Top Highest Grossing Movies of All Time

“Ultimately entertainment will be where the money is”,  Michael O’Leary

So many films have been popular in theaters when released, but were not necessarily a success financially. Sometimes budgets spent on producing a film are so big, that even if it is successful at the box office, the film barely break even.

Did you know, for instance, that one of the most loved films in cinematic history, “The Wizard of Oz”, wasn’t a financial success at the beginning. At that time it was MGM most expensive production with a budget of $2.8 million. MGM initially only made $3 million at the box office, barely enough to pay for the production and marketing. 

Marketing costs aren’t included in a film’s budget. Therefore, many films that were really popular and seemed to do great at the box office were actually not really a success, and actually did lost money once the numbers were all added up.

Some other movies are really a great success at the box office and financially. This is what we will be looking at. Here is a list of the highest grossing movies at the box office.

5. “Avenger: Infinity War”, 2018

In the 5th position, we have the American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Budget: 316 million USD

Global box office: $2.048 billion

Domestic box office: $678 million

4. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, 2015

At the 4th position is the American epic space film produced, co-written and directed by J. J. Abrams, part of the Star Wars series.

Budget: 306 million USD (2014)

Global box office: $2.068 billion

Domestic box office: $936 million

3. “Titanic”, 1997

Who haven’t watched this film at least….. many times! An all time classic and favorite. 

The epic, action packed-romance story set in the ill-fated Titanic, one of the largest ocean liner ever made at the time, was directed by James Cameron, and starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, or the unforgettable “Rose and Jack”.

Budget: 200 million USD

Global box office: $2.187 billion

Domestic box office: $659 million

2. “Avatar”, 2009

The American epic science fiction film was directed, written, and produced, and co-edited by James Cameron.

The American epic science fiction film was directed, written, and produced, and co-edited by James Cameron.

Budget: 237 million USD

Global box office: $2.789 billion

Domestic box office: $760 million

And the winner is…..

1. “Avengers: Endgame”, 2019

In number 1 position we have the American epic superhero film based on the Marvel Comics, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney studios Motion Pictures.

“Avengers: Endgame” is now the highest-grossing film of all time.

Budget: 356 million USD

Global box office: $2.790 billion

Domestic box office: $854 million

We see that superheroes stories are dominant, Marvel comics films are big success financially, and have you noticed that James Cameron appears twice in the list, as a director but not only.

What do you think did you expect that ranking?