Avatar Becomes Top Grossing Film of All Time

[lost]

http://evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/movies/avatar_movie_poster.jpg

I can honestly say that I never expected Avatar, James Cameron's sci-fi epic, to overtake Titanic, James Cameron's Irish people on a boat epic, to become the top grossing film of all time but it's just gone ahead and done it! As long as you don't account for inflation or increased ticket cost...

Avatar's worldwide takings in just six weeks stand at $1.859bn (£1.15bn), versus Titanic's $1.843bn (£1.14bn).

The figures are not adjusted for inflation or the higher cost of Avatar's 3D film tickets.

Director James Cameron holds the remarkable distinction of directing both the world's top grossing movies.

Titanic, which starred Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, set a new box office record during its release in 1997-1998.

More at BBC News. (http://evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/movies/avatar_movie_poster.jpg)

So, does it count? If you apply the inflation rules it comes in at 26th.

[mattlreese]

Its still going to be in the theater for another month, my bet it will end up in the top 10 with the ajustments.

#26 is still pretty good

[Johan]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy (Cameron).*

Oh, wait...it could. Like, Mephistopheles, even. :D

[automaton]

It counts. Lists don't take inflation into account.

[saulob]

2 billions? When? This will be hard to top.

[Phinor]

"So, does it count? If you apply the inflation rules it comes in at 26th."

Inflation adjusted lists don't take other factors into account such as there's more entertainment available now than ever before making it harder to attract people to see your movie. There's now VHS/DVD/Blu-Ray, TV and TV channels, Internet, that all make it harder to get your movie seen. Obviously it works the other way too, marketing is now easier than it was 70+ years ago, but then again, movies have to make their box office money in 1-2 months now when previously a movie could pop in and out of theaters every few years for decades.

Whatever list you decide to follow, it has flaws in it. Whether it's with or without inflation, tickets sold, they are all flawed in the big picture. I'm just surprised Titanic has been beaten in non-inflation adjusted box office and by a scifi/adventure movie at that. I just hope they don't water down the inevitable sequels but actually improve now that they have their world introduction complete.

[Kapinator]

I think the original Star Wars has sold the most seats.

[Nainz]

I think the original Star Wars has sold the most seats.

According to Box Office Mojo (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/) Gone with the Wind is #1 and Star Wars is #2.

[CSargeP]

I don't think it'll be close to selling the most seats considering the 3D tickets cost almost twice as much as a normal one.

[Anenome]

No one cares how many seats it's sold. Dollars matter. Focusing on seats it almost as bad/silly as Tea&cakes focusing on %age increases in PS3 sales. If movies makers could sell a single seat to the greatest movie ever made for $5 trillion dollars, they'd do it--should be obvious :P

[Johan]

When you're drowning in money, does the metric you use to determine how big the pile is really matter?

No. They made far more than they spent, easily. It has been a terrific success for the many investors in the film (there were/are many).

[Peelzbury]

I always felt Titantic was overrated. Just took the right kinda movie to dislodge it.

[ThEoRy]

I don't think it'll be close to selling the most seats considering the 3D tickets cost almost twice as much as a normal one.

Nah, in the NY area 3d seats were only $2 or $3 more than 2d seats were at most theaters. Stop exaggerating.

[TekkenZaibatsu]

I always felt Titantic was overrated. Just took the right kinda movie to dislodge it.

"The right kinda movie?" You honestly feel Avatar is a better film than Titanic? :rolleyes:

[Orz]

"The right kinda movie?" You honestly feel Avatar is a better film than Titanic? :rolleyes:

Welcome to the Internet, where no one can offer any opinion other than yours without an /eyeroll.

[Johan]

Welcome to the Internet, where no one can offer any opinion other than yours without an /eyeroll.

Says you.* :rolleyes:

*Har har! Gotcha!

Also, as for which is better (Avatar or Titanic), I'll go with Avatar. Titanic sucked. Avatar was okay. Also, TZ is an idiot. :D

[TekkenZaibatsu]

Welcome to the Internet, where no one can offer any opinion other than yours without an /eyeroll.

Some opinions are irrelevant. It may be taboo to say it, but you fucking know it's true. :p

[Rommel]

While a ticket costs more, the number of theaters able to display the film as many viewers desire to see it are uncommon. Avatar has earned its extra dollars with less available screens and showings of its intended medium than previous record holders.

[Verruckt]

If we take into account inflation than Titanic is Gone With the Wind's little bitch.

So I just don't take inflation into account. It's really only useful to compare over a few years within each other, not 10+.

[SwitchBlade_Jax]

While a ticket costs more, the number of theaters able to display the film as many viewers desire to see it are uncommon. Avatar has earned its extra dollars with less available screens and showings of its intended medium than previous record holders.


Huh? To know if that was true you would need to know how many theatres were showing it in 3D and how many sold out each showing. Let alone how many people got turned away from the sold out shows and if they saw it later in 3D or not.

That's simply a stupid as hell claim to make.

[Paranoia]

Let's taken into account that Gone With The Wind's had unfair advantage whereby back then most people had no alternative form of home entertainment.

[vherub]

too bad there is no unique visitor stat for movies, it would be interesting to see if avatar or titannic had more repeat goers.