Transformers: Age of Extinction has been named the highest-grossing film of 2014, thanks largely to huge success in China.
The fourth instalment in Michael Bay’s divisive, sci-fi saga took $1.087bn (£690m) around the world. More than $300m came from China, where the film overtook Avatar in July to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. Bay shot Age of Extinction in Hong Kong and hired Chinese stars such as Li Bingbing for supporting roles, thereby helping to encourage local interest.
The second highest-grossing movie was Marvel superhero epic Guardians of the Galaxy, with $772m worldwide. Third spot went to Angelina Jolie fantasy vehicle Maleficent, with took $757m across the globe.
The top five was rounded out by two other superhero films, 20th Century Fox’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, with $746m, and Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, with $714m.
Top 10 highest-grossing films at global box office 2014
1. Transformers: Age of Extinction, $1.087bn
2. Guardians of the Galaxy, $772.3m
3. Maleficent, $757.8m
4. X-Men: Days of Future Past, $746m
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, $714.1m
6. The Amazing Spider-Man 2, $709m
7. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, $708.3m
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, $641.6m
9. Interstellar, $636.2m
10. How to Train Your Dragon 2, $618.9m
