Box Office Titans
In the world of film, a movie's impact and popularity are demonstrated by its box office performance. Here are the 20 highest-grossing movies of all time that might leave you surprised with their staggering figures.
Avatar (2009): $2,923,706,026
It is reported that in the United States and Canada, Avatar grossed approximately $785 million, while its international earnings accounted for about $2.14 billion. The use of 3D technology and visual effects featuring CGI environments brought about its popularity.
Twentieth Century, Avatar (2009)
Avatar (2009) (Cont.)
Directed by James Cameron, this movie takes place in the mid-22nd century and follows the life of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former Marine who participates in the Avatar Program. The film stars Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and many more.
Twentieth Century, Avatar (2009)
Avengers: Endgame (2019): $2,797,501,328
This film set many box office records, including the highest opening weekend gross with $357.1 million in North America. It was also the fastest movie to reach $1 billion in just 5 days. Avengers: Endgame received a Best Visual Effects nomination at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Marvel, Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022): $2,320,250,281
Avatar: The Way of Water was a sequel to the original Avatar (2009) that had a production budget of around $460 million. Produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, the movie rightly bagged the Best Visual Effects prize at the Academy Awards in 2023.
Twentieth Century, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Titanic (1997): $2,257,844,554
This masterpiece was released on December 19, 1997, and since then, it has been a fan favorite. With the protagonists Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the movie picked up 11 Academy Awards, including Best Director for James Cameron plus Best Picture.
Twentieth Century, Titanic (1997)
Titanic (1997) (Cont.)
"My Heart Will Go On," the movie’s theme track performed by Celine Dion, remains iconic even today. Additionally, the movie has been re-released multiple times, including a successful 3D version in 2012, which showcases the classic love story of Jack and Rose.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): $2,068,223,624
It might have been the first installment of the sequel trilogy, but it was the best one for sure. This film is set around 30 years after Return of the Jedi, featuring Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamil, and others. It was shortly nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
Lucasfilm Ltd., Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018): $2,048,359,754
So, the estimated production budget for Infinity War was between $325 million and $400 million, which was quite expensive. This was the third Avengers film that served as a direct continuation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man is surely an unmissable sight.
Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021): $1,922,598,800
Spider-Man: No Way Home was out in theaters on December 17, 2021. The story surrounds Peter Parker as he grapples with the fallout from his identity being revealed. This film apparently had the biggest domestic opening weekend during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Columbia, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Inside Out 2 (2024): $1,698,765,616
Here, we find themes linked with growing up, emotional complexity, and self-discovery. The voice cast is made up of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, and Maya Hawke. It is well-directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Pixar Animation Studios.
Jurassic World (2015): $1,671,537,444
Everyone’s favorite, Jurassic World, is set 22 years after the original Jurassic Park. The plot occurs in a fully operational dinosaur theme park called Jurassic World. At the 2016 Saturn Awards, Ty Simpinks won the Best Performance by a Younger Actor award.
Universal, Jurassic World (2015)
The Lion King (2019): $1,656,943,394
This photorealistic reimagining of the 1994 Disney cartoon hit was directed by Jon Favreau. We get to hear Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as Nala, and James Earl Jones as Mufasa. This beloved movie was also nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.
Walt Disney, The Lion King (2019)
The Avengers (2012): $1,518,815,515
While the movie was praised for successfully bringing together multiple characters from previous MCU films, it also won a total of 39 awards and received 81 nominations. As per reports, The Avengers was estimated to have cost between $220 and $225 million to produce.
Furious 7 (2015): $1,515,341,399
Furious 7 premiered on April 1, 2015, at the TCL Chinese Theatre and was released in the United States on April 3, 2015. The film has an ensemble cast mainly of Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner, Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, and Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs.
Furious 7 (2015) (Cont.)
It is notable for its tribute to Paul Walker, who passed away before the film's completion. The film was also a nominee at the Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, while the song “See You Again” grabbed the Critics' Choice Awards (2016) for Best Song.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022): $1,495,696,292
Thirty years after the events of the first movie, Tom Cruise's character, Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, returns to teach a new generation of pilots in the US Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program. The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski.
Paramount, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) (Cont.)
The film was nominated for many Golden Globe Awards, especially for Best Motion Picture—Drama. Ingrained are themes of legacy, sacrifice, and confronting one's past that genuinely hit the viewers. On IMDB, it holds an 8.2 out of 10 rating.
Paramount, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Frozen II (2019): $1,450,026,933
Frozen II tells us about Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), her sister Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Sven as they leave Arendelle to explore an ancient, enchanted forest. The film features returning voice actors like Idina Menzel as Elsa.
Barbie (2023): $1,446,938,421
This one’s the highest-grossing film in Warner Bros.' history. It was directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach. The star-studded cast consists of Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.
Barbie (2023) (Cont.)
At the American Film Institute Awards, Barbie was named one of the Top Ten Films of 2023. The movie also bagged the Best Song Written for Visual Media award for “What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell at the Grammy Awards 2024.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015): $1,402,809,540
Holding an IMDB rating of 7.3 out of 10, this movie grabbed the prize for Outstanding Achievement in Animated Effects in a Live Action Production at the Annie Awards (2016). It also won the BMI Film Music Award (2016) for Film Music by Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman.
Marvel, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023): $1,362,566,989
This beloved story puts together adventure, comedy, and nostalgia for fans of the video game franchise. The voice cast is inclusive of Chris Pratt as Mario, the main character, while the film was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Universal, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Black Panther (2018): $1,347,280,838
As the 18th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the story follows T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), who returns to Wakanda to take the throne as king after the death of his father. Black Panther was believed to have cost close to $200 million to produce.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): $1,342,139,727
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was released in July 2011. It is the eighth and final installment in the Harry Potter film series, with the legendary Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. The film also achieved the Best Fantasy Film award at the Saturn Awards (2012).
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): $1,338,073,645
Here, Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) venture on a brand-new adventure that merges humor, action, and comic book elements. It possesses a 7.6 out of 10 rating on IMDB and a 4.6 out of 5 audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
