Source: Box Office Mojo | First Showing
I never thought I’d see this day. For years, James Cameron’s Titanic held the record for highest grossing movie of all time worldwide. (not adjusted for inflation). Today, Cameron beats his own record with his latest film, Avatar.
For twelve years, Titanic stayed on top with $1.843 billion worldwide. Now, Avatar has claimed the throne with $1.844 billion, just above Titanic, after adding on its earnings from this weekend and Monday. Avatar still has yet to beat Titanic in the U.S., but considering how it has stayed #1 at the box office for the last month and a half, it is well on its way.
Much of this has to do with the more expensive ticket prices for IMAX and 3-D. Personally, I have the feeling that Avatar wouldn’t have made nearly as much money if it weren’t for the incredible 3-D experience it provides. While the special effects without the 3-D are still amazing, it is the 3-D that is putting butts in the seats and keeping them coming. People know they are getting the most bang for their buck when they cough up the dough to see this film. Hopefully the folks behind the Blu-ray/DVD release of the film retain the 3-D aspect of the film, otherwise I’m afraid it just won’t be nearly as exciting.
Of course, the all-time domestic box office chart adjusted for inflation shows that Avatar is only #26 behind films like the original Star Wars, The Sound of Music, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, etc. – with Gone with the Wind ranking #1. It is highly unlikely that it will claim the #1 spot for the adjusted all-time domestic gross. Not even Titanic did that.
But never say never. Avatar claimed the #1 all-time worldwide box office gross in just six weeks. It took Titanic months and months of staying in theaters to earn the amount of money it did. Normally, it either takes staying power like what Titanic had, or numerous theatrical re-releases like what the original Star Wars had to beat box office records like this.
Even with high ticket prices for 3-D, this is still an amazing accomplishment. While I think both Avatar and Titanic are highly overrated, I am glad that a film in the sci-fi/fantasy genre has claimed the top spot. I just wish it was one of The Lord of the Rings films.
