Special Report

The 50 Top Grossing Movies of All Time

Before COVID-19 devastated the motion picture industry, movies were making more money at the box office than ever. It was not unusual for blockbuster films to gross more than $100 million domestically. Among the big hits in 2019 was the action film “Avengers: Endgame,” which had the most successful opening weekend ever at the domestic box office, grossing $357.1 million the weekend of April 26.

Many of these box-office smashes belong to franchises that audiences crave, including Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Lord of the Rings. Other film hits, like “Forrest Gump” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” were singular successes that captured the hearts and minds of the movie-going public.

When adjusting for the rising price of movie tickets, however, “Endgame” doesn’t even crack the top 10 top-grossing movies ever. 24/7 Tempo has identified the top 100 grossing movies of all time based on domestic box office data provided by box office reporting service Box Office Mojo. In a few cases, movies have had more than one theatrical release, which contributed to their total gross. All dollar amounts have been adjusted for inflation for a fairer comparison.

Hollywood has a long history of producing hugely entertaining — and successful — movies that draw audiences to theaters nationwide, and that is reflected in our list of the top-grossing films of all time. Of the top 10 in our list, the most recent film is from 2015, “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015). Disney films such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) and “The Jungle Book” build on their decades of success through re-releases and DVD sales. Disney first re-released “Snow White” in 1944 and has released the classic repeatedly since then. Disney released a digital restoration of the film in 1993.

Many of the top-grossing movies on our list have received high praise from critics and audiences alike and are among the 100 best movies of all time.

Click here to see the 100 top grossing movies of all time

Methodology

To determine the top 100 grossing movies of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the lifetime domestic gross of 17,575 films produced between 1937 and 2020 from movie data site Box Office Mojo, which collects box office gross sales data.

Production budgets and number of tickets sold also came from Box Office Mojo. Actors and roles information was obtained from the International Movie Database (IMDb).

We adjusted each domestic box office gross for inflation using the annual Personal Consumption Expenditure Price-Index (PCEPI) from the economic research library of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Domestic gross includes both the U.S. and Canada.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

50. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $489,332,158
> Worldwide gross: $1,495,488,557
> Production budget: $266,517,376
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is the fifth-highest grossing movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon, whose star power includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Mark Ruffalo. The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says the film was “Exuberant and eye-popping,” and it has an 83% approval rating from audience members on the site.

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Courtesy of Warner Bros.

49. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $492,285,282
> Worldwide gross: $1,187,534,664
> Production budget: $274,627,500
> Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway

Director Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to “The Dark Knight” (2008) is the second most successful Batman movie to date at the domestic box office. It is also the second most critically acclaimed live-action Batman movie, behind only its predecessor.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

48. Home Alone (1990)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $495,480,362
> Worldwide gross: $826,521,794
> Production budget: $31,210,133
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern

The family comedy about an 8-year-old boy who must defend himself and his home from a pair of criminals after his family leaves him accidentally alone over Christmas was released just in time for the 1990 holiday season. It topped the domestic box office for 12 weeks in a row, beginning in mid-November, and peaked once again in February 1991.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

47. Blazing Saddles (1974)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $499,512,728
> Worldwide gross: $499,512,728
> Production budget: $10,868,059
> Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens

Mel Brooks’s iconoclastic comedy “Blazing Saddles” about a corrupt governor who appoints the first black sheriff of a Western town is equally loved by critics and viewers. The movie holds a 91% positive ratings from both on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

46. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $502,282,166
> Worldwide gross: $676,869,580
> Production budget: $29,953,723
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton

Though he had previously starred in “48 Hrs.” (1982) and “Trading Places” (1983), “Beverly Hills Cop” is the movie that launched Eddie Murphy to superstardom. Starring as street smart Detroit cop Axel Foley who finds himself working in the alien Beverly Hills, Murphy had the biggest hit of his career with the comedy.

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

45. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $503,979,583
> Worldwide gross: $1,522,430,103
> Production budget: $125,379,368
> Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen

The final film in Peter Jackson’s exceedingly popular Lord of the Rings trilogy was the most successful at the domestic box office, grossing more than $500 million adjusted for inflation. The fantasy flick won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture. The movie has a 93% Freshness rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

44. Finding Nemo (2003)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $507,558,851
> Worldwide gross: $1,249,031,093
> Production budget: $125,379,368
> Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould

The Pixar-produced movie about a clownfish in search of his missing son topped the domestic box office in 2003. The movie, which took home the Oscar for Best Animated Film, is also the best-selling DVD of all time. Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says the movie “adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar’s crown.” The film has a 99% Freshness score on the site.

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

43. Finding Dory (2016)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $513,057,440
> Worldwide gross: $1,085,175,332
> Production budget: $211,006,425
> Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill

The sequel to “Finding Nemo” (2003) was a huge success, grossing more than half a billion dollars so far at the domestic box office when adjusted for inflation. The movie stars Ellen DeGeneres as the voice of absent-minded fish Dory on a mission to find her lost parents. Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says the film is “Funny, poignant, and thought-provoking” and critics gave it a Freshness score of 94%.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

42. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $515,202,542
> Worldwide gross: $1,074,144,248
> Production budget: $275,000,000
> Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac

Last year’s entry to the Star Wars franchise, “The Rise of Skywalker” has the lowest critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes of all movies in the series at 51%. Despite the somewhat negative reviews, the movie has sold more than 56 million tickets since its release.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

41. Forrest Gump (1994)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $515,675,141
> Worldwide gross: $1,061,883,582
> Production budget: $85,906,512
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise

The movie about a mentally challenged, well-intentioned man whose life tracks significant moments in American history won six Oscars, including Best Picture. The movie grossed in 1994 more at the domestic box office than all other movies but one. Disney’s “The Lion King,” which was released two weeks before “Forrest Gump,” grossed slightly over $1 million more that year. Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes chides “Forrest Gump” for being over sentimental. However, audiences love the movie, which holds a 95% score from viewers on the site.

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

40. Ghostbusters (1984)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $518,226,082
> Worldwide gross: $631,622,319
> Production budget: $64,186,549
> Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver

“Ghostbusters” dominated the domestic box office in 1984, besting such films as “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Gremlins,” and “The Karate Kid.” The movie, about a group of New York City ghost exterminators, has an exceptionally high Rotten Tomatoes Freshness score of 97%.

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

39. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $521,471,116
> Worldwide gross: $1,313,397,503
> Production budget: $277,171,317
> Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley

Despite scoring significantly lower ratings than its predecessor from both critics and audiences on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, this second entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is the top grossing of the series. “Dead Man’s Chest” was also the top-grossing movie of 2006 and only the third movie to ever gross more than $1 billion (unadjusted) worldwide out of 46 total.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

38. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $522,403,948
> Worldwide gross: $1,309,622,766
> Production budget: $165,837,862
> Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans

Numerous versions of “Beauty and the Beast” have been released over the years, with Disney’s 2017 live action remake the most successful at the domestic box office. For comparison, Disney’s 1991 animated version grossed $630.9 million domestically, adjusted for inflation. The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes appreciates the “faithful” retelling of the story.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

37. American Graffiti (1973)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $530,748,046
> Worldwide gross: $646,128,056
> Production budget: $4,534,267
> Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford

George Lucas’s second full-length directorial effort (following “THX 1138”) was a box office smash. The film, which follows a group of high school graduates in the 1960s, was reportedly made for under $1 million. Lucas would, of course, go on to have even greater financial success with his numerous Star Wars movies. The film enjoys a 96% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

36. The Lion King (2019)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $543,638,043
> Worldwide gross: $1,656,943,394
> Production budget: $260,000,000
> Starring: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen

Released in July 2019, Disney’s computer-animated remake of “The Lion King” grossed $543.6 million at the domestic box office, becoming the second biggest movie of the year. While the visually impressive movie was popular with audiences, who gave it an 88% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, it was relatively poorly received by critics, who gave it a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Corporation

35. Spider-Man (2002)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $548,930,535
> Worldwide gross: $1,117,299,460
> Production budget: $189,002,079
> Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe

“Spider-Man,” starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, was both the top grossing film of 2002 and the most successful of the franchise. At the time, the movie was the most successful superhero movie ever, though that’s no longer the case. Director Sam Raimi followed the blockbuster with two Spider-Man sequels that both did well at the box office.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

34. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $551,444,492
> Worldwide gross: $897,837,500
> Production budget: $43,981,449
> Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman

Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” introduced audiences to swashbuckling archeologist Indiana Jones. The film has a 95% Freshness rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% approval rating from audiences.

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

33. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $561,464,174
> Worldwide gross: $1,114,174,350
> Production budget: $211,006,425
> Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is a standalone Star Wars film about a group of rebels attempting to steal the plans for the Death Star. The movie, which had a reported production budget of $200 million, grossed $155 million domestically in its opening weekend and remained the country’s top film at the box office for five weeks in a row.

Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

32. Shrek 2 (2004)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $574,204,126
> Worldwide gross: $1,208,673,032
> Production budget: $195,207,378
> Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz

Of the five Shrek films released to date, including “Puss in Boots,” “Shrek 2” leads with the highest total domestic box office gross. The movie had the biggest opening weekend ever for an animated film, grossing more than $108 million. This record would later be topped by “Shrek the Third.”

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

31. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $580,749,600
> Worldwide gross: $1,170,426,856
> Production budget: $68,686,926
> Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr

Steven Spielberg’s 1977 flick about a man’s experiences following an alien encounter wowed audiences. It currently has a 95% Freshness rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85% approval rating from audiences. While nominated for eight Oscars, it only won one for cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

30. Grease (1978)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $583,801,247
> Worldwide gross: $1,244,300,814
> Production budget: $19,265,909
> Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing

Actor John Travolta followed up his successful role in “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) with another smash hit, “Grease,” in which he starred alongside Australian sensation Olivia Newton-John. The musical romance about a 1950s greaser and a goody-two-shoes outgrossed all movies in 1978, including “National Lampoon’s Animal House” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says the film is a “pleasing, energetic musical with infectiously catchy songs,” and 87% of audiences enjoyed the movie.

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

29. Incredibles 2 (2018)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $617,645,333
> Worldwide gross: $1,261,314,420
> Production budget: $202,978,594
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell

Fourteen years passed between the original “The Incredibles” movie and this sequel about the family of superheroes. Fans were clearly eager to see it, as the follow-up grossed more than $617 million (in 2019 dollars) at the domestic box office. The first film grossed $393 million.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

28. The Dark Knight (2008)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $622,090,900
> Worldwide gross: $1,169,946,227
> Production budget: $215,782,916
> Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Director Christopher Nolan’s second Batman movie is the top-grossing Batman film ever. The gritty superhero flick is notable in part due to the performance of Heath Ledger as Joker. Ledger died soon after completing filming and posthumously received an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

27. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $630,951,182
> Worldwide gross: $1,020,836,776
> Production budget: $41,945,153
> Starring: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti

Disney’s magical classic was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. The enchanting story of a young woman who is held captive by a monster whose mission is to make her fall in love with him holds an approval score of 94% among critics and 92% among viewers.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

26. Jurassic Park (1993)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $630,972,435
> Worldwide gross: $1,656,427,469
> Production budget: $100,455,975
> Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum

“Jurassic Park,” about a dinosaur theme park that descends into chaos, was the highest grossing movie in 1993 at the domestic box office, bringing in nearly double the gross of its closest competitor, “The Fugitive.” In addition to the money grossed during its initial release, “Jurassic Park” made more than $45 million during a 2013 re-release.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

25. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $642,809,717
> Worldwide gross: $1,381,159,792
> Production budget: $328,566,265
> Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill

The first, and as of right now, only Star Wars film from director Rian Johnson was a hit, outgrossing all but five Star Wars films after adjusting for inflation. The movie was well received by critics, earning a 90% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, however, were less enthusiastic, giving it a 43% rating on the site.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

24. The Godfather (1972)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $656,432,977
> Worldwide gross: $1,305,897,171
> Production budget: $29,182,060
> Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan

Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” is not only considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, but it is also one of the top grossing movies ever. The Best Picture-winner about a New York City crime family was the most financially successful movie of the year at the domestic box office and also grossed more than its two sequels combined.

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

23. The Lion King (1994)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $660,355,768
> Worldwide gross: $1,542,276,828
> Production budget: $70,287,146
> Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

“The Lion King” combined innovative animation techniques with an unforgettable soundtrack — that earned two Oscars — to create an animated Disney classic. The movie had a higher gross at the domestic box office in 1994 than any other film, and then had a successful IMAX release in 2002 and a 3D release in 2011.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

22. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $682,873,632
> Worldwide gross: $1,477,925,605
> Production budget: $165,485,931
> Starring: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman

“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” has relatively poor reviews online, winning over 53% of critics and 59% of audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Moviegoers were undoubtedly eager for a new Star Wars film, however, having waited 16 years since the release of “Return of the Jedi.” “The Phantom Menace” spent its first four weekends at No. 1 at the domestic box office.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

21. The Avengers (2012)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $684,764,898
> Worldwide gross: $1,668,431,255
> Production budget: $241,672,200
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

“The Avengers” — the sixth entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — was the top grossing movie of 2012, taking in $175 million more than the second highest grossing movie that year, “The Dark Knight Rises.” The superhero flick has a 92% approval rating from critics and 91% score from audience members on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

20. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $686,552,273
> Worldwide gross: $1,271,621,976
> Production budget: $72,162,297
> Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

The concluding chapter of George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy sold an estimated 94.1 million tickets since its release. The movie grossed over $200 million in 1983, about $100 million more than that year’s second-biggest earner, “Tootsie.”

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $688,925,059
> Worldwide gross: $2,078,865,911
> Production budget: $325,780,643
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo

The superhero blockbuster pits the Avengers and their allies in an epic battle against Thanos, who is set on destruction of the universe. The movie, which cost an estimated $325 million to make, grossed more than a quarter billion dollars over its opening weekend. The movie is the 19th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

18. Jurassic World (2015)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $695,365,822
> Worldwide gross: $1,780,763,180
> Production budget: $159,910,426
> Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins

“Jurassic World” was released 14 years after the previous film in the franchise, “Jurassic Park III.” The movie covered its nearly $160 million production budget already in its opening weekend, when it grossed more than $208 million. With a 70% Freshness rating, “Jurassic World” is the second best rated film in the franchise by critics on Rotten Tomatoes, behind the original “Jurassic Park.”

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

17. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $699,855,359
> Worldwide gross: $700,722,922
> Production budget: $00
> Starring: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin

Director David Lean followed up his immensely successful “Lawrence of Arabia” with the epic romance film “Doctor Zhivago” about the life of a Russian poet and doctor during and after the Russian Revolution. The movie, which stars Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, was nominated for 10 Oscars and won five. Eighty-eight percent of audience members on Rotten Tomatoes like the epic.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

16. Black Panther (2018)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $710,485,531
> Worldwide gross: $1,366,972,696
> Production budget: $202,978,594
> Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o

“Black Panther” led the domestic box office in 2018, outgrossing blockbusters such as “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Incredibles 2.” The movie was the first from Marvel to feature a black superhero as the title character. It received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won three. The film holds a 96% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

15. The Sting (1973)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $736,661,337
> Worldwide gross: $736,661,337
> Production budget: $32,095,844
> Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw

Paul Newman and Robert Redford — who had earlier collaborated on the successful “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) — star in this comedy-drama about two con men out to score big. In addition to its box office success, the movie won seven Oscars, including Best Picture.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

14. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $772,785,252
> Worldwide gross: $1,422,115,360
> Production budget: $47,921,041
> Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

The second film in the Star Wars saga has the highest rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes of all the movies in the saga, at 94%. The movie’s intricate plot and fleshed out characters made it a massive blockbuster and helped develop the Star Wars universe. The film won one Oscar for Best Sound and was also given a Special Achievement Award for its advanced special effects.

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

13. The Jungle Book (1967)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $845,401,519
> Worldwide gross: $845,401,519
> Production budget: $23,840,486
> Starring: Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima

Based on the writings of English author Rudyard Kipling, “The Jungle Book” tells the story of a feral boy living among animals in nature. The movie’s adjusted total domestic box office gross is the result of three theatrical releases: the original release in 1967, a re-release in 1984, and another release in 1990. The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes lauds the movie for its “expressive animation, fun characters, and catchy songs.”

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

12. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $858,373,000
> Worldwide gross: $2,797,800,564
> Production budget: $356,000,000
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

“Avengers: Endgame” is the top grossing film in the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. The movie, which runs for more than three hours, once again finds the Avengers teaming up to restore order to the universe in the wake of Thanos’s destructive actions. The film was widely enjoyed by critics, who gave it a 94% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

11. Avatar (2009)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $887,862,384
> Worldwide gross: $3,249,567,787
> Production budget: $276,688,067
> Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver

Filmmaker James Cameron’s movie about a Marine on a mission in a beautiful alien world is notable in part thanks to its cutting-edge visuals, for which it won an Oscar. The movie cost more than $276 million to produce, and it grossed more than triple that at the domestic box office.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

 

10. The Exorcist (1973)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $945,506,885
> Worldwide gross: $1,858,703,353
> Production budget: $50,767,204
> Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair

Based on the novel by William Peter Blatty, director William Friedkin’s film about a young girl who is possessed by an evil spirit frightened millions in theaters across the country. The movie is one of the few horror films nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Though it didn’t win that award, it took home two Oscars, including Best Writing – Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. The film holds an 83% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics, and an 87% score among audiences.

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Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

9. Titanic (1997)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $970,636,246
> Worldwide gross: $3,250,658,649
> Production budget: $294,415,931
> Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane

Director James Cameron (“Avatar”) packed theaters across the country with this tale of an upper-class woman falling in love with a poor artist aboard the doomed Titanic. Part romance and part disaster film, the movie was No. 1 at the domestic box office for 14 weekends straight. “Titanic” is also tied for most Oscar wins (11) and nominations (14) in Academy Award history.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

8. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:$998,547,035
> Worldwide gross:
$2,204,870,135
> Production budget:
$261,187,029
> Starring:
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac

Director J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” takes place 30 years after  the events portrayed in “Return of the Jedi.” For the first time, Star Wars creator George Lucas was not involved in the film, which was released a decade after “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.” “The Force Awakens,” which cost an estimated $261 million to make, grossed $248 million its opening weekend.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

7. Jaws (1975)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:$1,003,205,479
> Worldwide gross:
$1,816,187,766
> Production budget:
$27,009,378
> Starring:
Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss

Released in 1975, “Jaws” is often considered to be the first summer blockbuster. The film, about a great white shark that is terrorizing a beach town, offers a master class in suspense and scared countless viewers away from the ocean. The movie currently has a 98% Freshness score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience members giving it a rating of 90%.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:
$1,007,192,546
> Worldwide gross:
$1,835,553,650
> Production budget:
$24,305,367
> Starring:
Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

Out of Steven Spielberg’s many blockbuster films, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” brought in the most money at the domestic box office. The movie, in which a young boy helps an alien return to his planet, grossed more than its production budget during its first wide release weekend and proceeded to spend a total of 17 weeks at the top of the box office. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 98% Freshness rating. It won four Oscars but lost Best Picture to “Gandhi.”

Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

5. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:
$1,009,805,516
> Worldwide gross:
$1,009,805,516
> Production budget:
$26,400,144
> Starring:
Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, J. Pat O’Malley

The production team behind “101 Dalmatians” used inexpensive animation methods to keep costs low. The movie had numerous theatrical re-releases — in 1969, 1979, 1985, and 1991 — each more lucrative than the previous one.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

4. The Sound of Music (1965)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:
$1,022,425,441
> Worldwide gross:
$1,792,935,991
> Production budget:
$51,367,370
> Starring:
Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker

“The Sound of Music” stars Julie Andrews as Austrian nun Maria, who leaves her convent to take a position as a governess for a large family in the lead-up to World War II. Andrews had already won an Academy Award for Best Actress in “Mary Poppins.” “The Sound of Music” won five Oscars, including Best Picture. It is an audience favorite on Rotten Tomatoes with 91% enjoying the film.

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Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

3. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars:
$1,583,226,789
> Worldwide gross:
$2,701,449,936
> Production budget:
$37,777,809
> Starring:
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Massive blockbuster “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” originally released simply as “Star Wars,” launched one of cinema’s most beloved franchises. The inventive tale of good versus evil triggered a worldwide following, leading to its initial theatrical release running for 135 continuous weeks. The movie won a total of six Oscars.

Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $2,676,449,218
> Worldwide gross: $2,676,449,218
> Production budget: $21,695,211
> Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne

Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is the top grossing animated film of all time when adjusting for inflation. It is the first animated feature to include sound and be in color. In addition to its theatrical success, the movie sold the most VHS copies of any film. It holds a 98% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics.

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
> Domestic gross in 2019 dollars: $2,971,442,929
> Worldwide gross: $5,840,651,173
> Production budget: $59,479,568
> Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell

Historical epic “Gone With the Wind,” the most expensive Hollywood film ever produced at the time, has gone on to become the top grossing of all time. It is the only movie to sell more than 200 million tickets throughout its multiple domestic releases. It is often considered to be among the most definitive of Hollywood films, and is based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel about the antebellum South. It won eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Olivia de Havilland died in July at age 104 and had been the last surviving star of the film.

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