The Biggest Selling Movies in Cinema History

The Ten Commandments

In first place is The Ten Commandments, the 1956 biblical epic. This film was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starred Charlton Heston as Moses. The Ten Commandments was the first film to break the $100 million mark in terms of box office receipts. By today’s standards, this would be equivalent to $1.17 billion. Adjusted for inflation, The Ten Commandments is still the fifth highest-grossing film of all time.

The Sound of Music

The next on the list is The Sound of Music from 1965. This film was directed by Robert Wise, and it starred Julie Andrews as Maria. The Sound of Music ranks third in terms of box office takings. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this movie comes in second, making it the highest-grossing film in the long-running “Best Picture” category. The Sound of Music is also the highest-grossing film to receive the “Best Picture” award. It was also the first film to gross more than $100 million at the box office without any significant re-release.

Titanic

Next is Titanic, the 1997 disaster film directed by James Cameron. This is perhaps the most famous film on the list. It was the first film to break the $1 billion mark at the box office. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this film ranks second at the box office. Titanic grossed over $2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of all time. It is also the second highest-grossing film of all time when accounting for re-releases. This means that it earned so much money that it was re-released, making it eligible for the “all-time” list.

Doctor Zhivago

Next, we have Doctor Zhivago from 1965. This film was directed by David Lean, and it starred Omar Sharif as Yuri Zhivago. Doctor Zhivago is the fourth highest-grossing film of all time. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this film ranks eighth at the box office. Doctor Zhivago is also the highest-grossing film that did not receive an Academy Award. Although it was nominated for several awards, it earned significantly more money than any other film that was not rewarded with an “Honorary” Oscar at the ceremony. Doctor Zhivago was so successful because it was released at the right time. The film was released when the first major commercial theater chains were created.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Next, we have Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment in the Transformers franchise. This film was directed by Michael Bay, and it starred various actors. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the fifth highest-grossing film of all time. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this film ranks ninth at the box office. Transformers: Dark of the Moon was so successful because of its marketing campaign. This campaign was one of the most expensive in cinema history. The film also benefited from the rising popularity of 3D cinema. Transformers: Dark of the Moon was the most profitable film of 2011.

Avatar

Next, we have Avatar, the 2009 science fiction film directed by James Cameron. Avatar is the seventh highest-grossing film of all time. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this film ranks sixth at the box office. Avatar was so successful because of its high-quality digital cinematography, as well as its innovative use of 3D cinema. The film was so successful that it popularized 3D cinema, leading to a rise in revenue from 3D screenings across the world. The film was also very successful because of its marketing campaign, which included the creation of a unique language for the film’s fictional species. Avatar has generated over $3 billion in revenue since its release, making it the most profitable film of all time.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Next, we have Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the seventh installment in the Star Wars franchise. This film was directed by J. J. Abrams, and it starred several famous actors. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the second highest-grossing film of all time when it was released in 2015. Adjusted for inflation and accounting for ticket price inflation, this film ranks fourth at the box office.

Conclusion

The 10 Commandments, The Sound of Music, and Titanic are three of the biggest-selling movies in cinema history. All three films are also the highest-grossing films in the “Best Picture” award category. They are also the only three films to have broken the $1 billion mark at the box office. These films have made so much money in part because of their high production values and in part because of their marketing campaigns. The films on this list are also very different from each other. From a religious epic to a science fiction action film, these films have proven that there is a wide variety of people who watch movies and that these films sell to audiences of all kinds.