What are the most profitable films of all time? This list includes the top 20 most profitable movies ever made. Some of these movies that have made the most money are Skyfall, Iron Man 3, and multiple films from the Harry Potter and Twilight series. Whether a pop culture phenomenon or summer blockbuster hit, these movies have all brought in huge profits worldwide.
Movies have the ability to make us feel. They make us want to believe, be inspired, and live vicariously through the stories we see on screen. When a film is truly great and entertaining, viewers may see it in theaters multiple times. Movies that have a built in draw are often the ones that draw the biggest crowds and see anxious viewers line dup for midnight screenings. Movies that have been books, familiar TV shows we grew up with, or Disneyland rides are often the most popular.
These most profitable films provide the kind of escapism that people seek in entertainment. It the reason why people flock in large numbers to theaters despite ever increasing ticket prices. Profits are equal to the money made, less the cost of production. Many of these movies are blockbusters with large budgets, but in return, they drew enormous crowds. These movies vary in their genre but they all equally fascinating.
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1Avatar
Zoe Saldana, Sigourney WeaverReleased: 2009
Directed by: James Cameron
$1,739,899,354 - $516,262,000 = $1,223,637,354 profitAvatar is a 2009 American epic science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron, and... more
2The Avengers
Robert Downey Jr., Chris EvansReleased: 2012
Directed by: Joss Whedon
$970,476,373 - $300,290,000 = $670,186,373 profitMarvel's The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film directed by Joss Whedon, based on the... more![Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]()
3Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Emma Watson, Daniel RadcliffeReleased: 2011
Directed by: David Yates
$814,603,067 - $177,306,000 = $637,297,067 profitHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a 2011 fantasy film directed by David Yates,... more![Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]()
4Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Johnny Depp, Keira KnightleyReleased: 2006
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
$854,594,109 - $293,790,000 = $560,804,109 profitThis film is a 2006 American fantasy swashbuckler film and the second installment of the... more![Despicable Me 2]()
5Despicable Me 2
Russell Brand, Steve CarellReleased: 2013
Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
$678,390,341 - $143,056,000 = $535,334,341 profitDespicable Me 2 is a 2013 computer animated comedy film written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul.... more![The Dark Knight]()
6The Dark Knight
Christian Bale, Michael CaineReleased: 2008
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
$798,630,259 - $263,340,000 = $535,290,259 profitThe Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics... more![Toy Story 3]()
7Toy Story 3
Tom Hanks, Whoopi GoldbergReleased: 2010
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
$779,264,001 - $267,398,000 = $511,866,001 profitToy Story 3 is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy film, and the third film in the Toy... more![Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]()
8Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Emma Watson, Robert PattinsonReleased: 2007
Directed by: David Yates
$700,355,700 - $202,594,000 = $497,761,700 profitHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a 2007 fantasy film directed by David Yates and... more![Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]()
9Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Emma Watson, Robert PattinsonReleased: 2005
Directed by: Mike Newell
$672,155,834 - $208,064,000 = $464,091,834 profitHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 2005 fantasy film directed by Mike Newell and... more![The Twilight Saga: New Moon]()
10The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Kristen Stewart, Ashley GreeneReleased: 2009
Directed by: Chris Weitz
$561,922,047 - $103,444,000 = $458,478,047 profitNew Moon is the sequel to 2008's Twilight, based on a novel of the same name written by... more![Transformers]()
11Transformers
Megan Fox, Shia LaBeoufReleased: 2007
Directed by: Michael Bay
$653,619,842 - $202,632,000 = $450,987,842 profitTransformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film directed by Michael Bay, based on... more![Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I]()
12Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I
Emma Watson, Daniel RadcliffeReleased: 2010
Directed by: David Yates
$626,950,531 - $180,774,000 = $446,176,531 profitHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 is a 2010 fantasy film directed by David Yates... more![Eclipse]()
13Eclipse
Kristen Stewart, Ashley GreeneReleased: 2010
Directed by: David Slade
$553,506,214 - $117,520,000 = $435,986,214 profitThe Twilight Saga: Eclipse, commonly referred to as Eclipse, is a 2010 American romantic... more![Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]()
14Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Johnny Depp, Keira KnightleyReleased: 2007
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
$782,724,328 - $353,222,000 = $429,502,328 profitPirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a 2007 American fantasy swashbuckler film and the... more![Iron Man 3]()
15Iron Man 3
Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr.Released: 2013
Directed by: Shane Black
$680,303,797 - $252,176,000 = $428,127,797 profitIron Man 3 is a 2013 superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced... more16
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Shia LaBeoufReleased: 2011
Directed by: Michael Bay
$667,154,225 - $241,684,000 = $425,470,225 profitTransformers: Dark of the Moon is a 2011 American science fiction action film directed by... more![Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]()
17Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Megan Fox, Shia LaBeoufReleased: 2009
Directed by: Michael Bay
$692,234,753 - $267,372,000 = $424,862,753 profitTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction action film directed by... more![Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs]()
18Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Queen Latifah, Kristen WiigReleased: 2009
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha, Mike Thurmeier
$555,257,341 - $138,280,000 = $416,977,341 profitIce Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a 2009 American 3-D computer animated comedy adventure film,... more19
The Lion King
Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy IronsReleased: 1994
Directed by: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
$611,177,667 - $197,724,000 = $413,453,667 profitThe Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical epic film produced by Walt Disney Feature... more![Skyfall]()
20Skyfall
Daniel Craig, Ralph FiennesReleased: 2012
Directed by: Sam Mendes
$649,979,332 - $257,660,000 = $392,319,332 profitSkyfall is the twenty-third James Bond film produced by Eon Productions. It features Daniel... more
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