The Most Successful R-rated Movie, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 1, 2024 06:58

In a sea of movies, those labeled with an R-rating possess a unique flair, often bringing to life complex characters, intricate plots, and deeply resonant themes. With so much diversity in storytelling and genre, it can be challenging for cinema fans to pinpoint which of these films have truly captivated audiences and which stand the test of time. By creating a community-driven ranking system, viewers have the power to cast their votes for the R-rated movies that have left the most significant impact on them. This process not only helps to identify which films resonate the most with a diverse audience but also encourages a broader discussion about the qualities that make these movies remarkable.

What Is the Most Successful R-rated Movie?

1

79
votes
Joker (2019)

With a worldwide box office gross of over $1 billion, Joker is the most successful R-rated movie of all time. It received critical acclaim for Joaquin Phoenix's performance as the titular character and its exploration of mental illness and societal issues.
Joker (2019) is a psychological thriller film that explores the origins of the iconic DC Comics supervillain Joker. It focuses on Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who descends into madness and chaos, becoming the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

Release Date: October 4, 2019

Director: Todd Phillips

Writers: Todd Phillips, Scott Silver

Main Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama
2

31
votes
Deadpool (2016)

Starring Ryan Reynolds as the foul-mouthed anti-hero, Deadpool became a surprise hit with its irreverent humor and over-the-top violence. It grossed over $780 million worldwide and spawned a sequel.
Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is directed by Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, a wisecracking mercenary with accelerated healing powers. The film follows Deadpool's transformation from a former Special Forces operative into a vigilante who seeks revenge on the man who disfigured him while also trying to save his girlfriend. Known for its irreverent humor, self-awareness, and graphic violence, Deadpool offers a unique and unconventional take on the superhero genre.

Release Date: February 12, 2016

Running Time: 1 hour and 48 minutes

Genre: Action, comedy, superhero

Production Company: 20th Century Fox, Marvel Entertainment, The Donners' Company, TSG Entertainment, Kinberg Genre

Budget: $58 million
3

33
votes
The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Mel Gibson

Directed by Mel Gibson, this controversial film depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a massive box office success, grossing over $611 million worldwide. It was praised for its technical achievements and criticized for its perceived anti-Semitic themes.
The Passion of the Christ (2004) is a highly acclaimed religious drama film depicting the final hours of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament of the Bible. The film primarily focuses on the intense sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus, with an emphasis on his life, teachings, and sacrifice. It was directed by Mel Gibson and written by Gibson and Benedict Fitzgerald.

Release Date: February 25, 2004

Genre: Religious drama

Runtime: 126 minutes

Language: Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew

Box Office: $622.3 million
The Passion of the Christ (2004) in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Jesus movie
4

19
votes
Jamie Zawinski (program); Church of emacs (screenshot) · Attribution

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The Wachowskis

The second installment in the Matrix trilogy, Reloaded grossed over $742 million worldwide. It continued the story of Neo's battle against the machines and introduced new characters and concepts.
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 science fiction action film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy. It was written and directed by the Wachowskis.

Release Date: May 15, 2003

Runtime: 138 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction, Action

Rating: R

Box Office: $742.1 million
5

18
votes
Diseñadores publicitarios · Public domain

The Hangover (2009)

Directed by Todd Phillips

This comedy about a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas was a surprise hit, grossing over $467 million worldwide. It spawned two sequels and helped launch the careers of its stars.
The Hangover (2009) is a comedy film that follows the misadventures of four friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning with no memory of the previous night and a missing groom. As they try to retrace their steps and find their friend, they encounter hilarious obstacles and uncover shocking surprises along the way.

Release Date: June 5, 2009

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 100 minutes

Language: English

Country: United States
The Hangover (2009) in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular comedy movie of all time
6

7
votes
Cygomezm · Public domain

American Sniper (2014)

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, American Sniper tells the story of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $547 million worldwide.
American Sniper is a biographical war film released in 2014. It tells the story of Chris Kyle, a United States Navy SEAL sniper with the most confirmed kills in U.S. military history. The film explores Kyle's struggles with the effects of war on his mental health and his efforts to readjust to civilian life.

Release date: December 25, 2014

Genre: Biography, Drama, War

Running time: 133 minutes

Box office: $547.4 million

IMDb rating: 7.3/10
7

10
votes
It (2017)

Based on the Stephen King novel, It follows a group of kids who are terrorized by a shape-shifting monster. It grossed over $700 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing horror movie of all time.
It (2017) is a horror film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Stephen King. It is the first installment in a two-part film series, with the second part released in 2019. The movie follows a group of seven children in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, as they are terrorized by a malevolent entity that takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. As they face their fears, they must confront the ancient evil that has haunted their town for centuries.

Release Date: September 8, 2017

Running Time: 135 minutes

Genre: Horror

MPAA Rating: R

Production Company: New Line Cinema, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment, Lin Pictures, KatzSmith Productions
8

15
votes
300 (2006)

This epic about the Battle of Thermopylae was praised for its stylized visuals and action sequences. It grossed over $456 million worldwide and spawned a sequel.
300 is a 2006 epic war film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. The film depicts the Battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans and Persians in 480 BC. It highlights the courage and determination of King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors as they face overwhelming odds.

Box Office: $456.1 million

Budget: $65 million

Release Date: 9 March 2006

Runtime: 117 minutes

Genre: Action, Historical, War
9

7
votes
SDC at English Wikipedia · Public domain

The Exorcist (1973)

Directed by William Friedkin

This horror classic about a young girl possessed by a demon was a massive box office success, grossing over $441 million worldwide. It has become a cultural touchstone and remains one of the most influential horror movies of all time.
The Exorcist (1973) is a horror film that has become a classic Halloween movie. It tells the story of a young girl named Regan who becomes possessed by a demonic entity. Her mother, along with two priests, tries to save her through an exorcism. The film is known for its intense and horrifying scenes and has been hailed as one of the scariest movies ever made.

Release Date: December 26, 1973

Running Time: 122 minutes

Genre: Horror

Language: English

Country: United States
The Exorcist (1973) in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular horror movie of all time
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Warner Bros. movie
10

14
votes
Siebbi · CC BY 3.0

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Martin Scorsese

Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street tells the story of a stockbroker's rise and fall. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $392 million worldwide.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is a biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. The film chronicles Belfort's rise to a wealthy stockbroker living a luxurious lifestyle, as well as his fall involving widespread corruption and illegal activities.

Release Year: 2013

Genre: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 180 minutes

Language: English

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Ranking factors for successful movie

Box office performance

This refers to the movie's gross revenue and ticket sales at the box office.
Critical reception

This includes the movie's overall critical acclaim, its rating on review aggregator websites such as Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, and any major awards or nominations.
Cultural impact

This includes the movie's impact on popular culture, its influence on other movies and media, and its lasting legacy.
Audience reception

This refers to the movie's overall popularity and fanbase, as well as audience reviews and ratings on websites such as IMDb.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful R-rated movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1407 views
230 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most successful r-rated movie

When it comes to movies, the rating system plays a crucial role in determining the target audience and the content that can be shown on screen. One of the most popular ratings is the R-rating, which indicates that the movie is intended for mature audiences only. Despite the limitations that come with this rating, many R-rated movies have become box office hits and cultural phenomena. From gritty dramas to raunchy comedies, R-rated movies have pushed boundaries and challenged audiences for decades. So, what is the most successful R-rated movie? Let's take a closer look at the contenders and the factors that make them stand out.