Box office results reveal which films truly connect with moviegoers worldwide. The highest-grossing movies have become touchstones for studios and fans, influencing filmmaking and the way stories are enjoyed on the big screen.
At the top of the list is Avatar (2009), which earned roughly $2.92 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, and has held the crown for more than a decade thanks to its groundbreaking visual effects and immersive world. Not far behind, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame (2019) brought together over a decade of interconnected storytelling to amass around $2.80 billion globally, while Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) continued the franchise’s dominance with about $2.33 billion.
Sequels, franchise entries, and animated films also rank among the top worldwide box office earners. In 2025, China’s Ne Zha 2 joined the ranks with roughly $2.24 billion, becoming one of the highest-grossing animated movies ever.
Here are 20 films that earned the most at the global box office, revealing trends in audience loyalty, technology, and international market strength.
The Top 20 at a Glance
1. Avatar (2009)
James Cameron developed new technology for Avatar, enabling actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña to portray the Na’vi on Pandora with notable realism.
Cameron wrote the script in the mid-1990s and waited until film technology could match his vision. Avatar grossed about $2.92 billion worldwide, holding the top spot at the box office. Home video and re-releases contributed to its total revenue and long-term presence in theaters.
The production won 3 Academy Awards for Art Direction, Cinematography, and Visual Effects. The story follows paraplegic Marine Jake Sully, who enters the Na’vi world through an avatar body, falls in love with Neytiri, and ultimately chooses to defend Pandora against human exploitation.
Environmental themes, world-building, and visual effects brought audiences back to theaters. Avatar became a successful IMAX release and expanded into theme parks, games, and a lasting franchise.
Plex fans call it the “best movie ever” and “a nearly perfect film that, while thin in the depth of plot, is a masterclass in world building.” Check out more fan and critic reviews here, and join the conversation: https://watch.plex.tv/movie/avatar
Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Avatar here.
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spoiler alert: Haven’t seen the movie? Stop reading here.
Anthony and Joe Russo directed the epic conclusion to a story that began with Iron Man in 2008. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, and Anthony led a cast that united every major hero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Avengers: Endgame earned about $2.80 billion worldwide after a decade of interconnected stories. Advance ticket sales overwhelmed websites, and midnight screenings filled theaters around the world.
Despite a three-hour runtime, audiences showed up in massive numbers to see how the saga would end. Tony Stark’s sacrifice and Steve Rogers’ final arc became defining moments in blockbuster cinema. The climactic battle sequence brought together heroes from across the galaxy in a payoff years in the making.
Social media was filled with reactions, theories, and tributes. The film showed the commercial power of long-form franchise storytelling and the value of audience engagement.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Avengers: Endgame here.
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
James Cameron returned to Pandora 13 years after the original film with a sequel that once again pushed technical boundaries. Avatar: The Way of Water earned about $2.32 billion worldwide, confirming that audiences were still eager for an immersive theatrical spectacle.
The story follows Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their children as they seek refuge with the ocean-dwelling Metkayina clan. Cameron and his team developed new underwater performance capture techniques to bring the marine world of Pandora to life with stunning detail.
The film’s longer runtime introduced new cultures, creatures, and environmental themes. Premium formats like IMAX and 3D contributed to its box office success, attracting viewers interested in enhanced visuals.
The sequel explored themes of family, displacement, and survival. The film’s strong performance suggested that audiences remain interested in theatrical releases designed for large screens.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Avatar: The Way of Water here.
4. Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s romantic disaster film earned about $2.26 billion worldwide across its original run and re-releases. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet starred as Jack and Rose, characters from different backgrounds aboard the RMS Titanic.
The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, tying the record set byBen-Hur, the 1959 epic historical drama. Cameron’s meticulous recreation of the ship, combined with sweeping romance and tragedy, captivated audiences worldwide.
Titanic spent 15 weeks at the top of the box office. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” also became a popular song associated with the film.
A 3D re-release in 2012 added to its total earnings. To this day, Titanic continues to attract new viewers.
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Titanic is available to rent on Plex.
5. Ne Zha 2 (2025)
The Chinese animated sequel Ne Zha 2 earned about $2.24 billion worldwide, with most of its sales coming from mainland China. Directed by Jiao Zi, the film built on the original’s popularity and expanded its story.
With a production budget of about $80 million, the film achieved a high return on investment. It surpassed previous single-market records and became the highest-grossing movie released in a single territory.
Drawing from classical Chinese mythology, including Investiture of the Gods, the story blends traditional themes with modern ideas about identity and self-determination. Word of mouth, holiday timing, and national pride contributed to its performance.
The film also had strong IMAX attendance and international releases in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Its success showed that non-English animated films can achieve high box office results.
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Ze Zha II is available to rent on Plex.
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
After a decade away from episodic Star Wars films, The Force Awakens arrived with enormous expectations. J.J. Abrams directed a story that introduced a new generation of heroes while reuniting audiences with icons such as Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca. The result was one of the most anticipated movie releases in modern history.
The film grossed roughly $2.07 billion worldwide, driven by record-breaking opening weekends across multiple territories. Fans camped outside theatres, websites buckled under ticket demand, and marketing campaigns carefully teased characters and story elements without revealing major plot points. Harrison Ford’s return as Han Solo, in particular, generated widespread excitement.
The story centered on Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren, setting up a new trilogy that blended nostalgia with fresh narrative directions. Practical effects and real sets gave the film a visual style that echoed the original trilogy, pleasing longtime fans who had missed that tactile feel.
By successfully balancing legacy characters with new faces, The Force Awakens revived the franchise for a new era while reminding audiences why Star Wars remains one of cinema’s most powerful brands.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens here.
7. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Spoiler alert: Haven’t seen the movie? Stop reading here.
Infinity War brought together an unprecedented number of Marvel heroes in a single story, delivering a scale of spectacle rarely seen before. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film grossed about $2.05 billion worldwide and served as the dramatic buildup to the conclusion that would arrive the following year.
The movie introduced Thanos as a fully realized antagonist, with Josh Brolin’s performance giving the character emotional depth and philosophical motivation. His quest to collect the Infinity Stones and wipe out half of all life created genuine tension that resonated far beyond typical superhero stakes.
Years of interconnected storytelling paid off as characters from different franchises crossed paths for the first time. The shocking ending, which left many heroes disintegrated and the universe in chaos, stunned audiences and sparked global conversation.
Social media, fan theories, and speculation dominated the months that followed, making the wait for Endgame part of the overall experience. Infinity War demonstrated how blockbuster films could generate not just revenue, but sustained cultural engagement.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Avengers: Infinity War here.
8. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
This multiverse-spanning adventure united three generations of Spider-Man, with Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield sharing the screen for the first time. The film earned approximately $1.92 billion worldwide, becoming one of the biggest releases of the pandemic era.
The story brought back villains from earlier Spider-Man films, including Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and Electro, weaving them into a narrative that explored sacrifice, responsibility, and personal growth. Nostalgia played a significant role, but Holland’s emotionally driven performance grounded it.
Advance ticket sales were so intense that many theatre and ticketing sites crashed under the demand. Fans were eager not only to see familiar faces return, but to watch how they would interact in a single storyline.
The film’s success despite COVID-era challenges signaled the return of movies to the big screen and proved that audiences would still turn out in big numbers for events that felt truly special. It also reinforced Spider-Man’s place as one of the most beloved characters in popular culture.
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Available to watch now on Starz and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Spider-Man: No Way Home here.
9. Inside Out 2 (2024)
Pixar’s sequel to its beloved emotional adventure took Riley into adolescence, introducing new feelings such as Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment. The film earned around $1.70 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful animated movies ever released.
The original Inside Out resonated with audiences by turning abstract emotions into relatable characters, and the sequel deepened that concept by tackling the complexities of growing up. Parents and children alike found meaning in its honest portrayal of identity, pressure, and emotional change.
The returning voice cast, including Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith, gave continuity to the story, while the new characters added humor and emotional nuance. Critics praised the sequel for handling sensitive themes without losing Pixar’s trademark warmth and wit.
Its box office success confirmed that audiences remain hungry for animated films that combine entertainment with thoughtful storytelling. Inside Out 2 proved that emotional intelligence can be just as powerful a draw as spectacle.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Inside Out 2 here.
10. Jurassic World (2015)
Jurassic World imagined what would happen if John Hammond’s dinosaur park finally became fully operational. Starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film grossed roughly $1.67 billion worldwide, becoming one of the biggest releases of the decade.
The story introduced the genetically engineered Indominus Rex, a creature that represented the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. Its escape triggered chaos throughout the park, forcing visitors and staff into a desperate fight for survival.
Director Colin Trevorrow balanced nostalgia for Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park with modern blockbuster pacing and effects. The raptor training sequences and large-scale set pieces became audience favorites.
The film’s success launched a new trilogy and reaffirmed the enduring appeal of dinosaurs on the big screen. By blending awe, fear, and spectacle, Jurassic World showed that some cinematic ideas never go extinct.
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Available to watch now on Peacock and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Jurassic World here.
11. The Lion King (2019)
Disney’s photorealistic reimagining of The Lion King transformed the 1994 animated classic into a visually ambitious spectacle. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film used advanced CGI to create lifelike animals and African landscapes while preserving the story that had already become one of Disney’s most cherished properties. The film went on to earn roughly $1.66 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful Disney releases of the modern era.
The voice cast combined returning legend James Earl Jones as Mufasa with a new generation of performers, including Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Hans Zimmer also returned to adapt and expand his iconic musical score, giving the remake a familiar emotional core even as the visuals moved into new territory.
Audience nostalgia played a major role in its box office success, but so did curiosity about seeing a beloved animated story recreated in a hyper-realistic format. Families who had grown up with the original brought their children to experience it on the biggest screens available.
The film’s success affirmed Disney’s strategy of revisiting classic animated films with cutting-edge technology, turning nostalgia into a powerful commercial engine.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch The Lion King (2019) here.
12. Zootopia 2 (2025)
Zootopia 2 continued the story of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, expanding the bustling animal metropolis into a larger and more complex world. The sequel earned approximately $1.59 billion worldwide, setting a new record for Walt Disney Animation Studios and surpassing the studio’s previous benchmarks.
The film arrived with significant anticipation after the original Zootopia developed a strong global following, particularly in Asian markets. China, in particular, played a significant role in the sequel’s success, reflecting the franchise’s unique cultural resonance there.
Critics and audiences praised the sequel for maintaining the first film’s balance of humor, social commentary, and inventive world-building. The story deepened the characters’ relationships while introducing new species, districts, and conflicts that broadened the universe’s scope.
Strategic marketing partnerships across retail, food, and apparel brands helped keep the film in the public eye long before and after its release. Zootopia 2 showed how animated franchises can grow in both narrative ambition and financial reach when audiences stay emotionally invested.
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See Where to Watch Zootopia 2 here.
13. The Avengers (2012)
When The Avengers arrived in 2012, it changed the way studios approached blockbuster storytelling. For the first time, heroes introduced in separate films came together in a single crossover event. The gamble paid off, with the film earning around $1.52 billion worldwide and launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a new phase of dominance.
Directed by Joss Whedon, the film brought together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to fight Loki, balancing action, humor, and character chemistry. The Battle of New York finale set a new standard for superhero spectacle on a city-wide scale.
Audiences responded strongly to the feeling that they were witnessing something unprecedented. Years of standalone films suddenly made sense as part of a larger narrative, rewarding loyal viewers with moments of connection and payoff.
The film’s success validated Marvel’s shared-universe strategy and laid the groundwork for the interconnected storytelling that would dominate the genre for more than a decade.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch The Avengers here.
14. Furious 7 (2015)
Furious 7 became one of the most emotionally charged entries in the Fast & Furious franchise, partly due to the tragic death of actor Paul Walker during production. The film went on to gross approximately $1.52 billion worldwide, driven by both blockbuster spectacle and a powerful farewell to one of its core characters.
Directed by James Wan, the movie delivered increasingly outrageous action sequences, including skydiving cars and gravity-defying stunts, thrilling audiences. At the same time, it carried a more somber emotional undercurrent as Brian O’Conner, Walker’s character, was written out of the series.
Digital effects and careful editing enabled Walker’s remaining scenes to be completed respectfully, with his brothers serving as body doubles. The final tribute sequence, set to “See You Again,” became one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
The combination of heartfelt emotion and over-the-top entertainment helped Furious 7 resonate with longtime fans while attracting new audiences.
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See Where to Watch Furious 7 here.
15. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
More than three decades after the original, Top Gun: Maverick became one of the most surprising box office success stories in modern cinema. Tom Cruise returned as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, now a veteran test pilot tasked with training a new generation of naval aviators. The film earned roughly $1.49 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest releases of the 2020s.
What set the film apart was its commitment to practical filmmaking. Cruise insisted that actors be placed inside real fighter jets rather than relying on green screens, creating visceral aerial sequences that audiences could feel. The intense flight scenes gave the movie an authenticity rarely seen in modern action films.
Emotionally, the story tied Maverick’s journey to unresolved trauma from the original film, particularly through Miles Teller’s portrayal of Goose’s son. Nostalgia and fresh storytelling combined to create an experience that appealed to longtime fans and new viewers alike.
Strong word of mouth kept the film in theatres for months, proving that a well-crafted spectacle can still drive massive audience turnout.
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Top Gun: Maverick is available to rent on Plex.
16. Barbie (2023)
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie became far more than a toy adaptation, emerging as one of the most culturally influential films of the decade. The movie earned roughly $1.45 billion worldwide, driven by an unprecedented marketing campaign and a story that blended comedy, satire, and social commentary.
Margot Robbie’s performance as Barbie balanced charm with vulnerability, while Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken became an unexpected breakout. The film’s bright, stylized aesthetic dominated fashion and social media for months, turning moviegoing into a themed cultural event.
Beyond its visual appeal, the film explored themes of identity, gender expectations, and self-worth, sparking conversation far outside typical blockbuster circles. That combination of substance and spectacle gave it broad appeal across age groups and demographics.
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Barbie is available to rent on Plex.
17. Frozen II (2019)
The sequel to Disney’s modern fairy tale expanded the mythology of Anna and Elsa while taking the story in darker, more mature directions. Frozen II earned roughly $1.45 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animation films of all time.
The film explored the origins of Elsa’s powers and introduced themes of environmental responsibility, history, and identity. Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell returned to anchor the emotional core of the story, while new songs like “Into the Unknown” added to the franchise’s musical legacy.
Visually, the sequel represented a significant leap forward, with more detailed animation, realistic water effects, and richer environments. These technical improvements made the enchanted forest and surrounding landscapes feel more immersive.
Audiences appreciated how the sequel respected younger viewers while offering deeper emotional layers for older fans, showing that animated storytelling can grow alongside its audience.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Frozen II here.
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Marvel’s second Avengers team-up expanded the scale of the franchise and cemented the superhero ensemble formula as one of Hollywood’s most reliable box office engines. Avengers: Age of Ultron earned roughly $1.40 billion worldwide, proving that the success of the first film was no fluke.
The story follows Tony Stark’s attempt to create a global defense program, which instead produces Ultron, an artificial intelligence determined to wipe out humanity. Voiced by James Spader, Ultron became one of Marvel’s most distinctive villains, combining chilling philosophy with dark humor.
The film introduced major new characters, including Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, and Vision, all of whom would play key roles in later Marvel stories. Its globe-spanning action sequences, from South Africa to South Korea to the floating city of Sokovia, pushed the franchise further into blockbuster spectacle.
While more divisive among critics than its predecessor, the movie’s box office performance confirmed the Avengers as a permanent fixture at the top of the global entertainment industry.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Avengers: Age of Ultron here.
19. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Nintendo’s iconic plumber finally received a big-screen adaptation that connected with audiences worldwide. The Super Mario Bros. Movie earned about $1.36 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation in film history.
Rather than reinventing the franchise, the movie leaned into its colourful roots. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser were presented in a fast-paced animated adventure filled with visual references to decades of beloved games. Jack Black’s performance as Bowser became a standout, especially with the viral success of the song “Peaches.”
The film’s appeal crossed generations. Longtime Nintendo fans appreciated the Easter eggs and faithful character designs, while younger audiences embraced the bright animation and slapstick humor. Illumination’s family-friendly style made the movie highly accessible, particularly for repeat viewings.
Its success demonstrated that video game films could thrive when they respected their source material, opening the door for future Nintendo and gaming adaptations on the big screen.
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Available to watch now on Amazon Prime and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie here.
20. Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther was more than a box office hit. It became a cultural milestone. The film earned roughly $1.35 billion worldwide and brought Afrofuturism, African-inspired design, and Black superhero storytelling to the center of global pop culture.
Chadwick Boseman’s performance as T’Challa gave the character dignity, strength, and emotional depth. Wakanda was presented as a richly imagined world with its own technology, traditions, and political structure, setting it apart from typical superhero settings.
Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger added complexity by presenting a villain whose motivations reflected real-world injustice, elevating the story beyond a simple good-versus-evil narrative. The film won multiple Academy Awards for costume design, production design, and score.
Its impact extended beyond cinema into fashion, education, and conversations about representation, proving that blockbuster entertainment can also carry lasting cultural weight.
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Available to watch now on Disney+ and other streaming apps. See more options on Where to Watch Black Panther here.
What These Numbers Tell Us
Seven films grossed over $2 billion worldwide, with Avatar leading the pack. All of the movies on this list had a theatrical run, including re-releases, in the 21st century.
Among the elite list of 60 billion-dollar grossing films are sequels, Disney remakes, and iconic franchises such as Star Wars, Avatar, James Bond, The Lord of the Rings, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Harry Potter, Fast & Furious, Jurassic Park, The Dark Knight, Transformers, and Disney and Pixar animated features.
IMAX reported global box-office grosses of $1.28 billion in 2025, a record for the company, up 40% from 2024. Ne Zha 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, F1, and Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning were the top five films on IMAX screens globally.
Gower Street Analytics increased its 2025 global box office projection to $34.1 billion, up from its December forecast of $33 billion, driven by Ne Zha 2’s performance. Cinemas in the U.S. and Canada sold an estimated $8.87 billion in tickets in 2025, representing a modest 1.5% increase on 2024’s domestic revenues.
The Pattern Behind the Profits
The films that achieve the highest box office performance share specific characteristics. Spectacle combined with emotional investment drives repeat viewing. Superhero ensembles deliver narrative payoffs that reward audiences who followe interconnected stories across multiple years. Animated features explore universal themes of family and identity that resonate with both children and adults.
Premium-format presentations, including IMAX and 3D, continue to drive revenue for visually ambitious productions. Audiences pay premium prices for premium theatrical conditions when films deliver visuals that home viewing cannot replicate. James Cameron’s films consistently dominate premium format revenue because his productions are designed specifically for those conditions.
The success of Ne Zha 2, the first non-English-language film to gross $2 billion worldwide, marks a notable development in global entertainment consumption. The Chinese animated feature proved that Asian stories can compete with and surpass Western blockbusters when production quality and storytelling resonate with home audiences.
PG-rated family films outperformed PG-13 and R-rated films at the 2025 box office, with PG films generating $2.7 billion in the U.S. and Canada, compared with $2.5 billion for PG-13 and $2.4 billion for R-rated movies.
These 20 films represent productions that intersected massive marketing campaigns, innovative filmmaking techniques, beloved intellectual properties, and storytelling that crosses cultural and demographic boundaries. The pattern remains consistent. Audiences reward films that deliver both spectacle and genuine emotional connection.
