Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

Movie Box Office Record Breakers

News
By GamesRadar published 23 June 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Jurassic World Records

Jurassic World Records

Since being released two weeks ago Jurassic World has been smashing records like an I-Rex in a china shop. It kicked off with the biggest opening weekend in the US ever and since then has has set records for biggest three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and 10 day grosses as well as becoming the fastest film to reach $250M, $300M, $350M and $400M (all based on US box office). It is currently the 16th most lucrative movie ever made (in terms of worldwide box office) and racing up the chart.

But it hasnt broken every box office record. Over the next few pages we look at some records it could still set its sights on, as well as some it hasnt a hope of toppling.

Figures courtesy of Box Office Mojo, Box Office Guru and The Numbers.

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
The Biggest Box Office Money-Spinners Worldwide

The Biggest Box Office Money-Spinners Worldwide

1 Avatar (2009) $2.8 billion
2 Titanic (1997) $2.2 billion
3 Marvel's Avengers Assemble (2012) $1.52 billion
4 Furious 7 (2015) $1.51 billion*
5 Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) $1.4 billion*
6 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) $1.3billion
7 Frozen (2013) $1.3 billion
8 Iron Man 3 (2013) $1.2 billion
9 Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) $1.12 billion
10 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1.11 billion
* Still on release, final totals will be higher

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
US Biggest Box Office Money-Spinners Adjusted For Inflation

US Biggest Box Office Money-Spinners Adjusted For Inflation

1 Gone with the Wind (1939)
2 Star Wars (1977)
3 The Sound of Music (1965)
4 E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
5 Titanic (1997)
6 The Ten Commandments (1956)
7 Jaws (1975)
8 Doctor Zhivago (1965)
9 The Exorcist (1973)
10 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)


This is based on US box office only, and were only giving relative positions.

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Worldwide Box Office Number Ones Of All Time Since 1939

Worldwide Box Office Number Ones Of All Time Since 1939

The films since 1939 that have been able to claim theyre the most lucrative film of all time (until they were beaten)

Gone With The Wind (1939)
The Godfather (1972)
Jaws (1975)
Star Wars (1977)
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Titanic (1997)
Avatar (2009)

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
Biggest Grossing UK Film Worldwide

Biggest Grossing UK Film Worldwide

Skyfall (2010) $1.1 billion

These days its tricky defining exactly what makes a British film but the Bond blockbuster is generally regarded as a Britflick notwithstanding the geographical origins of the production and distribution companies behind it. If you stretch the definition even more you could say Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) with $1.3 billion deserves the accolade. If you hone the definition down further, then you could argue that The Kings Speech (2010) is the winner at $414,211,549. Or taking the definition right down to no overseas investment at all then you get The Inbetweeners Movie (2012) with $87,989,781.

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Biggest Grossing Independent Movie Worldwide

Biggest Grossing Independent Movie Worldwide

The Passion Of The Christ (2004) $622 million

Again, definitions of what makes an indie film vary wildly but in this case theres no disputing the winner, either in terms of its indie-ness or box office numbers*. Financed by director Mel Gibson himself before hed even secured a distributor, Passion went on to become a massive world wide hit and is still the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever in the States as well.

(*Unless youre George Lucas, who claimed that Star Wars Episodes I, II, III, V and VI were all essentially very, very big independent movies he certainly ploughed a lot of his own money into them.)

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Biggest Grossing Film Never To Make Number One At The US Box Office

Biggest Grossing Film Never To Make Number One At The US Box Office

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) $368.7 million worldwide

The Joel Zwick-directed romantic comedy, which allegedly cost just $6 million to make, became one of the most profitable films of all time and the second-highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time despite never making number one at the US box office. Though this may all change imminently see the next page.

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
Biggest US Opening For A Movie Not At Number One

Biggest US Opening For A Movie Not At Number One

Inside Out (2015) $91.1 million first weekend

Normally $91.1 million would be more than enough to secure number one at the US box office but Pixars latest, the highly acclaimed Inside Out was released against the second weekend for box office juggernaut Jurassic World which remained at number one with a colossal $106.6 million in takings.

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Biggest Opening Weekend Worldwide

Biggest Opening Weekend Worldwide

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) $483.2 million
Films being released on the same date around the world is now more common than it used to be so this looks like a record waiting to be toppled.

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Most Weeks At Number One At The US Box Office

Most Weeks At Number One At The US Box Office

ET The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) 16 weeks

Gandhi may have beaten Spielbergs film at the Oscars for Best Picture, but even Gandhi director Richard Attenborough, admitted, "I was certain that not only would ET win, but that it should win." ET won the battle at the box office, though.

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Biggest Grossing Animated Movie

Biggest Grossing Animated Movie

Frozen (2013) $1.3 billion

For many years The Lion King (1994) held this title. Then in 2010 Toy Story 3 took the honours for just a few short years until Disneys earworm-filled twist on The Snow Queen shot to number one.

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Biggest Grossing Non-English Language Film Worldwide

Biggest Grossing Non-English Language Film Worldwide

The Intouchables (2011) $427 million

The critically-hammered French comedy drama about the friendship between a handicap millionaire and his street smart ex-con caretaker became an unlikely international sensation beating more familiar title Life Is Beautiful ($229 million) into second place and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ($214 million) into third.

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
The Winners On Those Special Days

The Winners On Those Special Days

The Americans love comparing box office taking on key days during the years. So here are a few of the winners so far:

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
Third Monday of January
American Sniper (2014) $107,211,457

SUPER BOWL
A sunday in late January/early February
Hannah Montana (2009) $31,117,834

PRESIDENT'S DAY
Third Monday of February
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) $93,010,350

EASTER
Spring, varies according to arcane theological determination
Furious 7 (2015) $147,187,040

MEMORIAL DAY
Last Monday in May
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End (2007) $139,802,190

INDEPENDENCE DAY
4 July
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011) $97,852,865

LABOR DAY
First Monday in September
Halloween (2007) $30,591,759

HALLOWEEN
31 October
Saw III (2006) $33,610,391

THANKSGIVING
Fourth Thursday of November (and stretching out over the subsequent weekend)
3-DAY OPENINGS
Frozen (2013)
$67,391,326
THANKSGIVING 3-DAY - ALL MOVIES
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
$74,179,601
THANKSGIVING 5-DAY OPENINGS
Frozen (2013)
$93,590,387
THANKSGIVING 5-DAY - ALL MOVIES
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire(2013)
$109,939,340

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
Monthly Champs

Monthly Champs

And here are the current champions for each month at the US box office:

JANUARY
American Sniper (2014)
$89,269,066

FEBRUARY
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
$85,171,450

MARCH
The Hunger Games (2012)
$152,535,747

APRIL
Furious 7 (2015)
$147,187,040

MAY
Avengers Assemble (2012)
$207,438,708

JUNE
Jurassic World (2015)
$208,806,270

JULY
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
$169,189,427

AUGUST
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
$94,320,883

SEPTEMBER
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
$42,522,194

OCTOBER
Gravity (2013)
$55,785,112

NOVEMBER
The Hunger Ganes: Catching Fire (2013)
$158,074,286

DECEMBER
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
$84,617,303

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
GamesRadar
GamesRadar
The GamesRadar+ Team

GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Latest in Movies
A Na'vi draws a bow in Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making $870 million less than The Way of Water
 
 
Mario riding Yoshi through space with Luigi and Peach flying along beside him
Super Mario Galaxy Movie reveals Donald Glover as the voice of Yoshi and more new casting in a star-spanning trailer
 
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator
Arnold Schwarzenegger says he'll be in the next Predator movie and a Conan the Barbarian sequel
 
 
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Elijah Wood says he "wouldn't want anybody else to play Frodo", and now we're thinking he's in The Hunt for Gollum
 
 
The new GamesRadar+ logo on a dark background adorned with crosses in orange and grey
The next generation of GamesRadar+ is here
 
 
Hayden Christensen in Revenge of  the Sith
Star Wars fans are debating an iconic Revenge of the Sith scene that's now one of the saga's biggest 'what if' moments
 
 
Latest in News
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 designers say developers have a "responsibility" to make games intuitive
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave winces
"The first track spoils the whole game": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 dev confirms it was filling your ears with spoilers
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 took inspiration from a surprising anime - Soul Eater creator's Fire Force
 
 
A close-up of Grace talking with someone through glass in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem leads let actors re-do "technically" perfect scenes if it made them happy, says Grace actor
 
 
Kratos approaches Aphrodite's bedchamber in God of War 3
"The God of War sex mini-games were designed by women," which is why Aphrodite's bed looks "like a labia"
 
 
Alan Ritchson in Reacher season 3
Reacher star Alan Ritchson says season 4 is coming this year: "It's by far the best season we've had yet"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Battlefield 6
    1
    "The fundamentals of FPS should drive our decision": Battlefield 6 designers say developers have a "responsibility" to make games intuitive
  2. 2
    "The first track spoils the whole game": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 devs confirm they were filling your ears with spoilers the entire time
  3. 3
    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reveals Donald Glover as the voice of Yoshi and more new casting in a star-spanning trailer that sends the entire Mushroom Kingdom to another planet
  4. 4
    Reacher star Alan Ritchson says season 4 is coming this year: "It's by far the best season we've had yet"
  5. 5
    Clair Obscur Expedition 33 took inspiration from a surprising anime - Soul Eater creator's Fire Force: "Because it was a JRPG, we tried to find a mix"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...