We all know the movie industry is a money spinner with several movies hitting the billion dollar mark.
Here’s a fun fact: only 53 movies have earned $1 billion or more at the global box-office.
Keep in mind that these figures are affected by rising ticket prices, tech advancements and a growing population that love movies.
For those that don’t know, no movie can rival Gone with the Wind’s $390 million box-office earnings. From its 1939 release, the movie is worth a staggering $8.2 billion today.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top highest grossing movies of all time
10. The Avengers (Lifetime Gross: $1,520,538,536)
Saving the world, one box office record at a time, “The Avengers” assembled to claim the first spot on our list.
Directed by Joss Whedon, this superhero movie united Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and others in a fight against Loki and his alien army.
With its dynamic action sequences and witty banter, The Avengers kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in style and secured its place as one of the highest-grossing films ever.
Details
Domestic Box Office: $623,357,910
Foreign Box Office: $897,180,626
Rating: 8/10 IMDB | 91% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.7 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
9. The Lion King (Lifetime Gross: $1,663,075,401)
Hakuna Matata! The timeless tale of Simba and his journey to reclaim his rightful place in the animal kingdom comes to life in Disney’s “The Lion King.”
This visually stunning film brings beloved characters to the big screen through breath-taking CGI.
Audiences of all ages were enchanted by the iconic songs and heart-warming story. Roaring with success, The Lion King occupies the ninth spot of our top-grossing movies of all time.
Details
Budget: $260,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $543,638,043
Foreign Box Office: $1,119,437,358
Rating: 6.8/10 IMDB | 52% Rotten Tomatoes | 3.8 Google Audience Rating | 3/5 Common Sense Media
8. Jurassic World (Lifetime Gross: $1,671,537,444)
Welcome to “Jurassic World,” where dinosaurs roam the earth once again. This action-packed adventure was directed by entertainment veteran, Colin Trevorrow and it takes us back to Isla Nublar, where a new theme park becomes the epicenter of chaos.
Fans marvelled at the awe-inspiring visuals and heart-pounding suspense as they witnessed the clash between humans and prehistoric creatures.
Going by its exponential growth on the box office, this first instalment in the Jurassic World trilogy stomped its way into the eighth position on our list.
Details
Budget: $150,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $653,406,625
Foreign Box Office: $1,018,130,819
Rating: 6.9/10 IMDB | 71% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.3 Google Audience Rating | 3/5 Common Sense Media
7. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Lifetime Gross: $1,921,847,111)
Swinging into the seventh spot, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” captured the hearts of web-slinging fans worldwide. The film is directed by top American filmmaker, Jon Watts.
This installment in the Spider-Man franchise showcased the multiverse in all its glory, bringing together different versions of the beloved web-slinger.
Given its thrilling plot twists and nostalgic surprises, the movie swung its way to box office glory, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of all time.
Details
Budget: $200,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $814,115,070
Foreign Box Office: $1,107,732,041
Rating: 8.2/10 IMDB | 93% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.8 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
6. Avengers: Infinity War (Lifetime Gross: $2,052,415,039)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe strikes again, this time with the exhilarating “Avengers: Infinity War.”
The film was directed by the famous Russo brothers – Anthony and Joe Russo – who assemble heroes from across the universe to confront the formidable Thanos in an epic battle.
Thanks to its jaw-dropping action sequences and shocking twists, Avengers: Infinity War left audiences craving for more.
As fans eagerly awaited the grand conclusion, this epic chapter became the sixth highest-grossing movie in history.
Details
Budget: $321,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $678,815,482
Foreign Box Office: $1,373,599,557
Rating: IMDB 8.4/10 | 85% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.7 Google Audience Rating | 5/5 Common Sense Media
5. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (Lifetime Gross: $2,071,310,218)
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the legendary Star Wars franchise made a triumphant return to the silver screen with “Episode VII – The Force Awakens.”
The movie was the sequel to Return of the Jedi (1983) – created more than 3 decades ago – and the first first film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy.
At the same time, a new generation of heroes were introduced including 19 year-old Rey who is a force-sensitive scavenger and her best friend, BB-8, the cute galaxy droid.
As lightsabers clashed and spaceships soared, the force awakened within the hearts of moviegoers, propelling it to become the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time.
Details
Budget: $245,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $936,662,225
Foreign Box Office: $1,134,647,993
Rating: IMDB 7.8/10 | 93% Rotten Tomatoes | 3.1 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
4. Titanic (Lifetime Gross: $2,264,743,305)
James Cameron strikes gold yet again with his timeless tale of love and tragedy set aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. This iconic film captured hearts worldwide, blending a captivating romance with a haunting disaster.
Viewers wept, gasped, and fell in love with the unforgettable characters portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
And Titanic continues to sail high on the seas of box office success, securing its place as the fourth highest-grossing movie ever.
Details
Director: James Cameron
Budget: $200,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $674,292,608
Foreign Box Office: $1,590,450,697
Rating: IMDB 7.9/10 | 88% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.8 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (Lifetime Gross: $2,320,250,281)
Returning to the breath-taking world of Pandora, James Cameron continues to mesmerize audiences with the highly anticipated sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
Packed with adventure, mystery, and ground-breaking visual effects, this film takes us on a new journey through unexplored depths of the alien planet.
As fans flocked to theaters, this long-awaited sequel swiftly climbed the ranks to claim the third spot on our list.
Details
Budget: $350,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $684,075,767
Foreign Box Office: $1,636,174,514
Rating: IMDB 7.7/10 | 76% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.4 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
2. Avengers: Endgame (Lifetime Gross: $2,799,439,100)
Earth’s mightiest heroes assemble in this epic Marvel Cinematic Universe film, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. “Avengers: Endgame” brings the ultimate showdown between our beloved superheroes and the formidable Thanos.
This film left fans on the edge of their seats, marveling at the spectacular battles and emotional farewells.
With its star-studded cast and nail-biting plot twists, this epic movie soared to unimaginable heights, securing its spot as the second highest-grossing movie ever.
Details
Budget: $356,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $858,373,000
Foreign Box Office: $1,941,066,100
Rating: IMDB 8.4/10 | 94% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.7 Google Audience Rating | 5/5 Common Sense Media
1. Avatar (Lifetime Gross: $2,923,706,026)
Prepare to be transported to the breath-taking planet of Pandora, where humans and the indigenous Na’vi race collide in a visually stunning spectacle.
“Avatar” directed by James Cameron tops the charts with its ground-breaking 3D technology and mesmerizing storyline.
Audiences were captivated by the mesmerizing landscapes, heart-pounding action, and the universal message of environmental preservation.
This film stands tall as the highest-grossing movie of all time, raking in a staggering sum of box office revenue.
Details
Director: James Cameron
Budget: $237,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $785,221,649
Foreign Box Office: $2,138,484,377
Rating: IMDB 7.9/10 | 82% Rotten Tomatoes | 4.6 Google Audience Rating | 4/5 Common Sense Media
Key Takeaway
And there you have it, folks! The Top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time as of 2023.
These films have not only broken records but also captured our imaginations, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the magic of the silver screen.
Whether you’re a fan of intergalactic battles, superhero showdowns, or heart-warming tales, these movies have something for everyone.
Lights may fade, but the legacy of these cinematic gems will continue to shine brightly in the annals of film history. Lights, camera, applause!
Editors note
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