Rank Title (distributor) Release date Total gross Adj. dom. gross
1 Gone With the Wind (MGM)**.1939 $193,597,756....$863,287,953
2 Star Wars (Fox)**................5/25/77 $460,935,665.....$774,992,216
3 E.T. (Univ)**.......................6/11/82 $399,804,539.....$594,267,291
4 The Ten Commandm.....(Para) 1956 $65,500,000.....$572,470,000
5 The Sound of Music (Fox)........1965 $163,214,286....$570,597,144
6 Jaws (Univ).........................6/20/75 $260,000,000....$559,704,433
7 Doctor Zhivago (MGM)............1965 $111,721,910....$542,471,941
8 Titanic (Para)....................12/19/97 $515,262,530....$515,262,530

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 01, 1998

Answers

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

(**) indicates re-releases.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 01, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

"Titanic" should end up ranking third on this list.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 01, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

Hey Dan thanks for the info. I always hear about the gross adjustment.....But What do you think of this theory. They say that GWTW has the highes earning, But I believe that these people are just taking all the money at 1939 economy and converting it to 1998's economy. unless ther'e just counting ticket sales, video rentals, rereseases or whatever,( then you have to look at it this way). If say in 1939 the cost of going to the theatre was (.25) but thru the decades (1940's 50's and so on) the cost went to 1.00 and higher, than I think their figures are off, cause they have to take into consideration the comming years economy. I'm sorry if it got to confusing, but I hope you can figureout what i'm trying to say.

-- jesse fontes (jestercw@gte.net), April 01, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

To be honest, I don't believe in these figures myself any further than being a mathematical exercise . I understand that there is inflation and prices change. I also understand that a dollar from 1939 could probably buy as much as a bunch of them today. However, my problem with the pure application of this inflation adjustment is the fact that it neglects other social aspects like the inter-temorality and choice. In 1939, to take the case of Gone With the Wind movie, there were no VCRs around or video-games or computers. Not to mention the cable TV and the possibility of having a movie in your own home. Same for the videotapes. Social choices for going out were not as many as today. If you had a few bucks back then you could go to the movies, to a bar or to the restaurant. Today, we have many more options in spending on entertainment. We should also add tougher family rules for the young people and going to the movies back then could well be an excuse for a date. You know what I mean... Therefore, this statistic, as revealing as it might be, should be amended somehow for other things that are not purely economic, only indirectly, referring to choice. I only posted it because people want to compare how movies perform at box office and this is just another way to put it. Biased as it is.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 01, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

Consider also that GWTW was rereleased many **many** times between 1939 and the late 70s - early 80s. "The Ten Commandments" was also rereleased a number of times. Also, many popular films played in the theaters for a year or more (I recall "The Sound of Music" played in one theater here in OKC for **two years** straight!).

Cheers!

-- Kip Henry (kip-henry@ouhsc.edu), April 01, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

Yes Kip, you're right. Some of these movies were re-released...

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 02, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

I have one thing to say: BRING BACK THE DRIVE_INS!!!!

Regards, Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), April 02, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

HI!

I was just wondering if any internation figures were available.

-- Jackie (jackiemacrae@hotmail.com), April 02, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

that should say international....

-- Jackie (jackiemacrae@hotmail.com), April 02, 1998.

Response to All-time adjusted for inflation Box Office

There should be some international statistics but I don't know where to get them from. The only thing I know is that currently "Titanic" has more than $815 million abroad (after the Oscar night) and $517 million in North America as of Tuesday night. That puts the total at $1.332 billion. With or w/o inflation, "Titanic" should be #1 international movie.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 02, 1998.