Adjusted for Inflation: $294,914,841)
Hulk (2003)
Ang Lee's Hulk was incredibly stylized and very ambitious. While it did well worldwide, it received mixed reviews.
US: $132,177,234 (Adjusted for Inflation: $173,150,739)
Worldwide total: $245,360,480 (Adjusted for Inflation: $321,419,561)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The Fantastic Four sequel strayed a bit from its comic roots and may have added a bit too much humor for many purists' liking.
US: $131,921,738 (Adjusted for Inflation: $153,360,881)
Worldwide total: $289,047,763 (Adjusted for Inflation: $336,022,102)
X-Men: First Class (2011)
This 2011 X-Men film went back in time, to the '70s, to examine how the first X-Men team came together.
US: $146,408,305 (Adjusted for Inflation: $156,886,822)
Worldwide total: $353,624,124 (Adjusted for Inflation: $378,933,184)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Chris Evans made his debut as Steve Rogers in this World War II film, which featured a CG'ed Evans to make him look scrawny.
US: $176,654,505 (Adjusted for Inflation: $189,297,758)
Worldwide total: $370,569,774 (Adjusted for Inflation: $397,091,643)
Fantastic Four (2005)
Fox's Fantastic Four introduced the world to the famed comic book family and was as big of a hit ovearseas as it was in America.
US: $154,696,080 (Adjusted for Inflation: $190,924,903)
Worldwide total: $330,579,719 (Adjusted for Inflation: $407,999,356)
X-Men (2000)
Hugh Jackman made his debut as Wolverine in 2000's X-Men.
US: $157,299,717 (Adjusted for Inflation: $220,181,238)
Worldwide total: $296,339,527 (Adjusted for Inflation: $414,803,059)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Although many people consider it to be the worst of all the X-Men films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine still pulled in more money than the first X-Men movie.
US: $179,883,157 (Adjusted for Inflation: $202,103,489)
Worldwide total: $373,062,864 (Adjusted for Inflation: $419,146,005)
The Wolverine (2013)
The sequel to the worst X-Men film did a bit better, but mainly because it resonated more with a global audience.
US: $132,550,960 (Adjusted for Inflation: $137,148,994)
Worldwide total: $414,828,246 (Adjusted for Inflation: $429,218,142)
Thor (2011)
The god of thunder got his own solo film in 2011, which did very well overseas.
US: $181,030,624 (Adjusted for Inflation: $193,987,078)
Worldwide total: $449,439,994 (Adjusted for Inflation: $481,606,645)
Ant-Man (2015)
Once again, the world market came out in droves to see another Marvel film, which featured a superhero who controls ants.
US: $180,202,163 (Adjusted for Inflation: $183,259,297)
Worldwide total: $519,250,779 (Adjusted for Inflation: $528,059,882)
X2: X-Men United (2003)
X2 had some of the coolest scenes in all of the X-Men franchise.
US: $214,949,694 (Adjusted for Inflation: $281,581,762)
Worldwide total: $407,711,549 (Adjusted for Inflation: $534,097,697)
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
The latest X-Men film made the bulk of its money overseas.
US: $155,442,489
Worldwide total: $534,619,896
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
The final--and worst--of the original X-Men trilogy brought in the most money.
US: $234,362,462 (Adjusted for Inflation: $280,209,618)
Worldwide total: $459,359,555 (Adjusted for Inflation: $549,221,767)
Logan (2017)
Fox tries its hand at another Rated R comic book film, featuring Logan slashing his way through everyone.
US: $226,275,826
Worldwide: $616,189,858
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man was the movie that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even though--at the time--mass audiences weren't very familiar with the character, it was still a box office success.
US: $318,412,101 (Adjusted for Inflation: $356,471,651)
Worldwide total: $585,174,222 (Adjusted for Inflation: $655,119,641)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: The Dark World wasn't a critical hit, but it did bring in around $180 million more than the first film.
US: $206,321,198 (Adjusted for Inflation: $213,478,233)
Worldwide total: $644,783,140 (Adjusted for Inflation: $667,149,896)
Big Hero 6 (2014)
While Big Hero 6 was a gigantic departure from the source material, this animated feature from Disney did great in the States and even better worldwide.
US: $222,527,828 (Adjusted for Inflation: $226,571,635)
Worldwide total: $657,127,828 (Adjusted for Inflation: $669,069,247)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
The followup to Iron Man did exceptionally well across the globe.
US: $312,433,331 (Adjusted for Inflation: $345,362,224)
Worldwide total: $623,933,331 (Adjusted for Inflation: $689,692,749)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange did decently in the United States, but it made the bulk of its money internationally.
US: $231,901,043
Worldwide total: $670,042,595
Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Amazing Spider-Man 2 may not have been a huge hit in the States, but it killed overseas.
US: $202,853,933 (Adjusted for Inflation: $206,540,223)
Worldwide total: $708,982,323 (Adjusted for Inflation: $721,866,049)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
One of Marvel's best solo superhero films, Winter Solider made the bulk of its money overseas.
US: $259,766,572 (Adjusted for Inflation: $264,487,086)
Worldwide total: $714,766,572 (Adjusted for Inflation: $727,755,411)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
The time-travelling sequel to X-Men: First Class did very well.
US: $233,921,534 (Adjusted for Inflation: $238,172,389)
Worldwide total: $748,121,534 (Adjusted for Inflation: $761,716,504)
Deadpool (2016)
In a surprise to many people, an R-rated superhero film did very well in the box office.
US: $363,070,709
Worldwide total: $782,603,445
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Many moviegoers consider Guardians of the Galaxy to be the best team movie Marvel has put out to date. Sorry, Avengers.
US: $333,176,600 (Adjusted for Inflation: $339,231,132)
Worldwide total: $774,176,600 (Adjusted for Inflation: $788,245,046)
Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The Spider-Man reboot wasn't as great as fans hoped, but it still did well in the box office.
US: $262,030,663 (Adjusted for Inflation: $275,091,452)
Worldwide total: $757,930,663 (Adjusted for Inflation: $795,709,344)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The third installment in the Thor series raked in over $100 million its opening weekend in the United States.
US: $301,136,438
Worldwide: $833,704,028 (As of 12/12/17)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is turning out to be a hit. Star-Lord learns his father is from the stars and more than just a humanoid.
US: $389,813,101
Worldwide total: $863,563,831
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The first Spider-Man film to exist within the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a good opening weekend, pulling in $117 million. It still has a long way to go to catch up with Sam Raimi's films from last decade.
US: $334,033,047
Worldwide: $879,998,831
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Sam Raimi's Spider-Man follow-up also did great.
US: $373,585,825 (Adjusted for Inflation: $476,698,677)
Worldwide total: $783,766,341 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,000,092,489)
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
While Spider-Man 3 made a ton of money, it's considered to be a terrible film.
US: $336,530,303 (Adjusted for Inflation: $391,221,224)
Worldwide total: $890,871,626 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,035,650,832)
Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man was the first Marvel film to reach a billion dollars, when adjusted for inflation and held quite a few other records.
US: $403,706,375 (Adjusted for Inflation: $540,903,708)
Worldwide total: $821,708,551 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,100,961,565)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The latest Captain America film has heroes fighting heroes, so of course, people went to the movie in droves.
US: $407,264,745
Worldwide total: $1,151,852,525
Iron Man 3 (2013)
The final Iron Man film did exceptionally well.
US: $409,013,994 (Adjusted for Inflation: $423,202,200)
Worldwide total: $1,215,439,994 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,257,602,155)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers sequel pulled in almost a billion dollars overseas alone.
US: $459,005,868 (Adjusted for Inflation: $466,792,915)
Worldwide total: $1,405,035,767 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,428,872,237)
Avengers (2012)
Finally, sitting pretty at the top spot is the first Avengers film.
US: $623,357,910 (Adjusted for Inflation: $654,428,878)
Worldwide total: $1,518,594,910 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,594,288,526)
DC started their films off strong back in the late '70s; however, the way comics and films work has all changed. Everyone wants to have their own cinematic universe, and DC is slowly working on putting it all together.
While the company's film universe is new, its role in Hollywood is not. It's had some huge hits and misses since 1978, when Superman released. Some of these films set box office records while others were buried and forgotten. We thought it would be fun to take a look at how much money DC's films made in theaters, from worst to best, with adjustment for inflation.
You probably don't remember Steel, starring Shaquille O'Neal. There's a reason for that. It's a terrible movie.
US: $1,686,429 (Adjusted for Inflation: $2,532,669)
Steel was only released domestically.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Although Mask of the Phantasm didn't make a ton of money compared to the rest of the films on the list, it's the only DC animated film to release in theaters (Killing Joke was a one-night event), and it was well-received for its time.
US: $5,588,699 (Adjusted for Inflation: $9,322,414)
Released theatrically in US and Brazil. Numbers for Brazil not available.
Jonah Hex (2010)
Jonah Hex is a pretty fantastic, grounded western property that was turned into a supernatural mess. It had a great cast and all the potential in the world, but the story was extremely rough.
US: $10,539,414 (Adjusted for Inflation: $11,650,214)
Worldwide total: $10,895,609 (Adjusted for Inflation: $12,043,951)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
No one wanted to see Superman throw the world's nuclear weapons into the sun. They wanted to see him punch somebody.
US: $15,681,020 (Adjusted for Inflation: $31,950,310)
Superman IV was only released domestically.
Supergirl (1984)
Many people forget that after Superman III, Supergirl got her shot at the big screen.
US: $14,296,438 (Adjusted for Inflation: $33,166,360)
Supergirl was only released domestically.
Catwoman (2004)
Catwoman is a film that took the source material and threw it out the window, hoping to rely on Halle Berry's name to put butts in seats. It did not do so.
US: $40,202,379 (Adjusted for Inflation: $51,298,576)
Worldwide total: $82,102,379 (Adjusted for Inflation: $104,763,331)
Superman III (1983)
After the awesomeness that was Superman II, someone decided to make the third film in the franchise a buddy comedy, featuring comedian Richard Pryor.
US: $56,950,623 (Adjusted for Inflation: $137,823,938.42)
Superman III was only released domestically.
Watchmen (2009)
Watchmen was the start of director Zack Snyder working for DC Entertainment. The film was ambitious and visually stunning, but it left a sour taste in some people's mouths.
US: $107,509,799 (Adjusted for Inflation: $120,790,105)
Worldwide total: $185,258,983 (Adjusted for Inflation: $208,143,372)
Green Lantern (2011)
Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Blade: Trinity) took on the role of Hal Jordan, space cop. It was panned by both critics and fans. At least Reynolds has a good sense of humor about it.
US: $116,601,172 (Adjusted for Inflation: $124,946,377)
Worldwide total: $219,851,172 (Adjusted for Inflation: $235,586,033)
Superman II (1980)
Superman II did well in the theaters, but we're not quite sure why this wasn't released internationally.
US: $101,347,629 (Adjusted for Inflation: $296,463,953)
Superman II was only released domestically.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
It may not be part of the DC Cinematic Universe, but The Lego Batman Movie appeals to fans both young and old.
US: $174,932,902
Worldwide: $310,032,902
Batman & Robin (1997)
If there's one thing Batman & Robin did well, it was to have Arnold Schwarzenegger only speak in ice puns. In fact, that's the only thing it did well.
US: $107,285,004 (Adjusted for Inflation: $161,120,017)
Worldwide total: $238,207,122 (Adjusted for Inflation: $357,738,120)
Batman Begins (2005)
After Batman & Robin, some folks were a little skeptical of Christopher Nolan's Batman origin story and reluctant to go to the theater. They shouldn't have been.
US: $206,852,432 (Adjusted for Inflation: $255,295,937)
Worldwide total: $374,218,673 (Adjusted for Inflation: $461,858,271)
Superman Returns (2006)
The fifth movie in the original Superman series, 19 years after Superman IV, had a good showing.
US: $200,069,408 (Adjusted for Inflation: $239,207,985)
Worldwide total: $391,081,192 (Adjusted for Inflation: $467,586,450)
Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton's second Batman film didn't do as well as the original, but that's probably because they didn't get Prince to do the soundtrack again.
US: $162,744,850 (Adjusted for Inflation: $279,598,668)
Worldwide total: $282,800,000 (Adjusted for Inflation: $485,855,640)
Batman Forever (1995)
Surprisingly, Batman Forever did better than Batman Returns, probably because heavy hitters--for the time--Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones joined the cast.
US: $183,997,904 (Adjusted for Inflation: $291,013,692)
Worldwide total: $336,531,112 (Adjusted for Inflation: $532,262,376)
Justice League (2017)
Justice League stumbled during it's opening weekend. It didn't even bring in $100 million domestically.
US: $212,129,668
Worldwide total: $614,729,668 (As of 12/12/17)
Man of Steel (2013)
Man of Steel kicked off DC's cinematic universe and polarized audiences and fans as Zack Snyder gave the world a much darker Superman than they were expecting.
US: $291,045,518 (Adjusted for Inflation: $301,141,539)
Worldwide total: $668,045,518 (Adjusted for Inflation: $691,219,218)
Suicide Squad (2016)
The third film in DC's cinematic universe may have been panned by critics, but it continues to bring in money.
US: $325,021,779
Worldwide total: $745,173,191
Batman (1989)
Batman wowed audiences with Tim Burton's dark, quirky style and an awesome soundtrack by Prince.
US: $251,188,924 (Adjusted for Inflation: $488,274,805)
Worldwide total: $411,348,924 (Adjusted for Inflation: $799,602,596)
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman had a great opening weekend, making over $100 million domestically. The movie tells the story of Diana (Gal Gadot) leaving her home to battle evil during World War I.
US: $412,550,942
Worldwide total: $821,750,942
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
While comic fans and some moviegoers had a problem with the tone and story, people across the world went to the theater to see Batman fight Superman.
US: $330,249,062
Worldwide total: $872,662,631
Superman (1978)
Superman was the first to break the $1 billion mark, when adjusted for inflation. It introduced the world to Christopher Reeves as the Man of Steel.
US: $40,925,251 (Adjusted for Inflation: $151,296,635)
Worldwide total: $300,218,018 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,109,876,543)
The Dark Knight (2008)
One of the best comic book films to date, featuring a stellar performance from the late Heath Ledger, broke the $1 billion mark in 2008.
US: $534,858,444 (Adjusted for Inflation: $598,789,657)
Worldwide total: $1,004,558,444 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,124,632,532)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The top-grossing DC film wasn't even one of their best. Christopher Nolan's final Batman movie beat out his previous film by $10 million.
US: $448,139,099 (Adjusted for Inflation: $470,476,371)
Worldwide total: $1,084,939,099 (Adjusted for Inflation: $1,139,017,354)
Rainbow Six Siege has acquired a dedicated fanbase over the time since its initial release, due in large part to Ubisoft's continuing support and frequent content releases. And the company doesn't plan on stopping any time soon: starting today, you can buy the game's Year 3 content pass for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Like with past DLC passes, this one will get you early access to all of the new content that Ubisoft will release over the coming year. Specifically, the publisher plans on adding eight Operators representing six different countries.
In addition, purchasers can expect a bunch of VIP benefits such as extra credits, customization options, and shop discounts. If you purchase the pass before March 5, you'll also get a special Damascus Steel weapon skin, and if you owned the Year 2 pass, you'll receive an extra 600 credits. The pass is available for $30 / £25 / AU$45 .
We're giving away one-hundred (100) Xbox One codes for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and one (1) Grand Prize Pack, which includes a loot box, cast-iron frying pan, ski-mask, illustrated map of Erangel, and customized Xbox One controller. (Scroll down below to enter.)
Competition ends Thursday, December 14 at 9:00AM PT. One-hundred (100) winners will be emailed. Entry is open worldwide.
Enter below (the additional entries are OPTIONAL to increase your chances of winning):
From the makers of the best-selling PC phenomenon, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds drops players into a competitive survival battle where you'll engage in a heart-racing fight to be the last player left alive. Loot supplies, find weapons and gear-up to take on the competition in a solo or team squad match. Emerge the lone survivor in a thrilling game experience full of unexpected, adrenaline-pumping moments.
Game Preview: Game is unfinished and work in progress, may change over time, and may not release as a final product. Game preview information at xbox.com/GamePreview. Xbox Live Gold required to play (sold separately).
Today was set to be a big day for Destiny 2, as it would not only receive a major new update, but it would also mark the debut of the first Faction Rally event of Season 2. While a big patch is still on the way, the Faction Rally has been postponed as Bungie makes changes to what is available to players who don't purchase DLC.
Curse of Osiris's release last week revealed how Bungie would approach gating certain existing content. In short, some activities that were accessible previously now required purchasing the DLC. Some of that changes with today's update 1.1.1.1, and Bungie has said that all limited-time events, including The Dawning, Iron Banner, and Faction Rally, will also be available to everyone.
That adjustment, however, necessitated a delay for the Faction Rally that was scheduled to run this week. Bungie said this was "to ensure all of our players can access the activity and the appropriate rewards." Rewards that were offered through Faction Rally (and Iron Banner) events during Season 1 will continue to be available to everyone. However, there will be new seasonal rewards, including armor ornaments, that only Curse of Osiris owners can acquire.
Bungie did not share a date for when the next Faction Rally will take place. Given that these have always run from one weekly reset to the next (meaning from one Tuesday until the following Tuesday), it seems unlikely that we'll see it before next Tuesday, December 19. With The Dawning event presumably coming soon to coincide with the holidays, though, it's possible the wait for the first Faction Rally of Season 2 may be even further off.
If you never got around to playing Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, then you missed out on what I'd argue is the best Assassin's Creed game in the series. But today's a good day to try it out: It's now available for free on PC.
Ubisoft is holding a promotion this month to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the launch of the first Assassin's Creed: it's giving away PC downloads of Black Flag. From now until December 18, you can get the game through Ubisoft's Uplay service. And once you claim the game, it's yours to keep.
Although this year's entry in the series--Assassin's Creed Origins--is, by all accounts, a good game, Black Flag is still considered by many fans (and myself) a high-water mark of the franchise. Black Flag added a deep naval combat system, giving you a pirate ship and the ability to plunder privateers and other navies. It's well worth checking out, especially since it doesn't cost anything.
Ubisoft also put out a standalone story expansion to Black Flag, called Freedom Cry. It's a great add-on that explores more about the life of Black Flag's side character, Adewale. If you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you may have downloaded Freedom Cry for free on PS4 a few months ago--otherwise, you can buy it for $15 on PC through Steam or Uplay.
The holiday season is here, and that means that you might have some extra time to play games. If you're looking for something to occupy your vacation, GOG's a good place to start: its winter sale begins today, and you can also grab Grim Fandango Remastered for free right now.
GOG is kicking off its big sale by giving away downloads of Grim Fandango Remastered. If you never played the original Grim Fandango when it released in 1998, it's well worth downloading the classic adventure game. It inspired and influenced a lot of game design that came after it, and the Remastered version does a good job of updating the game for modern audiences. You can get it for free until Thursday, December 14.
To download the game, click the "Get for free" button on GOG's homepage. Users have been experiencing trouble claiming the game from the Grim Fandango game page, so for the moment, download it from the homepage.
The storefront has also discounted a ton of great games, as well. Some of the highlights include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for $20 (originally $50), Cuphead for $17 (originally $20), and Absolver for $15 (originally $30). You can see all of the sales here.
GOG has gotten out ahead of other digital storefronts with its winter sale; we'll undoubtedly see Steam's holiday event coming out in the next week or two. According to recent reports, it's likely that Steam's sale will begin on December 21. Meanwhile, GOG will continue changing and updating its discounts until December 26.
Some links to supporting retailers are automatically made into affiliate links, and GameSpot may receive a small share of those sales.
Creed 2 has a new director. It has been confirmed that the sequel to the 2015 Rocky spin-off Creed will no longer be directed by Sylvester Stallone. The movie will instead be helmed by Steven Caple Jr., who previously made the acclaimed 2016 indie hit The Land.
In October, Stallone stated that he would direct the movie, which he has co-written and in which he will co-star as Rocky Balboa. However, as Variety reports, after discussion with star Michael B. Jordan and the movie's producers, Stallone decided to hand the reins to another filmmaker. The site notes that Caple Jr. was personally chosen by Stallone, and that Creed director Ryan Coogler is also expected to return as executive producer.
In a statement, Stallone, who created the character of Rocky back in the mid-'70s, said, "The character of Adonis Creed reflects this generation and its challenges," said Stallone. "I believe it's important for the director to also be a part of this generation like I was in mine, to make the story as relatable as possible. We are extremely lucky to have the talented young filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. step up and accept the role of director. I am confident that he and Michael B. Jordan will hit it out of the park!"
In July, Stallone also suggested that fellow action star Dolph Lundgren will reprise his role as Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago, last seen in 1985's Rocky IV. At that time, Stallone posted a series vintage shots of Lundgren from the set of Rocky IV, each one tagged with "CREED 2." Lundgren himself largely confirmed this news when he posted a training video, with the caption, "Getting ready for something big! #creed 2."
Stallone won a Golden Globe for his performance as the aging Rocky in Creed, as well as receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The movie made $173.6 million at the worldwide box office.
In related news, Coogler's Marvel movie Black Panther hits theaters in February. Chadwick Boseman plays the title character, with Jordan in a supporting role. A new international trailer featuring lots of new footage was released this week.
The latest free update for Grand Theft Auto V's GTA Online mode is now available. Beginning today, December 12, PC, PS4, and Xbox One players can all take on The Doomsday Heist, a brand-new online heist for GTA Online and the biggest piece of content Rockstar has rolled out for the mode to date.
Rockstar describes The Doomsday Heist as a "massive new adventure" in which players will team up to thwart "a plan so diabolical it could end life as we know it." The heist spans three acts, each of which "involves negotiating multiple ruthless Freemode prep missions, tactical setup operations, and experimental weapons and vehicles." Rockstar says that all three acts of The Doomsday Heist end in an "over-the-top finale" that will net you a hefty payoff.
In order to participate in the new heist, one of your crew members will need to own "one of the previously undisclosed IAA facilities hidden under Southern San Andreas." That will give you access to the advanced planning room that maps out how to complete each new mission. Players who own the facility also get the option to have either their own Strike Team or Orbital Cannon, a devastating weapon "capable of immolating any patch of ground that incurs your wrath."
In addition to the new heist, today's update introduces "dozens" of new weapons, vehicles, clothing options, and other content to GTA Online, such as your own Mammoth Thruster jetpack and The Avenger, a turreted aircraft capable of vertical take-off. Other new vehicles available in GTA Online now include:
Thruster (Warstock)
Deluxo (Warstock)
Stromberg (Warstock)
RCV (Warstock)
Chernobog (Warstock)
Barrage (Warstock)
Akula (Warstock)
Khanjali (Warstock)
Volatol (Warstock)
Comet Safari (Legendary Motorsport)
Ocelot Pariah (Legendary Motorsport)
Coil Raiden (Legendary Motorsport)
Ubermacht SC1 (Legendary Motorsport)
Vapid Riata (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Declasse Yosemite (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Finally, Rockstar has added eight new Achievements and Trophies to earn. The developer has brought back Criminal Mastermind challenges for all three acts of The Doomsday Heist, as well. Each finale mission also has Elite Challenge objectives for an even steeper challenge and additional rewards.
One of the biggest stories out of gaming in 2017 was the launch of the Nintendo Switch. The console-handheld hybrid has been wildly successful and already has an exceptionally strong library of games only nine months after launch. For the majority of the year, Switch systems have been consistently hard to find, but if someone you know was able to pick one up, there are plenty of accessories we'd suggest getting them this holiday season (if they're on your nice list).
SanDisk Ultra 128GB UHS-1 microSDXC Card
SanDisk Ultra 128GB UHS-1 microSDXC Card
If you're the type of person who primarily downloads their games, the 32GB of storage on Switch won't cut it for long. Zelda: Breath of the Wild has a digital download size of 13.4 GB, and the recent port of L.A. Noire won't fit on the internal storage if you buy it from the eShop. For added storage, the SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSDXC card is an excellent value. And even though it tops out at 80MB/s, that's plenty fast for downloading and playing Switch games.
Retail price: $50
SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth Headset
SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth Headset
Since the Switch has a 3.5mm audio jack built in, any headset or pair of headphones with the proper connection will work on it. However, voice chat has been a tough problem to solve on Nintendo's system, which is what makes the SteelSeries Arctis 3 with Bluetooth a great option for Switch owners. It has the standard 3.5mm connection but can also connect to a second device simultaneously through Bluetooth. Ideally, you'd be connected to your voice chat app of choice wirelessly while staying plugged in to get game audio. Not to mention that the Arctis 3 is comfortable, light on the ears, and provides decent sound quality.
Retail price: $130
Official Nintendo Pro Controller
Official Nintendo Pro Controller
There's no better gamepad for Switch owners than the official Nintendo Pro Controller. It can be used wirelessly or wired, lasts around 40 hours on a full charge, includes motion controls, and is ergonomically superior to the Joy-Con. The tactile feel of the triggers and bumpers is a definite upgrade and the precision of the analog sticks will make games easier to control. The Pro Controller has a nice, substantial weight with grippy rubber handles to top off its quality build.
Retail price: $70
PowerA Zelda and Mario Edition Controllers
PowerA Zelda and Mario Edition Controllers
There's a less-costly controller option for Switch that comes from PowerA. One of these will run you $30, but know that modest price tag comes with a few compromises; they only work through a wired connection and do not have motion controls. If neither of these shortcomings are a problem, then these make for great gamepads. The Zelda Edition has a matte black finish with a sketch of Link aiming his bow and the Hylian Crest at the center. The Mario Edition features a red paint job and a mosaic of iconography from the famed franchise.
Retail price: $30
8bitdo SF30 Pro/SN30 Pro Controllers
8bitdo SF30 Pro/SN30 Pro Controllers
Not only do 8bitdo's SF30 Pro and SN30 Pro make a neat gift that will send anyone who had a Super Famicom/Super Nintendo on a nostalgia trip, but they're fully-featured gamepads. While it sports the classic look and build, it has two triggers, two bumpers, dual analog sticks that click downward, and the Switch's home and screenshot buttons. The controllers connect through Bluetooth and charge via USB-C--they can last up to 16 hours on a full charge. Just note that the vibration produces an audible rattle noise.
Retail price: $50
Hori USB Ethernet Adapter
Hori USB Ethernet Adapter
Downloading games and playing online through WiFi might not be ideal, which makes an ethernet adapter worth considering. The Hori LAN adapter plugs into one of the Switch dock's USB ports with an ethernet port on the other end of the device. Wired connections will improve download and upload speeds greatly and offer a more consistent connection for multiplayer games.
Retail price: $30
RDS Game Traveler Carrying Case
RDS Game Traveler Carrying Case
Anyone who takes their Switch places without a case is running a risk. You can prevent a disaster for a Switch owner by gifting them a proper carrying case, and we'd recommend a licensed one from RDS. It's a semi-hard zipper case that straps the console-handheld hybrid into place with room for the Joycons attached. You'll also be getting your giftee two hard shell game card cases and SD card cases since they're all packaged together.
Retail price: $20
PowerA Anti-Glare Screen Protection Kit
PowerA Anti-Glare Screen Protection Kit
The Switch doesn't close up like the 3DS to guard the screen so you'll want to be extra careful not to scuff the system's display. PowerA's anti-glare screen protector two-pack will do the trick; the protector itself is a semi-hard plastic shield that'll fit the screen just right. It also comes with a cleaning cloth to prep the screen and an applicator wedge to make the process easier and help ensure no air bubbles get stuck underneath.
Retail price: $10
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD Portable Charger
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD Portable Charger
The Switch makes long trips much more fun by the nature of its portability, but if there isn't an opportunity to dock it or plug into USB-C charger, you'll eventually run out of juice. Anker's PowerCore+ battery pack helps solve that problem and the 26800 mAh version holds enough juice to charge the Switch up from 0 to 100 six times over if the bank itself is fully charged.
Retail price: $83
Hori USB-C Car Charger
Hori USB-C Car Charger
Another solution for charging the Switch on-the-go (if one is traveling by car) is a car charger. The officially licensed one from Hori features a six-foot USB-C cable that plugs straight into the cigarette lighter socket (an antiquated, but proper designation). The DC 5-volt / 3.0A output also offers a speedy charge for the console.
Retail price: $20
Amiibo
Amiibo
Amiibo figures aren't just there to look cool, they also give in-game bonuses depending on the particular Amiibo and game. The Switch's built-in NFC reader will recognize Amiibo when they're placed on top of the system. For example, you'll unlock outfits and costumes in Super Mario Odyssey and specific items in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Do a little research and see if there's a particular Amiibo your gift recipient would love!
Retail price: Varies based on specific amiibo
Nintendo eShop Digital Card
Nintendo eShop Digital Card
If you can't really decide on Switch accessories for the holiday season, don't worry, a simple eShop digital card would be much appreciated. These are used as currency in Nintendo's digital storefront and your giftee can pick out whatever game or add-on they want. The eShop cards are offered in $10, $20, $35, $50 amounts and are all printed with Mario characters for an aesthetic touch.
Retail price: $10, $20, $35, $50
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