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