Top 10 Billion Dollar Box Office Movies

The final piece of this epic saga ended in a mesmerizingly brilliant finale that brought all of the series’ strands together. For many who were young when the original films came out and found themselves growing up besides these amazing wizards, this was a triumphant ending to a string of films that was truly magical. Having watched both the characters and the actors mature through these films, many filmgoers reacted with both tears and applause. As a result, the film was boosted to a truly supernatural box-office total of more than $1.3 billion.

Superhero and comic book films have been a staple of blockbuster cinema for many years, but it wasn’t until 2012 that the formula was finally perfected without a doubt. Completing the vision of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and making the heroes’ larger than life adventures fill the screen, director Joss Whedon created a truly super adventure that exploded in the theaters – and at the box-office. A rich cinema going experience, “The Avengers” earned over $1.5 billion, and for a while was the third highest grossing film of all time.

No other story has us rooting for the protagonists quite like this J.R.R. Tolkien masterpiece. Bringing the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy to a close, “The Return of the King” let us say good-bye to Middle-earth in spectacular fashion. In a finale as epic as we would expect, Frodo destroyed the ring with the help of Samwise, Aragorn took his rightful place as king and fans around the world rejoiced. Their joy translated into dollar signs as well, as the film surpassed $1.1 billion in sales.

The movies have created many iconic heroes through the years, but no one trumps James Bond. A spy who’s loved by many generations, his films have always been cinematic wonders. “Skyfall” achieved something masterful though, as Sam Mendes’ taut direction allowed Bond to be a ferocious, contemporary spy while maintaining ties to his traditional persona. Showing off new moves with nods to Bond’s classic lineage, “Skyfall” brought in $1.1 billion, solidifying itself as one of the all-time greats.

There’s something about finales on this list! This third entry in what might be considered Pixar’s magnum opus achieved something most films only dream of: it reminded audiences what it was like to be a child. The timeless story of imagination and friendship is as epic as it is magical, and Andy’s farewell to his toys is the audience’s perfect farewell to the story – at least until “Toy Story 4.” Earning just over a billion in sales, it well deserves a place on this list and in our hearts.

We said earlier that “The Avengers” was the perfect superhero film, and we stand by that, because “The Dark Knight” is not really a superhero film; it’s an epic crime drama that just happens to star a guy in a cape. These big screen journey of the titular Dark Knight was more than just an entertaining romp; it was a brilliant dissection of modern crime and justice. The Joker pushed Gotham City to its limits, and only a hero like Batman could have brought it back from the edge. The film barely makes our criteria, having earned a little over $1 billion, but it is more than worthy of a place on our list.

James Cameron’s epic set a few records: not only was it the first film to cost more than $200 million to make, but it also held the record as the highest grossing movie of all time until 2010, when James Cameron’s “Avatar” took its place. Although it was expected to flop, “Titanic” swept audiences off their feet as the special effects, set design, and magnificent story of star-crossed lovers was brought to life. Crushingly sad, yet wonderfully beautiful at the same time, “Titanic” earned a box-office total in excess of $1.8 billion – and that’s not even including the 2012 3D re-release.

Surprised? If you ever wondered why your grandmother wouldn’t shut up about this movie, you may like to know that after adjusting for inflation, this masterpiece made an estimated $3.4 billion. And it deserved it! This epic chronicled a woman’s struggle living through the Civil War, and captured the turmoil and heartbreak of ordinary people trying to survive as the country tore itself apart. Some may not agree that it’s a real blockbuster, but frankly, we don’t give a damn.

“Jurassic World” may’ve surpassed the original in moolah, but as its final battle reminded us: you can’t beat the classics. Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece set the gold standard in terms of what was possible for special effects. Both the magic and the dangers of the era when dinosaurs ruled the Earth were vividly captured and gripped audiences. Its ability to transport imaginative minds outside a theater and to a slightly more wonderful world made it a classic… A classic that made almost $1.03 billion at the box-office. Spielberg is known for creating blockbusters, and this is some of his finest work.

Before we stare in awe at our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Frozen” (2013)
$1.274 Billion
- “Jaws” (1975)
$2.027 Billion [Adjusted for Inflation]
- “The Sound of Music” (1965)
$2.366 Billion [Adjusted for Inflation]

The first release in the insanely popular saga, “Star Wars” is one of the few films that truly changed the world. Engrained deeper in pop culture than almost any other film, this movie ushered in a new era for science fiction and adventure cinema. Epic in both its special effects and the journey of its heroes, “Star Wars” saw moviegoers flood 1977 theaters and earned an estimated $2.8 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars. For many of us, it’s the reason we love movies.

Do you agree with our list? What high grossing movies did we miss? For more top 10s about your favorite movies, subscribe to WatchMojo.com.