5 Highest-Grossing (& 5 Lowest-Grossing) US Box Office Films On The IMDb Top 250 List
There are hundreds of films being released every year. Some of them succeed both critically and commercially while others end in disaster - which often results in their creators' careers being either ruined completely or damaged enough to die quickly afterward.
But does commercial or critical success define a film? Many movies have been re-evaluated over the years and even become classics despite their initial status as a disappointment.
10 Highest: The Lion King (1994) - $422,78 million
It's no surprise that one of Disney's most well-known animated feature films is on the list. After all, The Lion King was considered the highest-grossing animated film of all time for quite a while (and its 2019 remake is the highest-grossing animated film at the moment).
To put it simply, this is Shakespeare's Hamlet in Africa with talking lions as the main characters. But the story is not the only great element - it's also the voice acting, John Williams' soundtrack and Elton John's songs, the animation, and so much more.
9 Lowest: All About Eve (1950) - $63,463
Though now widely considered one of the greatest films of all time and a definitive classic, All About Eve didn't earn a lot at the US box office. Yet, this Joseph L. Mankiewicz drama will stay in history and will be watched by generations to come.
Based on the 1946 short story The Wisdom of Eve, it tells the story of Margo Channing (played by Bette Davis) who is an aging but respected Hollywood star. Her big fan Eve Harrington (played by Anne Baxter) gradually slithers into Margo's life threatening her career and personal relationships.
8 Highest: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - $448,14 million
The Dark Knight Rises is one of two Christopher Nolan films that are among the top five highest-grossing US box office films. It is the third installment in The Dark Knight trilogy which is beloved by fans and widely considered to be an example of high-quality superhero films.
The story continues with Bruce Wayne (played by Christian Bale) being depressed because of his failures as Batman. But once a new threat in the face of Bane (played by Tom Hardy) appears in Gotham, Bruce must put on the mask and fight again.
7 Lowest: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - $21,877
This French silent historical film is considered a landmark of cinema for several reasons: its production, Carl Theodor Dreyer's direction, and Renee Jeanne Falconetti's performance. Falconetti's Joan of Arc, in particular, is considered one of the best performances in history.
The story is obviously based on the actual record of the trial of Joan of Arc who, by the way, wasn't even an aristocrat but had her life pretty well-documented as for someone living in the 15th century. The film focuses on her time as a prisoner in England, her trial, and execution.
6 Highest: The Dark Knight (2008) - $535,23 million
The third-highest-grossing US box office film in history is another Nolan masterpiece - The Dark Knight. So much has been said about it that it is hard to add anything to the discussion except that it probably deserved more awards at the time of its release.
In the film, Bruce Wayne forms an alliance with Police Lieutenant James Gordon (played by Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart) to fight Gotham's organized crime, but a much bigger threat appears on the horizon - the Joker (played by Heath Ledger).
5 Lowest: City Lights (1931) - $19,181
It's strange knowing that one of the greatest comedies of the silent era and one of the best works of Charlie Chaplin's is actually one of the lowest-grossing US box office films of all time. But what one could expect from an old movie like this one?
Nevertheless, the story of City Lights still captivates the viewers. Chaplin's The Tramp falls in love with a blind girl and develops a turbulent friendship with a local alcoholic millionaire.
4 Highest: Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - $678,82 million
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is breaking box office records every year, so it seems only fitting that the second-highest-grossing film of all time is 2018's Avengers: Infinity War. It certainly deserved this and, by some accounts, was even better than its sequel.
Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Revengers have to unite to defeat the biggest enemy they have ever had to face - Thanos. But they might not be prepared for the power the Mad Titan holds.
3 Lowest: Memories of Murder (2003) - $15,357
Most of the lowest-grossing films are bound to be the old ones, but this is clearly not the case with Memories of Murder which is a notable exception on this list. Another peculiar thing about it is that it is a South Korean film directed by the now-famous Bong Joon-ho whose Parasite won numerous awards - including Best Picture - at the last Academy Awards.
Much like David Fincher's Zodiac, this film (spoilers) doesn't determine who the murderer was. But that's not important, because what really matters is how the characters try to solve the case and how the film itself is loosely based on the first serial murders in Korea's history.
2 Highest: Avengers: Endgame (2019) - $858,37 million
And, of course, the highest-grossing US box office film of all time is none other than Avengers: Endgame. No matter what one's opinion of it is, there is no denying that this was the biggest event film of the past two decades if not in the history of cinema.
After their defeat in Avengers: Infinity War, the remaining superheroes must gather their efforts to go back in time, collect the Infinity Stones and try to fight Thanos again to return those who vanished because of the Snap.
1 Lowest: Dial M for Murder (1954) - $12,562
Alfred Hitchcock might be considered one of the best directors of all time, but that doesn't save his films from performing not-that-well at the box office. That being said, Dial M for Murder is still a classic which, unfortunately, was late to the 1950s 3-D trend at the time of its release.
The story follows a tennis player who arranges for his wife to be murdered after learning that she is having an affair. Even now, it is Hitchcock's fifth highest-rated film on IMDb after Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo, and North by Northwest.