Top 10 Highest Grossing Films of the Century (So Far)

Summary

In this WatchMojo video, we count down the top 10 highest-grossing films of the 21st century. From the emotional highs of *Furious 7* to the cinematic spectacle of *Avatar*, these films have dominated the box office. Highlights include record-breaking successes like *The Avengers*, *Jurassic World*, and *Avengers: Endgame*, alongside nostalgia-driven hits like *The Lion King*. Each movie’s impressive worldwide earnings and cultural impact are explored, showcasing their place in cinematic history. Spoilers are included, making this a must-watch for film buffs and box office enthusiasts alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 Furious 7 is the 10th highest-grossing film of the century, earning $1.516 billion worldwide, driven by Paul Walker's passing and strong global appeal.
• 😀 The Avengers (2012) secured the 9th spot with $1.519 billion, marking a monumental achievement for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and superhero team-up films.
• 😀 The Lion King (2019) made $1.663 billion, surpassing expectations with its nostalgic appeal, despite mixed reviews, and becoming the highest-grossing animated film.
• 😀 Jurassic World (2015) earned $1.672 billion, driven by the return of dinosaurs to the big screen and a massive box office opening, setting records for fastest grosses.
• 😀 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) became the highest-grossing non-Avengers MCU film, making $1.916 billion, thanks to its multiverse plot and fan service.
• 😀 Avengers: Infinity War (2018) made $2.48 billion, marking the first MCU film to cross the $2 billion mark and being the fastest to reach $1 billion at the time.
• 😀 Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens (2015) earned $2.69 billion, the highest-grossing opening ever at the time, reigniting the Star Wars franchise.
• 😀 Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) grossed $2.244 billion, cementing its place as one of the top films, thanks to its stunning visuals and continuation of the Avatar saga.
• 😀 Avengers: Endgame (2019) became the highest-grossing film ever with $2.798 billion, setting records for opening weekends and global earnings before briefly being surpassed by Avatar.
• 😀 Avatar (2009) remains the highest-grossing film of all time with $2.923 billion, thanks to its groundbreaking 3D technology, long box-office run, and re-releases in China.

Q & A

Which film is the highest-grossing film of the 21st century according to the video?

The highest-grossing film of the 21st century is *Avatar*, with a box office gross of $2.923 billion.

What key factor contributed to the success of *Furious 7* at the box office?

The success of *Furious 7* can be attributed to strong emotional sentiments surrounding Paul Walker's passing, as well as its international appeal, especially in China.

How did *The Avengers* influence the superhero film genre?

*The Avengers* helped solidify the superhero film genre as a box office powerhouse, establishing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a dominant franchise.

What record did *The Lion King (2019)* break at the box office?

*The Lion King (2019)* became the highest-grossing animated and musical film of all time, with a global box office of $1.663 billion.

What was unique about the *Jurassic World* opening weekend?

*Jurassic World* set the record for the largest opening weekend at the time of its release, grossing $524 million and reaching $1 billion in just 14 days.

What major achievement did *Spider-Man: No Way Home* reach after its release?

*Spider-Man: No Way Home* became Sony's highest-grossing film and also the highest-grossing non-Avengers film in the MCU, with a total gross of $1.916 billion.

Why is *Avengers: Infinity War* considered a significant film in terms of box office performance?

*Avengers: Infinity War* was the fastest film to reach $1 billion, doing so in just 11 days, and it grossed $2.48 billion worldwide, cementing its place as one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

How did *Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens* perform at the box office compared to previous Star Wars films?

*The Force Awakens* had the highest opening weekend in history at the time, grossing $529 million, and went on to gross $2.69 billion globally, surpassing previous Star Wars films' earnings by a significant margin.

What made *Avatar: The Way of Water* such a success at the box office?

*Avatar: The Way of Water* was a visual spectacle that captivated audiences with its groundbreaking effects and immersive portrayal of Pandora’s water tribe. It grossed $2.244 billion and became the top-grossing film of 2022.

How did *Avengers: Endgame* break box office records upon its release?

*Avengers: Endgame* broke several box office records, including the fastest film to gross $2 billion. It went on to gross $2.798 billion globally and briefly held the record for the highest-grossing film of all time before *Avatar* reclaimed the top spot.