From Avatar to Avengers: Top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time

Source: IMDb Pro-Box Office Mojo

1. Avatar (2009)

Avatar (2009) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by James Cameron Avatar is a groundbreaking sci-fi fantasy film. Set in the mid-22nd century, when humans are colonising Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system.

The film explores themes of environmentalism, imperialism, and the clash between technology and nature, captivating audiences worldwide with its stunning visuals and immersive storytelling.

2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame (2019) (Credit: IMDb)

A superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, Avengers: Endgame is the direct sequel to Avengers: Infinity War in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The movie picks up after the devastating events of Infinity War, where the villain Thanos wiped out half of all life in the universe using the Infinity Stones. Concluding the Infinity Saga, the remaining Avengers and their allies grapple with their loss and devise a plan to reverse Thanos’s actions.

3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) (credit: IMDb)

James Cameron’s sequel, the movie is set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar. It continues the story of the Na’vi people and their interactions with human colonisers on the planet Pandora.

As Jake and Neytiri navigate parenthood while protecting Pandora from human encroachment, the film showcases the aquatic ecosystems of Pandora. Incorporating new techniques to capture actors’ performances underwater, the film’s visual effects further demonstrate Cameron’s prowess in visual storytelling.

4. Titanic (1997)

Titanic (1997) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by James Cameron, Titanic is an epic disaster love story that integrates both historical and fictionalised aspects of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

It follows Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), two passengers from different social classes who fall in love aboard the ill-fated ship.

The film’s emotional narrative and iconic characters, portrayed by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, have made it a beloved classic.

5. Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by J.J. Abrams, The Force Awakens—the seventh instalment of Star Wars—is an epic space opera film that revived the Star Wars franchise. Set approximately thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the film follows a new generation of characters alongside familiar faces from the original trilogy.

The story revolves around Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, who team up with Han Solo and Chewbacca to find the missing Luke Skywalker and combat the rising threat of the First Order, led by Kylo Ren.

6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) (credit: IMDb)

A superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, Avengers: Infinity War follows the story of the Avengers and their allies attempting to stop the powerful villain Thanos from collecting all six Infinity Stones, as he seeks to use the stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, believing this will bring balance and prosperity.

7. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by Jon Watts, the sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home is a superhero film directed by Jon Watts, based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man.

It brings together past and present Spider-Man actors in a thrilling multiverse storyline that explores the consequences of Peter Parker’s identity being revealed and the arrival of villains from alternate universes. It has received widespread acclaim for its action, emotional depth, and nostalgic elements.

8. Jurassic World (2015)

Jurassic World (2015) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, Jurassic World is a science fiction action-adventure film, serving as the fourth instalment and a reboot of the Jurassic Park franchise, following Jurassic Park III (2001).

The story is set 22 years after the original Jurassic Park, which is now a completely operational theme park, thereby fulfilling John Hammond’s original dream. Now known as Jurassic World, where genetic engineering has created a new hybrid dinosaur, which ultimately escapes its enclosure, leading to chaos and destruction.

The film combines nostalgia, as it received positive reviews for its thrilling action sequences and visual effects.

9. The Lion King (2019)

The Lion King (2019) (credit: IMDb)

A musical drama film directed by Jon Favreau is a photorealistic remake of the classic Disney animated film Lion King in 1994. The story follows Simba, a young lion who idolises his father, King Mufasa. However, following the treachery of his uncle Scar, Mufasa’s brother, Simba, is exiled from his kingdom. As he grows up, he learns about responsibility and bravery and ultimately returns to reclaim his rightful place as king.

10. The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers (2012) (credit: IMDb)

Directed by Joss Whedon, The Avengers marked a significant milestone in cinematic history as the first major superhero ensemble film. The film follows Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organisation S.H.I.E.L.D., who recruits Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to form a team capable of stopping Thor’s brother Loki from subjugating Earth. Loki obtains the powerful Tesseract and uses it to build an army of aliens to conquer the planet.