‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ Becomes Highest Grossing Film of 2014

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I has officially become the highest grossing film of 2014 in the U.S., surpassing Guardians of the Galaxy.

On Wednesday, the Hunger Games sequel hit $333.2 million, barely edging past Guardians of the Galaxy’s box office total of $333.17 million.

This achievement marks the second consecutive year that Lionsgate has had the top grossing film of the year, which a film studio hasn’t done in decades. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire took the top spot for 2013 with $425 million. The success of the Hunger Games films makes it the first franchise to be No. 1 at the box office domestically two years in a row.

Globally, the film has earned $700 million to date and set to be released in China on February 8. Transformers: Age of Extinction currently holds the title of being the highest grossing film of 2014 worldwide, having earned over $1 billion. Overall, the Hunger Games franchise has grossed $2.2 billion.

Lionsgate also revealed on Thursday that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I will be released on digital HD on February 17, and on Blu-Ray, DVD, and On Demand on March 6.

The final Hunger Games film will hit theaters November 20, 2015, but will face some tough competition in being the highest grossing film of the year as 2015 will see the release of blockbusters Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens and Avengers: Age of Ultron.