Every few years, a blockbuster movie comes along and breaks the box office, joining the list of highest-grossing movies of all time.
Several of the films near the top of this list were released in the past decade, benefitting from today’s higher ticket prices, but every movie here has shown enough staying power at the worldwide box office to smash record after record.
That makes the No. 1 title, “Avatar,” even more impressive, since the underwater epic came out 15 years ago, when ticket prices were lower, yet is still on top of the worldwide list. Its sequel, “The Way of Water,” hovers not far behind at No. 3. The takeaway? Never underestimate James Cameron, since he has three out of the top four entries worldwide.
Note that this list is not adjusted for inflation; determining the top films of all time at the time they were released is an imperfect science. Looking at only domestic (U.S. and Canada) releases, the top films adjusted for inflation are estimated to be “Gone With the Wind,” “Star Wars,” “The Sound of Music,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Titanic.”
(Source: Boxofficemojo.com)
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Avatar (2009)
Image Credit: Fox-Disney Worldwide gross: $2,923,706,026
Domestic gross: $785,221,649
James Cameron’s sci-fi fantasy epic “Avatar” smashed records and remains the reigning box office champion. Sam Worthington stars as paralyzed former Marine Jake Sully, who finds a new life on the planet Pandora when he begins inhabiting an avatar version of its native people.
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Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $2,799,439,100
Domestic gross: $858,373,000
Marvel fans from around the world waited in anticipation for the MCU’s follow up to “Avengers: Infinity War.” With the fate of the entire universe on the line, heroes from all different realms and planets teamed up to defeat Thanos and bring half the population back to life.
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Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Image Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios Worldwide gross: $2,320,250,281
Domestic gross: $684,075,767
More than a decade after the unparalleled success of “Avatar,” James Cameron followed up his biggest hit with “The Way of Water,” which jumps several years ahead to show Jake and Netreyi (Zoë Saldaña) raising a family together. When humans return to threaten Pandora, they turn to the planet’s water-dwelling inhabitants in search of safety.
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Titanic (1997)
Image Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $2,264,750,694
Domestic gross: $674,292,608
Kate and Leo — need we use last names? — star as star-crossed lovers in James Cameron’s timeless drama about the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic. With a swoon-worthy love story, an iconic soundtrack showcasing the talents of James Horner and Céline Dion, and the intrigue of a historic tragedy, “Titanic” is a story we’ll “never let go” of.
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Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney/Lucas FIlm Worldwide gross: $2,071,310,218
Domestic gross: $936,662,225
“Star Wars” fans have always proven to be a dedicated group, and they certainly showed up for “The Force Awakens,” which features beloved franchise icons and newcomers alike. In the seventh installment to the Skywalker Saga, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and Hans Solo (Harrison Ford) are looking for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) amid their fight against the Galactic Empire. While Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) leads the dark side, General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) helms the Resistance.
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Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Worldwide gross: $2,052,415,039
Domestic gross: $678,815,482
The “Avengers” saga led up to the penultimate chapter “Infinity War,” in which our beloved MCU heroes fight to stop Thanos from retrieving the powerful infinity stones, which he plans to use to wipe out half the population of the universe.
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Image Credit: Matt Kennedy/Columbia Pictures Worldwide gross: $1,921,847,111
Domestic gross: $814,115,070
“No Way Home” stirred tons of chatter long before its December 2021 release date, with fans speculating that its multiverse storyline would bring together Peter Parkers of past and present. While Marvel and cast members remained tight-lipped, audiences were indeed treated to the unprecedented joy of seeing Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland share the screen.
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Jurassic World (2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Universal Worldwide gross: $1,671,537,444
Domestic gross: $653,406,625
“Jurassic World” revived the beloved franchise that began with Steven Spielberg’s classic 1993 film, “Jurassic Park.” Chris Evans and Bryce Dallas Howard star in the blockbuster reboot, in which dinosaurs run loose at the titular theme park on Isla Nublar.
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The Lion King (2019)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney Worldwide Gross: $1,663,079,059
Domestic Gross: $543,638,043
“The Lion King” struck a chord with critics and audiences alike as the second live action reimagining of a classic Disney movie after “The Jungle Book” in 2016. The 2019 film tells the same Shakespearian legend as the first, following the young lion Simba on a quest to avenge the life of his father Mufasa and reclaim his place on Pride Rock as king.
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The Avengers (2012)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide Gross: $1,520,538,536
Domestic Gross: $623,357,910
It’s the film that officially cemented the MCU as box office lightning for the next decade. “The Avengers” saw Earth’s mightiest heroes join forces on the big screen for the first time to do battle with the Norse God Loki his army of alien super soldiers.
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Furious 7 (2015)
Worldwide Gross: $1,515,342,457
Domestic Gross: $353,007,020
“Fast 7” is the seventh of 10 “Fast and the Furious” films and marks the last performance of series lead Paul Walker before he tragically died in 2013. “Fast 7” sees the gang return to their normal lives after defeating global terrorist Owen Shaw, but they are pulled back into action after being threatened by Owen’s brother, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who is out for revenge.
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Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Image Credit: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide Gross: $1,495,696,292
Domestic Gross: $718,732,821
The sequel to the 1986 classic soared high above expectations and gave a much needed post-pandemic jolt to cinemas across the world. “Top Gun: Maverick” saw Pete “Maverick” Mitchell return to the Navy 30 years later to train a fresh batch of pilots for a missions that seems all but impossible.
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Frozen II (2019)
Image Credit: DISNEY Worldwide Gross: $1,453,683,476
Domestic Gross: $477,373,578
Following the massive success of “Frozen,” the sequel more than delivered on the same magic and charm that wowed family audiences around the world. “Frozen II” sees Elsa leaving her kingdom of Arendelle and venturing into far off lands on a journey of self discovery.
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Barbie (2023)
Image Credit: Lara Cornell/Warner Bros. Pictures Worldwide Gross: $1,445,638,421
Domestic Gross: $636,238,421
The pink-plastered blockbuster sensation was an immediate viral hit and the undisputed must see movie of 2023. “Barbie” saw the iconic plastic doll leave her home of Barbie Land for the first time to face the harsh realities waiting in the real world.
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Avengers Age of Ultron (2015)
Image Credit: Marvel/Walt Disney Pictures/Koba Worldwide Gross: $1,405,018,048
Domestic Gross: $459,005,868
The second film in the “Avengers” series was an explosive follow-up to the original that saw the MCU adapt a darker presentation in its action and themes. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” pinned the Earth’s mightiest heroes against the robot overlord Ultron after Tony Stark’s plans for a team of dispensable robot peacekeepers goes horribly wrong.
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Frozen (2013)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide Gross: $1,397,045,694
Domestic Gross: $400,953,009
The iconic first film is not only the third-highest grossing Disney musical of all time, but it is most likely number one in the hearts of many across the globe. In “Frozen,” after Queen Elsa uses her ice powers to cast an eternal winter over the kingdom of Arendelle, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man and a whimsical snowman to reverse the curse and save her home.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Image Credit: ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.3 billion
Domestic gross: $574 million
This comedy-adventure animated film follows the origin story of the famous plumber brothers Mario and Luigi who become separated when transported to a different dimension. The brothers get caught up in a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Koopas, and try to find their way back to one another.
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.3 billion
Domestic gross: $381 million
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) prepare for their final battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the second half of the conclusion to the magical series. They continue to search for the Dark Lord’s final Horcruxes to rid the world of his evil.
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Black Panther (2018)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.35 billion
Domestic gross: $700 million
Former prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is crowned king of the country of Wakanda after his father’s passing, but is challenged by Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). T’Challa’s position as king and Black Panther is tested when a conflict he becomes involved in puts Wakanda and the world at risk.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.33 billion
Domestic gross: $620 million
The second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” follows Rey (Daisy Ridley) learning the ways of the Force from Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and the Resistance’s fight against Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order.
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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Image Credit: Universal Studios Worldwide gross: $1.31 billion
Domestic gross: $417 million
The sci-fi adventure follow up to “Jurassic World,” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” sees Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) return to Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs from a soon-to-erupt volcano. Set three years after the fall of the Jurassic World theme park, the pair discover new breeds of dinosaurs and a plot that threatens the Earth.
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Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney Worldwide gross: $1.27 billion
Domestic gross: $504 million
The live-action musical fantasy film follows Belle (Emma Watson) and the Beast (Dan Stevens) in their love story. Adapted from the animated version of the movie, the Beast is a former prince cast under a spell that forces him to live as a beast until he finds true love in Belle, who he keeps prisoner.
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Incredibles 2 (2018)
Image Credit: Pixar Worldwide gross: $1.24 billion
Domestic gross: $608 million
“Incredibles 2” follows the Incredibles family as they attempt to restore the public’s love for superheroes. Elastigirl continues to fight crime while Mr. Incredible stays home and takes care of Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. As the cybercriminal Screenslaver tries to hypnotize the world through computer screens to turn the public against the heroes, the family teams up to take the criminal down.
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The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Image Credit: Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.23 billion
Domestic gross: $226 million
The eighth movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, “The Fate of the Furious” follows Dom (Vin Diesel) turning against his team under the influence of a woman named Cipher (Charlize Theron). The rest of the racing crew must team up to stop Cipher and reconnect with Dom.
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Iron Man 3 (2013)
Image Credit: ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.21 billion
Domestic gross: $409 million
“Iron Man 3” is third movie in the Iron Man franchise. Robert Downey Jr. suits up as Tony Stark and faces a malevolent enemy known as the Mandarin.
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Minions (2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Universal Worldwide gross: $1.16 billion
Domestic gross: $336 million
“Minions,” the prequel to 2010’s “Despicable Me,” follows the Minions’ search for their new evil master after accidentally killing all of their old ones.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Image Credit: ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection Worldwide gross: $1.16 billion
Domestic gross: $379 million
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” is the final battle between good and evil. It stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and Ian McKellen.
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Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Entertainment Worldwide gross: $1.16 billion
Domestic gross: $408 million
Disagreements separates the Avengers into two factions: one led by Captain America (Chris Evans) and the other by Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). As the debate between the two heroes escalates, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) are forced to pick a side.
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Aquaman (2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture Worldwide gross: $1.15 billion
Domestic gross: $335 million
Jason Momoa stars as the film’s namesake in “Aquaman.” The hero must retrieve the Trident of Atlan and embrace his powers to rule the underwater kingdom.
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Skyfall (2012)
Worldwide gross: $1.14 billion
Domestic gross: $304 million
“Skyfall” is Daniel Craig’s third appearance as James Bond. 007 tracks down the threat when M16 is under attack.