“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)Marvel
The highest-grossing films of all time are a mixed bag of action films, superhero films, animated films, and more. But the majority have one thing in common: they’re just one piece in a larger franchise.
Whether it’s the Marvel Cinematic Universe, James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Middle-Earth, Harry Potter, Transformers, or any other major pop-culture series, these are beloved across the world.
That makes the top two films on the list, two original films not part of a franchise (yet), all the more surprising. But the lesson there is to trust James Cameron.
The highest-grossing films ever are also a mix of well-reviewed and critically panned ones, from “Black Panther” to “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” The list proves that, sometimes, audiences will see a movie no matter what the critics say, but great films can also still rake in plenty of cash.
We’ve provided the top 100 biggest films of all time, based on worldwide box-office numbers from Box Office Mojo. We’ve also provided how much they made in the US before and after inflation, and the films’ Rotten Tomatoes’ critic scores.
Below are the 100 highest-grossing films in the world of all time:
100. “Gravity” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $723,192,705
Adjusted domestic gross: $301,051,800
Original domestic gross: $274,092,705
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 96%
What critics said: “Gravity is not a film of ideas, like Kubrick’s techno-mystical 2001, but it’s an overwhelming physical experience — a challenge to the senses that engages every kind of dread.” — David Denby, New Yorker
99. “Deadpool 2” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $734,245,921
Adjusted domestic gross: $311,045,900
Original domestic gross: $318,491,426
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 83%
What critics said: “Deadpool 2 is an R-rated, potty-mouthed splatterfest and a funny one.” — Bob Mondello, NPR
98. “Up” (2009)
Worldwide gross: $735,099,082
Adjusted domestic gross: $358,962,300
Original domestic gross: $293,004,164
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 98%
What critics said: “An exquisite work of cinematic art that also happens to be the funniest, most touching, most exciting and most entertaining movie released so far this year.” — Lou Lumenick, New York Post
97. “The Matrix Reloaded” (2003)
Worldwide gross: $742,128,461
Adjusted domestic gross: $426,800,800
Original domestic gross: $281,576,461
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 73%
What critics said: “An ugly, bloated, repetitive movie that builds to a punch line that should have come an hour earlier.” — David Edelstein, Slate
96. “Monsters University” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $744,229,437
Adjusted domestic gross: $303,451,900
Original domestic gross: $268,492,764
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 79%
What critics said: “It has enough of the right stuff to haunt the imagination long after the immediate buzz of its fluffy-furred cuteness has melted away. For a mere prequel, that’s a result.” — Trevor Johnston, Time Out
95. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” (2005)
Worldwide gross: $745,013,115
Adjusted domestic gross: $412,910,600
Original domestic gross: $291,710,957
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 76%
What critics said: “It’s a work of profound ambition, and, in adapting it for the screen, the makers of The Chronicles of Narnia don’t shy away from its demands.” — Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chonicle
94. “Suicide Squad” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $746,846,894
Adjusted domestic gross: $348,956,700
Original domestic gross: $325,100,054
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 27%
What critics said: “To say that the movie loses the plot would not be strictly accurate, for that would imply that there was a plot to lose.” — Anthony Lane, New Yorker
93. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $746,921,274
Adjusted domestic gross: $245,926,900
Original domestic gross: $216,391,482
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 79%
What critics said: “The screenplay, by Eric Darnell and Noah Baumbach, churns out the snappy witticisms with admirable creative gusto, but it whizzes along at such a frenetic pace that you’ll probably miss half of them.” — Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle
92. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)
Worldwide gross: $747,862,775
Adjusted domestic gross: $257,135,600
Original domestic gross: $233,921,534
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%
What critics said: “It is especially impressive that Days of Future Past is a success; a film this gooey and complex, with such business-minded scope, should not feel like a real movie at all.” — David Sims, The Atlantic
91. “Shrek Forever After” (2010)
Worldwide gross: $752,600,867
Adjusted domestic gross: $277,225,000
Original domestic gross: $238,736,787
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 57%
What critics said: “An entertaining conclusion to the franchise — one that parents should happily endure. But let’s hope that’s all, folks.” — Anna Smith, Time Out
90. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1” (2014)
Worldwide gross: $755,356,711
Adjusted domestic gross: $372,243,800
Original domestic gross: $337,135,885
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 68%
What critics said: “It’s an elaborate game of hurry-up-and-wait. And it’s the most shameless example yet of splitting the final book in a hugely popular series into two film adaptations.” — Christy Lemire, ChristyLemire.com
89. “The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $757,930,663
Adjusted domestic gross: $307,816,400
Original domestic gross: $262,030,663
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 72%
What critics said: “Dumbed down, tarted up, and almost shockingly uninspired, it’s the worst superhero movie since Green Lantern.” — Ty Burr, Boston Globe
88. “The Da Vinci Code” (2006)
Worldwide gross: $758,239,851
Adjusted domestic gross: $303,554,300
Original domestic gross: $217,536,138
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 24%
What critics said: “Even as a visual aid, The Da Vinci Code is a deep-dyed disappointment. Paris by night never looked murkier.” — Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
87. “Maleficent” (2014)
Worldwide gross: $758,539,785
Adjusted domestic gross:$266,469,000
Original domestic gross: $241,410,378
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 50%
What critics said: “As a cameo, Jolie’s performance might have proven spectacular; but as a protagonist, she doesn’t give us enough to hold onto. For all her efforts, she remains yet another special effect, however spectacular.” — Christopher Orr, The Atlantic
86. “2012” (2009)
Worldwide gross: $769,679,473
Adjusted domestic gross: $199,315,900
Original domestic gross: $166,112,167
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 40%
What critics said: “[Nothing] will give you more respect for how difficult it is to be an actor than watching top talent like John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet and Oliver Platt struggling to treat the film’s ungodly language and situations with perfect seriousness.” — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
85. “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
Worldwide gross: $773,328,629
Adjusted domestic gross: $376,363,000
Original domestic gross: $333,176,600
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%
What critics said: “Guardians of the Galaxy does the impossible. Through dazzle and dumb luck, it turns the clichés of comic-book films on their idiot heads and hits you like an exhilarating blast of fun-fun-fun.” — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
84. “Star Wars” (1977)
Worldwide gross: $775,398,007
Adjusted domestic gross: $1,304,588,900
Original domestic gross: $460,998,007
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “Star Wars is not a film to be written about, it’s an experience. It’s that rare experience for both adults and kids that shortchanges neither.” — Bruce McCabe, Boston Globe
83. “Deadpool” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $783,112,979
Adjusted domestic gross: $386,557,800
Original domestic gross: $363,070,709
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 84%
What critics said: “It’s fun for a while, and then it all becomes deeply disheartening, because calling attention to the more businesslike mechanics of superheroics isn’t subversive when you’re also playing right into them.” — Alison Willmore, Buzzfeed
82. “Spider-Man 2” (2004)
Worldwide gross: $783,766,341
Adjusted domestic gross: $549,851,000
Original domestic gross: $373,585,825
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “The web-slinging sequences are bigger-better-brighter-faster than the already spectacular ones in 2002’s Spider-Man, and at the same time, the film’s smaller emotional moments are denser, richer and more resonant than those in the first.” — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
81. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
Worldwide gross: $786,636,033
Adjusted domestic gross: $403,663,500
Original domestic gross: $317,101,119
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 77%
What critics said: “Crystal Skull isn’t bad — there are a few dazzling sequences, and a couple of good performances — but the unprecedented blend of comedy and action that made the films so much more fun than any other adventure series is mostly gone.” — David Denby, New Yorker
80. “Fast and Furious 6” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $788,679,850
Adjusted domestic gross: $260,910,500
Original domestic gross: $238,679,850
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 70%
What critics said: “Some of the action sequences are insane. No, really. Absurd, impossible, physics defying, triage-required stuff. No matter. That’s the foolish rush of a franchise that must go faster and faster and furiouser and furiouser.” — Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
79. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $791,017,452
Adjusted domestic gross: $227,888,400
Original domestic gross: $220,159,104
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 97%
What critics said: “Not since Fury Road have such viscerally practical effects been put to better use by such deliriously impractical people.” — David Ehrlich, Indiewire
77. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $794,861,794
Adjusted domestic gross: $176,243,900
Original domestic gross: $172,558,876
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 29%
What critics said: “There are no new treasures to be found in this installment, which is dragged down by the anchor of a prescribed franchise blueprint.” — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times
76. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
Worldwide gross: $796,688,549
Adjusted domestic gross: $367,279,500
Original domestic gross: $249,541,069
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%
What critics said: “The first true Harry Potter movie — the first to capture not only the books’ sense of longing, but their understanding of the way magic underlies the mundane, instead of just prancing fancifully at a far remove from it.” — Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
75. “Shrek the Third” (2007)
Worldwide gross: $798,958,162
Adjusted domestic gross: $428,729,700
Original domestic gross: $322,719,944
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 41%
What critics said: “This is a very skillfully made corporate product, but I wonder who, exactly, will be fully satisfied.” — David Ansen, Newsweek
74. “Coco” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $807,082,196
Adjusted domestic gross: $208,886,400
Original domestic gross: $209,726,015
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 97%
What critics said: “None of Coco’s few flaws can fatally undermine the film because it is, most of all, a smart and enduring piece of storytelling with a satisfyingly twisting narrative and richly complex theme.” — Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail
73. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $814,037,575
Adjusted domestic gross: $243,274,000
Original domestic gross: $234,037,575
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 74%
What critics said: “Yates … has brought some of his old Potter crew with him and gives this new machine a steady, smooth hand.” — Manohla Dargis, New York Times
72. “Independence Day” (1996)
Worldwide gross: $817,400,891
Adjusted domestic gross: $633,117,500
Original domestic gross: $306,169,268
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 64%
What critics said: “It’s the first futuristic disaster movie that’s as cute as a button. Which, when all the special effects blow over, is what we Americans like in a monster hit.” — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
71. “Spider-Man” (2002)
Worldwide gross: $821,708,551
Adjusted domestic gross: $635,090,600
Original domestic gross: $403,706,375
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%
What critics said: “Spider-Man is an almost-perfect extension of the experience of reading comic-book adventures.” — Jack Matthews, New York Daily News
70. “Wonder Woman” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $821,847,012
Adjusted domestic gross: $421,495,900
Original domestic gross: $412,563,408
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “Above all, Wonder Woman tries to cater to women’s tastes and viewpoints, even as it has to balance the expectations of what women are and aren’t allowed to be and look like on the screen.” — Marina Berlin, Vice
69. “Inception” (2010)
Worldwide gross: $828,322,032
Adjusted domestic gross: $346,616,400
Original domestic gross: $292,576,195
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 86%
What critics said: “A heist film of thrilling, almost delirious complexity.” — Rafer Guzman, Newsday
68. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $829,746,820
Adjusted domestic gross: $332,042,600
Original domestic gross: $292,324,737
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 49%
What critics said: “The troubling fact is that the whole shiny edifice of Mary Sue indulgence here is built to cover up one of the most disturbing fantasies that pop culture has concocted in quite some time.” — Annalee Newitz, io9
66. “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
Worldwide gross: $848,754,768
Adjusted domestic gross: $542,226,700
Original domestic gross: $380,270,577
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 79%
What critics said: “Even though Revenge is a better experience than Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones, it doesn’t add anything that satisfying or compelling to the big picture.” — Desson Thomson, Washington Post
65. “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $853,977,126
Adjusted domestic gross: $313,695,700
Original domestic gross: $315,058,289
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 92%
What critics said: “This viewer … was wowed in fits and starts, but mostly filled with a new, ungrudging respect for Hemsworth.” — Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
64. “Inside Out” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $857,611,174
Adjusted domestic gross: $394,725,500
Original domestic gross: $356,461,711
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 98%
What critics said: “It’s good to get your emotions in check before watching the exquisite Inside Out. You’re bound to feel the whole bunch watching a child’s mind come alive in the most imaginative ways.” — Brian Truitt, USA Today
63. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $863,756,051
Adjusted domestic gross: $398,106,700
Original domestic gross: $389,813,101
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 83%
What critics said: “Like many a sequel to a slam-bang, much-liked mega-hit, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn’t quite as much fun, not quite as clever, not quite as fresh as the original – but it still packs a bright and shiny and sweet punch.” — Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
62. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $865,011,746
Adjusted domestic gross: $467,187,900
Original domestic gross: $424,668,047
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 89%
What critics said: “An improvement in almost every way from its pretty decent predecessor.” — Tom Long, Detroit News
61. “Wolf Warrior II” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $870,325,439
Adjusted domestic gross: $2,785,100
Original domestic gross: $2,721,100
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 69%
What critics said: “Wu Jing’s record-breaking Chinese-produced action-adventure gives audiences plenty of bang for their bucks.” — Joe Leydon, Variety
60. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
Worldwide gross: $871,530,324
Adjusted domestic gross: $497,853,500
Original domestic gross: $315,544,750
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%
What critics said: “An enthusiastic visionary set loose on one of the biggest playgrounds ever constructed, Jackson brings more personality to the series’ first installment, The Fellowship Of The Ring, than typically seeps into a franchise of this magnitude.” — Scott Tobias, AV Club
59. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $873,634,919
Adjusted domestic gross: $349,702,200
Original domestic gross: $543,274,725
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 27%
What critics said: “The studio has, in the usual way, begged and bullied critics not to reveal plot points, and I wouldn’t dream of denying you the thrill of discovering just how overstuffed and preposterous a movie narrative can be.” — A.O. Scott, New York Times
58. “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $875,457,937
Adjusted domestic gross: $395,522,700
Original domestic gross: $368,384,330
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 74%
What critics said: “What should have been an enthusiastic tummy rub doesn’t merit more than a grudging pat on the head.” — Brian Lowry, CNN
57. “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $877,244,782
Adjusted domestic gross: $189,422,300
Original domestic gross: $161,321,843
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 38%
What critics said: “In the end, this latest “Ice Age” movie is about as surprising and unpredictable as a glacier. And not much more fun.” — Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
56. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
Worldwide gross: $878,979,634
Adjusted domestic gross: $410,531,100
Original domestic gross: $261,988,482
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 82%
What critics said: “It doesn’t help that Chamber is pretty much all business from the opening shot, trading in Stone’s sometimes-clunky exposition for full-steam-ahead action.” — Keith Phipps, AV Club
55. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $880,166,924
Adjusted domestic gross: $342,002,200
Original domestic gross: $334,201,140
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 92%
What critics said: “The appeal of this particular Spider-Boy is all too basic: In his lunge for valor, he keeps falling, and he keeps getting up.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety
54. “Spectre” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $880,674,609
Adjusted domestic gross: $210,236,900
Original domestic gross: $200,074,609
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 63%
What critics said: “If one of the most successful and long-running franchises in movie history wants to keep pumping, it’s once again time to change the formula.” — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Moniter
53. “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009)
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009).20th Century Fox
Worldwide gross: $886,686,817
Adjusted domestic gross: $240,806,900
Original domestic gross: $196,573,705
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 46%
What critics said: “Rather than evolving, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs treads on familiar and infertile ground.” — Claudia Puig, USA Today
52. “Spider-Man 3” (2007)
Worldwide gross: $890,871,626
Adjusted domestic gross: $447,076,600
Original domestic gross: $336,530,303
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 63%
What critics said: “Too many villains, too many pale plot strands, too many romantic misunderstandings, too many conversations, too many street crowds looking high into the air and shouting “oooh!” this way, then swiveling and shouting “aaah!” that way.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
51. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)
Worldwide gross: $896,911,078
Adjusted domestic gross: $412,902,000
Original domestic gross: $290,013,036
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 88%
What critics said: “Goblet has enough sense of real kids maturing and believably facing problems to cast some genuine spells.” — Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
50. “Shrek 2” (2004)
Worldwide gross: $919,838,758
Adjusted domestic gross: $649,405,500
Original domestic gross: $441,226,247
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 89%
What critics said: “It’s not quite as emotionally rounded as Shrek was, but it’s got heart and delirium in equal doses, as well as a firecracker rhythm all its own.” — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
49. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002)
Worldwide gross: $926,047,111
Adjusted domestic gross: $523,715,200
Original domestic gross: $342,551,365
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 95%
What critics said: “Part two is more a straight-ahead action flick, substituting brawn and brawling for the pastoral radiance of the first film.” — David Germain, Associated Press
48. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (2009)
Worldwide gross: $934,416,487
Adjusted domestic gross: $369,906,100
Original domestic gross: $301,959,197
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 84%
What critics said: “It’s a more mature magic. … Now subject to the same raging hormones as any other 16-year-olds, our spell-casting heroes are learning to brew love potions this year, with results mostly played for laughs.” — Bob Mondello, NPR
47. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2007)
Worldwide gross: $939,885,929
Adjusted domestic gross: $387,924,900
Original domestic gross: $292,004,738
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 77%
What critics said: “Performances are more mature, the soundtrack (by Nicholas Hooper) less grandiose, and Yates executes some thrilling set-pieces.” — Wally Hammond, Time Out
46. “Finding Nemo” (2003)
Worldwide gross: $940,335,536
Adjusted domestic gross: $514,924,500
Original domestic gross: $380,843,261
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 99%
What critics said: “Finding Nemo is distributed by Disney, and it has what the most heartfelt Disney animated features used to have: rapturous imagery matched with real wit” — Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture
45. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” (2014)
Worldwide gross: $956,019,788
Adjusted domestic gross: $284,061,200
Original domestic gross: $255,119,788
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 59%
What critics said: “It’s adequately visionary, it’s routinely spectacular, it breathes fire and yet somehow feels room-temperature.” — Kyle Smith, New York Post
44. “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $958,366,855
Adjusted domestic gross: $288,047,900
Original domestic gross: $258,366,855
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 74%
What critics said: “Much of this has all the gluteus-clenching intensity of a good video game, but there’s also a thematic subtext here – as there was in the “LOTR” films – of good vs. evil and honor vs. treachery.” — Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post
43. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” (2010)
Warner Bros/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Worldwide gross: $960,283,305
Adjusted domestic gross: $338,081,200
Original domestic gross: $295,983,305
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 78%
What critics said: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is slower and stranger than any of the previous films, simultaneously raising hopes for a haunting finale while dimming hopes for a magical one.” — Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
42. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $962,077,546
Adjusted domestic gross: $403,316,900
Original domestic gross: $404,515,480
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 76%
What critics said: “What the film lacks in depth, it balances in detail. Black’s soft – but not comically squeaky – voice gives Bethany the soul she lacked in hot girl form, back when all the screenwriters could think of to have her do was take selfies.” — Amy Nicholson, Uproxx
41. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007)
Worldwide gross: $963,420,425
Adjusted domestic gross: $411,061,400
Original domestic gross: $309,420,425
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 44%
What critics said: “Not so much thought out as strung together — colorful incident upon colorful incident, but without logic, gathering suspense or any attempt to establish emotional connections between audience and actors.” — Richard Schickel, Time
40. “The Jungle Book” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $966,550,600
Adjusted domestic gross: $381,236,100
Original domestic gross: $364,001,123
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 95%
What critics said: “Walt Disney Studios’ splendid new version of The Jungle Book is utterly charming, absolutely gorgeous and perhaps too terrifying for the youngest and most impressionable children.” — Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Sun
39. “The Lion King” (1994)
Worldwide gross: $968,483,777
Adjusted domestic gross: $682,066,800
Original domestic gross: $422,783,777
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “At this point in animation history, we can expect no less than perfection from Disney, and they deliver.” — Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
38. “Despicable Me 2” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $970,761,885
Adjusted domestic gross: $428,612,100
Original domestic gross: $368,061,265
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 74%
What critics said: “How do you tell a story about a bad guy who is no longer a bad guy? Despicable Me 2 embraces the dilemma and adds new ones.” — Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News
37. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
Worldwide gross: $974,755,371
Adjusted domestic gross: $511,044,600
Original domestic gross: $317,575,550
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 80%
What critics said: “Harry Potter’s first venture onto the screen is a solid blockbuster.” — Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
36. “The Dark Knight” (2008)
Worldwide gross: $1,004,558,444
Adjusted domestic gross: $678,818,800
Original domestic gross: $534,858,444
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 94%
What critics said: “Where Batman Begins was largely about the considerable personal toll exacted by its hero’s decision to fight back against the forces of evil while adhering to a code of honor, The Dark Knight expands those weighty themes to city scale.” — Keith Phipps, AV Club
35. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $1,021,103,568
Adjusted domestic gross: $345,800,100
Original domestic gross: $303,003,568
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 64%
What critics said: “Tolkien’s inventive, episodic tale of a modest homebody on a dangerous journey has been turned into an overscale and plodding spectacle.” — A.O. Scott, New York Times
34. “Zootopia” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $1,023,784,195
Adjusted domestic gross: $361,999,700
Original domestic gross: $341,268,248
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 97%
What critics said: “There are enough under-the-radar subtleties, rendered with a refreshing lack of smart-aleckiness, to make Zootopia feel current and fresh. It’s a modest, unassuming entertainment that’s motored by a sly sensibility.” — Stephanie Zacharek, Time
33. “Alice in Wonderland” (2010)
Worldwide gross: $1,025,467,110
Adjusted domestic gross: $384,812,200
Original domestic gross: $334,191,110
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 51%
What critics said: “Its single biggest failing — an affront to Lewis Carroll and the charms of nonsense literature — is the fact that it makes sense.” — Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
32. “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” (1999)
Worldwide gross: $1,027,044,677
Adjusted domestic gross: $775,307,900
Original domestic gross: $474,544,677
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 55%
What critics said: “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace seems designed more as a promotion for Lucasfilm’s billion-dollar merchandising concerns than a meaningful chapter in the Star Wars canon.” — Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
31. “Finding Dory” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $1,028,570,889
Adjusted domestic gross: $513,284,900
Original domestic gross: $486,295,561
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 94%
What critics said: “While not as visually dazzling as its predecessor, the film is still colorful and immersive; the script, while predictable, puts an engaging spin on the issues of home and identity.” — Bruce Diones, New Yorker
30. “Jurassic Park” (1993)
Worldwide gross: $1,029,153,882
Adjusted domestic gross: $787,921,400
Original domestic gross: $402,453,882
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%
What critics said: “Jurassic Park shows us a director in transition, and the film captures his transformation in its own kind of cinematic amber.” — Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture
29. “Despicable Me 3” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $1,034,799,409
Adjusted domestic gross: $270,771,500
Original domestic gross: $264,624,300
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 59%
What critics said: “By the midpoint, the movie, which is directed by three different people – franchise regular Pierre Coffin gets help from Éric Guillon and Kyle Balda – is dragging badly.” — Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail
28. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011)
Worldwide gross: $1,045,713,802
Adjusted domestic gross: $273,537,500
Original domestic gross: $241,071,802
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 32%
What critics said: “POTC was never about nuance, and now it’s even less so: It’s about watching Depp fall into peril and wriggle his way out, over and over, for hours.” — Tasha Robinson, AV Club
27. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $1,056,057,273
Adjusted domestic gross: $552,436,400
Original domestic gross: $532,177,324
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 84%
What critics said: “The good news is that Edwards’ effort to make a storm-the-beach war film produces a tense third act that earns most of its big moments and also justifies much of what’s come before.” — Michael Lickona, San Diego Reader
26. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (2006)
Worldwide gross: $1,066,179,725
Adjusted domestic gross: $590,703,300
Original domestic gross: $423,315,812
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 54%
What critics said: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the worst kind of sequel — the kind that exists only to give you more-more-more of what you liked the first time around, without ever justifying its own existence.” — Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
25. “Toy Story 3” (2010)
Worldwide gross: $1,066,969,703
Adjusted domestic gross: $487,522,400
Original domestic gross: $415,004,880
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 98%
What critics said: “It’s still more inventive, clever and laugh-out-loud funny than any other movie out there now.” — Leah Rozen, TheWrap
24. “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $1,084,939,099
Adjusted domestic gross: $526,297,700
Original domestic gross: $448,139,099
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 87%
What critics said: “There was an opportunity here for Nolan to show us another way, to (again) stretch the boundaries of what is possible in a superhero film. Instead, alas, the latter half of The Dark Knight Rises retreats toward conventionality.” — Christopher Orr, The Atlantic
22. “Skyfall” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $1,108,561,013
Adjusted domestic gross: $345,875,900
Original domestic gross: $304,360,277
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 92%
What critics said: “‘Quantum of Solace,’ was a dour, dire letdown. This picture’s a substantial bounce back, and easily the best Craig Bond picture. Emotional depth and all.” — Glenn Kenny, MSN Films
21. “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
Worldwide gross: $1,119,929,521
Adjusted domestic gross: $562,458,600
Original domestic gross: $377,845,905
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “Standing out amid an excellent cast is Elijah Wood, stymied by tweeness in the earlier films but here convincingly developing the character of Frodo as the embodiment of valor and self-sacrifice.” — Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
19. “Captain American: Civil War” (2016)
Worldwide gross: $1,153,304,495
Adjusted domestic gross: $427,342,800
Original domestic gross: $408,084,349
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%
What critics said: “It is one of the best films to ever come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, balancing engaging action set pieces and witty dialogue with intelligent character studies and ethical debates.” — Matthew Rozsa, Salon
18. “Minions” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $1,159,398,397
Adjusted domestic gross: $372,128,200
Original domestic gross: $336,045,770
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 56%
What critics said: “It’s not whether this prequel can mint money; that’s a given. The questions is: Can the minions carry a movie all by their mischievous mini-selves? ‘Fraid not.” — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
17. “Iron Man 3” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $1,214,811,252
Adjusted domestic gross: $446,482,600
Original domestic gross: $409,013,994
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 80%
What critics said: “The film’s true strength is a snappy, whip-smart wit” — Mara Reinstein, US Weekly
16. “The Fate of the Furious” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $1,236,005,118
Adjusted domestic gross: $230,808,000
Original domestic gross: $226,008,385
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 67%
What critics said: “It feels like the films have gotten as big as they can get, and the gleeful absurdity that drove them is losing ground to the specter of obligation.” — Sam Adams, Slate
15. “Incredibles 2” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $1,239,463,062
Adjusted domestic gross: $605,739,300
Original domestic gross: $608,307,640
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 94%
What critics said: “Don’t let the dazzle fool you. Bird’s made the weirdest Pixar movie ever, revolutionary and retro, an anti-authoritarian ode to good parenting.” — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly
14. “Beauty and the Beast” 92017)
Worldwide gross: $1,263,521,126
Adjusted domestic gross: $519,135,600
Original domestic gross: $504,014,165
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 71%
What critics said: “A quarter century has passed since we saw Disney’s Belle fall for the Beast; today, the message that behind every rough man is a charming prince (sorry, Emma) is regressive, if not lethal.” — Jude Dry, Indiewire
13. “Frozen” (2013)
Worldwide gross: $1,276,480,335
Adjusted domestic gross: $448,234,900
Original domestic gross: $400,738,009
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%
What critics said: “Frozen’ has both showtunes and darkness, but most satisfying is a formula-defying finale that successfully subverts the fairytale status quo.” — Catherine Bray, Time Out
12. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $1,304,937,955
Adjusted domestic gross: $418,971,800
Original domestic gross: $416,769,345
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 48%
What critics said: “Fallen Kingdom delivers on its promise and then some. But once fully digested, this high-calorie snack will likely not rank very high on the Jurassic franchise food chain.” — David Weiner, LA Weekly
11. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017)
Worldwide gross: $1,332,539,889
Adjusted domestic gross: $617,813,600
Original domestic gross: $620,181,382
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%
What critics said: “[Rian] Johnson’s ability to deliver a fresh and engaging riff on this beast of an enterprise suggests that not every free-spirited storyteller can be corrupted by Hollywood’s dark side, and some may even give it a new hope.” — Eric Kohn, Indiewire
10. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” (2011)
Worldwide gross: $1,341,511,219
Adjusted domestic gross: $438,627,700
Original domestic gross: $381,011,219
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 96%
What critics said: “This movie is impressively staged, the dialogue is given proper weight and not hurried through, there are surprises which, in hindsight, seem fair enough, and “Harry Potter” now possesses an end that befits the most profitable series in movie history.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
9. “Black Panther” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $1,346,913,161
Adjusted domestic gross: $697,129,000
Original domestic gross: $700,059,566
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 97%
What critics said: “Marvel’s Black Panther film means so much to so many people. The film is a lightning rod of representation, in a time where black people feel so belittled and not paid attention to.” — Mikey Mason, Geeks of Color
8. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $1,405,403,694
Adjusted domestic gross: $489,236,000
Original domestic gross: $459,005,868
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 75%
What critics said: “Age of Ultron disappoints not because it’s irredeemably bad but because it fails to achieve the level of its predecessor in nearly every facet.” — James Berardinelli, ReelViews
7. “Furious 7” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $1,516,045,911
Adjusted domestic gross: $374,957,500
Original domestic gross: $353,007,020
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 80%
What critics said: “At this rate, the next chapter will have to take place in outer space. Fast & Furious: Venusian Drift.” — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
6. “The Avengers” (2012)
Worldwide gross: $1,518,812,988
Adjusted domestic gross: $702,694,300
Original domestic gross: $623,357,910
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 92%
What critics said: “Like a superior, state-of-the-art model built from reconstituted parts, Joss Whedon’s buoyant, witty and robustly entertaining superhero smash-up is escapism of a sophisticated order.” — Justin Chang, Variety
5. “Jurassic World” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $1,671,713,208
Adjusted domestic gross: $722,509,700
Original domestic gross: $652,270,625
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 71%
What critics said: “m not sure what specific qualities “Jurassic World” could be said to possess, beyond a vague sense of its own importance that … comes across in the finished product as preening self-congratulation.” — Andrew O’Hehir, Salon
4. “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)
Worldwide gross: $2,046,687,478
Adjusted domestic gross: $661,916,400
Original domestic gross: $678,815,482
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 84%
What critics said: “There are some decent laughs before things turn serious, and the deft timing that has always been one of the sneakier pleasures of this multi-chapter behemoth is in evidence as heroes collide in attitude and physique.” — Ty Burr, Boston Globe
3. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015)
Worldwide gross: $2,068,223,624
Adjusted domestic gross: $988,172,000
Original domestic gross: $936,662,225
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
What critics said: “It’s not just a comment on Disney’s inescapable marketing barrage, but a sincerely intended complement that the fresh-faced heroes and antiheroes The Force Awakens introduces feels like future friends you’ve heard a lot about but are only just meeting.” — Alison Willmore, Buzzfeed
2. “Titanic” (1997)
Worldwide gross: $2,187,463,944
Adjusted domestic gross: $1,173,081,400
Original domestic gross: $659,363,944
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 89%
What critics said: “What I can tell you, risking puns, is that it swept me off my feet almost from the get-go, a grand epic romance-disaster that reminded me, in the middle of my overstuffed-with-films life, of what we mean when we talk about the power of cinema.” — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox
1. “Avatar” (2009)
Worldwide gross: $2,787,965,087
Adjusted domestic gross: $876,687,000
Original domestic gross: $760,507,625
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 83%
What critics said: “Above all, Cameron remains committed to the discovering of new worlds at a moment when we seem so certain that everything worth discovering already has been.” — Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
