“Avengers: Endgame,” the latest episode in the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe series, has powered its way into the record books, smashing the global box office record held by “Avatar.”
Here are the top ten box office juggernauts of all-time, in a ranking which hasn’t been adjusted to take inflation into account.
1. “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) $2.7902 billion
Brothers Anthony and Joe Russo conclude a 22-movie story arc with this
adventure with Thor, the Hulk, Iron Man and Co., set after the
devastating events of “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), with the universe
in ruins.
2. “Avatar” (2009): $2.7897 billion
James Cameron’s
cautionary tale of a paraplegic marine whose loyalties are tested when
he befriends an alien tribe on a distant moon towered over its rivals
for a decade.
3. “Titanic” (1997): $2.19 billion
Part
saturnine elegy to doomed youth, part exaltation of the transcendent
power of love, this blockbuster disaster movie, another Cameron opus,
dramatized the real-life sinking in 1912 of history’s most famous ship.
4. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015): $2.07 billion
Three decades after the Jedi returned, the emergence of the militant
First Order poses a new threat in this widely acclaimed reboot of the
legendary Skywalker saga.
5. “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018): $2.05 billion
In the Russo brothers’ third foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe —
after two “Captain America” movies — the Avengers must sacrifice
everything in an attempt to stop “Mad Titan” Thanos killing half of all
life in the universe.
6. “Jurassic World” (2015): $1.67 billion
Colin Trevorrow’s contribution to the iconic creature-feature series
took audiences to a new theme park, built on the original site of
Jurassic Park, where a genetically modified super-dinosaur is on a
killing spree.
7. “The Avengers” (2012): $1.51 billion
This is
the first of Joss Whedon’s two ensemble “Avengers” movies bringing
together Earth’s mightiest warriors. In a staggering achievement, all
four entries in this franchise are top ten all-time money-makers. Here,
the superheroes must learn to work as a team to stop the mischievous
Loki taking over the world.
8. “Fast & Furious 7” (2015): $1.51 billion
James Wan was already a big name in horror movie-making when he
directed this entry in the “Fast & Furious” universe, which sees
Deckard Shaw seeking revenge for his comatose brother.
9. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015): $1.40 billion
This entry, Whedon’s sequel to his 2012 smash hit, isn’t even the final Marvel Cinematic Universe movie on the list.
10. “Black Panther” (2018): $1.35 billion
Ryan Coogler’s movie, the fifth and final Marvel superhero blockbuster
in the list, was the highest-grossing film of 2018 in North America,
scored seven Oscar nominations and was hailed as a milestone in black
representation on the big screen.
AFP