The biggest films of all time!

[Carol Baynes]

Adjusted for inflation, here are the most popular films of all time (as regards the ammout of box office receipts, and people who went in th ecinema to see them).
Thought it might be interesting to spark of some discussions?



List of highest-grossing films (adjusted) Rank Movie name Worldwide Gross

1 Gone With the Wind (1939) $2,699,710,936
2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) $2,425,862,786.99
4 Titanic (1997) $2,292,444,182.33
5 The Ten Commandments (1956) $1,452,133,080
6 Jurassic Park (1993) $1,236,257,268.57
7 Ben-Hur (1959) $1,225,686,275
8 Bambi (1942) $1,191,311,757.22
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,187,603,356.51
10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in US) (2001) $1,077,433,191.19
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,065,659,812.37
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) $1,054,205,059.32
13 The Lion King (1994)* $1,032,957,482
14 Independence Day (1996) $1,016,915,857
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $1,005,580,484
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $986,490,836
18 The Sound of Music (1965) $978,767,575
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692
20 Shrek 2 (2004) $975,520,134
21 One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) $966,612,040
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $961,458,991
23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $935,804,406
24 Jaws (1975)* $912,899,628
25 Finding Nemo (2003) $908,394,209
26 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $891,719,985
27 Spider-Man (2002) $877,117,127
28 The Exorcist (1973) $870,322,714
29 Forrest Gump (1994) $864,696,421
30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $851,419,200
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
32 Doctor Zhivago (1965) $846,444,227
33 Spider-Man 3 (2007) $843,000,000+
34 Home Alone (1990) $831,539,711
35 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $811,115,427
36 Spider-Man 2 (2004) $805,131,538
37 The Jungle Book (1967) $802,223,303
38 The Sixth Sense (1999) $767,350,777
39 The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $775,988,356
40 Thunderball (1965) $771,893,333
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $767,350,777
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $765,731,006
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894
44 The Da Vinci Code (2006) $754,891,824
45 Ghost (1990) $752,150,867
46 Men In Black (1997) $694,579,105
47 Goldfinger (1964) $693,799,354
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $687,015,694
50 The Sting (1973) $679,018,919

Are some of your favourites in there?

[Ralph]

1 Gone With the Wind (1939)* $2,699,710,936
2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) $2,425,862,786.99
4 Titanic (1997) $2,292,444,182.33 (fab spex plus gets you emotionally involved)
5 The Ten Commandments (1956)* $1,452,133,080
6 Jurassic Park (1993) $1,236,257,268.57
7 Ben-Hur (1959)* $1,225,686,275 (the epic chariot race alone is worth it)
8 Bambi (1942)* $1,191,311,757.22
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,187,603,356.51
10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in US) (2001) $1,077,433,191.19
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,065,659,812.37
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) $1,054,205,059.32
13 The Lion King (1994)* $1,032,957,482
14 Independence Day (1996) $1,016,915,857
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $1,005,580,484
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $986,490,836
18 The Sound of Music (1965) $978,767,575
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692 (Awesome ending for a Sci-fi classic)
20 Shrek 2 (2004) $975,520,134
21 One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) $966,612,040 (a childhood fave)
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $961,458,991
23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $935,804,406
24 Jaws (1975)* $912,899,628 (Fantastic script, music and action movie)
25 Finding Nemo (2003) $908,394,209
26 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $891,719,985
27 Spider-Man (2002) $877,117,127
28 The Exorcist (1973) $870,322,714
29 Forrest Gump (1994) $864,696,421
30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $851,419,200
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
32 Doctor Zhivago (1965) $846,444,227
33 Spider-Man 3 (2007) $843,000,000+
34 Home Alone (1990) $831,539,711
35 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $811,115,427
36 Spider-Man 2 (2004) $805,131,538
37 The Jungle Book (1967) $802,223,303
38 The Sixth Sense (1999) $767,350,777
39 The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $775,988,356
40 Thunderball (1965) $771,893,333 (Not the best still it's a Bond!)
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $767,350,777
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $765,731,006
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894
44 The Da Vinci Code (2006) $754,891,824
45 Ghost (1990) $752,150,867 (sentimental movie that gets you involved)
46 Men In Black (1997) $694,579,105
47 Goldfinger (1964) $693,799,354 (I expect you to die! - sheer class!)
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $687,015,694
50 The Sting (1973) $679,018,919 (Newman & Redford at the top of their game)

9 out of 50 I'd say I like

[Alex]

Proof, if any were ever needed, that size isn't everything!

Out of that list, the only ones I'd say I genuinely really really admire are the original Star Wars trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There are quite a lot of breezy fun flicks in the list, but I honestly can't think of any I've any urge to rewatch. My list of favourite films would include a fair few films by the likes of David Lynch, Orson Welles, The Coens, Pedro Almodovar, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, Lukas Moodysson, P.T. Anderson, Hal Hartley, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Wes Anderson, David O'Russell, David Cronenberg, Robert Altman, Wong Kar-Wai, and Tim Burton and alas their films rarely make that much money.

[Wayne]

1 Gone With the Wind (1939) $2,699,710,936
2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) $2,425,862,786.99
4 Titanic (1997) $2,292,444,182.33
5 The Ten Commandments (1956) $1,452,133,080
6 Jurassic Park (1993) $1,236,257,268.57
7 Ben-Hur (1959) $1,225,686,275
8 Bambi (1942) $1,191,311,757.22
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,187,603,356.51
10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in US) (2001) $1,077,433,191.19
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,065,659,812.37
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) $1,054,205,059.32
13 The Lion King (1994)* $1,032,957,482
14 Independence Day (1996) $1,016,915,857
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $1,005,580,484
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $986,490,836
18 The Sound of Music (1965) $978,767,575
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692
20 Shrek 2 (2004) $975,520,134
21 One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) $966,612,040
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $961,458,991
23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $935,804,406
24 Jaws (1975)* $912,899,628
25 Finding Nemo (2003) $908,394,209
26 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $891,719,985
27 Spider-Man (2002) $877,117,127
28 The Exorcist (1973) $870,322,714
29 Forrest Gump (1994) $864,696,421
30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $851,419,200
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
32 Doctor Zhivago (1965) $846,444,227
33 Spider-Man 3 (2007) $843,000,000+
34 Home Alone (1990) $831,539,711
35 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $811,115,427
36 Spider-Man 2 (2004) $805,131,538
37 The Jungle Book (1967) $802,223,303
38 The Sixth Sense (1999) $767,350,777
39 The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $775,988,356
40 Thunderball (1965) $771,893,333
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $767,350,777
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $765,731,006
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894
44 The Da Vinci Code (2006) $754,891,824
45 Ghost (1990) $752,150,867
46 Men In Black (1997) $694,579,105
47 Goldfinger (1964) $693,799,354
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $687,015,694
50 The Sting (1973) $679,018,919

14 from my collection. ('Spiderman 3 will be.)

(Surprised Ralph likes that soppy 'Titanic' shite.)

[Matthew T]

Nice to see someone else appreciates Titanic! One of my favourite films and I'm totally unashamed to admit it! It has almost everything you could want - romance, disaster and jaw-dropping special effects. If only it had zombies, exploding helicopters and maybe a decapitation then it would be perfect.

[Perry Vale]

These are the only ones I own.....

2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) $1,054,205,059.32
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865

[Ralph]

I only have copies of 5 of the 9 I put down. The rest get regularly shown on TV.

[Wayne]

If only it had zombies, exploding helicopters and maybe a decapitation

[michael]

2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

i have got the above box set not got many dvd
looking to get the pirates box set when there is one

49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

[Carol Baynes]

Ralph will be telling me he's not seen "The Lord of the rings" as well! Unless he (gasp) doesn't like them!

Which ones do I rate highly?


1 Gone With the Wind (1939) $2,699,710,936
2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) $2,425,862,786.99
4 Titanic (1997) $2,292,444,182.33
5 The Ten Commandments (1956) $1,452,133,080
6 Jurassic Park (1993) $1,236,257,268.57
7 Ben-Hur (1959) $1,225,686,275

9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,187,603,356.51


15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $1,005,580,484
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $986,490,836
18 The Sound of Music (1965) $978,767,575
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692

21 One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) $966,612,040
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $961,458,991

24 Jaws (1975)* $912,899,628

27 Spider-Man (2002) $877,117,127
28 The Exorcist (1973) $870,322,714

30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $851,419,200
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
32 Doctor Zhivago (1965) $846,444,227
33 Spider-Man 3 (2007) $843,000,000+


36 Spider-Man 2 (2004) $805,131,538
37 The Jungle Book (1967) $802,223,303
38 The Sixth Sense (1999) $767,350,777

40 Thunderball (1965) $771,893,333
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $767,350,777
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $765,731,006
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894



47 Goldfinger (1964) $693,799,354
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $687,015,694
50 The Sting (1973) $679,018,919


I like all those. Some a lot more than others. "Snow White" is a ground breaking masterpiece. "Titanic" made me feel like I wa son that ship when it sinks.
I also...have a bad feeling about this.... The hills are alive.... My glass of water is vibrating to the sound of something huge...I do need a bigger boat...and I do expect you to die, Mr. Bond!

[cullsoft]

Ah, finally... a list of best films based not upon the usual guesses at what's hot at the time that I tend to see done, but on a measurable fact. Christopher Morris would be proud.

Though I feel more surpirsed that my limited movie viewing experiences include almost half of those! :O

[Ralph]

Ralph will be telling me he's not seen "The Lord of the rings" as well! Unless he (gasp) doesn't like them!

[Rob McCow]

In-depth reviews:

1 Gone With the Wind - classic
2 Star Wars - better when it's just called Star Wars
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - pervy classic
4 Titanic - crap
5 The Ten Commandments - acceptable in the '50s.
6 Jurassic Park - class
7 Ben-Hur - great, probably
8 Bambi - over-rated
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Genius
10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in US) - cobblers
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - cobblers
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - dull
13 The Lion King - classic
14 Independence Day - great at the time
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - genius
16 Return of the Jedi - not as good as Blue Harvest
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark - Hurrah!
18 The Sound of Music - brill
19 Planet of the Apes - classic
20 Shrek 2 - absolute rubbish
21 One Hundred and One Dalmatians - classic
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - great
23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - rubbish
24 Jaws - cool
25 Finding Nemo - brilliant
26 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - trash
27 Spider-Man - great
28 The Exorcist - nasty trash
29 Forrest Gump - rubbish
30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - classic
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - absolutely dire, pompous, trash
32 Doctor Zhivago - classic
33 Spider-Man 3 - dunno
34 Home Alone - sort of classic, for kids.
35 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - probably OK.
36 Spider-Man 2 - classic
37 The Jungle Book - brilliant
38 The Sixth Sense - I see dead people
39 The Matrix Reloaded - class
40 Thunderball - one of the worst Bond movies
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park - OK
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - OK
43 The Empire Strikes Back - classic
44 The Da Vinci Code - crap
45 Ghost - acceptable in the 80's.
46 Men In Black - good film
47 Goldfinger - classic
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - best of the 3 new ones
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - OK
50 The Sting - no idea!

[Carol Baynes]

@ Rob...just watch it with the "Thunderball" comment though. At least "A view to a kill" isn't in there.

With some of you I feel like quoting(ish) Sir Alec Guinness and saying, "Don't ever watch those films again!" You know which films I mean- I should know, I started a thread about them. Watch something frickin else!

[Captain Tancredi]

The thing is, of course, that a large box-office take is probably a sign of better promotion than a good film. Spiderman 3 could easily put on another ten places looking at those figures, but certain of those films have a repeat viewing factor in that people will go and see them several times while they're on, or a cinema will have a Star Wars or Lord of the Rings theme day and show them all together. Cinema is such a comparatively new (and commercial) art form that we haven't quite decided yet what the yardsticks are for measuring a film's worth.

[Carol Baynes]

Cinema is such a comparatively new (and commercial) art form that we haven't quite decided yet what the yardsticks are for measuring a film's worth.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. Films have always been shown in cinemas, and film is not not that new a medium. Not convinced that we haven't decided how to measure a film's worth..The list was of course about ticket sales, and I think we're all fairly clear about what's decent in there (taking into account personal preferences).

[Andrew Curnow]

I don't think there are any big surprises in that list, although speaking personally I think that Forrest Gump and Men in Black both did well to get on that list, as I don't much rate either. Good to see Gone with the Wind in the top spot because, even allowing for it being nearly 70 years old, it is an amazing film.

[Thasc]

Good to see Gone With The Wind clinched the top spot. It's a wonderful film and I absolutely adore Clark Gable

[Ralph]

Frankly, my dear Thasc I don't give a damn about GWTW

[Thasc]

Oh alright then

[Lord President]

2 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) $2,652,849,500.35
6 Jurassic Park (1993) $1,236,257,268.57
9 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,187,603,356.51
10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in US) (2001) $1,077,433,191.19
11 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,065,659,812.37
12 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) $1,054,205,059.32
14 Independence Day (1996) $1,016,915,857
15 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $1,005,580,484
16 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) $992,444,014
17 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $986,490,836
19 Planet of the Apes (1968) $977,132,692
20 Shrek 2 (2004) $975,520,134
22 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $961,458,991
23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $935,804,406
24 Jaws (1975)* $912,899,628
25 Finding Nemo (2003) $908,394,209
26 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $891,719,985
27 Spider-Man (2002) $877,117,127
28 The Exorcist (1973) $870,322,714
29 Forrest Gump (1994) $864,696,421
30 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $851,419,200
31 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,480,246
33 Spider-Man 3 (2007) $843,000,000+
35 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $811,115,427
36 Spider-Man 2 (2004) $805,131,538
38 The Sixth Sense (1999) $767,350,777
39 The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $775,988,356
40 Thunderball (1965) $771,893,333
41 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $767,350,777
42 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $765,731,006
43 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $765,181,894
44 The Da Vinci Code (2006) $754,891,824
46 Men In Black (1997) $694,579,105
47 Goldfinger (1964) $693,799,354
48 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) $693,187,865
49 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $687,015,694

I think I do quite well out of this list!

[Ralph]

Imagine not including Ben Hur! - it's so realistic, a guy died during the making of the chariot race

Still there's no accounting for taste

Plus I love that galleys scenario - it reminds me of work at times - chained to your oar as you move from crusing speed to attacking speed to ramming speed

[Captain Tancredi]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. Films have always been shown in cinemas, and film is not not that new a medium. Not convinced that we haven't decided how to measure a film's worth..The list was of course about ticket sales, and I think we're all fairly clear about what's decent in there (taking into account personal preferences).

What I think I'm getting at is that the way the film industry works (and has worked) is that more or less from day one the artistic and commercial aspects of the art form have been split, so that the films which please the critics aren't necessarily those which put bums on seats, and we haven't yet found a way of combining the two- only occasionally you get a Hitchcock or a Tarantino who manages to please both camps.

[WhiteCrow]

I never got the rave about Titanic. I thought it oh so long and oh so dull, and I'm one of those people who are fascinated about the Titanic.

Oh and a girl in the place I worked went nuts at someone for spoiling the film cos they told them that the ship hit an iceburg - really that's a M Night Shalayaman twist you didn't see coming.

[Wayne]

I never got the rave about Titanic. I thought it oh so long and oh so dull.

That's what gets me about it. Granted, the effects look awesome when it finally gets there, but it takes soooooo long for anything to happen. It's even worse than Peter Jackson's 2005 version of 'King Kong'. Nothing happens in that for a solid hour!