In the world of movies, some movies transcend the screen to become cultural phenomena, captivating audiences worldwide and raking in billions at the box office. Here, we delve into the top 10 most successful movies of all time, exploring their extended plots and the magic that made them unforgettable.
Blockbuster Legends:
1. Avatar (2009)
Budget: $237 million
Gross Margin: $2.686 billion
Director: James Cameron
Gross: $2.923 billion
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 50 languages
Main Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and others.
Plot: On the lush alien world of Pandora live the Na’vi people, in the beings they appear primitive but they are highly evolved. Because the planet’s environment is poisonous, human/Na’vi hybrids, called Avatars, must link to human minds to allow for free movement on Pandora. Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, becomes mobile again through one such Avatar and falls in love with a Na’vi woman. As his bond with her grows, he is drawn into a battle for the survival of her world.
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Budget: $356 million
Gross Margin: $2.443 billion
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
Gross: $2.799 billion
Publisher: Marvel Studios
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 45 languages
Main Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, and others.
Plot: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe. The film is a culmination of 22 interconnected Marvel films and the climax of an epic journey.
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Budget: $350 million
Gross Margin: $1.970 billion
Director: James Cameron
Gross: $2.320 billion
Publisher: 20th Century Studios
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 40 languages
Main Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and others.
Plot: Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water tells the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
4. Titanic (1997)
Budget: $200 million
Gross Margin: $2.064 billion
Director: James Cameron
Gross: $2.264 billion
Publisher: 20th Century Studios
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 35 languages
Main Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, and others.
Plot: A young Rose boards the departing ship with the upper-class passengers and her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack, a drifter and artist, wins a third-class ticket to the ship in a game. When the ship hits an iceberg, the star-crossed lovers must fight to stay alive.
5. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
Budget: $245 million
Gross Margin: $1.826 billion
Director: J.J. Abrams
Gross: $2.071 billion
Publisher: Lucasfilm
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 40 languages
Main Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Harrison Ford, and others.
Plot: Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and the First Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey, a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, they join forces with Han Solo to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker, the last of the Jedi Knights.
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Budget: $325 million
Gross Margin: $1.727 billion
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
Gross: $2.052 billion
Publisher: Marvel Studios
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 45 languages
Main Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and others.
Plot: The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe. The film brings together characters from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a high-stakes battle.
7. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Budget: $200 million
Gross Margin: $1.722 billion
Director: Jon Watts
Gross: $1.922 billion
Publisher: Columbia Pictures
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 40 languages
Main Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, and others.
Plot: With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
8. Jurassic World (2015)
Budget: $150 million
Gross Margin: $1.521 billion
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Gross: $1.671 billion
Publisher: Universal Pictures
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 35 languages
Main Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, and others.
Plot: Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After ten years of operation and visitor rates declining, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor interest, which backfires horribly.
9. The Lion King (2019)
Budget: $260 million
Gross Margin: $1.402 billion
Director: Jon Favreau
Gross: $1.662 billion
Publisher: Walt Disney Pictures
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 40 languages
Main Cast: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, and others.
Plot: Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged by betrayal, tragedy, and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
10. The Avengers (2012)
Budget: $220 million
Gross Margin: $1.300 billion
Director: Joss Whedon
Gross: $1.520 billion
Publisher: Marvel Studios
Country: USA
Languages Translated To: Over 35 languages
Main Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and others.
Plot: Earth’s mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity. The film brings together iconic characters like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and the Hulk.
Conclusion
These blockbuster movies have not only achieved monumental financial success but have also left an indelible mark on popular culture. Their compelling stories, groundbreaking visuals, and memorable characters continue to captivate audiences around the globe, proving that the magic of cinema is timeless.
These cinematic masterpieces have set the bar high, showcasing the power of storytelling and the universal appeal of movies. Whether through innovative technology, heartwarming tales, or epic battles, these films have earned their place in the annals of movie history.
Source:
- List of highest-grossing films – Wikipedia
- Top Lifetime Grosses – Box Office Mojo
- Highest-grossing movies of all time: See the top 10 list (usatoday.com)
- Highest grossing movie worldwide 1915-2022 | Statista
- The 50 highest-grossing movies of all time (imdb.com)
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