Movie History – If You Thought Titanic Was the Largest Grossing Film in the US, Think Again

Movie History – If You Thought Titanic Was the Largest Grossing Film in the US, Think Again

A lot of moviegoers think that “Titanic” is the largest grossing domestic film of all time, primarily because of its huge popularity as well as topping $ 600 million in revenue following its release in 1997.

In fact, Titanic was the largest grossing domestic film in actual dollars, with Star Wars a distant second at $ 460 million in 1977. Because money not only talks but sings and dances as well in our society, we remain impressed by large amounts of money. Not satisfied with this approach, I looked for a more accurate measure to compare and found it in adjusting for inflation. When adjusted for inflation, the actual moneymaking value of films takes on a new look.

Titanic, while No. 1 in actual dollars generated, is only No. 6 when adjusted for inflation.

The real No. 1 largest grossing domestic film in movie making history is none other than “Gone with the Wind”, which grossed $ 198 million in 1939 but its inflation-adjusted value in today’s money is $ 1.329 billion.

Here are the Top 25 moneymaking movies when inflation adjusted. Expect where noted, all dollar figures are in millions:

1) Gone with the Wind – $ 1.329 billion (actual gross of $ 198 in 1939).

2) Star Wars – $ 1.172 billion ($ 460 in 1977).

3) The Sound of Music – $ 937 ($ 158 in 1965).

4) E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – $ 933 million ($ 435 in 1982).

5) The Ten Commandments – $ 861 ($ 65 in 1956).

6) Titanic – $ 844 ($ 600 in 1997).

7) Jaws – $ 842 ($ 260 in 1975).

8) Doctor Zhivago – $ 816 ($ 111 in 1965).

9) The Exorcist – $ 727 ($ 232 in 1973).

10) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – $ 717 ($ 184 in 1937).

11) 101 Dalmatians – $ 657 ($ 144 in 1961).

12) The Empire Strikes Back – $ 646 ($ 290 in 1980).

13) Ben-Hur – $ 644 ($ 74 in 1959).

14) Return of the Jedi – $ 618 ($ 309 in 1983).

15) The Sting – $ 586 ($ 156 in 1973).

16) Raiders of the Lost Ark – $ 579 ($ 242 in 1981).

17) Jurassic Park – $ 567 ($ 357 in 1993).

18) The Graduate – $ 563 ($ 104 in 1967).

19) Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $ 558 ($ 431 in 1999).

20) Fantasia – $ 546 ($ 76 in 1941).

21) The Godfather – $ 519 ($ 134 in 1972).

22) Forrest Gump – $ 516 ($ 329 in 1994).

23) Mary Poppins – $ 514 ($ 102 in 1964).

24) The Lion King – $ 508 ($ 328 in 1994).

25) Grease – $ 506 ($ 188 in 1978).

Here are 10 more eye-poppers among the Top 100 grossing films when inflation adjusted:

44) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – $ 423 ($ 423 in 2006).

46) Blazing Saddles – $ 416 ($ 119 in 1974).

55) The Passion of the Christ – $ 392 ($ 370 in 2004).

62) Smokey and the Bandit – $ 373 ($ 126 in 1977).

69) The Rocky Horror Picture Show – $ 362 ($ 112 in 1975).

70) Rocky – $ 362 ($ 117 in 1976).

80) M.A.S.H. – $ 353 ($ 81 in 1970).

81) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – $ 352 ($ 179 in 1984).

88) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $ 333 ($ 305 in 2003).

96) Sergeant York – $ 316 ($ 16 in 1941).

All figures are adjusted to the estimated 2007 average ticket price of $ 6.58. Some of these films had multiple releases; the release date used reflects the year of initial release.

Trying Out Valve's Movie Making Tools With the Source Filmmaker
Users with a significant history in video editing or 3D animation will probably find a lot to enjoy, but the need to import a level, a camera, models and animations for your films will probably confuse Valve fans just looking to make some quick films …
Read more on PCWorld

Clubbell Flow Evolution
Get 3 Full Nine Month Training Programs For The Price Of One In This Epic Clubbell Fitness Program. Designed To Heal, Mobilize And Strengthen Your Body, This Program Will Not Only Get You In Shape, It Will Transform Your Life.
Clubbell Flow Evolution