Highest Grossing Original Films of All Time

A private school English teacher (Robin Williams) turns his students on to the wonders of poetry and self-expression in this acclaimed drama. The story is loosely based on screenwriter Tom Schulman’s own experiences as a teenager.

Dustin Hoffman and director Sydney Pollack overcame various creative differences when bringing this seminal comedy to life. It centers on struggling actor Michael Dorsey (Hoffman), who impersonates a woman in order to land a recurring role on a soap opera.

Jim Carrey cemented his status as a comedy legend with this box office blockbuster, which sends two dim-witted friends (Carrey and Jeff Daniels) on a road trip to Colorado. Blending traditional narrative devices with crude humor and unique characters, the film’s style remains impossible to imitate.

It’s mean old Dean Vernon Wormer against the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity in this raunchy classic, which set the template for pretty much every college comedy in its wake. National Lampoon co-founder Douglas Kenney co-wrote the script and also played the role of Stork.

In a future world that’s been ravaged by climate change, a man with gills (Kevin Costner) embarks on a perilous mission. Production was plagued by numerous obstacles, including the destruction of an entire set. Despite its reputation as a financial fiasco — which it was — the movie still made a decent chunk of change at the worldwide box office.

Bing Crosby recorded a new version of his immortal song for this musical of the same name, the highest-grossing film of 1954. It chronicles the exploits of a song-and-dance duo (Crosby and Danny Kaye), who find romance while trying to save a struggling inn.

Julia Roberts and Richard Gere reunited with “Pretty Woman” director Garry Marshall for this romantic comedy. While failing to capture the same magic as its predecessor, the film still made a killing at the box office. Roberts plays a woman with marriage-phobia and Gere the reporter who just might break the spell.

Newly-engaged nurse Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) meets his future in-laws in this smash comedy of errors. Co-star Robert De Niro proved that he was still capable of turning in an iconic performance in the later stages of his career. The film yielded two financially successful sequels.

A domesticated Macaw (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) and his freewheeling counterpart (voiced by Anne Hathaway) head to Rio de Janeiro in this computer-animated adventure. It opened at #1 at the domestic box office and became the first film of 2011 to earn over $400 million worldwide.

Sylvester Stallone co-wrote and stars in this wilderness-themed action flick, set in the Colorado Rockies. Still recovering from a recent tragedy, a former mountain ranger (Stallone) takes on a group of murderous thieves. Think “Die Hard” on a mountain and you pretty much get the idea.

Not since “Casablanca” has a film delivered so much memorable dialogue as this blockbuster sports dramedy from Cameron Crowe. It stars Tom Cruise as uber-agent Jerry Maguire, who strays from the corporate world to forge an uncertain path of his own. “Show me the money!” hollered co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. and audiences did just that.

Father Charles O’Malley (Bing Crosby) brings his easy-going spirit to a tough city parish in this saccharine musical dramedy. Four of its songs cracked the Billboard chart, with “Swinging on a Star” going all the way to #1. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but that’s only because a pack of friends can’t remember anything from the night before. So goes this zeitgeist-capturing comedy, which turned Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper into major stars. Two sequels would follow.

Disney’s computer-animated comedy centers on the title character, an arcade game villain (voiced by John C. Reilly) who dreams of playing the hero. Between its nostalgic references, lovable characters, and propulsive storytelling, this one is fun for all ages. A third installment is reportedly in development.

Mel Brooks’ parody of the Western film genre doubles as a scathing critique of American history. It tells the story of a Black man named Bart (Cleavon Little), whose appointment as Sheriff causes havoc in a small town. Remember: the offensiveness is the point.

The world’s most unlikely welder by day, Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) moonlights as an exotic dancer with dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Powered by stylish direction, iconic choreography, and a hit soundtrack, the film defied negative reviews on its way to commercial success.

Julia Roberts was at the height of her career when she tried to stop her best friend’s wedding in this whimsical dramedy. It opened at #2 at the domestic box office and stayed in the top 10 for six weeks in a row.

In accordance with his son’s magical birthday wish, a hotshot lawyer (Jim Carrey) can’t lie for 24 hours straight. Jim Carrey elevates the somewhat silly premise through his unique combination of physical talent and zany energy. This was the second of three collaborations between Carrey and director Tom Shadyac.

This computer-animated adventure follows an orphaned dinosaur across an apocalyptic landscape in search of natural resources. Many critics were unimpressed with the rote storytelling, but still bowled over by the stunning visuals.

One of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time kicked off with this computer-animated comedy. It sends a group of misfit mammals turned unlikely friends on a heroic journey through the Paleolithic ice age. Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Jane Krakowski, and others lend their voices.

Hayao Miyazaki’s quintessential masterpiece is also considered one of the greatest animated films ever made. Join a young girl as she crosses into a fantasy world of gods and spirits, where humans are turned into beasts. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Jack Nicholson delivers an Oscar-winning performance as surly but successful author Melvin Udall in this hit dramedy. No matter how hard he tries to avoid other people and their problems, Udall must learn to embrace the world outside his door. Co-star Helen Hunt also took home an Academy Award for her performance as single mother Carol Connelly.

“Get off my plane!” Harrison Ford famously shouted as President James Marshall in this high-altitude action smash. Basically “Die Hard” on a plane, it pits the president against radical highjackers aboard Air Force One.

This computer-animated blockbuster tells the story of criminal mastermind Gru (voiced by Steve Carell). Likable in spite of his despicable behavior, Gru adopts three orphan girls as part of his next grand scheme. Three films would follow, with a fourth scheduled for release in 2022.

With the sudden ability to hear women’s thoughts, an ad exec (Mel Gibson) learns what women really want in this romantic comedy. It’s premise was recently re-imagined for the film “What Men Want,” starring Taraji P. Henson in the lead role.

A domestic terrorist (Dennis Hopper) has put a bomb on a bus, which will explode if it dips below 50 mph. The pulse-pounding thriller turned Sandra Bullock into a household name and Keanu Reeves an action star. It took loose inspiration from an old script by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.

Arguably one of Pixar’s lesser efforts, this computer-animated adventure still delivers top-notch entertainment. Set in Medieval Scotland, it tells the story of the fiercely independent Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald). In her desire to break from tradition, the princess accidentally unleashes a terrible curse.

Long before the reality show “The Amazing Race,” there came this sprawling comedy and its epic ensemble cast. What begins with a car crash in the California desert becomes a statewide race for a fortune in buried loot.

Best friends since childhood, a man (Mark Wahlberg) and his anthropomorphic stuffed bear (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) reluctantly come of age. A surprise smash, the raunchy comedy broke domestic box office records during its opening weekend. It was followed by a sequel.

Eddie Murphy conceived the story for this fish-out-of-water comedy, in which he plays multiple roles. It follows a pampered African prince (Murphy) to New York City, where he assumes a normal identity and searches for a bride. This is one of the most successful films of all time to feature a primarily African-American cast.

Audiences were eager to see what director M. Night Shyamalan would pull from his hat of tricks by the time this sci-fi drama rolled into theaters. Mel Gibson plays a widowed man with a tragic past, whose crisis of faith is put to the test by extra-terrestrial visitors. Joaquin Phoenix co-stars.

Director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Alan Ball peel back the layers of modern suburbia in this Oscar-winning dramedy. It chronicles the breakdown of a seemingly normal family as they grapple with sexual frustrations and desires.

This computer-animated hit goes down in a world of anthropomorphic cars and vehicles. Arrogant rookie Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is on his way to a major race when he takes a life-changing detour in Radiator Springs. The film yielded two direct sequels as well as a spin-off called “Planes.”

It’s hard out there for a family of cavemen (and women) in this adventure comedy from Dreamworks Animation. Like so many movies of its kind, this one follows its main characters on an action-packed journey across perilous terrain. A TV series and theatrical sequel would follow.

This modern-day fairy tale depicts the unlikely romance between a bookstore owner (Hugh Grant) and A-list movie star (Julia Roberts). While charming by design, it also explores the Western world’s insatiable appetite for celebrity.

A benchmark in the buddy comedy sub-genre, this Western adventure tells the story of its two title characters (played by Robert Redford and Paul Newman). In the wake of a botched train robbery, the outlaws and their gang flee from a deadly posse. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay.

True to its name, this computer-animated musical features over 60 songs, including both classic covers and original compositions. Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, it depicts a major singing competition with a substantial cash prize. It was recently followed by a sequel.

Disney drew from Polynesian mythology when crafting this computer-animated adventure. In hopes of breaking a curse, fearless islander Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) embarks on a dangerous ocean voyage. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a number of the film’s songs, including the Oscar-nominated “How Far I’ll Go.”

Director Cecil B. DeMille takes viewers behind the scenes at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where performers engage in romance and rivalry. Big on spectacle and rife with dramatic sub-plots, the film features actual footage of the real-life circus.

Welcome to future Earth, which is little more than a planet-spanning garbage dump. A lovable robot wades through all the endless refuse before taking off on a spacebound ship. Pixar’s dystopian vision may be fun for the whole family, but it’s also terrifying in its implications.

From the director of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Vacation” comes this decidedly softer comedy. Enter the mind of baby Mikey (voiced by Bruce Willis) as he watches romance unfold between an accountant (Kirstie Alley) and a cab driver (John Travolta). A film reboot is reportedly in the works.

Mankind braces for an extinction level event in this disaster film, which touches down on various characters and stories. The similar (as in nearly identical) movie “Armageddon” came out the same year and made more money at the box office.

Ridley Scott’s seminal classic infuses sci-fi and horror with an artistic sensibility, putting a space crew up against an alien intruder. It underwent significant changes in development before arriving on the big screen. An ongoing franchise was thus born.

Modern blockbusters don’t get any darker than this iconic thriller from David Fincher. Against the gloomy backdrop of perennial rainfall, a sadistic serial killer enacts his meticulous plan. The film came out over 25 years ago and people are still talking about its shocking conclusion.

Tasked with modernizing Japan’s army, an American military officer (Tom Cruise) learns the samurai code in this violent epic. New York Magazine critic Peter Rainer called it “​​an idyll in which the savageries of existence are transcended by spiritual devotion.”

The film that gave us Brangelina features its respective leads as a married couple, who discover they’re both secret assassins. Things get awkward when they become one another’s next assignment. Smith and Jolie were each paid $20 million to star.

Domestic terrorists are in possession of a deadly nerve gas and they’re using Alcatraz as a base of operations. To stop the attack, two men (Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage) must break into the prison from which one of them once escaped. Some say this is director Michael Bay’s finest hour.

While not an outright masterpiece on the level of 1995’s “Toy Story,” Pixar’s sophomore feature was still a critical and commercial success. Set in the world of talking bugs, it follows a clumsy ant on a journey to save his colony from invading grasshoppers.

This box office smash takes gross-out humor to Shakespearean heights and rewrites the romantic comedy playbook in the process. Ben Stiller plays a former high school geek, who gets a second chance with the girl of his dreams (Cameron Diaz). On AFI’s list of 100 Years 100 Laughs, it lands at #27.

Bing Crosby reprised the Oscar-winning role of Father O’Malley for this popular drama, a follow-up to 1944’s “Going My Way.” He and Sister Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) engage in a friendly rivalry as they try to save a Catholic school from going under.

Stranded on an island and presumed dead, a castaway (Tom Hanks) must fend for himself in this harrowing survival drama. In the hands of lesser talent, the movie would have likely run itself thin. Instead, it’s a gripping and emotional tour de force from beginning to end.

With Earth’s biospheres on the brink of collapse, a small team of astronauts are mankind’s last hope in this sci-fi drama. Their subsequent journey spans the furthest reaches of space and time before folding back in on itself or something like that.

News reporter and malcontent Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) thinks he can do a better job than God (Morgan Freeman) in this clever comedy. As it turns out, God is up to the challenge. Like so many Jim Carrey films, this one rides on the unique energy of its lead star.

Adrian Lyne’s erotic thriller helped spawn the “blank from hell” sub-genre and probably saved a few marriages as well. It stars Michael Douglas as a philandering lawyer and Glenn Close as his obsessive fling. Things get ugly, to say the least.

Before venturing to a galaxy far away, director George Lucas explored his own (former) backyard in this iconic drama. The story spans a single night in 1962, following various characters around their small California town. A hit-laden soundtrack of classic oldies keeps the pace moving and rounds out the nostalgic vibe.

Pixar’s feature debut is possibly the most influential film of the modern era in that it kicked off the ongoing wave of computer-animated family fare. Behold Andy’s lovable toys, who spring to life when humans aren’t around. Multiple sequels would follow and so too would billions of dollars.

From the master of suspense himself comes this noirish thriller, in which a young woman (Ingrid Bergman) is recruited to spy on Nazi scientists. While credited at the time as an original work, it took direct inspiration from a short story called “The Song of the Dragon.” It was the third highest-grossing film of Hitchcock’s career, falling behind “Psycho” and “Rear Window.”

Alfonso Cuarón‘s sci-fi adventure follows two astronauts (Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) as they grapple with a potentially deadly accident in space. Released theatrically in 3D, it went on to win seven Academy Awards.

Betrayed by a corrupt emperor (Joaquin Phoenix), Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) blazes a trail of vengeance in this historical epic. Director Ridley Scott strikes a deft balance between humanist drama and pulse-pounding action as the story goes from one gladiator fight to the next.

A potentially homicidal crime novelist (Sharon Stone) sets her sights on a troubled detective (Michael Douglas) in this erotic thriller. Committed performances, expert direction, and a moody tone keep the somewhat ridiculous plot from veering into pure camp.

Comedy legends Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, and numerous others lend their voices to this computer-animated adventure. Tired of the same old boring routine, a group of zoo animals plot their escape. Two sequels and a spin-off would follow.

The rare superhero movie not based on pre-existing material, “Hancock” spent years in development before arriving on the big screen. Will Smith plays the title character, whose destructive tendencies tend to overshadow his more humanitarian efforts.

This supernatural comedy tapped into the zeitgeist and has remained a cultural phenomenon ever since. Meet the Ghostbusters, four personable guys with the unique ability to rid New York City of its ghosts. The adventure continues with a recent sequel, which is getting the highest marks since the original.

A clumsy panda (voiced by Jack Black) becomes an unlikely hero in this action comedy from Dreamworks Animation. It spawned a franchise that’s earned over $1.8 billion at the worldwide box office.

Another Pixar movie means another original idea with solid box office potential and this thrilling comedy is no exception. It tells the story of a culinary wizard named Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt), who just so happens to be a rat. As the viewer soon discovers, anyone can cook.

With a new sequel in theaters and on HBO Max, now is the perfect time to revisit this sci-fi masterpiece. Groundbreaking on multiple levels, it sends an unwitting hero (Keanu Reeves) through the lens of reality to discover the truth of his very existence.

Director Christopher Nolan conjures a world in which a team of thieves can hack into people’s dreams. A heist-like premise builds toward a feat of pure moviemaking, whereby the action spans multiple planes at once.

Robert Redford and Paul Newman re-teamed for this Depression-era comedy caper. Playing a pair of wisecracking grifters, the two stars join forces for the ultimate con. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

This classic crime comedy turned Eddie Murphy from a rising star into one of the decade’s foremost icons. He tackles the role of Axel Foley, a savvy Detroit cop who heads to Beverly Hills as part of an ongoing investigation. A fourth installment is reportedly in development.

It might look like a recruitment ad for the US military, but this blockbuster action drama also happens to be quite entertaining. Meet the brash new class at an elite naval aviation school, where even the test flights have potentially deadly consequences. An upcoming sequel is currently slated for release in May of 2022.

This Pixar adventure opens with an unforgettable montage before launching into the story of a man and his flying house. It debuted at Cannes and eventually became the sixth highest-grossing film of 2009.

Singer Whitney Houston explores familiar ground in this romantic thriller, which depicts the love affair between a pop star (Houston) and her bodyguard (Kevin Costner). A box office smash, it also spawned the best-selling soundtrack of all time.

Pixar’s fourth outing welcomes viewers to the city of Monstropolis, where children’s screams keep the power on. Pro scarers Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal) accidentally bring a young human into their world and chaos ensues. The film opened at #1 domestically and became a major hit in Japan.

This enduring drama follows a yuppie businessman (Tom Cruise) and his autistic brother (Dustin Hoffman) on a road trip across America. Hoffman earned rave reviews and an Academy Award for his performance.

Master of disaster Roland Emmerich co-wrote and directed this sprawling epic, which chronicles the planet’s foretold undoing. Big on visuals perhaps, but most critics felt it was little more than a string of sub-genre clichés.

A young girl deals with a major move and so too do her personified emotions in this stunning Pixar adventure. It rolled out to universal acclaim and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Rumors of a possible sequel have been swirling since 2015.

The nation’s foremost family of superheroes are exiled to the suburbs in this computer-animated hit. Pixar’s first film to consist entirely of human characters, it blends pop culture nostalgia with modern action sequences to cultivate an unmistakable tone.

Borrowing heavily from “Toy Story,” this computer-animated comedy examines the unseen life of everyday pets. At the heart of the film is a pampered terrier named Max (voiced by Louis C.K.), who’s dealt a rude awakening in the form of an adopted stray (voiced by Eric Stonestreet).

Julia Roberts plays a sharp-tongued escort to Richard Gere’s uptight businessman in this romantic comedy classic. Their strictly professional relationship becomes something much more intimate as the story unfolds. It held the #1 position at the domestic box office for four non-consecutive weeks.

Spielberg’s historical drama opens with a harrowing depiction of D-Day before following Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his men through the heart of WWII. Their mission is to find James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and return the private safely to his family. This was the second-highest grossing film of 1998.

Small-time boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) contends for world heavyweight champion in this trailblazing underdog story. The film yielded a massive franchise and basically established the formula for modern sports dramas. On AFI’s list of the Greatest Sports Movies, it sits at #2 behind “Raging Bull.”

Rebellious teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travels back in time and sabotages his own future in this beloved blockbuster. While family friendly, the film’s plot is also deliriously subversive by certain commercial standards. Actor Eric Stoltz originally played the lead role, only to be replaced by Fox after shooting was well underway.

John Hughes wrote the script for this comedy adventure, in which young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets left home alone during the holidays. Forced to come of age in rapid time, Kevin squares off against two bungling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). This was the highest-grossing live action comedy of its time.

This computer-animated adventure takes place in a world of anthropomorphic animals and centers on rookie cop Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin). Upon sniffing out a conspiracy, Hopps teams up with a con artist fox (voiced by Jason Bateman) to uncover the truth. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Michael Bay’s disaster film delivers melodrama and spectacle in near equal measure, putting Earth in the crosshairs of a deadly asteroid. It’s up to a ragtag team of deep-core drillers to save the planet. Boston Globe critic Jay Carr called it “big and noisy and stupid and shameless” before accurately predicting that it was “going to be huge at the box office.”

Blending elements of multiple genres, this romantic ghost story was a surprise hit both domestically and abroad. Following his brutal murder, a businessman (Patrick Swayze) tries to communicate with his still-living girlfriend (Demi Moore). Co-star Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for her indelible performance as psychic Oda Mae Brown.

The film that introduced audiences to Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) helped redefine the action genre. It sends the fearless archaeologist on a hunt for the Ark of the Covenant, with Hitler’s Nazis hot on his tail. An untitled fifth installment is set to arrive in 2023.

A young boy (Haley Joel Osment) sees dead people and communicates with them too in this Oscar-nominated thriller. While not the first film from director M. Night Shyamalan, it did establish his signature brand of classic twist endings.

One of Spielberg’s rare writing credits is for this acclaimed sci-fi drama, which he also directed. It tells the story of everyman Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss), who shares a special connection with extra-terrestrial visitors. Made for just under $20 million, the film broke box office records upon its debut.

This Pixar adventure follows a forlorn fish (voiced by Albert Brooks) across the ocean in search of his missing son. It was the highest-grossing animated film of its time (unadjusted for inflation) and also one of the best-selling DVDs ever released.

Aliens have landed just as America is celebrating 4th of July and that sparks another epic fight for independence. Director Roland Emmerich eschews complex drama in favor of breakneck pacing and copious spectacle, which was exactly what audiences were hoping for.

Disney Studios was on a roll by the time they released this long-gestating blockbuster, which spent six years in development. Exiled after a shocking tragedy, a lion named Simba (Matthew Broderick) returns to his birthplace to reclaim the throne. The film won two Academy Awards for Best Music and Best Song.

No childhood is complete without multiple viewings of this indisputable classic, about the relationship between a young boy and a visiting alien. Through a variety of techniques, Spielberg conjures the perspective and emotion of innocent youth. It was the highest-grossing film of all time (unadjusted for inflation) for 11 years.

The franchise to which all others aspire, George Lucas’ space opera presents the intergalactic battle between good and evil. It broke box office records upon its debut and then did so again with the theatrical release of a Special Edition in 1997.

This immersive sci-fi saga takes place on the distant moon of Pandora, where destructive humans mine for a precious resource. Director James Cameron spent years waiting for the technology to catch up with his vision of the film, a move that paid off in spades. The first of many sequels is expected to arrive in 2022.

Part romantic drama and part disaster movie, James Cameron’s Oscar-winning epic became the first film to crack $1 billion worldwide. Aboard the ill-fated Titanic, a starving artist (Leonardo DiCaprio) and upper-class beauty (Kate Winslet) defy tradition in the name of love. Its box office dominance was further cemented by two theatrical re-releases, one of which was in 3D.