Grease Film
Movie History: if you Thought "titanic" Was the Largest Grossing Film in the U. S., Think Again
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
A lot of moviegoers think that "Titanic" is the largest grossing domestic film of all time, primarily because of its huge popularity as well as topping $600+ million in revenue following its release in 1997.
In fact, Titanic was the largest grossing domestic film in actual dollars, with Star Wars a distant second at $460+ million in 1977. Because money not only talks but sings and dances as well in our society, we remain impressed by large amounts of money. Not satisfied with this approach, I looked for a more accurate measure to compare and found it in adjusting for inflation. When adjusted for inflation, the actual moneymaking value of films takes on a new look.
Titanic, while No. 1 in actual dollars generated, is only No. 6 when adjusted for inflation.
The real No. 1 largest grossing domestic film in moviemaking history is none other than "Gone with the Wind", which grossed $198+ million in 1939 but its inflation-adjusted value in today's money is $1.329 billion (1,329,000,000+).
Here are the Top 25 moneymaking movies when inflation adjusted:
1) Gone with the Wind - $1.329+ billion (actual gross of $198+ million in 1939).
2) Star Wars - $1.172+ billion ($460+ million in 1977).
3) The Sound of Music - $937+ million ($158+ million 1965).
4) E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - $933+ million ($435+million in 1982).
5) The Ten Commandments - $861+ million ($65+ million in 1956).
6) Titanic - $844+ million ($600+ million in 1997).
7) Jaws - $842+ million ($260+ million in 1975).
Doctor Zhivago - $816+ million ($111+ million in 1965).
9) The Exorcist - $727+ million ($232+ million 1973).
10) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - $717+ million ($184+ million in 1937).
11) 101 Dalmatians - $657+ million ($144+ million in 1961).
12) The Empire Strikes Back - $646+ million ($290+ million in 1980).
13) Ben-Hur - $644+ million ($74 million in 1959).
14) Return of the Jedi - $618+ million ($309 million in 1983).
15) The Sting - $586+ million ($156 million in 1973).
16) Raiders of the Lost Ark - $579+ million ($242+ million in 1981).
17) Jurassic Park - $567+ million ($357+ million in 1993).
18) The Graduate - $563+ million ($104+ million in 1967).
19) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - $558+ million ($431 million in 1999).
20) Fantasia - $546+ million ($76+ million in 1941).
21) The Godfather - $519+ million ($134+ million in 1972).
22) Forrest Gump - $516+ million ($329+ million in 1994).
23) Mary Poppins - $514+ million ($102+ million in 1964).
24) The Lion King - $508+ million ($328+ million in 1994).
25) Grease - $506+ million ($188+ million in 1978).
Here are 10 more eye-poppers among the Top 100 grossing films when inflation adjusted:
44) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - $423+ million ($423+ million in 2006).
46) Blazing Saddles - $416 million ($119+ million in 1974).
55) The Passion of the Christ - $392 million ($370 million in 2004).
62) Smokey and the Bandit - $373+ million ($126+ million in 1977).
69) The Rocky Horror Picture Show - $362+ million ($112+ million in 1975).
70) Rocky - $362+ million ($117 million in 1976).
80) M.A.S.H. - $353+ million ($81+ million in 1970).
81) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - $352+ million ($179+ million in 1984).
88) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - $333+ million ($305+ million in 2003).
96) Sergeant York - $316+ million ($16+ million in 1941).
All figures are adjusted to the estimated 2007 average ticket price of $6.58. Some of these films had multiple releases; the release date used reflects the year of initial release.
About the Author
Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. Read my 3-part series on "Secrets Men Don't Want Women to Know" and reviews on the Broadway musicals "Camelot", "Chicago" and "The Phantom of the Opera". These are all excellent films. Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html
Grease - Summer Nights - Sous-titrée en français
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