Special Report

25 Highest Grossing Films of All Time

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Today’s most successful blockbusters bring in unprecedented sums of money at the box office. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” released in 2015, grossed nearly $1 billion in the U.S. alone. Last year’s “Black Panther” grossed over $700 million. These financial wonders represent a philosophy prevalent among Hollywood studios: go big or go home. One massively profitable film can earn more than hundreds of smaller movies combined.

A lucrative initial release does not necessarily indicate that a movie’s reputation will endure, however, and this staying power is often key to even greater economic prosperity. While a film’s primary release almost always grosses more money than subsequent releases of the same movie, 18 of the top 25 grossing films have had multiple theatrical releases as reissues or special editions, adding to their total all-time gross. We have included gross totals of all releases adjusted for inflation.

Click here to see the 25 highest grossing films of all time.

The oldest of the highest grossing films, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” gained more than 64% of its total domestic gross in subsequent releases following its initial theatrical run in 1937. The animated classic’s excellence has drawn audiences in again and again throughout the years, resulting in nearly $1 billion in overall ticket sales.

Another method for drawing in crowds is for studios to release sequels to popular films. The top grossing movies include four entries to the massively popular Star Wars franchise – in addition to the 1977 original – as well as “Jurassic World,” the 2015 follow-up to “Jurassic Park.” Additionally, movies like “The Godfather” (1972) and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) were followed by sequels that undoubtedly drove the profitable rereleases of the original films.

To identify the top grossing films of all time, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed gross domestic movie theater ticket sales for U.S. films from movie ticket tracking website Box Office Mojo. Ticket prices are inflation-adjusted to the estimated 2019 average ticket price of $9.03.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

25. The Godfather (1972)
> Total adjusted gross: $712.7 million
> Unadjusted gross: $135.0 million
> Studio: Paramount Pictures

“The Godfather” is considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made. According to a 1972 article in the Los Angeles Times, the film’s profits were so high upon its release that earnings for Paramount Pictures’ parent company, Gulf & Western Industries, Inc., soared from 77 cents to $3.30 a share for the year.

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

24. Jurassic World (2015)
> Total adjusted gross: $713.8 million
> Unadjusted gross: $652.3 million
> Studio: Universal

“Jurassic World” is the fourth film in the Jurassic Park franchise and the second highest grossing of the four. The movie was the first film to ever gross more than $500 million in its opening weekend.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Productions

23. Fantasia (1940)
> Total adjusted gross: $749.9 million
> Unadjusted gross: $76.4 million
> Studio: Walt Disney Productions

Walt Disney Productions’ “Fantasia” was first released in 1940. The film has been re-released to theaters multiple times both in the U.S. and internationally since then, most recently in late 2015, leading to its exceptional box office gross.

Courtesy of Embassy Pictures

22. The Graduate (1967)
> Total adjusted gross: $772.8 million
> Unadjusted gross: $104.9 million
> Studio: Embassy Pictures

This highly influential film was a massive hit upon its release. It has come to represent the rebellious mindset of 1960s American youth.

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

21. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
> Total adjusted gross: $799.5 million
> Unadjusted gross: $248.2 million
> Studio: Paramount Pictures

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the first entry in the Indiana Jones franchise and one of Steven Spielberg’s best-known works, based on online popularity. The film was a huge financial success upon release, having reportedly cost only $18 million to make.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

20. The Sting (1973)
> Total adjusted gross: $805.0 million
> Unadjusted gross: $156.0 million
> Studio: Universal

The 1973 heist film “The Sting,” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, was both a commercial and critical success. The movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won seven, including Best Picture.

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

19. The Lion King (1994)
> Total adjusted gross: $805.0 million
> Unadjusted gross: $422.8 million
> Studio: Buena Vista

Disney’s “The Lion King” was the company’s first animated feature film to be based on an original story as opposed to an established children’s story. The bet paid off at the box office.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

18. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
> Total adjusted gross: $815.5 million
> Unadjusted gross: $474.5 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

“The Phantom Menace” received middling reviews upon its release. Currently, only 54% of critics have given the movie a positive review on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were undeterred, however, and the movie set the record for one-day take, grossing $28.5 million when released.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

17. Jurassic Park (1993)
> Total adjusted gross: $827.7 million
> Unadjusted gross: $402.8 million
> Studio: Universal

The original “Jurassic Park” is another Spielberg creation that did wonders at the box office. The movie’s revenues were bolstered by later releases in 3D and IMAX.

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Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

16. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
> Total adjusted gross: $849.4 million
> Unadjusted gross: $309.3 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

“Return of the Jedi” is one of five Star Wars movies to rank among the highest grossing films of all time. It’s the third installment of the franchise’s initial trilogy — a group of films that helped shift Hollywood toward its modern-day blockbuster model.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

15. Avatar (2009)
> Total adjusted gross: $878.7 million
> Unadjusted gross: $760.5 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

James Cameron’s “Avatar” was a technological marvel upon its release. Its box office gross was boosted by the higher ticket prices at 3D and IMAX screenings. Cameron has stated a desire to release a total of five Avatar films but has yet to release a sequel.

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Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

14. Ben-Hur (1959)
> Total adjusted gross: $884.9 million
> Unadjusted gross: $74.0 million
> Studio: MGM

“Ben-Hur,” released in 1959, was the most expensive film ever made up to that point. The risk paid off for MGM Studios. The movie was a huge success and went on to win a record-tying 11 Oscars, including Best Picture.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

13. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
> Total adjusted gross: $886.6 million
> Unadjusted gross: $290.5 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

“The Empire Strikes Back” is considered one of the more sophisticated films in the Star Wars saga. And while its uncertain ending didn’t please all viewers, it also didn’t dissuade audiences from attending screenings in droves.

Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

12. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
> Total adjusted gross: $902.3 million
> Unadjusted gross: $144.9 million
> Studio: Buena Vista

The financial success of Disney’s 1961 version of “101 Dalmatians” is due in large part to its multiple theatrical releases. The film grossed $14 million upon its initial release and was re-released in 1969, 1979, 1985, and 1991, with each release grossing more than the previous one.

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

11. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
> Total adjusted gross: $976.3 million
> Unadjusted gross: $936.7 million
> Studio: Buena Vista

Star Wars fans were clearly hungry for more following the conclusion of the saga’s prequel trilogy. J.J. Abrams’ “The Force Awakens” was a huge hit and sold the most tickets of any film released since “Titanic” in 1997.

Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

10. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
> Total adjusted gross: $984.3 million
> Unadjusted gross: $184.9 million
> Studio: Buena Vista

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” originally released in 1937, is the highest grossing animated film of all time. Reissued three more times, these subsequent releases accounted for nearly two-thirds of its total box office gross.

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Courtesy of Warner Bros.

9. The Exorcist (1973)
> Total adjusted gross: $998.7 million
> Unadjusted gross: $232.9 million
> Studio: Warner Bros.

“The Exorcist” is not only the highest grossing horror film of all time, but also one of the highest grossing films, period. It’s also the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.12 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $111.7 million
> Studio: MGM

Despite a runtime of over 3 hours, the epic drama “Doctor Zhivago” was a huge hit amongst moviegoers. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars in 1966, five of which it won.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

7. Jaws (1975)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.16 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $260.0 million
> Studio: Universal

Steven Spielberg made history when one of this earliest directorial efforts, “Jaws,” managed to scare many away from the ocean. The summer blockbuster set a precedent for studios, which from then on attempted to hit the jackpot with big event, massively advertised films.

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

6. The Ten Commandments (1956)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.18 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $65.5 million
> Studio: Paramount Pictures

Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” is a 3 hour and 40 minute epic. While it was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it won only for its special effects.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

5. Titanic (1997)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.22 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $659.4 million
> Studio: Paramount Pictures

Over a decade before the release of “Avatar,” director James Cameron proved himself a master of the visually stunning blockbuster. The fusion of romance and tragedy in “Titanic” proved a massive financial success upon its release in 1997. Its 3D release five years later only added to its total gross.

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.28 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $435.1 million
> Studio: Universal

Among Spielberg’s many blockbuster successes, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” is the highest grossing when adjusted for inflation. The movie has been nearly universally embraced by critics and currently has a 98% positive rating on movie review site Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

3. The Sound of Music (1965)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.29 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $159.3 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

“The Sound of Music” portrayed a world that audiences loved to be a part of. The nearly 3-hour musical grossed nearly all of its domestic take upon its initial release in 1965. The film also won five Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

2. Star Wars (1977)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.61 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $461.0 million
> Studio: 20th Century Fox

The original “Star Wars” — reportedly made for only $11 million — has grossed $1.6 billion when adjusted for inflation. Not only did the movie kick off one of the most successful film franchises of all time, but also it greatly progressed the blockbuster trend started by the release of “Jaws” two years prior. In certain areas, “Star Wars” ran for more than a year following its initial release.

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Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
> Total adjusted gross: $1.82 billion
> Unadjusted gross: $198.7 million
> Studio: MGM

The Civil War-era epic “Gone With the Wind” was the longest and most expensive Hollywood sound film ever made at the time of its release (it runs almost 4 hours). The investment paid off, and the movie has become one of the most popular – and the highest grossing – ever. It also received a record 13 Oscar nominations, of which it won eight awards, including Best Picture.

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