As we celebrate another year of successful box office hits, demonstrating that cinema is thriving, here are the top 50 highest-grossing movies of all time.
Incinema history, Titanic made history on March 1, 1998, by becoming the first movie to surpass the billion-dollar mark. Despite doubts and negative predictions prior to its release, the film proved to be a monumental success and will always be remembered in the world of film.
Ever since then, there has been a significant change in the tectonic plates of the box office industry. The emergence of Barbenheimer, the success of the MCU, and the domination of Disney’s animated films, all suggest a proven formula for achieving success.
In the year 2024, several box office titans are emerging and securing their spot in the annals of film. However, at present, these are the movies that have earned the highest profits.
Top 50 highest grossing movies
Out of all the movies that have surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office, the most recent one to join the list is Inside Out 2, bringing the total number to 53.
Some of the most popular franchise films, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Dark Knight, and Jurassic World: Dominion, narrowly miss making the list.
Oppenheimer also had a strong showing, earning a total of approximately $977 million worldwide. Despite being consistently outperformed by Barbie, Christopher Nolan’s film still holds the record for the highest total gross for a movie that never reached number 1 on the weekly box office charts.
Counting down from 50-11
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Grosses Over $1 Billion
The Lord of the Rings franchise will be featured again in this list, but the initial excitement surrounding the original trilogy undoubtedly contributed to the success of The Hobbit when it was released as a prequel in 2012.
Unfortunately, the quality of The Hobbit movies pales in comparison to that of the films that came before them. In reality, the decision to split the story into three movies was a mistake, especially given the brevity of the original Hobbit book. Nevertheless, fans of fantasy films came out in large numbers to experience this adventure through Middle-earth.
Finding Dory – $1.025 Billion
Having comfortably surpassed the billion-dollar mark, Finding Dory has solidified its place as one of Pixar’s most successful films in its illustrious history.
It is important not to overlook the immense popularity of Finding Nemo, which could easily be considered the studio’s greatest achievement on any given day. And of course, we cannot forget the beloved character of Dory, brilliantly voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. How times have changed indeed.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’s Box Office Success
We have now entered the realm of “How on earth did this film manage to gross over a billion dollars?”Alice in Wonderland is not just mediocre; it is truly terrible, saved only by the standout performance of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and the anticipation of his collaboration with Tim Burton.
Despite receiving a lowly 28% on Rotten Tomatoes and failing to reach the $300 million mark worldwide, Disney’s sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass still managed to surpass the billion-dollar mark. This delayed success is certainly a surprise.
Despicable Me 3: Top Grossing Animated Film of All Time
Despicable Me 3 is the second-biggest hit of the franchise.
Despite being a firm non-fan of Illumination’s mischievous yellow creatures, it is undeniable that the Minions have a strong appeal to the masses. The popularity of Steve Carell’s Gru and his unintelligible sidekicks is apparent as people cannot seem to get enough of them.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the third installment in the franchise concluded its box office run with a whopping $1.032 billion. Now, it remains to be seen if Despicable Me 4 will be able to match this success (although we have our doubts, anything is possible).
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace – $1.040 billion
Despite no longer being the dominant pop culture property, Star Wars was guaranteed to be a success with the release of The Phantom Menace due to one brilliantly designed poster. It featured a young Anakin with his shadow cleverly resembling the cowl of his future Sith Lord.
Despite its flaws, the movie is not bad at all. With exciting pod-racing scenes and an epic soundtrack featuring “Duel of the Fates,”it managed to garner a strong fan following and grossed an impressive $1.027 billion at the box office. A re-release of the film in May 2024 further boosted its success and helped The Phantom Menace climb this list.
Highest Grossing Pirates of the Caribbean Movie – $1.045 billion
On Stranger Tides ranks among one of the worst Pirates films, but it made more than a billion worldwide.
Despite Gore Verbinski’s two sequels having their own swashbuckling charm, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has always been striving to reach the same level of success as Curse of the Black Pearl. However, even with Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack at the helm, On Stranger Tides falls short and is ultimately uninteresting.
Despite earning over $1 billion at the box office, this movie is rarely discussed. To make matters worse, it remains the most costly film of all time, with a budget that exceeded $410 million.
Highest Grossing Movies 40-31
Will Smith starred as Genie in the Aladdin remake.
As I compile this list, I can’t help but question if we truly deserve quality films. While Guy Ritchie’s live-action Disney movie is not terrible, it falls short of being exceptional. It is full of impressive visuals and Will Smith does a commendable job stepping into Robin Williams’ enormous role as the Genie, but overall it lacks substance.
Unfortunately, it has impressively secured a place among the top-earning films, and Ritchie has been recruited by the House of Mouse to create a live-action adaptation of Hercules. It’s a shame.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Box Office Earnings
In the words of Gordon Ramsay: “Finally, some delicious food.”In 2016, LucasFilm debuted its first cinematic spinoff with Rogue One, delving into the heroic mission of the Rebels who successfully obtained the Empire’s blueprints for the Death Star.
Despite its inevitable feel-bad ending, it still managed to have a powerful impact. And while we all knew what was coming, we couldn’t resist returning to witness Gareth Edwards’ breathtaking and adrenaline-inducing portrayal of Darth Vader in the final moments.
Top Grossing Film: Jurassic Park – $1.058 billion
Despite Titanic being the first movie to surpass $1 billion in earnings, Jurassic Park’s initial dinosaur-filled adventure has continuously brought it back to the big screen over the years. As a result, it has solidly earned its spot among the top-grossing films.
For generations of moviegoers, the first time they truly experienced cinematic wonder was through an adventure that had been 65 million years in the making. Despite the sequels and the Jurassic World trilogy not being able to capture the same magic, it didn’t affect its success at the box office.
41. Joker – $1.064 billion
Joker is the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
Am I the only one noticing how chaotic it’s becoming out there? Despite initial doubts about a Joker origin story, Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix not only disproved critics, but also created the highest-grossing R-rated film in history.
Despite generating a significant amount of hype during its production, the film received unprecedented reviews at the Venice Film Festival, with numerous critics praising it as a masterpiece. While this high praise did not carry over to its wide release, it has not deterred the production of Joker 2.
40. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Davy Jones’ CGI still looks incredible to this day.
After the instant success of Curse of the Black Pearl, it was expected that Gore Verbinski would create a sequel for the Pirates franchise. While it was not heavily criticized, the overall response was more varied this time, except for the praise for the impressive CGI of Davy Jones.
Despite initial perceptions, the box office numbers reveal a different narrative – the movie earned over $1.06 billion, solidifying its position as the top-grossing film in the franchise.
Top Grossing Animated Movie: Toy Story 3 – $1.068 billion
If you didn’t cry at Toy Story 3, are you human?
There are certain warning signs that we all can acknowledge when it comes to films: disliking The Shawshank Redemption, claiming that Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the top Indiana Jones film, and most notably, remaining unaffected by the emotional conclusion of Toy Story 3.
Despite being released 11 years after Toy Story 2, the third film was a successful and emotional finale to the trilogy, leaving viewers in tears and satisfying all expectations.
38. Box Office Success of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – $1.070 billion
The Rise of Skywalker was divisive, but it still did well at the box office.
Undoubtedly, The Rise of Skywalker was destined to be a chaotic affair. The Force Awakens provided a thrilling wave of Star Wars nostalgia, while The Last Jedi dared to challenge the franchise’s established mythology, completely altering the expected path of the trilogy and steering it towards uncharted territory.
Despite the controversial and divisive nature of the latter film, LucasFilm attempted to make changes in order to improve its reception. This ultimately led to a significant increase in box office success, yet it continues to spark heated debates between followers and detractors on social media.
37. Highest Grossing Animated Film of All Time
Toy Story 4 may have been needless, but it was still fantastic.
Was Toy Story 4 necessary? Absolutely not. Does it seem like Pixar is taking advantage of our fondness for these characters? Yes, to some extent. However, did it bring tears to our eyes? Without a doubt. In short, it is truly outstanding.
Despite being labeled as the fourth installment of Toy Story, the movie served more as an epilogue for Woody and his journey. It captivated audiences with its stunning visuals and an unexpectedly touching storyline, making it one of the highest-earning films for the studio. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see what Toy Story 5 has in store.
36. Movie: The Dark Knight Rises – $1.082 billion
The Dark Knight Rises was an epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
There are two kinds of individuals: those who acknowledge The Dark Knight Rises as one of the best Batman movies ever, and a grand, fitting finale to one of the most spectacular trilogies; and those who are mistaken.
Despite not being universally praised by fans, Christopher Nolan’s final installment in the Batman series, released four years after The Dark Knight, was highly anticipated and was a guaranteed success upon its release in theaters. Viewers were mesmerized by Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Bane and the intense finale left audiences on the edge of their seats.
35. Highest Grossing Movie: Transformers: Age of Extinction – $1.104 billion
Despite abysmal reviews, Michael Bay’s Transformers movies always perform.
Transformers: Age of Extinction’s record-breaking success should come as no surprise. The film is filled with explosive action, dazzling effects, and stars Mark Wahlberg, all of which are signature elements of the franchise. Additionally, it introduces a new character, the Dinobot, adding even more excitement for fans.
Despite being a controversial filmmaker, Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise showcases his knack for creating successful films, even if they may not be critically acclaimed. The impressive visual effects also cannot be denied, regardless of personal opinions on these movies.
34. Skyfall – $1.110 billion
Skyfall was the highest-grossing James Bond film of all time.
Even to this day, I still long to be James Bond, even if it was only for a day, to experience the thrill of kissing all the girls and taking down the bad guys. He is known as the ultimate secret agent on the big screen, with a license to kill and a knack for mixing work with pleasure. Surprisingly, his 23rd adventure was the first in the series to surpass the billion-dollar mark at the box office.
Skyfall’s success is all the more remarkable considering its immediate predecessor: Quantum of Solace, famously one of the worst Bond films. Nevertheless, there are numerous reasons behind Skyfall’s triumph that can be encapsulated in just three words: it’s absolutely fantastic.
33. Top Grossing Transformers Movie: Dark of the Moon – $1.124 billion
Dark of the Moon is the highest-grossing Transformers movie.
This is a pro-Transformers environment. Dark of the Moon captured our minds by presenting a cunningly simple concept: what if the Apollo 11 mission was really a search for extraterrestrial spacecraft that had crashed on the moon?
Despite Michael Bay’s stumble with Revenge of the Fallen, this movie was a relative return to form. It still featured city-wide destruction and dynamic, eye-popping action sequences. While the first film is considered the best, this remains the highest-grossing movie in the franchise.
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $1.123 billion
Return of the King took home Best Picture and every other Oscar it was nominated for.
Could mainstream blockbusters ever achieve the same level of success as Lord of the Rings? Return of the King represents the epic finale of one of the most extraordinary stories ever brought to the big screen. It sets an unparalleled standard in both filmmaking artistry and cultural impact.
In addition to surpassing a billion in revenue, Return of the King was also highly acclaimed at the Oscars, winning every category it was nominated in, including the prestigious Best Picture award.
Captain Marvel
Brie Larson joined the MCU as the all-powerful Captain Marvel.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now arriving. Captain Marvel, the initial entry on this list, follows one of the franchise’s major events and serves as the official introduction of one of its most formidable – and controversial, for all the wrong reasons – characters.
Despite the stomach-dropping ending of Infinity War, Brie Larson’s hero was still teased by Samuel L. Jackson’s symbol as the world crumbled to dust. The film was a massive success, joining the ranks of the MCU’s other billion dollar movies as the seventh installment to reach this milestone.
30. Aquaman – $1.131 billion
Aquaman was a surprising success for the DCEU.
In 2018, the state of DC’s cinematic universe was not at its best. Batman v. Superman was unsuccessful, Suicide Squad was a disappointment, and Joss Whedon’s alterations to Zack Snyder’s Justice League resulted in something quite embarrassing.
Next up was Aquaman, the epic and high-energy film directed by James Wan, featuring Pitbull’s rendition of Toto’s Africa, an octopus jamming on the drums, warriors riding sharks, and a fierce showdown between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson as they battle with their intense gazes.
Top Grossing Movies of All Time
“Spider-Man: Far From Home is a fantastic movie that takes Peter Parker out of his usual setting in New York and sets him loose in Europe. The film also introduces one of the most captivating supervillains in the MCU, with Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Mysterio. The ending of the movie leaves audiences on the edge of their seats with a major cliffhanger.”
The combination of these factors resulted in its impressive box office performance, although it was not the sole reason for earning over a billion dollars. The film’s release after Avengers: Endgame, the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, undoubtedly played a significant role in its overwhelming financial success.
28. Captain America: Civil War – $1.151 billion
Captain America: Civil War gave us an all-time fight between two Avengers.
Is there anything more exciting than watching Earth’s most powerful heroes battle an extraterrestrial foe? How about watching them turn against each other? The tagline “Divided we fall”set the stage for a showdown between the two leading figures of the MCU, forcing fans to choose between Team Cap and Team Iron-Man.
The Russo brothers’ direction in Civil War solidifies its position as one of the top films in the franchise. It successfully combines the political intrigue that made Winter Soldier so exceptional with thrilling superhero action and emotionally impactful character development. Additionally, it marks the introduction of Spider-Man to the franchise. Underoos!
Top Grossing Films: Minions
Minions is the highest-grossing movie in the Despicable Me franchise.
Despite the abundance of origin stories, spinoffs, and unnecessary sequels in the film industry, Minions is not the worst offender. However, the fact that it focuses on the most frustrating characters from the Despicable Me franchise is enough to make me mourn for humanity.
Minions received a variety of reviews from critics, with its advocates applauding its Looney Tunes-inspired mistakes and slapstick humor. Similar to Despicable Me 3, it serves as evidence of Illumination’s success in the film industry and only time will tell if it remains their most financially successful film.
$1.215 billion in Box Office Revenue for Iron Man 3
Writer-director Shane Black made his mark in the MCU with Iron Man 3.
Despite being a superior film to Spider-Man: Far From Home, Iron Man 3 still experienced a similar impact. It was the first MCU movie to come after The Avengers, which was the most successful entry in the franchise at the time. The trailers for Iron Man 3 also depicted Tony Stark grappling with the aftermath of the Chitauri invasion.
Despite its box office success, this film is often associated with controversy due to Shane Black’s twist on The Mandarin. While some may view it as a delightful bait-and-switch, others felt it was a disservice. Despite the ongoing debate, it remains one of Marvel’s top-grossing movies.
25. Fast & Furious 8 – $1.235 billion
Fast and Furious 8 introduced Charlize Theron’s villain Cipher.
The eighth installment in the long-running franchise, whether referred to as F8, Fast & Furious 8, or The Fate of the Furious, was a major triumph, ranking as the second highest-grossing film in the series at the box office.
Despite the absence of Paul Walker, the return of The Rock and Jason Statham, and the addition of Charlize Theron’s character Cipher, fans showed up in droves to see the latest installment. However, critics were not as impressed, giving the film its lowest ratings since the fourth film in 2009.
24. Highest Grossing Movies – 20-11
The Incredibles 2 is one of Pixar’s highest-grossing movies.
Despite being released five years before the start of the MCU and having no ties to Marvel’s Fantastic Four, The Incredibles was always in need of a sequel and remains the top Fantastic Four film in Pixar’s 2000s lineup.
Despite the onset of the superhero movie craze, Brad Bird remained committed to emphasizing the family dynamic in The Incredibles when he returned to work on a sequel. The film received praise from both critics and fans, a rare feat in the film industry.
23. Top Grossing Film: Beauty and the Beast – $1.268 billion
Beauty and the Beast is the highest-grossing live-action musical movie of all time.
Despite the fact that Alice in Wonderland has been largely forgotten, Beauty and the Beast cemented the Disney live-action formula of making slight revisions to the songs, casting non-controversial actors, and adhering strictly to the original source material, even if it may hinder the overall quality of the film.
It is important to note that Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to receive a nomination for Best Picture. A failure would have been detrimental to Disney, but thankfully, it was a resounding success, becoming the top-grossing live-action musical movie of all time.
22. Frozen – $1.274 billion
Frozen dominated the global market. At one point, it held the title of being Disney’s top-earning animated movie. It was also the recipient of the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, as its catchy tune Let It Go became a constant fixture on playlists in shopping centers and grocery stores.
Despite its massive box office success, numerous critics deemed it the greatest Disney movie since the studio’s revival period. However, it surpassed itself six years later with its sequel. Will Frozen 3 follow in its footsteps?
21. Highest Grossing Movies: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – $1.308 billion
Fallen Kingdom has the saddest dinosaur death in all of Jurassic Park.
Despite the obvious fact that a dinosaur theme park is a terrible idea, the Jurassic World movies have always conveyed two main messages: if you build one, people will come, and it will ultimately lead to disastrous consequences.
Despite a strong start with one of the most terrifying scenes in the franchise and promising elements of gothic flair in the second half, J.A. Bayona’s horror-hued sequel is a mixed bag. It ultimately descends into nonsensical chaos by the end, but still manages to be successful and currently holds the title of second highest-grossing movie in the series.
20. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II – $1.312 billion
Deathly Hallows Part II was the grand finale to the Harry Potter saga and the franchise’s highest-grossing movie.
The tagline for the final film, “It All Ends,”promised the conclusion of Harry Potter’s journey, ten years after the release of the Philosopher’s Stone. The Deathly Hallows Part II not only fulfilled this promise, but it is also argued to be the most entertaining installment in the franchise. The audience couldn’t help but cheer when Neville finally destroyed the last Horcrux.
It was only natural that one of the most well-known franchises would continue to rake in profits. However, the last installment of the Harry Potter series truly earned its success.
19. Highest Grossing Star Wars Film: The Last Jedi – $1.326 billion
Star Wars: The Last Jedi may be the most controversial blockbuster ever made.
Even after almost five years since its release, Star Wars: The Last Jedi remains one of the most controversial blockbusters of all time. The endless debates and negative reactions on social media are a testament to this fact. However, its strong word-of-mouth and the ever-present hype surrounding the Star Wars franchise guaranteed its success at the box office.
Despite the high expectations for Rian Johnson’s sequel, which saw the highly anticipated return of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, some viewed it as a disgrace while others found it to be one of the franchise’s most remarkable and fascinating efforts. This followed the safe and successful start to the new trilogy with The Force Awakens.
18. Highest Grossing Films: Black Panther – $1.334 billion
Black Panther features a good hero and a great villain.
Following his debut as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War, Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of Black Panther was given its own feature film in the MCU. This proved to be a huge success, grossing an impressive $1.334 billion globally and, in a rare occurrence, earning more domestically than internationally.
Despite the fact that there is much praise for the nuanced portrayal and motivations of Michael B. Jordan’s antagonist, it is important to acknowledge that “Black Panther”was the first Marvel film to have a Black director and a predominantly Black cast, and also the first superhero movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture.
The Super Mario Bros Movie – $1.362 billion
If you thought The Super Mario Bros Movie wasn’t going to be one of the top-grossing films of all time, you haven’t been paying attention. With an all-star cast, direct involvement from Nintendo, and being produced by Illumination, the studio behind the popular Despicable Me franchise, it has all the makings of a blockbuster success.
Despite Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse being the only movie to come close to its opening weekend success in 2023, it was still outshined by Mario in the family movie market. The film’s popularity has remained strong, as it has consistently held a spot in Netflix’s top 10 throughout the entirety of 2024.
Highest Grossing Films of All Time
James Spader voiced the villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron, one of the MCU’s highest-grossing movies.
After the triumphant success of the first team-up, Avengers: Age of Ultron marked the highly-anticipated return of Joss Whedon to the MCU. The film’s impressive box office numbers solidified its financial success and at the time, it held the second-largest opening record.
Despite not being completely dismissed by critics and fans, there were certainly some notable shortcomings that were pointed out upon the release of the film. For example, many criticized the fact that the titular “Age”was portrayed as lasting no time at all, and others found the constant juggling of characters to be confusing and almost incoherent. Furthermore, the statement made by Black Widow about being a “monster”due to her inability to have kids was heavily criticized. However, there were still some redeeming aspects of the film, such as the impressive Hulk-smashing scenes.
Top 15 Highest-Grossing Barbie Products – $1.432 billion
Despite initial box office estimates, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, a film celebrating girl power with a pink color scheme, exceeded expectations and has earned over a billion dollars in revenue within just two weeks of its release.
The film, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, follows these famous dolls as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, breaking away from societal expectations to find their true identities.
Last summer, Gerwig’s movie was highly anticipated due to its role in the Barbenheimer meme, and it certainly lived up to the hype.
Highest Grossing Animated Films of All Time
Despite being a follow-up to a worldwide sensation that continues to be popular, Frozen 2 is a unique film. It still features an impressive soundtrack, with songs like Lost in the Woods, which pays homage to the ’80s, and Into the Unknown, showcasing Idina Menzel’s powerful vocals.
Despite not being a criticism of the film, it cannot be denied that it has not endured in the same manner as its predecessor, instead relying on its success. While it may surpass Frozen in some aspects, its financial success is a testament to the first film’s enduring popularity.
Top Gun: Maverick – $1.465 billion
Top Gun: Maverick has become the highest-grossing movie of Tom Cruise’s career.
Despite some doubters, the combination of Tom Cruise, Top Gun, and ’80s nostalgia has proven to be a winning bet on the big screens. While some believed that Top Gun: Maverick would fail at the box office due to its supposedly outdated pop culture appeal, it has actually been a huge success, surpassing all expectations.
Despite facing stiff competition from other highly acclaimed films, Tom Cruise’s latest movie was a massive success in 2022. Strong critical reception and positive word-of-mouth propelled it to become his highest-grossing film to date and the top-grossing film of the year, surpassing even Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It seems that audiences have not lost their appetite for high-speed action and thrills.
Furious 7 – $1.512 billion
Prior to the release of Furious 7, the Fast and Furious franchise’s most successful film at the box office was the sixth installment, earning a total of $789 million globally. Previous films had only achieved moderate success or were considered failures, so what led to this change?
Despite facing tragedy, the filmmakers of the movie had to figure out how to continue production after the unexpected passing of Paul Walker, the co-lead alongside Vin Diesel. Halting shooting, James Wan had to find a way to balance the footage they already had with subtle CGI, and miraculously succeeded in creating a moving tribute in the final product.
11. The Avengers Grossed $1.515 Billion
The MCU had all been leading up to this moment.
Ever since Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury teased the “Avenger’s Initiative”in the post-credits scene of Iron Man, comic book enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating a team-up. While there had been previous crossovers in movies, nothing had ever been attempted on such a grand scale.
Despite everything that has come since, it’s easy to forget how much of a miracle The Avengers was. With its witty script, thrilling action scenes, and iconic 360° shot of the heroes accompanied by Alan Silvestri’s theme, it’s no surprise that it has become a fan favorite. Out of all the highest-grossing movies, The Avengers stands out as a clear choice.
The top 10
Top 10 Highest Grossing Animated Films of All Time
Inside Out 2 is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time
Despite fears that Pixar’s recent failures at the box office, such as Elementals, were a sign of their decline, Inside Out 2 has surpassed all predictions and become the highest-earning animated movie ever.
Despite still being in theaters, the film has already achieved a spot in the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time. Its position on this list may even improve after its theatrical run has ended. Don’t miss your chance to see it in theaters, as it will soon be available on Disney+ with the release of Inside Out 2.
The Lion King – $1.646 billion
Despite its incredible and groundbreaking visual effects, this entry on the list may be considered the most disheartening. It’s not that the film is bad – in fact, it’s quite the opposite – but it fails to offer anything truly captivating beyond its technical brilliance.
The initial trailer for the film immediately drew me in with its high level of nostalgia, featuring a captivating blend of the iconic King of Pride Rock and an impressive star-studded cast. However, upon watching the actual film, I found it to be a bit strange – witnessing realistic animals singing was quite unexpected and jarring. Nevertheless, the movie did not disappoint and went on to become one of the top-earning films in cinema history.
8. Highest Grossing Films: Jurassic World – $1.670 billion
Jurassic World’s Mosasaurus stole the show.
It had been 22 years since the release of Steven Spielberg’s iconic film. The decision was made by those in charge to return to Isla Nublar in Jurassic World, with the introduction of a new theme park on the same island, despite seemingly disregarding the lessons learned from the previous movie.
This movie is a prime example of being immune to criticism, as it was destined to surpass a billion dollars at the box office. Its success is further bolstered by its high critical acclaim, only second to that of Jurassic Park within the franchise, cementing its place as one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Additionally, it includes one of the most brutal deaths in the entire series, making it worth watching for that scene alone.
7. The Worldwide Box Office Success of Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home and its three Spideys sealed a place on the highest-grossing movies of all time list.
Spider-Man: No Way Home, one of the more recent films in the MCU, has also become one of its most successful. Despite having to resolve the identity-revealing cliffhanger from Far From Home, it was not the main reason for drawing people into theaters.
It was no surprise that No Way Home, possibly the most poorly kept secret in blockbuster history, featured the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s iconic webslingers, as well as their respective adversaries such as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus. It’s no wonder that this film has become the highest-grossing entry in the Spider-Man franchise.
6. Top Grossing Films – Avengers: Infinity War
Infinity War was the beginning of the end for some of earth’s mightiest.
Having reached the $2 billion mark, we are now part of the elite club. From the moment the Mad Titan was first hinted at in The Avengers’ post-credits scene, his arrival was inevitable. No matter how much we feared it or tried to avoid it, destiny always catches up, and Infinity War brought together all our beloved heroes for an epic showdown unlike any we had witnessed before.
Despite skillfully managing numerous characters and settings, from Wakanda to Titan, the film is deserving of praise. However, its lasting impact will be the emotional response it evoked in viewers, as they left the theater with tears streaming down their faces, questioning the cruel fate that showed them Spider-Man’s death in Tony Stark’s arms.
5. Highest Grossing Films of All Time – Star Wars: The Force Awakens – $2.059 billion
In recent years, there has been a reconsideration of George Lucas’ prequels, especially with the release of Obi-Wan Kenobi. By 2015, Lucasfilm was prepared to revisit the world of Star Wars with a new trilogy, starting with The Force Awakens.
Despite any comparisons to A New Hope, The Force Awakens remains a near-perfect representation of a Star Wars film. The atmosphere on opening night, with John Williams’ iconic theme filling the theater, was an unparalleled experience. As one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise, it undoubtedly deserves its place at the top.
Titanic’s total gross: $2.23 billion
Titanic was the king of the world for many years.
The one that began it all, Titanic was expected to be a monumental failure for the studio. It was the most costly film ever produced at the time and faced an unexpected delay from its original summer blockbuster release.
Undoubtedly, we have learned not to underestimate James Cameron. In North America, his film held the top spot for 15 weeks in a row, a feat that has yet to be surpassed and is unlikely to ever be. This is why the director confidently declared himself the “King of the World”at the Oscars – he truly reigns supreme when it comes to movies.
3. Top Grossing Films: Avatar: The Way of Water – $2.318 billion
Since its release, Avatar: The Way of Water, the sequel to James Cameron’s record-breaking blockbuster, continues to dominate the box office, currently ranking as the third highest-grossing film of all time.
The reason for Avatar’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the perfect amount of hype, offline buzz (despite social media trying to downplay its popularity), distributors avoiding competition with Cameron, and a movie that exceeds expectations.
Avengers: Endgame – $2.748 billion
Avengers: Endgame is the MCU’s highest-grossing movie of all time.
Despite not yet discussing the movie itself, it is important to note the significant achievement of Avengers: Endgame reaching the number two spot at the box office. With a nearly $600 million lead over Titanic, no other film has been able to reach this level of success. This monumental commercial accomplishment is difficult to fully comprehend.
The conclusion of the Infinity Saga was signified by Endgame, which marked the end of an 11-year adventure that began with Iron Man in 2008. It will likely be quite some time before another cultural phenomenon of equal magnitude and size can match its record-breaking $1.2 billion opening weekend. If only it could return to theaters once more!
Avatar
The original Avatar is still the highest-grossing movie of all time.
During its time in theaters, Avengers: Endgame briefly claimed the number one spot from Avatar. In an effort to regain the top spot, the creators of Avatar released an extended version with additional deleted scenes attached to the end. However, Avatar was able to reclaim its position at number one simply by being re-released in China by James Cameron.
Despite its release several years ago, Avatar continues to be a popular target for criticism. It did not have a significant impact on pop culture, and many people struggle to remember the names of its characters. However, a film that is deemed mediocre would not have been able to achieve the same level of financial success as Avatar. Its stunning visual effects were groundbreaking and left viewers in awe, and director James Cameron once again proved his mastery with his latest film, The Way of the Water.
That concludes our list of the highest-grossing movies. Now, let’s turn our attention to some potential contenders that may make their way onto this list in the future, such as Avengers Doomsday and Avengers Secret Wars. And who knows, perhaps James Cameron’s Avatar 3 will also have a chance at claiming another victory?
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