Essay, Research Paper: Bilingual Education

Americans visit the movies everyday in search of a couple hours filled with mind
blowing entertainment. Is it the digitally re-mastered sound, the out-of-this-world special
effects, or tear jerker dramas? New movies are released every week, but what movies are
the top grossing movies of all time? What is it that got these movies to the top twenty?
The following is a list of the top twenty grossing movies of all time:
Movie Year Total Gross (Millions)
1. Titanic 1997 $601
2. Star Wars 1977 $461
3. Star Wars: Episode I 1999 $431
4. E.T. 1982 $400
5. Jurassic Park 1993 $357
6. Forest Gump 1994 $329
7. Lion King, The 1994 $313
8. Star Wars: Episode VI 1983 $309
9. Independence Day 1996 $305
10. Sixth Sense, The 1999 $294
11. Star Wars: Episode V 1980 $290
12. Home Alone 1990 $286
13. Jaws 1975 $260
14. Batman 1989 $251
15. Men In Black 1997 $250
16. Toy Story 2 1999 $246
17. Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 $242
18. Twister 1996 $240
19. Ghostbusters 1984 $239
20. Beverly Hills Cop 1984 $235
As more and more movies release, what type of movies make it to the top twenty?
Judging from the top twenty list, about 60% of the top twenty can be considered Action
movies. A majority of the movies in the top twenty are Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi. 40% can
be considered Horror/Thriller movies, and only a mere four movies out of twenty can be
considered a Comedy. Americans would find more enjoyment from an Action packed
Sci-Fi Thriller than a family fun Comedy.
The Top Twenty Grossing Movie list is made by highest grossing point, which
means total money made. Each decade more and more movies reach the top twenty. In
the top twenty, 2 movies released in the 70’s, 7 from the 80’s, and 11 from the 90’s. A
major factor that caused this is inflation. The #1 Top Grossing Movie, Titanic, topped off
at $601 million, each movie ticket for Titanic was around $5-$8 per ticket. Lets say that
Gone With the Wind, #31 on the Top Grossing Movie List, was released at the same time
Titanic was, instead of 1939. The total gross sales for Gone With the Wind would top the
charts destroying Titanic. Inflation has such an impact on the list , maybe the list should
be based on an equal inflation.
Not many sequels ever make it to the top twenty. One set of sequels in particular
had all of its sequels in the top twenty list. All of Star Wars sequels have made it to the
top twenty, and two of the movies take #2 and #3 on the list. The only Sequels to make it
to the top twenty, besides Star Wars, is Toy Story 2. Americans do not seem to be
attracted to sequels as much as an original movie.
Many factors, such as types of movies, story line, and sequels, go into the Top 20
All-Time Grossing Films list , but none effect it clearly as much as inflation.


Word Count: 512