These days, most people think more carefully about how they spend their money. People have limited going out to eat, are traveling less frequently and, of course, not going to the movies as much. Still, some films haven't had a problem attracting audiences during the current recession. Here are some that, despite penny-pinching, raked in healthy profits at the box office.



Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Released: June 24, 2009
People of all ages flocked to see the Transformers sequel, which has made over $401 million domestically and has been one of the top grossing films of the past few years.

The Hangover
Released: June 5, 2009
Laughter is always a good remedy for those in a recession. This summer's hit scored over $273 million in domestic grosses and is now the number one grossing R-rated comedy in history.

Up and Wall-E
Released: May 29, 2009 and June 27, 2008
Pixar has proven to remain a solid box office draw with two hits in two consecutive years. Up grossed over $291 domestically, and Wall-E grossed over $223 million.



Star Trek
Released: May 8, 2009
Fans went where no fans have gone before in theaters making this year's Star Trek the highest grossing film in the franchise at over $257 million.

The Dark Knight
Released: July 18, 2008
Perhaps it was Heath Ledger's untimely death that spiked this movie's popularity, but The Dark Knight is by itself one fantastic film. Its total domestic gross was over $533 million, making it the biggest opening of all time and the second-highest grossing film of all time.

Iron Man
Released: May 2, 2008
This action packed superhero flick grossed over $318 million domestically and marked the official comeback of Robert Downey, Jr.. Maybe we all wanted to see someone else become successful again to believe that it was possible for ourselves.

Have you cut back on going to the movies since the recession started? What movies do you think are worth splurging on?