The popcorn began to flow again in 2022 as audiences returned to cinemas after the pandemic. Some lingering issues remained, including production delays that saw nearly 50% fewer films released during the summer. But the U.S. box office still raked in $3.34 billion in ticket sales, thanks in large part to summer blockbusters such as Top Gun: Maverick and Jurassic World: Dominion.
Tom Cruise’s return as the cocky aviator managed to outgun superheroes, dinosaurs, and a horde of minions to claim the most successful movie release of the year, fending off other ever-present franchises, most notably the seemingly inexhaustible Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here are 10 quotes from the most popular and anticipated films of 2022, spoken by such iconic characters as Maverick, Charles Xavier, and Batman.
I'm a fighter pilot. Naval aviator. It's not what I am, it's who I am.Maverick (Tom Cruise) in “Top Gun: Maverick”
Moviegoers were definitely feeling the need for speed in 2022, turning out in droves to see what became the highest-grossing film of the year — and of Tom Cruise’s career.
Human beings have no more right to safety or liberty than any other creature on this planet. We not only lack dominion over nature, we're subordinate to it.Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in “Jurassic World: Dominion”
Almost 30 years after the original Jurassic Park movie, the dinosaurs are still going strong. Jurassic World packed cinemas — despite some lessthan-stellar reviews — to become the second-highest-grossing film of the year.
Just because someone stumbles and loses their way doesn't mean they're lost forever.Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
The 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the more mind-bending installments
in the franchise, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the third-highest-grossing film of the year.
Did you just trade my future for a pet rock?Gru (Steve Carell) in “Minions: The Rise of Gru”
The second Minions movie, like the first, became a cultural phenomenon, spawning the #Gentleminions tag and a meme subculture that got slightly out of control.
Vengeance won't change the past, mine or anyone else’s. I have to become more. People need hope. To know someone’s out there for them.Batman (Robert Pattinson) in “The Batman”
It was Robert Pattinson’s turn to don the cape in 2022 and, despite a lengthy 176-minute running time, the latest Batman movie was a box-office success.
I'm not Lady Thor. My name is Mighty Thor! And if that’s still too hard for you, you can call me Dr. Jane Foster! And one last thing: EAT MY HAMMER!Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) in “Thor: Love and Thunder”
Everyone loves Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and Love and Thunder also introduced us to Natalie Portman’s Mighty Thor — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser if ever there was one.
Shuri, your brother is with the ancestors.Ramonda (Angela Bassett) in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
The MCU didn’t let up in 2022, with Marvel movies seemingly everywhere, but none was more poignant or, arguably, more anticipated than Wakanda Forever, which could end up being one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Being a hero isn’t about taking care of yourself, it's about taking responsibility for other people.Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”
The second Sonic installment outdid its predecessor at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing video game movie in the United States and the fourth-highest-grossing video game film of all time.
What’s a bad miracle? They got a word for that?OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) in “Nope”
Jordan Peele movies always create quite a buzz, and his third movie as director was no exception, grossing $171 million worldwide despite the peculiar sci-fi/horror mash-up.
Your tears mean nothing. To be a warrior, you must kill your tears.Nanisca (Viola Davis) in “The Woman King”
This historical epic about an all-female warrior unit in the West African kingdom of Dahomey was both a critical and box-office success, proving that superheroes aren’t the only way to get people back in movie theaters.
Photo credit: Album/ Alamy Stock Photo
