Highest Grossing Movies of 2011

This year is definitely in full swing - lots of exciting TV and movie events are coming up (London Olympics, Queen's Jubilee, The Dark Knight Rises, Breaking Dawn Part II - yes I am excited about this, don't judge me), but there's no harm looking back to 2011 and see what the top 10 highest grossing movies worldwide of the year were. Plus if you haven't seen them, click on the title of each movie to see whether it's airing on TV soon, available to buy on DVD or online.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

No surprise here really! The final Harry Potter film hit the big screen worldwide in July grossing a massive $1,323,111,219 - that number is phenomenal! The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ranked third in 2010, behind Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland. Regardless, Harry Potter is currently the highest grossing franchise of all time mainly thanks to the huge success of DH: Part 2, with James Bond coming second (and I'm sure JB will rank first in a few years time when a few more movies are released).

2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The third instalment of Transformers grossed an impressive $1,123,746,996 - impressive because it wasn't that good! I loved Transformers 1 & 2, but the story line in the third movie was pretty weak. The Transformers franchise currently ranks seventh in the highest-grossing franchise list with DOTM being the highest grossing movie out of the three.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The fourth Pirates film grossed $1,043,871,802 at the box office and is the 8th highest grossing film of all time (Dead Man's Chest is number 6). I am yet to see this film, but it's in my Picks so hopefully it'll be on TV soon...I have heard good things about it. The fifth instalment of POTC is expected to be released in the summer of 2013.

4. Kung Fu Panda 2

Jack Black was back with the second instalment from the Kung Fu Panda series, grossing $665,692,281 worldwide. Haven't seen this one yet, but if it's as funny and entertaining as the first film, I'm sure I'll love it. It is the highest-grossing animated film of 2011.

5. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

I'm quite surprised that Breaking Dawn Part 1 is fifth on this list. I expected it to rank slightly higher, but I suppose the previous four films are for all ages, whereas Twihards fit a certain demographic. This film grossed $659,523,854 - less than New Moon and Eclipse. Personally I thought it was the best movie out of them all...

6. Fast Five

Anything with Paul Walker in it is a winner in my eyes, but bringing back the original team from The Fast and the Furious = immense. Also I loved the twist right at the end, after all the credits had rolled. Fast Five grossed $626,137,675 worldwide. It's the highest grossing movie of the franchise so far... so far as Fast & Furious 6 is due to be released in 2013.

7. The Hangover Part II

The Wolfpack was back! Although not as original or unique as the first movie (but c'mon, let's be honest - how could it be!?), it was still hilariously cringeworthy. This time the 'pack' was joined by Stu's future brother-in-law Teddy for the wild and temporarily forgettable night out. If you haven't seen it, why not!? The movie grossed $581,464,305 worldwide.

8. The Smurfs

I loved The Smurfs a child - I even had the album on cassette - yes cassette! Some time in the early 90s.... So you'd think that I would've rushed to the cinema to watch it, right? Well you'd be wrong - I didn't. I'm waiting for it to come onto TV...but I do love the fact that Katy Perry voices Smurfette, considering her parents didn't let her watch the series as a child. Despite receiving negative responses from critics, the movie grossed $562,547,576 worldwide.

9. Cars 2

Another movie I really wanted to see but never got round to it! Michael Caine joined the cast for the sequel, as did Eddie Izzard, Jason Isaacs, Emily Mortimer and even a few F1 drivers!  I've heard a few bad reviews about this one, so I hope I'm not disappointed when I eventually get round to see it. Cars 2 grossed $559,852,396 worldwide.

10. Rio

This musical comedy did quite well to get onto the top 10 considering it's not a sequel, grossing $484,635,760 - although it was advertised to death in the UK. It had an all star cast of will.i.am, Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg to name a few - even Taio Cruz is on the soundtrack! The movie charts the story of Blu, a male macaw who is sent to Rio in order for him to reproduce. Of course nothing goes to plan, and Blu falls in love with Jewel (played by Hathaway) and together they must flee from an evil cockatoo.