Search Results for: Steven Spielberg

One of the recent headlines that sent shockwaves through Hollywood, hitting the Internet pretty hard in the process, is the fact that Spider-Man: No Way Home, third in the series starring Tom Holland as Spidey, pulled in a global gross of $1 billion in its first week. That number is impressive, particularly in the pandemic era. At the same time, it leads one to consider the box office champions over the decades. Looking at, say, the Top 25 films of all time, the first thought might be of a list filled with blockbusters from recent years. And while that's true, there are some others — especially when you adjust for inflation — that might surprise you in their rankings. For instance, when Gone with the Wind was released in 1939, the average ticket price was twenty-five cents(!). In 1965, when The Sound of Music reached theaters, they were about $1. Jump forward to the latest Star Wars, Avengers, or Jurassic World film, and you're looking at an average non-IMAX, the non-3D ticket price of about $14. That's a heck of a jump. What follows is a look at the Top 25 highest-grossing movies of all time, both pre-inflation and adjusted for it. RELATED: Mark Hamill Gets Real About Working With Harrison Ford on 'Star Wars' Films #25 Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) — Pre-Inflation Spider-Man in Columbia Pictures' SPIDER-MAN: ™ FAR FROM HOME $1.131 billion. The second of the Tom Holland Spidey films (soon to be replaced on this list by the third entry, Spider-Man: No Way Home) that sees him battling Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) and falling in love with MJ (Zendaya) while they’re on a school trip to Europe. #25 Independence Day (1996) — Inflation Adjusted $1.7 billion. Director Roland Emmerich’s first attempt to destroy the vast majority of the world, this one via alien invasion. He would try and try again with The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 2012 (2009), Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), and next year’s Moonfall (2022). #24 The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) — Pre-Inflation THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, 2003, (c) New Line/courtesy Everett Collection $1.146 billion. The third and final chapter in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s fantasy trilogy, as the remnants of the Fellowship take the battle to the emerging dark lord Sauron. #24 Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) — Inflation Adjusted $1.75 billion. The second (in release order) and to many still the best of the Star Wars films as the Rebel Alliance continues its struggle with the Empire and Luke Skywalker discovers that he has far more daddy issues than he realized with the revelation that Darth Vader is his poppa. #23 Aquaman (2018) — Pre-Inflation AQUAMAN, poster, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, 2018. © Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection $1.148 billion. Once considered DC Comics’ lamest hero, this underwater ruler of Atlantis has been made oh-so-cool thanks to the portrayal of Jason Momoa. This film is like a wet version of Game of Thrones. #23 The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) — Inflation Adjusted THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, Elijah Wood, 2003, (c) New Line/courtesy Everett Collection $1.75 billion. Hobbits and elves and orcs, oh my (see above). Won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Peter Jackson, who helmed all three films. #22 Captain America: Civil War (2016) — Pre-Inflation CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Chinese poster, © 2016 Marvel. All rights reserved. /© Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection $1.153 billion. The building of the Marvel Cinematic Universe tapestry was in full force here as the government tries to clamp down on vigilante superheroes, which is just one of the things that pits Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man against Chris Evans’ Captain America, with the introduction of Tom Holland as Spider-Man added to the mix. #22 The Avengers (2012) —Inflation Adjusted THE AVENGERS, from left: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, 2012. ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.75 billion. Virtually nobody believed that they could pull it off, but Marvel, along with writer/director Joss Whedon, did just that, by bringing together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in a battle to save the planet from an invading alien onslaught led by Loki (Tom Hiddleston). #21 Minions (2015) — Pre-Inflation MINIONS, from left: Stuart, Bob, Kevin, 2015. /©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection $1.159 billion. CG animated third chapter in the Despicable Me films, with the focus being on those adorable yellow minions, Stuart, Kevin, and Bob. #21 Ben-Hur (1959) — Inflation Adjusted BEN-HUR, Charlton Heston, 1959 $1.8 billion. The title character (played by Charlton Heston) is a Jewish prince betrayed and sent into slavery by a perceived Roman friend in 1st century Jerusalem. Eventually, Ben-Hur regains his freedom and seeks revenge. Incredible chariot races accomplished completely computer-free. #20 Iron Man 3 (2013) — Pre-Inflation IRON MAN 3, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, 2013. ph: Zade Rosenthal/©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.21 billion. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) struggles with PTSD from events of The Avengers while battling a terrorist named the Mandarin, who turns out to not be who he seems to be. #20 Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999) — Inflation Adjusted $1.8 billion. The first of the Star Wars prequels, introducing us to Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) as a little kid, paving the way for him to become one of filmdom’s greatest villains ever. #19 The Fate of the Furious (2017) — Pre—Inflation THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, (aka FAST & FURIOUS 8), from left, Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, 2017. ©Universal Studios/courtesy Everett Collection $1.23 billion. Fast cars go vroom-vroom. The cool element is having Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) seemingly turned against his fellow vroom-vroomers by the appropriately-named Cipher (Charlize Theron). #19 The Jungle Book (1967) — Inflation Adjusted THE JUNGLE BOOK, (clockwise from top right): Kaa, Baloo, Mowgli, King Louie, Shere Khan, Colonel Hathi, Bagheera, 1967 $1.8 billion. The last animated feature begun by Walt Disney himself before his death, this animated version of Rudyard Kipling’s tale of a boy raised by wolves is a wonderful combination of humor, music, and pathos. The bear-necessities of life are all here. #18 Incredibles 2 (2018) — Pre-Inflation SUPER FAMILY -- In Disney Pixar’s “Incredibles 2. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved. $1.24 billion. Another Pixar hit as Elastigirl (voice of Holly Hunter) goes out to save the world while Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) stays home and takes care of the kids. #18 Jurassic World (2015) — Inflation Adjusted JURASSIC WORLD, Chris Pratt, 2015. ©Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.85 billion. A big surprise given the way the Jurassic Park trilogy seemed to be winding down creatively and financially, this was a huge hit and a lot of fun as the dinosaurs run amok in what has become an island theme park. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard star. #17 Beauty and the Beast (2017) — Pre-Inflation BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, from left: Dan Stevens, Emma Watson, 2017. © Walt Disney Pictures /courtesy Everett Collection $1.27 billion. Disney’s live-action version of the animated classic, with Emma Watson (having concluded the Harry Potter film series) playing Belle and Dan Stevens as Beast. One wishes it had varied from the original a little more, but still quite enchanting. #17 The Lion King (1994) — Inflation Adjusted $1.9 billion. The animation and songs are mind-blowing, as is the Shakespearean drama involving lions Simba and Scar. Still one of the best ever produced by the Mouse House. #16 Frozen (2013) — Pre-Inflation FROZEN, from left:Anna (voice: Kristen Bell), Olaf (voice: Josh Gad), Kristoff (voice: Jonathan Groff), 2013. ©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.28 billion. Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) teams up with others, including the snowman Olaf (Josh Gad) to stop her sister, Elsa (Idina Menzel), from using her powers to freeze the land while seeking vengeance. #16 101 Dalmatians (1961) — Inflation Adjusted ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS, (aka 101 DALMATIANS), US poster art, 1961 $1.95 billion. Forget the live-action versions and prequels, and check out the animated original about a (huge) litter of Dalmatians kidnapped and destined for slaughter by Cruella De Vil who wants to wear their fur. Sounds gruesome, but, c’mon, it’s Disney! #15 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) — Pre-Inflation The Indoraptor prepares to strike in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom." $1.3 billion. In the sequel to Jurassic World, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are back trying to save the dinosaurs from destruction on their island, but things ultimately go wrong with the prehistoric beasts unleashed on the world, which is where next year’s Jurassic World: Dominion comes in. #15 The Exorcist (1973) — Inflation Adjusted THE EXORCIST, Linda Blair, 1973. (c) Warner Bros./ Courtesy: Everett Collection. $2 billion. From this vantage point, you’d never know just how big this movie was in its day, but it scared the hell out of audiences in this tale of young Regan (Linda Blair) being possessed by the Devil, and the attempts of a couple of priests to exorcise the demon. You’ll never look at pea soup the same way! #14 Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) — Pre-Inflation Star Wars: The Last Jedi..Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)..Photo: John Wilson..©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. $1.32 billion. The divisive (and, as it turns out, underrated) middle chapter of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, largely intertwining new character Rey (Daisy Ridley) with Mark Hamill’s returning Luke Skywalker. #14 Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — Inflation Adjusted AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, US poster, J. Brolin, B. Wong, B. Cumberbatch, D. Cheadle, D. Bautista, P. Klementieff, T. Holland, M. Ruffalo, S. Stan, A. Mackie, K. Gillan, E. Olsen, P. Bettany, R. Downey, Jr., C. Hemsworth, C. Pratt, Z. Saldana, S. Johansson, D. Gurira, L. Wright, C. Boseman, C. Evans, 2018. ©Marvel/©Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection $2.05 billion. The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe has been laying the groundwork for this one and its followup, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, as the heroes attempt to stop Thanos (Josh Brolin) from using a gauntlet filled with “Infinity Stones” to bring balance to the universe by wiping out half of all life. SPOILERS: The heroes fail! #13 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) — Pre-Inflation HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2, British poster art, from left: Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, 2011. ©2011 Warner Bros. Ent. Harry Potter publishing rights ©J.K.R. Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. Ent. All rights reserved./Courtesy Everett Collection $1.34 billion. The eighth and final chapter of the Harry Potter saga as the boy wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) goes up against the dark wizard Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) for the sake of the world. Watching Daniel and the rest of the young cast grow up before our eyes over the course of a decade was unprecedented. #13 Jaws (1975) — Inflation Adjusted JAWS, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, 197 5 $2.1 billion. Three boys hunt shark, shark eats boy, two boys swim home. What can you say about Steven Spielberg’s classic based on the Peter Benchley novel? Nearly 50 years later, it still holds up and fills you with second thoughts about getting into the water. #12 Black Panther (2018) — Pre-Inflation Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER, T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). Photo: Matt Kennedy ©Marvel Studios 2018 $1.37 billion. The late (and beloved) Chadwick Boseman brings King T’Challa (aka Black Panther) of Wakanda to life in brilliant fashion, leading his people into the future while taking on the challenge for power by his cousin, Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Kilmonger. #12 Jurassic Park (1993) — Inflation Adjusted JURASSIC PARK, 1993. ©Universal/courtesy Everett Collection $2.1 billion. There are certain films that mark the next step in the evolution of visual effects, and this is one of them as Steven Spielberg adapts Michael Crichton’s novel about dinosaurs being genetically engineered back into existence. Nearly 30 years later, it still holds up — and the first T-Rex scene remains scary as hell. #11 Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) — Pre-Inflation AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, British poster. ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection $1.4 billion. The second Avengers film (written and directed by the returning Joss Whedon) sees Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in battle with the Tony Stark-created android Ultron (voiced by James Spader), who decides the best way to help humanity is to create an extinction-level event. Hmm. Not so crazy about that idea. #11 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) — Inflation Adjusted SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, clockwise from left: Grumpy (Pinto Colvig), Snow White (voice: Adriana Caselotti), Dopey (voice: Eddie Collins), Sleepy (voice: Pinto Colvig), 1937. ©Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection $2.15 billion. There’s something reassuring about the fact that Walt Disney’s first animated film is so high on this adjusted list. Snow White is a princess sent into the forest by her wicked stepmother, where she is befriended by a group of friendly dwarfs. Still so charming over 80 years later. #10 Frozen II (2019) — Pre-Inflation ©2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved. $1.45 billion. Anna, Elsa, and the rest of the gang are back, attempting to save their kingdom by finding an enchanted land that may hold the answer to the source of Elsa’s powers. #10 Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015) — Inflation Adjusted STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, (aka STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS), from left: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, 2015. /©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Lucasfilm Ltd./Courtesy Everett Collection $2.2 billion. The first entry in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as director J.J. Abrams attempts to cleanse the palette of the prequels (though there are many who don’t feel they need to be cleansed away) by introducing new characters, bringing back Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher from the originals and revisiting many of the tropes that worked back then. And, delightfully, it all comes together, resulting in a film that is extremely watchable and enjoyable. #9 Furious 7 (2015) — Pre-Inflation FURIOUS 7, (aka FAST & FURIOUS 7), 2015. /©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection $1.5 billion. Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and the rest of his “family” are forced to go into battle with Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who holds them responsible for the fact that his brother is in a coma. #9 Doctor Zhivago (1965) — Inflation Adjusted DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, from left: Julie Christie, Omar Sharif, Geraldine Chaplin, 1965. $2.25 billion. Omar Sharif and Julie Christie star in this love story involving the title Russian physician and poet who falls in love with a political activist’s wife (despite the fact that he’s married), all told against the backdrop of World War I and the October Revolution. #8 The Avengers (2012) — Pre-Inflation THE AVENGERS, from left: Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, 2012. ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.51 billion. As noted earlier, it’s the first big-screen crossover event of its kind, bringing together a group of heroes — in all those costumes — to battle a common baddie. It’s the norm now, but back then? Mind-blowing. #8 The Ten Commandments (1956) — Inflation Adjusted THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, 1956, Charlton Heston as Moses. $2.3 billion. There’s spectacle, and then there’s spectacle! Moses (Charlton Heston) is raised as a prince in Egypt, but his true heritage as a Hebrew is discovered and revealed, resulting in his being put into slavery where he works to set his people free. With a little help from the almighty, a couple of stone tablets, and a staff that would put Harry Potter’s wand to shame, he does it. #7 The Lion King (2019) — Pre-Inflation THE LION KING© 2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. $1.6 billion. It’s the live-action version (hmm, is that accurate given that the characters are all CG?) of the ’94 Disney animated classic. Almost beat for beat the same film, but nonetheless a wonder to behold. #7 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — Inflation Adjusted E.T., Henry Thomas, E. T., 1982, hugging $2.4 billion. Yes, from the vantage point of 2021 (nearly 2022), it’s hard to look at the animatronic model created for E.T. and take it seriously, but in 1982 audiences absolutely believed and were swept up in the little alien’s attempts to “go home” and his deep friendship with young Elliott (Henry Thomas), Still one of Spielberg’s greats. #6 Jurassic World (2015) — Pre-Inflation JURASSIC WORLD, from left: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, 2015. ph: Chuck Zlotnick/©Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection $1.67 billion. You’ve got to figure that if you’re making a movie about a theme park, things are going to go horribly wrong. Unlike most others, though, in this case, the attractions start eating the customers. Described a bit more above. #6 The Sound of Music (1965) — Inflation Adjusted THE SOUND OF MUSIC, from left: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, between scenes, on set, 1965. TM & Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved/courtesy Everett Collection $2.5 billion. Julie Andrews is Maria, a young novitiate sent by her convent in the 1930s to Austria so that she can be the governess to the seven children of Christopher Plummer’s Captain Von Trapp. This and Mary Poppins were the career-defining roles for Andrews. The songs are wonderful. #5 Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — Pre-Inflation Marvel Studios' AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..Thanos (Josh Brolin)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018 $2 billion. Heroes team up to battle Thanos and come this close to stopping him, but fail to do so. Bye-bye half the life in the universe #5 Avengers: Endgame (2019) — Inflation Adjusted Marvel Studios' AVENGERS: ENDGAME..L to R: Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Giant Man (Paul Rudd), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and War Machine (Don Cheadle)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019 $2.9 billion. With the adjustment, the films follow each other on the list. Obviously, this is the sequel to Infinity War, set five years later when the surviving Avengers hatch a plan to go back in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones before Thanos does and restore the lives he had “blipped” away. An incredible achievement and the last hour will just blow you away with thrills and emotions. #4 Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015) — Pre-Inflation STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Lucasfilm Ltd./Courtesy Everett Collection $2.069 billion. Previously discussed, it’s a return to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with original characters, new additions, battles of the Force, and much more. Plus there’s the adorable droid BB-8. #4 Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977) — Inflation Adjusted STAR WARS, (aka STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE), Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, 1977. $3 billion. The one that started it all, with writer/director George Lucas taking all of the movie influences of his life (from Flash Gordon to The Seven Samurai), mixing it together and creating a concoction that has intoxicated multiple generations of viewers. And a true evolutionary step forward in terms of visual effects. The Force is still strong with this one. #3 Titanic (1997) — Pre-Inflation and Inflation-Adjusted TITANIC, from left: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, 1997. ph: Merie W. Wallace / TM and Copyright © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. Courtesy: Everett Collection. $2.2 billion; adjusted for inflation its box office swells to $3.2 billion, but its position on the list is the same. James Cameron not only recreates the doomed luxury liner and achieves the ship’s demise beautifully, he somehow, in the course of three hours, makes us absolutely believe in the tragic yet inspiring love story of Jack and Rose (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet). Still King of the World as far as we’re concerned. #2 Avengers: Endgame (2019) — Pre-Inflation Marvel Studios' AVENGERS: ENDGAME..L to R: Pepper Potts in Rescue Suit (Gwyneth Paltrow), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Shuri (Letitia Wright)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019 $2.7 billion. Oh, we’ve already talked about this one. Can’t recommend it highly enough, though, impossible as it may seem, the new Spider-Man: No Way Home gives it a run for its money in terms of excitement. #2 Avatar (2009) — Inflation Adjusted AVATAR, Zoe Saldana, 2009. TM & Copyright ©20th Century Fox. All rights reserved/Courtesy Everett Collection $3.3 billion. Sure we’ve seen this plot before, most notably in Dances with Wolves, but James Cameron transports us to a CG world of wonder that was unlike anything we’d ever seen before as nasty old corporate earthlings attempt to plunder another world’s resources, not giving a damn about the indigenous people. In 2009 we’d simply seen nothing like it. #1 Avatar (2009) — Pre-Inflation AVATAR, Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington (back), 2009. TM & Copyright ©20th Century Fox. All rights reserved/Courtesy Everett Collection $2.8 billion. See above, and note that all these years later, Cameron is filming no less than three sequels, to be released in 2022, 2024, and 2026. Will the audience want to be transported away in the same manner? We’ll just have to wait and see. #1 Gone with the Wind (1939) — Inflation Adjusted GONE WITH THE WIND, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, 1939 $3.7 billion, Putting aside the racial stereotypes that are obviously a product of its time, Gone with the Wind has sold more tickets than any other movie in history. Clark Gable is profiteer Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh is Scarlett O’Hara, daughter of a plantation owner, who engages in a torrid love affair set against the Civil War and the Reconstruction period. Unlike Rhett Butler, the motion picture academy did give a damn, awarding the film eight Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Editing. Note: Pre-inflation box office figures come from boxofficemojo.com while those adjusted for inflation come from Total Film.