The year 2008 involved many major film events. ''

The Dark Knight ''The Dark Knight'' is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Jonathan Nolan, Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero, Batman, it is the sequel to ''Batman Begins'' (2005) and t ...

'' was the year's highest-grossing film, while ''

Slumdog Millionaire ''Slumdog Millionaire'' is a 2008 British drama film that is a loose adaptation of the novel '' Q & A'' (2005) by Indian author Vikas Swarup. It narrates the story of 18-year-old Jamal Malik from the Juhu slums of Mumbai. Starring Dev Pa ...

'' won the

Academy Award for Best Picture The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since the awards debuted in 1929. This award goes to the producers of the film and is the only category ...

(out of eight Academy Awards).

Evaluation of the year

2008 has been widely considered to be a very significant year for cinema. The entertainment agency website

IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...

described 2008 as "one of the biggest years ever for movies." It stated, "2008 was the year when the comic book movie genre not only hits its zenith, but also gained critical respectability thanks to ''

''. Animated films also proved a huge draw for filmgoers, with Pixar's ''

WALL-E ''WALL-E'' (stylized with an interpunct as ''WALL·E'') is a 2008 American computer-animated science fiction film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton, pro ...

'' becoming not only the highest grossing toon but also the most lauded. Things got off on the right foot with the monster movie madness of ''

Cloverfield ''Cloverfield'' is a 2008 American found footage monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams, and written by Drew Goddard. It stars Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel and Odette Yus ...

''. Marvel got down to business laying the groundwork for their superhero team-up ''The Avengers'' with the blockbuster hit ''

Iron Man Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...

'' and their respectable attempt at rebooting ''

The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...

''. The games-to-film genre took a hit this year, with only Max Payne proving to be a worthy adaptation of the source material. We also saw the highly anticipated big-screen returns of iconic characters like ''

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...

'', ''

James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...

'', and ''

Indiana Jones ''Indiana Jones'' is an American media franchise based on the adventures of Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr., a fictional professor of archaeology, that began in 1981 with the film '' Raiders of the Lost Ark''. In 1984, a prequel, '' Th ...

'' – some were more successful than others." The film industry and review website

IndieWire IndieWire (sometimes stylized as indieWIRE or Indiewire) is a film industry and review website that was established in 1996. The site's focus was predominantly independent film, although its coverage has grown to "to include all aspects of Hollyw ...

described 2008 as "a stellar year for movies" that "gave us tons of unforgettable classics" such as ''

The Wrestler The Wrestler may refer to: * ''The Wrestler'' (1974 film), an American film directed by James A. Westman * ''The Wrestler'' (2008 film), an American film directed by Darren Aronofsky * "The Wrestler" (song), a song from the 2008 film written and ...

'', '' 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days'' and '' Che''.

Highest-grossing films

The top 10 films released in 2008 by worldwide gross are as follows: For 2008, the top ten films consisted of three

superhero film A superhero film (or superhero movie) is a film that focuses on the actions of superheroes. Superheroes are individuals who possess superhuman abilities and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films typically feature Action film, ac ...

s, three

animated Animation is a method by which still figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most ani ...

films, three

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

s and one

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

Box office records

* In the domestic box office, 2008 came very close in passing 2007 as the highest-grossing year, falling short by just $30 million. * On August 4, ''The Dark Knight'' reached a $400 million domestic gross in a record time of 18 days. The previous record was held by ''

Shrek 2 ''Shrek 2'' is a 2004 American computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book '' Shrek!'' by William Steig, produced by DreamWorks Animation and released by DreamWorks Pictures. The sequel to ''Shrek'' (2001) and the ...

'', which reached it in 43 days. On August 31, after 45 days in release, ''The Dark Knight'' reached $500 million domestically, becoming only the second film in history after ''

Titanic RMS ''Titanic'' was a British passenger liner, operated by the White Star Line, which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after striking an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, United ...

'' to cross the half-billion-dollar domestic milestone, as well as the first film of the 2000s decade. Worldwide, it grossed $997 million on its initial release, and an

IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (approximately either 1.43:1 or 1.90:1) and steep stadium seating. Graeme F ...

reissue in 2009 saw it become the fourth film to gross $1 billion at the global box office. * '' Mamma Mia!'' became the highest-grossing film in UK history until it was surpassed by ''

Avatar Avatar (, ; ), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearanc ...

'' in 2010. * ''

'' set several records. At the worldwide box office, it became the most successful British

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...

of all time. At the UK box office, it became the highest-grossing British independent film (surpassing ''

Four Weddings and a Funeral ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' is a 1994 British romantic comedy film directed by Mike Newell. It is the first of several films by screenwriter Richard Curtis to feature Hugh Grant, and follows the adventures of Charles (Grant) and his circle ...

''), the highest-grossing British film without US studio investment, and the biggest ever weekly "increase for a UK saturation release" (surpassing ''

Billy Elliot ''Billy Elliot'' is a 2000 British coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Lee Hall. Set in County Durham in North East England during the 1984–1985 miners' strike, the film is about a working-class boy wh ...

'')''.''

Events

Awards

2008 films

The list of films released in 2008, arranged by country, are as follows: * American films *

Argentine films This is an index to pages listing Argentine films ordered by year of release. For an A-Z list, see :Argentine films. 1897-1929 * List of Argentine films before 1930 1930s *List of Argentine films of 1930 * List of Argentine films of 1931 * List ...

Australian films The cinema of Australia had its beginnings with the 1906 production of ''The Story of the Kelly Gang'', arguably the world's first feature film. Since then, Australian crews have produced many films, a number of which have received internati ...

* Bengali films * Bollywood films *

Brazilian films Brazilian commonly refers to: * Something of, from or relating to Brazil * Brazilian Portuguese, the dialect of the Portuguese language used mostly in Brazil * Brazilians, the people (citizens) of Brazil, or of Brazilian descent Brazilian may also ...

British films The United Kingdom has had a significant film industry for over a century. While film production reached an all-time high in 1936, the "golden age" of British cinema is usually thought to have occurred in the 1940s, during which the directors D ...

French films This is a list of films produced in the French cinema, ordered by year and decade of release on separate pages. Before 1910 *List of French films before 1910 1910s * List of French films of 1910 * List of French films of 1911 * List of Fren ...

* Hong Kong films * Italian films *

Japanese films The has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world; as of 2021, it was the fourth largest by number of feature films produced. In 2011 Japan produced 411 feature films that ea ...

* Mexican films *

Pakistani films Cinema of Pakistan, popularly known as Lollywood ( ur, ), refers to the film industry, filmmaking industry in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to several film studios centres, primarily located in its three largest cities – Karachi, Lahore, and ...

Russian films A list of the most notable films produced in the Cinema of Russia. Russia, since beginning to produce films in the late 1890s, has experienced three political regimes; the Russian Empire, Pre-1917; the Soviet Union, 1917–1991; and the Russian Fe ...

* South Korean films * Spanish films *

List of Kannada films of 2008 This is a list of films produced by the Sandalwood (Kannada language film industry) based in Bangalore in 2008. List of Kannada films released References External links Kannada Movies of 2008at the Internet Movie Database See also * Kan ...

Malayalam films Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...

Tamil films Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywo ...

Telugu films Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...

Births

*January 24 -

Chlaui Malayao Maria Chlaui Denise T. Malayao (born January 24, 2008) is a Filipino actress known for her roles on '' Yagit'' and ''Little Nanay''. Personal life Maria Chlaui Denise Malayao was born to a family of 5 in Imus, Cavite Cavite, officially t ...

, Filipina child actress *March 14 -

Abby Ryder Fortson Abby Ryder Fortson (born March 14, 2008) is an American actress who played Ella Novak in '' Transparent'', Harper Weil in '' The Whispers'', Sophie Pierson in '' Togetherness'' and Cassie Lang in ''Ant-Man'' (2015) and ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' ( ...

, American actress *June 3 -

Harshaali Malhotra Harshaali Malhotra (born 3 June 2008) is an Indian actress and model who appears in Hindi-language films and television series. Early life Harshaali was born on 3 June 2008 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India into a Punjabi Hindu family. Career ...

, Indian actress *July 15 -

Iain Armitage Iain Armitage (; born July 15, 2008) is an American child actor. He is known for starring as Sheldon Cooper in ''Young Sheldon'', a prequel to ''The Big Bang Theory'', and Ziggy Chapman in '' Big Little Lies''. In 2018, Armitage received the Youn ...

, American actor *August 1 -

Emma Berman Emma J. Berman (born August 1, 2008) is an American actress known for voicing Giulia Marcovaldo in Pixar's ''Luca'' and Winifred Wings in Go! Go! Cory Carson! Early life Berman was born in San Francisco, California to Russian immigrant. She has ...

, American actress *November 23 -

Asher Blinkoff Asher Blinkoff (born November 23, 2008) is an American teen actor. He is best known for his role as Dennis in the ''Hotel Transylvania'' film franchise for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation. Career Asher Blinkoff is the son of ...

, American actor *December 27 -

Faithe Herman Faithe Herman (born December 27, 2007) is an American actress, best known for her work in ''This Is Us'' (2016) and '' Shazam!'' (2019). Career After appearing as Annie Pearson in the 2016 television show ''This Is Us'', Herman landed her firs ...

, American actress

Deaths

Film debuts

Chadwick Boseman Chadwick Aaron Boseman (; November 29, 1976August 28, 2020) was an American actor. During his two-decade career, Boseman received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, ...

– '' The Express: The Ernie Davis Story'' * Jessica Chastain – '' Jolene'' *

Boyd Holbrook Robert Boyd Holbrook (born September 1, 1981) is an American actor. He has starred in the Netflix series ''Narcos'' (2015-2017) as DEA agent Steve Murphy and '' The Sandman'' (2022-) as the Corinthian, as well as in the History miniseries '' Ha ...

– ''

Milk Milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digestion, digest solid food. Immune factors and immune ...

'' *

Felicity Jones Felicity Rose Hadley Jones (born 17 October 1983) is a British actress. She started her professional acting career as a child, appearing in '' The Treasure Seekers'' (1996) at age 12. She went on to play Ethel Hallow for one series of the tel ...

– ''

Flashbacks of a Fool ''Flashbacks of a Fool'' is a 2008 British drama film about a Hollywood actor who, following the death of his childhood best friend, reflects upon his life and what might have been, had he stayed in England. The film was directed by Baillie Wal ...

'' * Jennifer Lawrence – ''

Garden Party A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

'' *

Riyadh Mahmood Riyadh (, ar, الرياض, 'ar-Riyāḍ, lit.: 'The Gardens' Najdi pronunciation: ), formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the R ...

– '' Aduri'' *

Rooney Mara Patricia Rooney Mara ( ; born April 17, 1985) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, ...

– '' Dream Boy'' *

Margot Robbie Margot Elise Robbie (; born 2 July 1990) is an Australian actress and producer. Known for her work in both blockbuster and independent films, she has received several accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, four Golden Glob ...

– ''Vigilante'' * Davide Sordella, Pablo Benedetti – '' Woman's Hearts''

References

{{Portal bar, Film Film by year