The A List: Films That Made the Most Money in 2011

Movies are big business - and in North America we're always happy to head into a dark theatre, especially in the summer.

The projections for the summer 2012 movie season will soon be confirmed as slower than in the past, with box office grosses at US$4.3 billion, compared to last year's US$4.4 billion.

But don't be fooled: there is plenty of money being made, and although media tend to focus on the actors, the teams of people who put together the films are making a few loonies too. (In fact three of the 10 richest celebs last year were directors).

As the Toronto International Film Festival showcases the films that will draw us into theatres this fall, here's the list of movies (and their directors) that made the big bucks in 2011.

SLIDESHOW: TOP EARNING MOVIES 2011

Top 10 Movie Money Makers of 2011






In 2011, the top 10 films that made the big money:

10. Rise of the Planet of the Apes - directed by Rupert Wyatt, and starring James Franco, this reinvention of a classic film had a big budget of US$93 million, but brought home a cool US$481 million at the box office.

9. Rio - a colourful animated view of the rainforest, this kid's film featured the voices of George Lopez, Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg and made director Carlos Saldanha very happy with a budget of US$90 million and earnings of US$485 million.

8. The Smurfs - once again animation has kicked it into high gear with the cute blue creatures put on the big screen by director Raja Gosnell and featuring voices of Hank Azaria and Katy Perry brought in US$562 million with a budget of US$110 million.

7. The Hangover II - sequels may not always be critical darlings, but viewers flocked to see Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis make their way through Thailand - with a budget of US$80 million, director Todd Phillip's film brought in US$581 million.

6. Fast Five - bringing Vin Diesel and Paul Walker back to the screen with fast-moving cars, director Justin Lin will get anyone to talk to him with a budget of US$125 million and earnings of US$626 million.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2 - another successful animated sequel featuring the voices of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie, director Jennifer Yuh gets to be in the boys club with a budget of US$150 million and box office of US$665 million.

4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - director Bill Condon wouldn't have any problem getting Twihards to come see Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart on screen, and no matter a budget of US$110 million - box office bonanza equals US$652 million.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Johnny Depp's fourth film in the Disney franchise still draws fans, this time with sidekick Penelope Cruz under the eye of director Rob Marshall whose budget of US$250 million and earnings of US$1.043 billion.

2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon - the third film of the toy-inspired trilogy starring Shia LaBoeuf and directed by Michael Bay, known for his action thrillers, brought fans back to theatres, with box office of US$1.123 billion, and a budget of US$195 million.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II - the boy wizard has been popular for years from the books to the screen adaptations. This last film in the Potter series, directed by David Yates, may have a budget of US$125 million but lured wizards from every corner to make box office gold: US$1.328 billion.