In 1968, the Motion Picture Association of America replaced the so-called Hays Code, instituted in the 1930s to enforce moral guidelines upon cinematic content, with its own rating system — ushering in the age of the R-rated film.
An R rating, which might be applied to a film for some combination of violence, nudity, sex, foul language, or substance abuse, meant that it was forbidden to those under 16 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian (the age was later changed to 17). The first title to earn such a rating was the 1968 noirish thriller “The Split,” about a robbery gone awry. However, previous blood-soaked classics like “Bonnie & Clyde” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” got an R retroactively.
Late-1960s features such as “Easy Rider” and “The Wild Bunch” — both rated R — similarly dialed up the explicit content and mature themes. Quickly and gloriously, a new era of American filmmaking, effectively unencumbered by censorship, was taking shape. Check out the best R-rated movies of all-time.
Jump ahead a few decades and R-rated content is more or less ubiquitous across screens both big and small. Not only that, but the rating’s boundaries have been pushed to their furthest possible reaches. There has also emerged an ample slate of R-rated blockbusters, many of which opened to rave reviews. From “The Godfather” to “300” to “Deadpool” and its popular sequel, these films pulled a few punches on their way to massive success. (Speaking of “Deadpool” — these are the highest-grossing movies in the Marvel universe.)
Click here to see the most successful R-rated movies of all time
Which ones have been the most successful of all? To determine the most successful R-rated movies of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed box office and production budget data from The Numbers, an online movie database owned by consulting firm Nash Information Services. Though both domestic and worldwide box office are given, movies were ranked according to lifetime worldwide box office earnings as of June 2021, adjusted for inflation.
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50. Blazing Saddles (1974)
> Worldwide box office: $579,164,021 — #365 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $579,164,021 — #70 highest of all time
> Production budget: $2,600,000 — #4,524 highest of all time
> Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman
A spoof of the Western genre, this Mel Brooks comedy doubles as a biting satire about racial prejudice. Its bevy of iconic jokes are decidedly non-PC but underpinned by an intelligent wit. Follow a clever railroad worker (Cleavon Little) as he becomes the first Black sheriff of a small town.
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49. Flashdance (1983)
> Worldwide box office: $585,843,282 — #362 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $263,062,329 — #442 highest of all time
> Production budget: $7,000,000 — #3,859 highest of all time
> Starring: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson
A welder by day, Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) moonlights as an exotic dancer with dreams of joining a legitimate troupe. Bolstered by a hit soundtrack, the film overcame negative reviews on its way to box office success.
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48. Indecent Proposal (1993)
> Worldwide box office: $589,868,599 — #358 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $235,890,044 — #518 highest of all time
> Production budget: Not available
> Starring: Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Seymour Cassel
Would you let your wife sleep with another man for a million dollars? That’s the question at the heart of this erotic drama from director Adrian Lyne. It won three Razzie Awards.
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47. The Firm (1993)
> Worldwide box office: $598,145,548 — #349 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $350,338,785 — #254 highest of all time
> Production budget: $42,000,000 — #1,361 highest of all time
> Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook
Tom Cruise plays rookie lawyer Mitch McDeere in this adaptation of John Grisham’s blockbuster novel. Upon joining a prestigious new firm, McDeere uncovers a shocking conspiracy with deadly consequences.
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46. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
> Worldwide box office: $599,918,460 — #346 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $284,431,525 — #370 highest of all time
> Production budget: $20,000,000 — #2,480 highest of all time
> Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
One of the greatest thrillers ever made puts F.B.I. cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) on the trail of a dangerous serial killer. Seeking help, she turns to a devious psychopath by the name of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
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45. American Sniper (2014)
> Worldwide box office: $613,648,662 — #338 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $392,552,946 — #200 highest of all time
> Production budget: $58,000,000 — #977 highest of all time
> Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis
Inspired by actual events, this biographical drama chronicles the life and times of Navy S.E.A.L. sniper Chris Kyle (played by Bradley Cooper). A huge success both in America and overseas, it remains the highest-grossing war movie of all time (unadjusted for inflation).
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44. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
> Worldwide box office: $620,223,220 — #334 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $180,556,563 — #807 highest of all time
> Production budget: $40,000,000 — #1,391 highest of all time
> Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle, Eloise Mumford
No number of negative ratings or reviews could get in the way of this hotly anticipated erotic drama, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. The first in a trilogy, it centers on the sado-masochistic affair between a high-powered businessman (ââJamie Dornan) and his latest hire (Dakota Johnson).
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43. Logan (2017)
> Worldwide box office: $627,212,175 — #330 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $231,070,005 — #535 highest of all time
> Production budget: $127,000,000 — #272 highest of all time
> Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook
The grimmest and reportedly final chapter in the Wolverine saga takes place in a futuristic wasteland, where mutants are on the brink of extinction. Overcoming his own world-weariness to help a young girl, Logan (Hugh Jackman) proves there’s still some fight in him yet.
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42. Air Force One (1997)
> Worldwide box office: $629,162,988 — #329 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $345,159,195 — #260 highest of all time
> Production budget: $85,000,000 — #508 highest of all time
> Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson
“Die Hard” on a plane is the best way to describe this mid-90s actioner, starring Harrison Ford as President James Marshall. It was the year’s fifth highest-grossing film at the worldwide box office. Bill Clinton was reportedly a fan.
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41. 300 (2006)
> Worldwide box office: $635,133,332 — #325 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $294,539,365 — #346 highest of all time
> Production budget: $60,000,000 — #866 highest of all time
> Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West
Making unique — and virtually ubiquitous — use of CGI technology, this swords-and-sandals epic rolled into theaters with a chest-thumping bang. Based on a comic book series, it follows 300 Spartan soldiers into battle.
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40. Speed (1994)
> Worldwide box office: $635,811,765 — #323 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $272,213,973 — #409 highest of all time
> Production budget: $30,000,000 — #1,849 highest of all time
> Starring: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton
More than a mere action film, 1994’s “Speed” is an enduring pop culture phenomenon. The story takes place aboard a moving bus, which will explode if it dips below 50 MPH at any time. A famously terrible sequel would follow.
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39. Ransom (1996)
> Worldwide box office: $639,749,321 — #320 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $282,867,185 — #374 highest of all time
> Production budget: $70,000,000 — #713 highest of all time
> Starring: Mel Gibson, Gary Sinise, Rene Russo, Brawley Nolte
Mel Gibson was at the height of his fame when he starred in this dramatic thriller, playing the desperate father of a kidnapped son. Rather than pay the criminals directly, Gibson offers the ransom money as a bounty to the public. Reviews were generally positive but not ecstatic.
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38. Ted (2012)
> Worldwide box office: $639,838,229 — #319 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $251,630,424 — #476 highest of all time
> Production budget: $50,000,000 — #1,102 highest of all time
> Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale
The debut feature film from “Family Guy” co-creator Seth MacFarlane was the raunchy smash hit that few saw coming. It follows a talking teddy bear (voiced by MacFarlane) and his best friend (Mark Wahlberg) as they stubbornly refuse to come of age. A less successful sequel came later.
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37. Coming to America (1988)
> Worldwide box office: $643,651,582 — #313 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $285,614,374 — #367 highest of all time
> Production budget: Not available
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Paul Bates, Garcelle Beauvais, Feather
A-list comedy star Eddie Murphy wears multiple hats in this modern-day fairy tale with a predominantly Black cast. Determined to find a bride on his own terms, a pampered African prince (Murphy) takes off for America. Some of the original cast members returned for a recent sequel, which also featured contemporary comedians in supporting roles.
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36. American Beauty (1999)
> Worldwide box office: $644,925,634 — #310 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $235,441,050 — #522 highest of all time
> Production budget: $15,000,000 — #2,965 highest of all time
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
This Oscar-winning dramedy from Sam Mendes captured suburban America in the midst of a spiritual crisis. Overlapping plot lines center around the story of a frustrated father (Kevin Spacey), who develops sexual feelings for his daughter’s close friend (Mena Suvari).
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35. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
> Worldwide box office: $648,146,222 — #306 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $359,992,770 — #246 highest of all time
> Production budget: $20,000,000 — #2,480 highest of all time
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Jürgen Prochnow, Ronny Cox
Detroit cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills for this blockbuster sequel, in which he investigates a string of bank robberies. It opened at No. 1 and became the second highest-grossing film of the year at the worldwide box office.
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34. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
> Worldwide box office: $649,099,566 — #304 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $211,562,444 — #622 highest of all time
> Production budget: $150,000,000 — #168 highest of all time
> Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
A critical disappointment, the third “Matrix” film was nevertheless a massive box office success. It caps off the initial trilogy and depicts the final showdown between mankind and machine. Stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will both return for a fourth installment, which is scheduled for release this year.
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33. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
> Worldwide box office: $657,846,433 — #299 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $228,404,974 — #546 highest of all time
> Production budget: $170,000,000 — #124 highest of all time
> Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes
Released over a decade after its groundbreaking predecessor, the third “Terminator” installment builds toward a potential nuclear holocaust. Without franchise creator James Cameron at the helm, the execution feels somewhat second-rate. Audiences flocked in droves anyway.
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32. The Hangover Part II (2011)
> Worldwide box office: $677,775,666 — #286 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $293,933,548 — #347 highest of all time
> Production budget: $80,000,000 — #558 highest of all time
> Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha
In true sequel fashion, this blockbuster comedy overlays the same formula as its predecessor in a new location. Upon their arrival in Thailand, the wolf-pack once again wakes up with no memory of the night before. Rote plot points notwithstanding, the film became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of its time (unadjusted for inflation).
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31. Alien (1979)
> Worldwide box office: $684,966,250 — #277 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $229,948,368 — #538 highest of all time
> Production budget: $10,700,000 — #3,444 highest of all time
> Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic overcame wary studio executives and numerous rewrites on its way to the big screen, where it found immediate commercial success. The story follows crew members of the spaceship Nostromo as they’re picked off by an alien creature. Its nail-biting trailer looks as compelling now as it did over 40 years ago.
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30. Se7en (1995)
> Worldwide box office: $690,949,630 — #274 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $210,839,285 — #628 highest of all time
> Production budget: $30,000,000 — #1,849 highest of all time
> Starring: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
The film that made director David Fincher a household name, this brutally dark thriller takes place in an unnamed city. Against a backdrop of perennial rain, an arrogant detective (Brad Pitt) and his veteran partner (Morgan Freeman) search for a sadistic serial killer with a master plan. It all builds toward one of the most unshakable endings in modern movie history.
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29. The Last Samurai (2003)
> Worldwide box office: $693,927,839 — #273 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $168,784,887 — #904 highest of all time
> Production budget: $140,000,000 — #218 highest of all time
> Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton
Tom Cruise brought his box office bona fides to this epic period drama, which he also produced. The story takes place in 19th-century Japan and chronicles the transformational encounter between an American military officer (Cruise) and a samurai clan.
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28. The Rock (1996)
> Worldwide box office: $696,469,846 — #271 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $277,845,412 — #387 highest of all time
> Production budget: $75,000,000 — #646 highest of all time
> Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, John Spencer
Hoping to ward off a terrorist attack, a chemist (Nicolas Cage) and an ex-con (Sean Connery) break into Alcatraz. Director Michael Bay’s propulsive pacing is elevated by excellent performances and a surprisingly solid script. It’s been reported that both Aaron Sorkin and Quentin Tarantino provided uncredited rewrites.
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27. Detective Chinatown 3 (2021)
> Worldwide box office: $698,994,069 — #269 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: Not available
> Production budget: Not available
> Starring: Baoqiang Wang, Haoran Liu, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Tony Jaa
The third installment in the “Detective Chinatown” franchise follows detectives Tang Ren and Qin Feng to Tokyo, where they investigate a murder. Similar to its predecessors, the movie imparts a unique and often relentless brand of modern farce. It’s currently the highest grossing non-American R-rated film of all time (unadjusted for inflation).
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26. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
> Worldwide box office: $705,651,084 — #265 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $319,455,611 — #301 highest of all time
> Production budget: $35,000,000 — #1,642 highest of all time
> Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo
Partners Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) take on a weapons dealer in this third franchise installment. Despite the return of all the major players — including director Richard Donner and supporting actor Joe Pesci — the film didn’t muster the same zeitgeist-grabbing energy as its two predecessors. It still made a killing at the box office.
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25. Troy (2004)
> Worldwide box office: $712,668,710 — #260 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $196,620,767 — #710 highest of all time
> Production budget: $150,000,000 — #168 highest of all time
> Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Julian Glover
Big on brawn but light on brains, this historical epic retells “The Iliad” along with aspects of another Greek poem called “Posthomerica.” Playing Achilles, a chest-baring and sword-wielding Brad Pitt functioned as the main draw.
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24. Schindler’s List (1993)
> Worldwide box office: $712,880,611 — #258 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $214,394,486 — #606 highest of all time
> Production budget: $25,000,000 — #2,167 highest of all time
> Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
This black-and-white drama tells the story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German industrialist who saved the lives of over 1,000 Jews during WWII. A passion project for Steven Spielberg, it won seven Academy Awards. The director redirected both his personal salary and some of the film’s profits to create the USC Shoah Foundation, which is dedicated to Holocaust survivors.
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23. It (2017)
> Worldwide box office: $715,933,184 — #257 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $335,794,034 — #280 highest of all time
> Production budget: $35,000,000 — #1,642 highest of all time
> Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis
The first chapter in a two-part series, this adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic arrived at the height of “Stranger Things” fever. It takes place in 1989 and centers on a group of close friends who are terrorized by a shapeshifting demon clown (Bill Skarsgård). “Chapter Two” arrived in theaters two years later, earning less than its predecessor but still making a bundle.
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22. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
> Worldwide box office: $722,418,636 — #254 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $344,690,704 — #262 highest of all time
> Production budget: $22,000,000 — #2,399 highest of all time
> Starring: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans
Two men (Matt Dillon and Ben Stiller) vye for the same woman (Cameron Diaz) in this famously raunchy comedy. It comes from the same directing team behind “Dumb and Dumber” and imparts a similar sensibility. On AFI’s list of “100 Years, 100 Laughs,” it lands at #27.
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21. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
> Worldwide box office: $736,776,591 — #242 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $491,757,871 — #112 highest of all time
> Production budget: $4,400,000 — #4,260 highest of all time
> Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Based on Ken Kesey’s timeless novel, this blockbuster dramedy follows a rebellious soul (Jack Nicholson) into a mental institution. It won five Academy Awards and recently yielded a series spin-off called “Nurse Ratched.”
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20. Fatal Attraction (1987)
> Worldwide box office: $749,901,790 — #237 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $366,975,588 — #233 highest of all time
> Production budget: $14,000,000 — #3,129 highest of all time
> Starring: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer, Ellen Latzen
Adrian Lyne’s erotic thriller was so influential that it essentially kicked off a stalker sub-genre. Michael Douglas plays a married publishing executive whose short-lived affair becomes the stuff of nightmares. Part potboiler and part cautionary tale, it was the highest-grossing film of 1987.
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19. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
> Worldwide box office: $770,917,531 — #216 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $210,601,032 — #631 highest of all time
> Production budget: $90,000,000 — #457 highest of all time
> Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene
What was originally a stand-alone script called “Simon Says” became the third installment of the beloved “Die Hard” franchise. Now operating on his home turf of New York City, Lt. John McClane (Bruce Willis) squares off against a brilliant terrorist (Jeremy Irons). The Special Edition DVD features an alternate ending, which was deemed a bit too dark for audiences.
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18. Gladiator (2000)
> Worldwide box office: $777,807,728 — #212 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $318,958,006 — #303 highest of all time
> Production budget: $103,000,000 — #369 highest of all time
> Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
“Are you not entertained?!” Maximus (Russell Crowe) asks aloud in this historical epic. Based on the soaring box office numbers and slew of awards, audiences were most definitely entertained. Set during Roman times, the story sends a former general turned gladiator into the blood-soaked arena.
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17. Basic Instinct (1992)
> Worldwide box office: $778,489,639 — #211 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $259,850,933 — #452 highest of all time
> Production budget: Not available
> Starring: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn
This erotic thriller centers on the fraught relationship between a troubled homicide detective (Michael Douglas) and his primary suspect (Sharon Stone). Tawdry by design, it benefits from convincing performances and director Paul Verhoeven’s stylish sensibilities. Its scandalous reputation and box office success sent Sharon Stone straight to the top of Hollywood’s A-list.
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16. Deadpool 2 (2018)
> Worldwide box office: $790,772,011 — #202 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $326,373,248 — #292 highest of all time
> Production budget: $110,000,000 — #329 highest of all time
> Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison
A mercenary mutant with a crude and comic disposition, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) takes on a time-travelling cyborg (Josh Brolin) in this violent sequel. With estimated net proceeds of $235.4 million (after expenses and revenues), it was the seventh most profitable release of 2018. “Deadpool 3” is currently in development as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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15. True Lies (1994)
> Worldwide box office: $820,134,314 — #178 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $328,418,354 — #286 highest of all time
> Production budget: $100,000,000 — #377 highest of all time
> Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton
Arnold Schwarzenegger reunited with “Terminator” director James Cameron for this explosive spy thriller, about the double-life of a secret agent (Schwarzenegger). Interweaving elaborate action sequences with frequent comic relief, it opened at No. 1 and became the third highest-grossing film of 1994.
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14. Deadpool (2016)
> Worldwide box office: $830,390,652 — #176 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $384,477,190 — #216 highest of all time
> Production budget: $58,000,000 — #977 highest of all time
> Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Ed Skrein
This violent actioner kicked open the doors on R-rated comic book fare whilst deliciously subverting the sub-genres’ conventions. Breaking the fourth wall as he dodges bullets, Deadpool seeks revenge on the man who nearly killed him.
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13. The Matrix (1999)
> Worldwide box office: $842,461,492 — #166 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $313,895,439 — #315 highest of all time
> Production budget: $65,000,000 — #793 highest of all time
> Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Enigmatic trailers whetted audience appetites for this groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece, which duly lived up to the hype. It tells the story of a hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves), who discovers that reality is definitely not what it seems. The heady narrative and special effects have rendered a lasting impact on the action genre at large.
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12. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
> Worldwide box office: $862,294,048 — #157 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $640,001,779 — #55 highest of all time
> Production budget: $15,000,000 — #2,965 highest of all time
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher
Eddie Murphy’s third lead role in a major comedy cemented his status as a young Hollywood legend. He plays fast-talking Detroit cop Axel Foley, who brings his quick wit and unique charms to swanky Beverly Hills. The film spent a whopping 13 weeks at the top of the box office.
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11. The Bodyguard (1992)
> Worldwide box office: $907,051,276 — #144 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $269,162,119 — #421 highest of all time
> Production budget: $25,000,000 — #2,167 highest of all time
> Starring: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs
Catching its lead talents at the perfect moment, this romantic thriller depicts the relationship between a pop star (Whitney Houston) and her protector (Kevin Costner). A box office smash, it also yielded the best-selling soundtrack of all time.
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10. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
> Worldwide box office: $917,937,665 — #140 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $546,919,749 — #86 highest of all time
> Production budget: $25,000,000 — #2,167 highest of all time
> Starring: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Mel Gibson put up a sizable chunk of his own cash to finance this deeply personal project, about the final days of Jesus Christ (played by Jim Caviezel). To date, it remains the highest-grossing R-rated film at the domestic box office (unadjusted for inflation). A sequel is reportedly in the works.
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9. Rain Man (1988)
> Worldwide box office: $920,011,679 — #139 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $385,177,855 — #214 highest of all time
> Production budget: $25,000,000 — #2,167 highest of all time
> Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Hoping to secure a major inheritance, a selfish yuppy (Tom Cruise) takes his austic brother (Dustin Hoffman) under his wing. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a Best Actor award for Hoffman. It also features one of Cruise’s finest dramatic performances.
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8. Pretty Woman (1990)
> Worldwide box office: $938,935,513 — #129 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $387,251,520 — #209 highest of all time
> Production budget: $14,000,000 — #3,129 highest of all time
> Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo
Witness the unlikely but effortlessly charming love story between a streetwise prostitute (Julia Roberts) and a savvy businessman (Richard Gere). A modern fairy tale with an adult-themed twist, the film turned Roberts into an overnight sensation.
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7. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
> Worldwide box office: $947,317,991 — #126 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $422,522,256 — #164 highest of all time
> Production budget: $65,000,000 — #793 highest of all time
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
One of the most gripping battle scenes in film history kicks off this WWII saga, which sends a group of U.S. soldiers across enemy lines. Winner of five Academy Awards, it sparked an ongoing professional relationship between Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
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6. Joker (2019)
> Worldwide box office: $1,072,507,517 — #101 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $335,451,311 — #281 highest of all time
> Production budget: $55,000,000 — #1,001 highest of all time
> Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
Crafted by Todd Phillips in the vein of a Martin Scorsese classic, this disturbing drama explores the origins of comic book villain The Joker (Joaquin Phoenix). With its epic haul of over $1 billion, this is the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time at the worldwide box office (unadjusted for inflation).
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5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
> Worldwide box office: $1,121,373,038 — #87 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $442,691,497 — #148 highest of all time
> Production budget: $100,000,000 — #377 highest of all time
> Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
A benchmark in modern filmmaking, James Cameron’s sci-fi sequel mashes genre tropes while making expert use of then-nascent CGI technology. The story picks up 11 years after the original and sees The Terminator returning from the future, this time as a protector. It remains the highest-grossing film of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career.
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4. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
> Worldwide box office: $1,121,951,023 — #86 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $427,700,131 — #160 highest of all time
> Production budget: $150,000,000 — #168 highest of all time
> Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
In the vein of its epochal predecessor, this sci-fi sequel layers philosophical themes with eye-popping set pieces. It continues the story of humanity’s fight against its computer overlords, bringing Neo’s role further into focus.
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3. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
> Worldwide box office: $1,159,992,825 — #80 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $572,956,456 — #75 highest of all time
> Production budget: Not available
> Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali
This dance-themed and surprisingly unfiltered drama helped spawn the disco era and turned John Travolta into a movie star. Its hit-loaded soundtrack was a pop culture cornerstone unto itself, and the second best-selling soundtrack of all time.
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2. The Godfather (1972)
> Worldwide box office: $1,533,124,910 — #33 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $770,653,135 — #33 highest of all time
> Production budget: $7,000,000 — #3,859 highest of all time
> Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
One of the greatest and most influential films ever made launched several high-profile careers and took home three Oscars. It was also a critical and commercial smash, reportedly sitting on top of the domestic box office for 23 weeks in a row. Behold the story of the Corleone crime family, whose power is threatened by a new foe.
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1. The Exorcist (1973)
> Worldwide box office: $2,302,868,661 — #13 highest of all time
> Domestic box office: $1,238,771,017 — #15 highest of all time
> Production budget: $12,000,000 — #3,283 highest of all time
> Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Author William Peter Blatty adapted his own novel when penning the script for this graphic horror film. Directed by William Friedkin, it presents the unrelenting demonic possession of a young girl (Linda Blair). Extreme viewer reactions such as vomiting and fainting arguably fueled word-of-mouth momentum, hence the film’s enduring blockbuster status.
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