Let’s be real for a second. If you looked at a list of top grossing movies ten years ago, you’d see a lot of wizards, a sinking ship, and maybe a few dinosaurs. But things have changed. Fast. We’re sitting here in early 2026, and the box office is basically a different animal than it was pre-pandemic.
The numbers are bigger, but the gaps between the "haves" and the "have-nots" are wider than ever.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think that a movie can pull in a billion dollars and some people still call it a disappointment. That’s the world James Cameron and Marvel built for us. We’ve reached a point where "okay" doesn't exist at the multiplex anymore. You’re either a global phenomenon or you’re a tax write-off.
The Heavy Hitters That Own the Top Ten
When you talk about the list of top grossing movies, you have to start with the kings. We are currently watching Avatar: Fire and Ash climb the ranks as we speak. Having just crossed the $1.2 billion mark in record time this January, James Cameron has officially become the only person on Earth who can reliably print money with blue aliens. It’s his fourth film to pass the billion-dollar milestone.
But it’s not just about Pandora.
Look at what happened with Ne Zha 2 in 2025. It didn't just break records; it shattered the idea that Hollywood has a monopoly on the top ten. Grossing over $2.2 billion, it became the highest-grossing non-English film in history. It’s sitting right there next to Avengers: Endgame and the original Avatar. That’s a massive shift in how we track "success" globally.
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The current hierarchy looks something like this: Avatar remains the undisputed leader at $2.9 billion, followed closely by Avengers: Endgame. Then you have Avatar: The Way of Water, Titanic, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It’s a very exclusive club. To even get a seat at the table, you basically need to be part of a franchise that people are willing to plan their entire month around.
Animation is Suddenly the Biggest Player
If you think cartoons are just for kids, you haven't been paying attention to the receipts. Zootopia 2 basically took over the world last year. It has already amassed $1.65 billion, making it the most successful film ever produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, even passing the Frozen juggernaut.
Then you have Inside Out 2 from 2024, which is sitting comfortably with $1.69 billion. These aren't just "good for an animated movie" numbers. These are "save the studio" numbers.
The strategy has shifted. Studios realized that families are the only demographic that still shows up in droves regardless of the economy. If you can get a parent to buy four tickets instead of one, you’ve already won the weekend.
Why the List of Top Grossing Movies is Kinda Misleading
Here’s the thing most people get wrong. A lot of these lists don't account for inflation. If you don't adjust for the fact that a ticket in 1939 cost a quarter, you aren't seeing the full picture.
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If we actually adjusted for inflation, Gone with the Wind would still be the champion. It has an estimated adjusted gross of over $3.9 billion. Star Wars (1977) and The Sound of Music would also be way higher on the list than most modern Marvel movies.
We also have to talk about the "China Factor."
Back in the day, a movie lived or died by the US domestic box office. Now? A movie like F1 or Jurassic World Rebirth can do "just okay" in America but become a massive hit because of international territories. The list of top grossing movies is now a global map, not just a Hollywood report card.
The Massive Risks of 2026
We’re looking at a year that could be the biggest since 2019. Maybe ever.
Avengers: Doomsday is the big one. Everyone is talking about it. The industry experts are projecting it could hit $1.5 billion to $2 billion, especially with the Russo Brothers back at the helm and Robert Downey Jr. returning in a... well, let's call it a "different" role.
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But the budgets are getting insane. Some reports suggest Doomsday might be the most expensive movie ever made. When a movie costs $400 million to produce and another $200 million to market, hitting $1 billion isn't a victory—it's the bare minimum to stay out of the red.
Other huge contenders for the 2026 leaderboard:
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: After the first one did $1.36 billion, the sequel is almost a guaranteed lock for the top ten.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Spidey is usually a safe bet for a billion, especially after the massive success of No Way Home.
- Toy Story 5: Pixar is leaning hard into nostalgia because, frankly, it works.
What This Means for You
So, what should you actually care about when looking at these numbers?
First, ignore the opening weekend hype. Movies like The Housemaid (Sydney Sweeney’s recent hit) proved that "legs"—staying power over several weeks—are more important than a big first Friday. It only cost $35 million but is heading toward $250 million. That’s a much bigger "win" for a studio than a $200 million blockbuster that crashes in its second week.
Second, watch the international markets. If you want to know if a franchise will get a sequel, look at the numbers in China, France, and Germany. That’s where the real decisions are made now.
Actionable Box Office Insights
- Track the Multiplier: Take the total gross and divide it by the opening weekend. A multiplier of 3.0 or higher usually means the movie has great word-of-mouth.
- Watch the Budget-to-Gross Ratio: A movie generally needs to make 2.5 times its production budget to start seeing a profit.
- Follow Independent Success: Keep an eye on studios like A24. Their movie Marty Supreme just beat Uncut Gems records, showing that there is still a massive audience for original stories that don't involve capes or lightsabers.
The landscape is shifting toward fewer, bigger movies. The "middle class" of film is disappearing, replaced by giant events that dominate the list of top grossing movies. Whether that's good for art is up for debate, but for the accountants in Burbank, the path forward is clear: go big or stay home.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the weekly international updates for Avatar: Fire and Ash through the end of February. It will likely settle in as the third or fourth highest-grossing film of all time by the time its theatrical run concludes. You should also mark December 18, 2026, on your calendar, as that’s when Avengers: Doomsday will likely make its bid to reset the entire all-time list.