In a world where every new blockbuster promises 'unprecedented' box office numbers, true record-breakers remain rare. We’ve gathered 7 films that managed to rewrite cinema history, fill theaters, and leave a cultural mark. And yes — the top spot still belongs to that one James Cameron film.
Avatar (2009)
Box office: $2,923,710,708
When Avatar premiered in 2009, no one expected blue humanoids to become a global obsession. Cameron didn’t just show us Pandora — he built an entirely new reality that millions wanted to live in. The result? Nearly $3 billion and a podium untouched even by the Avengers.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Box office: $2,799,439,100
A cinematic finale to an era: 11 years, 22 films, one Thanos snap. Audiences cried, applauded, watched it twice. And still, it fell just short of overtaking Avatar. But in terms of emotion — the ending was the decade’s climax.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Box office: $2,320,250,281
Cameron proved once again: technology and beauty defeat cynicism. Underwater worlds, environmental themes, and family drama — viewers returned to Pandora with the same wonder. Not a record-breaker, but a well-earned bronze.
Titanic (1997)
Box office: $2,264,812,968
A classic that doesn’t age. Tears, romance, a technical breakthrough, and Leonardo DiCaprio becoming half the world’s heartthrob. Titanic sinks — and we’ve been crying for over 25 years.
Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King (2025)
Box office: $2,170,520,000
A phenomenon of Chinese animation that the West discovered unexpectedly. Mythology, magic, perfect New Year timing — and explosive success. No, it’s not Disney, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Box office: $2,071,310,218
Old Jedi, new faces, and millions of fans longing for a galaxy far, far away. Sure, the plot recycled old beats, but does it matter — when Vader’s breathing echoes once again?
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Box office: $2,052,415,039
Thanos’s first strike, the first vanishing heroes, the first shock. This film changed how we view superhero cinema. It wasn’t just a box office hit — it stunned, scared, and left audiences in awe.
