The triumphs and challenges of 2024
Worldwide box-office gross: $2,789.7
James Cameron's follow-up masterpiece was the first film to gross more than $2 billion, and it held the top spot for 10 years.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,066.2
This second installment of the popular swashbuckling series is reportedly also the 15th highest-grossing film distributed by Disney, and the highest-grossing film of 2006.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,108.6
This is by far the most successful Bond film yet, but all eyes are set on how the new 007 will affect the box office.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,128.3
This film became the first female-led superhero film to pass the billion-dollar mark.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,153.3
This Marvel film was a critical and commercial success, garnering praise for its performances, action, themes, and writing. It became the highest-grossing film of 2016.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,214.8
This box-office hit was still only the second highest-grossing film of 2013. Find out what was number one later on this list...
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,346.9
This historic Marvel film broke several box-office records, including for the highest-grossing film by a black director. It was the highest-grossing film of 2018 in North America, as well as the second highest-grossing film of the year worldwide.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,405.4
The 11th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was also the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2015.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,518.8
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was the highest-grossing film of 2012, and reportedly became the first Marvel production to generate $1 billion in ticket sales.
Worldwide box-office gross: $2,048.4
The 19th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the most expensive films ever made, and became the first superhero film to gross over $2 billion worldwide, breaking numerous box office records.
Worldwide box-office gross: $2,187.5
James Cameron's masterpiece was the first film to reach the billion-dollar mark. A 3D version was released in 2012, pushing the film's worldwide total to $2.18 billion, and making it the second film to gross more than $2 billion worldwide, after of course...
Worldwide box-office gross: $2,790.2
The 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is also the first film in cinema history to cross the billion-dollar mark in just its opening weekend. Now, it's the highest-grossing film of all time.
Sources: (Variety)
See also: The 30 biggest failures in cinema
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,119.9
The third installment in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy was also the highest-grossing film of 2003.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,056.1
The first installment of the 'Star Wars' anthology series, set just before the events of 'A New Hope,' this film is the third-highest-grossing piece of the franchise.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,148.0
The second DC film on this list, 'Aquaman' became the highest-grossing DC Extended Universe film, as well as the highest-grossing film based on a DC Comics character.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,084.9
Though Marvel undeniably dominates this list, DC Comics got a couple of films in.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,104.1
The fourth installment of the series, and a stand-alone sequel to 2011's 'Dark of the Moon,' received largely negative reviews from critics, but was the highest-grossing film of 2014.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,067.0
The third installment of this popular Disney series set the bar high for the fourth film, which has so far grossed $859.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,123.8
The third installment of the series based on a line of toys is also the highest-grossing.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,236.0
The eighth installment of 'The Fast and the Furious' series is the second-highest-grossing film in the franchise.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,159.4
This spin-off prequel has out-grossed all of the other 'Despicable Me' films.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,242.8
This Disney-Pixar sequel film brought in much more money than its original, which was released 14 years prior.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,263.5
This live-action Disney remake became the highest-grossing live-action musical film.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,276.5
This highly praised Disney film surpassed 'Toy Story 3' as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and became the highest-grossing film of 2013.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,309.5
The sequel to the revived 'Jurassic Park' series received mixed reviews from critics, but still brought in over $1.3 billion.
Worldwide box-office gross: $2,068.2
The first installment of the 'Star Wars' sequel trilogy broke various box-office records and became the highest-grossing film in the entire franchise, as well as the highest-grossing film of 2015.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,671.7
Set 22 years after the events of 'Jurassic Park,' the first film in the 'Jurassic World' trilogy became the highest-grossing film ever released by Universal Pictures (that was not adjusted for inflation).
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,332.5
The second installment of the 'Star Wars' sequel trilogy became the second-highest-grossing film of the entire franchise.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,341.7
The eighth and final installment in the 'Harry Potter' series was also the highest-grossing.
Worldwide box-office gross: $1,516.0
The seventh installment in 'The Fast and the Furious' franchise also marked the final film appearance of the late Paul Walker.
James Cameron's groundbreaking 2009 blockbuster 'Avatar' held the record for the highest-grossing film in history for a whopping 10 years. It was the first film to gross more than US$2 billion at the box office, although it was later joined by several films from the 'Avengers' franchise. The long-awaited sequel, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ finally arrived in December of 2022, with critics wondering if it could possibly live up to the hype (and financial success) of the first movie. It looks like it certainly won't disappoint, as the 3-hour epic surpassed US$1 billion at the box office within 12 days of its release, making it the fastest-grossing movie of the year. In fact, only six movies in history have raked in a billion within their first two weeks in theaters. 'Avatar 2' looks set to continue a strong performance at the box office into the new year, which is necessary to justify the monumental price tag. Cameron reportedly spent US$350 million making the film, with at least US$100 million more going toward marketing. The director estimated that it will need to make US$2 billion to break even.
While we wait to see if 'Avatar: The Way of Water’ becomes another of the highest-grossing movies of all time, let's take a look back at the current top 30.
The 30 all-time highest-grossing films in the world
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ hits US$1 billion at global box office within two weeks
MOVIES Avengers
James Cameron's groundbreaking 2009 blockbuster 'Avatar' held the record for the highest-grossing film in history for a whopping 10 years. It was the first film to gross more than US$2 billion at the box office, although it was later joined by several films from the 'Avengers' franchise. The long-awaited sequel, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ finally arrived in December 2022, with critics wondering if it could possibly live up to the hype (and financial success) of the first movie. It looks like it certainly won't disappoint, as the 3-hour epic surpassed US$1 billion at the box office within 12 days of its release, making it the fastest-grossing movie of the year. In fact, only six movies in history have raked in a billion within their first two weeks in theaters. 'Avatar 2' looks set to continue a strong performance at the box office into the new year, which is necessary to justify the monumental price tag. Cameron reportedly spent US$350 million making the film, with at least US$100 million more going toward marketing. The director estimated that it will need to make US$2 billion to break even.
While we wait to see if 'Avatar: The Way of Water’ becomes another of the highest-grossing movies of all time, let's take a look back at the current top 30.