When it comes to the action genre, studios spend big bucks in the pursuit of big spectacle. Throw in marketing costs, box office sharing, and good old creative Hollywood accounting, and it’s no wonder that some of the genre’s highest-grossing entries aren’t necessarily the most profitable action movies of all time.
For proof, look no further than the 2009 blockbuster “Avatar,” which broke (and then re-broke) box office records but appears at just #33 on the following list. On the flip side of that coin is the most profitable action movie of all time, a low-budget hit that you might not see coming. And some were even good — these are blockbuster hits that are actually critically acclaimed.
So which movies did add the most to their respective bottom lines after all the books were cleared? Well, the James Bond franchise certainly knew how to generate serious bang for its budget during the early days, with its first three installments all making the top 10.
Then we have the unlikely smash “Jаckass: The Movie,” which turned a production budget (adjusted for inflation) of just $3.2 million into $125.2 million (adjusted for inflation) at the worldwide box office. Whether or not “Jаckass” is an actual “action” movie might be up for debate, but there’s no disputing its status as a wildly successful franchise-starter. (Click here for the worst movie from every major franchise.)
Clearly, a list of cinema’s most profitable action movies (adjusted for inflation) is more sweeping in scope when compared to the genre’s highest-grossing titles. Whereas modern franchise installments overwhelm the annals of highest grossers, net profits wrangle in smaller and older films that made a surprise killing at the box office. All this said, one will still find plenty of “Star Wars” titles and other predictable fare on the list of history’s most profitable movies.
Click here for the most profitable movies of all time
To determine the most profitable action movies of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on global box office and production budget from Opus Data, a product of Nash Information Services. Action films were ranked based on the return on investment ratio of global box office to production budget. Global box office figures were adjusted for inflation using historical ticket prices from the National Association of Theatre Owners. Only films with a global inflation-adjusted box office of at least $10 million were considered. Data on IMDb user rating and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score are current as of October 2022. Genre classification and director credits came from IMDb.
50. The Maze Runner (2014)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.24
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $390.5 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $38.1 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (465,719 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 65% (173 reviews)
> Directed by: Wes Ball
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49. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.25
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $529.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $51.6 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (92,686 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 80% (56 reviews)
> Directed by: Peter R. Hunt
48. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.38
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $819.8 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $78.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 5.0/10 (246,518 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 48% (254 reviews)
> Directed by: David Slade
47. Jet Li’s Hero (2002)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.44
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $280.4 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $26.8 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (181,729 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 94% (210 reviews)
> Directed by: Yimou Zhang
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46. The First Purge (2017)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.54
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $140.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $13.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 5.2/10 (64,432 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 56% (176 reviews)
> Directed by: Gerard McMurray
45. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2016)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.68
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.0 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $95.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (378,318 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 76% (240 reviews)
> Directed by: Jake Kasdan
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44. Aliens (1986)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.78
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $452.6 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $42.0 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (713,913 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 98% (81 reviews)
> Directed by: James Cameron
43. Independence Day (1996)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$10.90
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.7 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $155.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (574,769 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 67% (79 reviews)
> Directed by: Roland Emmerich
42. The Karate Kid (1984)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.36
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $247.7 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $21.8 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (225,946 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 89% (44 reviews)
> Directed by: John G. Avildsen
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41. Earthquake (1974)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.39
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $386.3 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $33.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 5.9/10 (16,373 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 47% (30 reviews)
> Directed by: Mark Robson
40. Lucy (2014)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.44
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $512.9 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $44.8 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.4/10 (495,243 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 67% (239 reviews)
> Directed by: Luc Besson
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39. You Only Live Twice (1967)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.75
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $837.9 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $71.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (110,255 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 73% (52 reviews)
> Directed by: Lewis Gilbert
38. Batman (1989)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.75
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $944.3 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $80.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (377,200 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 73% (77 reviews)
> Directed by: Tim Burton
37. The Purge: Election Year (2016)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.85
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $125.5 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $10.6 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.0/10 (101,958 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 55% (164 reviews)
> Directed by: James DeMonaco
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36. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.90
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $908.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $76.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (486,711 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 84% (69 reviews)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
35. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$11.92
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.7 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $142.8 million
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10 (1,829,628 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 93% (275 reviews)
> Directed by: Peter Jackson
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34. The Terminator (1984)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$12.19
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $212.7 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $17.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (860,344 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 100% (66 reviews)
> Directed by: James Cameron
33. Avatar (2009)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$12.28
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $3.6 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $289.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (1,239,880 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 82% (320 reviews)
> Directed by: James Cameron
32. The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$12.39
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $125.1 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $10.1 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.4/10 (152,857 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 57% (144 reviews)
> Directed by: James DeMonaco
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31. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$13.24
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $761.6 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $57.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (109,504 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 81% (58 reviews)
> Directed by: Lewis Gilbert
30. Deadpool (2015)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$13.48
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $849.7 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $63.0 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (1,028,029 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 85% (348 reviews)
> Directed by: Tim Miller
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29. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$13.83
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $648.1 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $46.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.5/10 (120,477 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 47% (36 reviews)
> Directed by: Tony Scott
28. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$13.94
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $473.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $33.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.7/10 (106,264 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 39% (51 reviews)
> Directed by: Guy Hamilton
27. Liu Lang Di Qiu (2018)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$14.03
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $705.6 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $50.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 5.9/10 (30,729 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 69% (39 reviews)
> Directed by: Frant Gwo
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26. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$14.23
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $362.9 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $25.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (269,574 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 97% (159 reviews)
> Directed by: Ang Lee
25. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$14.44
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $123.4 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $8.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (27,991 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 82% (56 reviews)
> Directed by: Tatsuya Nagamine
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24. Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$14.62
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.4 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $94.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (1,046,826 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 83% (98 reviews)
> Directed by: Richard Marquand
23. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$14.96
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $438.5 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $29.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.7/10 (94,819 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 41% (54 reviews)
> Directed by: Steve Barron
22. Thunderball (1965)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$15.69
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.1 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $67.6 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (119,137 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 87% (52 reviews)
> Directed by: Terence Young
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21. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$16.11
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $644.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $40.0 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.5/10 (107,159 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 64% (50 reviews)
> Directed by: Guy Hamilton
20. The Bodyguard (1992)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$16.44
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $907.1 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $55.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.3/10 (135,069 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 35% (48 reviews)
> Directed by: Mick Jackson
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19. Jurassic Park (1993)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$16.60
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $2.3 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $139.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (981,994 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 92% (133 reviews)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
18. Escape Room (2017)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$17.29
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $158.9 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $9.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.4/10 (122,673 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 51% (159 reviews)
> Directed by: Adam Robitel
17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$18.37
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.2 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $65.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (960,289 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 96% (89 reviews)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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16. The French Connection (1971)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$18.71
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $228.5 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $12.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (123,316 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 95% (88 reviews)
> Directed by: William Friedkin
15. The Mask (1994)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$19.53
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $789.4 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $40.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (385,499 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 80% (54 reviews)
> Directed by: Chuck Russell
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14. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$20.28
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $380.7 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $18.8 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (113,469 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 89% (65 reviews)
> Directed by: Arthur Penn
13. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$21.09
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $862.3 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $40.9 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (184,449 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 83% (54 reviews)
> Directed by: Martin Brest
12. Live and Let Die (1973)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$23.11
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $870.1 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $37.6 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.7/10 (108,422 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 65% (51 reviews)
> Directed by: Guy Hamilton
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11. Top Gun (1986)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$23.83
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $882.6 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $37.0 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (432,459 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 58% (74 reviews)
> Directed by: Tony Scott
10. Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$23.87
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $1.9 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $78.3 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10 (1,282,261 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 94% (108 reviews)
> Directed by: Irvin Kershner
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9. Dangal (2016)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$32.12
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $323.1 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $10.1 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (190,485 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 88% (17 reviews)
> Directed by: Nitesh Tiwari
8. From Russia With Love (1964)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$39.45
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $592.4 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $15.0 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (135,565 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 97% (61 reviews)
> Directed by: Terence Young
7. Jаckass: The Movie (2002)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$39.64
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $125.2 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $3.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.6/10 (95,665 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 49% (94 reviews)
> Directed by: Jeff Tremaine
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6. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$40.00
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $447.8 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $11.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (1,823 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 100% (8 reviews)
> Directed by: Stuart Paton
5. Goldfinger (1964)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$41.63
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $937.8 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $22.5 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (191,024 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 0% (0 reviews)
> Directed by: Guy Hamilton
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4. Dr. No (1963)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$59.57
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $634.5 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $10.7 million
> IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (168,025 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 95% (60 reviews)
> Directed by: Terence Young
3. Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope (1977)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$70.49
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $3.2 billion
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $45.2 million
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10 (1,354,898 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 93% (135 reviews)
> Directed by: George Lucas
2. Billy Jack (1971)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$122.50
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $544.0 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $4.4 million
> IMDb user rating: 6.2/10 (6,159 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 63% (16 reviews)
> Directed by: Tom Laughlin
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1. Mad Max (1979)
> Box office return per dollar of production budget: +$498.75
> Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $369.9 million
> Production budget, adjusted for inflation: $741,700
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (208,109 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating: 91% (64 reviews)
> Directed by: George Miller
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