The Most Popular Box Office Movie: A Definitive Ranking

Choose the Blockbuster you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 07:52
Welcome to StrawPoll, the ultimate hub for movie fanatics and box office enthusiasts! We're calling on all film lovers to help us determine the most popular box office movie of all time. From action-packed blockbusters to heartwarming rom-coms, we've curated a diverse list of cinematic masterpieces for you to rank and vote on. Will the magic of Avatar reign supreme or will the superhero charm of the Avengers conquer all? The power is in your hands! But wait - don't see your all-time favorite on the list? No worries! You can suggest a missing option and rally your fellow movie buffs to vote for it. So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let the cinematic showdown begin as you explore our rankings, cast your votes, and discover if your favorite flicks have what it takes to top the charts at StrawPoll!

What Is the Most Popular Box Office Movie? (September 2023)

  1. 1
    59
    votes
    Endgame earned over $2.79 billion at the box office. It was the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first 22 films, bringing together beloved characters and concluding major storylines.
    Description
    Avengers: Endgame is the highest-grossing film of all time, with an epic culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film follows the Avengers as they seek to undo the damage caused by Thanos in the previous installment, Avengers: Infinity War. Packed with action, emotional moments, and fan-favorite characters, Avengers: Endgame delivers a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the decade-long saga.
    • Release Date: April 26, 2019
    • Running Time: 181 minutes
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
    • Production Company: Marvel Studios
    • Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
  2. 2
    34
    votes

    Avatar

    James Cameron
    James Cameron's sci-fi epic Avatar held the title of highest-grossing film for a decade, earning over $2.79 billion at the box office. Its stunning visual effects and immersive world-building captivated audiences worldwide.
    Description
    Avatar is a science fiction film set in the mid-22nd century. It follows the story of a paraplegic marine named Jake Sully, who is sent to replace his late twin brother on the distant moon Pandora. There, he becomes part of the Avatar Program, which enables humans to remotely control bioengineered bodies called avatars. As Jake begins to immerse himself in the local Na'vi culture, he becomes torn between his duty as a human and his allegiance to the Na'vi people.
    • Release Date: December 18, 2009
    • Runtime: 162 minutes
    • Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
    • Director: James Cameron
    • Writer: James Cameron
    Avatar in other rankings
  3. 3
    21
    votes

    Titanic

    James Cameron
    Also directed by James Cameron, the romantic epic Titanic was a sensation upon its release in 1997. It earned over $2.19 billion at the box office and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
    Description
    Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.
    • Release date: December 19, 1997
    • Running time: 195 minutes
    • Budget: $200 million
    • Box office: $2.2 billion
    • Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart
    Titanic in other rankings
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens
    Wiki · Public domain
    The seventh installment in the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens brought back beloved characters like Han Solo and Princess Leia while introducing new heroes like Rey and Finn. It earned over $2.06 billion at the box office.
    Description
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an epic science fiction film released in 2015. It is the seventh installment in the Star Wars franchise and the first in the sequel trilogy. The movie takes place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi and follows a new generation of heroes as they face the dark forces of the First Order.
    • Release Date: December 18, 2015
    • Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
    • Runtime: 138 minutes
    • Budget: $245 million
    • Box Office: $2.068 billion
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Endgame, Infinity War brought together dozens of Marvel characters in a battle against the villainous Thanos. It earned over $2.04 billion at the box office.
    Description
    Avengers: Infinity War is a superhero film released in 2018. It is the predecessor to Avengers: Endgame. The movie brings together iconic Marvel superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and many others. They unite to battle against the powerful and ruthless Thanos, who is on a mission to collect all the six Infinity Stones and wipe out half of the universe's population. This epic battle leads to dramatic consequences and leaves the fate of the universe hanging in the balance.
    • Release Year: 2018
    • Movie Length: 149 minutes
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
    • Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
    • Producer(s): Kevin Feige
  6. 6
    7
    votes

    Jurassic World

    Colin Trevorrow
    The fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World revived the series with a new cast of characters and a thrilling, action-packed story. It earned over $1.67 billion at the box office.
    Description
    Jurassic World is a blockbuster movie that revolves around the reopening of the Jurassic Park theme park on Isla Nublar. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, it serves as a direct sequel to the original Jurassic Park film. The movie follows a new set of characters as they discover the consequences of creating genetically modified hybrid dinosaurs for public display.
    • Release Date: June 12, 2015
    • Genre: Action/Adventure
    • Running Time: 124 minutes
    • Production Company: Amblin Entertainment
    • Distributor: Universal Pictures
  7. 7
    0
    votes

    The Lion King (2019)

    Directed by Jon Favreau
    A live-action remake of the beloved animated classic, The Lion King (2019) brought the story of Simba and his animal friends to life with stunning visual effects. It earned over $1.65 billion at the box office.
    Description
    The Lion King (2019) is a live-action/CGI reimagining of Disney's animated film of the same name, released in 1994. It is a musical film that tells the story of a young lion prince named Simba, who must reclaim his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands after the murder of his father by his uncle. With stunning visuals and updated technology, the film brings the beloved characters to life in a whole new way.
    • Genre: Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musical
    • Budget: $260 million
    • Box Office: $1.656 billion
    • Cast: Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, James Earl Jones, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver
    • Music: Hans Zimmer (Score), Elton John (Songs)
    The Lion King (2019) in other rankings
  8. 8
    7
    votes

    The Avengers

    Joss Whedon
    The first Avengers film brought together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and other Marvel heroes for the first time, paving the way for the MCU's massive success. It earned over $1.52 billion at the box office.
    Description
    The Avengers is a superhero film released in 2012, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The movie brings together Marvel's iconic superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, as they join forces to save the Earth from the villainous Loki.
    • Release Date: April 11, 2012 (Los Angeles premiere)
    • Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
    • Director: Joss Whedon
    • Screenplay: Joss Whedon
    • Production Company: Marvel Studios
    The Avengers in other rankings
  9. 9
    11
    votes

    Furious 7

    Directed by James Wan
    The seventh installment in the Fast and Furious franchise, Furious 7 was a tribute to the late Paul Walker and featured thrilling car chases and action sequences. It earned over $1.51 billion at the box office.
    Description
    Furious 7 is an action film that serves as the seventh installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. The story follows Dominic Toretto and his crew as they face off against a mercenary named Deckard Shaw, who seeks revenge for the death of his brother. Alongside the intense action sequences, the movie also explores themes of family, friendship, and redemption. The film was released in 2015 and received positive reviews for its thrilling action, emotional moments, and tribute to the late Paul Walker.
    • Running Time: 137 minutes
    • Box Office Revenue: $1.5 billion
    • Production Company: Universal Pictures
    • Main Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez
    • Music: Brian Tyler
  10. 10
    11
    votes

    Frozen II

    Walt Disney Animation Studios
    The sequel to the beloved animated musical, Frozen II continued the adventures of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf while introducing new characters and songs. It earned over $1.45 billion at the box office.
    Description
    Frozen II is a fantasy animated musical film and a sequel to the highly successful 2013 movie, Frozen. The story follows Elsa, the Snow Queen, and her sister Anna, as they embark on a dangerous but remarkable journey to discover the truth about Elsa's magical powers and the history of their kingdom, Arendelle. Along with their friends Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, they venture beyond the borders of their kingdom to an ancient enchanted forest where they must face the challenges of the past to save their present and future.
    • Film Release Date: November 22, 2019
    • Genre: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Musical
    • Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
    • Producer: Peter Del Vecho
    • Screenplay: Jennifer Lee

Missing your favorite Blockbuster?

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Ranking factors for popular box office movie

  1. Budget
    Consider the budget allocated for the movie, as this can provide context for its success. A high box office revenue for a low-budget movie may indicate a higher level of popularity in proportion to its investment.
  2. Release date
    Take into account the release date of the movie, as this can affect the box office rankings due to economic factors, competition, or seasonal preferences. Older movies, for example, might have lower total revenues compared to modern ones due to differences in ticket prices and accessibility.
  3. Ticket sales
    The number of tickets sold can provide insight into how many people actually watched the movie in theaters, indicating the popularity of a film.
  4. Critic and audience reviews
    Critic and audience reviews, as well as ratings on websites such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, can provide an indication of the film's reception and popularity.
  5. Awards and nominations
    Evaluate the film's recognition through awards and nominations, such as Oscars and Golden Globes. These accolades can help determine a movie's popularity among both audiences and experts in the film industry.
  6. Cultural impact
    Analyze the movie's contribution to pop culture and its influence on other works, trends, and even language. A film that has left a lasting impact on society may indicate its popularity.
  7. Genre
    Consider the genre of a film when comparing and ranking, as certain genres may perform better at the box office due to audience preferences during specific periods or in specific regions.
  8. Star power
    The involvement of famous actors, actresses, and directors can draw more viewers to a movie, increasing its box office success.
  9. Marketing and promotion
    Sometimes, strong marketing and promotional efforts can propel a movie to greater box office performance, indicating higher popularity among audiences. Evaluate the visibility of a film's promotional activities and their reach to the target demographic.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular box office movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite Blockbuster is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

  • 1874 views
  • 187 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Blockbuster once every 24 hours. The rank of each Blockbuster is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.


More information on most popular box office movie

Box office movies have always been a popular form of entertainment for people of all ages. These movies have the power to take us to a different world, to evoke emotions we never knew existed, and to leave us with lasting memories. Over the years, the box office has seen some truly iconic movies that have captured the hearts of millions around the world. From epic dramas to action-packed adventures, there is no shortage of amazing box office films out there. So, what is the most popular box office movie of all time? Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders and find out!