America's 20 Highest-Grossing Movies of All Time (Adjusted for Inflation)

Avengers: Endgame has been in theaters for less than two weeks, yet it has already managed to rake in more than $2 billion at the box office in record time. Amazingly, the Marvel superheroes still have a long way to go to crack the top 20 highest-grossing movies of all time (though Endgame currently holds the 74th spot on the list). We've written about some of the lowest-grossing movies of all time; here are America's highest-grossing ones, adjusted for inflation, according to Box Office Mojo.

1. Gone With the Wind (1939)

Released in 1939, Victor Fleming’s adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Civil War epic is one of the world’s first genuine blockbusters—and still holds the top spot for box office dollars, with a grand total of $1,822,598,200.

2. Star Wars (1977)

The George Lucas space opera that launched a thousand action figures (and almost as many sequels and prequels) still reigns supreme in the Star Wars universe, with a total take of $1,635,137,900.

3. The Sound of Music (1965)

The hills are alive … with the sound of $1,283,791,300 in domestic ticket sales

4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The biggest movie of 1982 is also the fourth biggest movie of all time, with a grand total of $1,278,107,600. That’s a lot of Reese’s Pieces.

5. Titanic (1997)

James Cameron may have gotten some flak after declaring himself “King of the World” when he scooped up the award for Best Director at the 1998 Oscars, but he wasn’t too far off. Between Avatar (more on that later) and Titanic, which took in $1,221,303,800, Cameron holds two of the top three spots on the highest-grossing films worldwide.

6. The Ten Commandments (1956)

Cecil B. DeMille’s Biblical epic managed to conjure up $1,180,310,000 at the box office, even with a near-four-hour running time.

7. Jaws (1975)

The film that made Steven Spielberg a household name may have scared audiences away from the water, but it brought them to the cinema in droves, as evidenced by its $1,153,990,200 in ticket sales.

8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Despite being banned in Russia—the country in which it is set—until 1994, David Lean’s epic drama-romance still managed to drum up more than a billion dollars ($1,118,460,500) from U.S. audiences.

9. The Exorcist (1973)

William Friedkin’s groundbreaking horror film is the genre’s first to score a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Though it ultimately lost to The Sting, it won as far as the box office was concerned, with a grand total of $996,498,500.

10. Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Rounding out the top 10 is the oldest film on this list; the Walt Disney classic generated $982,090,000 at the box office.

11. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

The newest film on this list, perhaps unsurprisingly, is yet another entry in the Star Wars saga. The Force Awakens managed to ring up $974,117,000 in box office receipts.

12. 101 Dalmatians (1961)

Yet another Disney classic, the original 101 Dalmatians barked up $900,254,400 between its original 1961 release and four re-releases (in 1969, 1979, 1985, and 1991).

13. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The second film released in the Star Wars franchise is its third highest grossing, with $884,607,500 in adjusted domestic ticket sales.

14. Ben-Hur (1959)

William Wyler’s sword and sandal spectacular was a hit with audiences, generating $883,402,600 in ticket sales.

15. Avatar (2009)

James Cameron's eco-minded sci-fi film is the director's second in the top 20 highest-grossing films, with $876,759,300.

16. Return of the Jedi (1983)

Another Star Wars movie, another entry on this list. The franchise’s third release made an impressive $847,475,300.

17. Jurassic Park (1993)

While Jurassic World, the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park series, currently holds the 24th spot on this list with $712,233,300, it’s got a long way to go before matching the original’s $825,894,500 in box office grosses.

18. Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999)

George Lucas. Again. This time with The Phantom Menace, which took in $813,711,800. Despite the presence of Jar Jar Binks.

19. The Lion King (1994)

The beloved animated classic roared its way into the all-time top 20 with $803,209,300.

20. The Sting (1973)

The Best Picture of 1973 was also a big winner at the box office, generating $803,177,100 in ticket sales.

Updated for 2019.