The first six months of 2024 have seen domestic box office revenues (US and Canada) plummet by 24% compared to the same period in 2023, according to FilmTake. This has raised serious questions about the future of theatrical releases in the post-lockdown streaming-dominated era. Strike action from writers and actors has also contributed to the problem. If the domestic box office catches a cold, it tends to spread worldwide, and analysts are predicting that the global box office is also set for a significant downturn in 2024.
However, this hasn't always been the case. Using domestic box office data going back to 1977, we've ranked the 30 most successful years for cinema and identified the standout movies that helped to define them. From record-breaking blockbusters to beloved family flicks, read on to discover the top-grossing years in domestic box office history. Figures have been adjusted for inflation to give you an idea of performance in today's money.
All figures sourced from Box Office Mojo. All dollar amounts in US dollars.
The box office has been in a slump since the COVID-19 pandemic, with audiences reluctant to return to the cinema. However, 2023 heralded a turnaround that was largely spurred by "Barbenheimer", the term coined to describe the simultaneous summer releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
The surprise cinematic event enticed moviegoers back to theatres in droves, with many even opting to watch both films back-to-back. Barbie became the highest-grossing film domestically ($636m/£501m) and globally ($1.4bn/£1.1bn), while Oppenheimer claimed the fifth spot in the US ($326m/£257m) and third worldwide ($975m/£769m).
The total domestic box office take for the year was a tidy $8.9 billion (£7bn). However, as we've adjusted pre-2023 figures to account for inflation, 2023 just misses out on our rankings. On to the countdown...
1988 starts our round-up in 30th position. The domestic box office grossed $3.5 billion this year, the equivalent of $9.3 billion (£7.3bn) in 2024 money, with 239 films released theatrically.
Leading the pack was the comedy flick Who Framed Roger Rabbit, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Hailed for its innovation at the time, the film seamlessly blended cartoon characters with real actors and grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $407 million (£320m).
Comedy was clearly the genre of choice for moviegoers in 1988. Other high-grossing movies included the Eddie Murphy-led Coming to America, Robin Williams' Good Morning, Vietnam, Tom Hanks' heartwarming Big, and Crocodile Dundee II, starring Paul Hogan.
The total domestic box office gross was $3.1 billion in 1984, equivalent to $9.4 billion (£7.4bn) in today's money. Of the 169 films released, the five highest-grossing movies of the year all went on to spawn successful franchises.
Ghostbusters, directed by Ivan Reitman, reigned supreme, earning an inflation-adjusted sum of $658 million (£519m). Close behind was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, which grossed the equivalent of $536 million (£423m) in today's money. It was the second instalment in the iconic Indiana Jones series, which today comprises five films.
Rounding out the top five were Joe Dante's horror comedy Gremlins, which inspired a sequel and has long been rumoured to have a third instalment in development; The Karate Kid, directed by John G. Avildsen, which kick-started a franchise that has since been revived with the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai; and Police Academy, a comedy directed by Hugh Wilson that went on to have six sequels.
Many cinematic gems graced the silver screen in 1982, contributing to a US box office gross of a cool $3 billion, equivalent to $9.8 billion (£7.7bn) in 2024 money.
Of the 132 films released that year, the winner by a wide margin was Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The sci-fi classic grossed the equivalent of over $1 billion (£788m) in today's money.
In second place was Raiders of the Lost Ark, also helmed by Spielberg, which launched the iconic Indiana Jones franchise. That calendar year, the film banked over $611 million (£482m) when adjusted for inflation.
Sylvester Stallone's Rocky III scored the third spot, followed by the family drama On Golden Pond, starring Hollywood legends Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda. The Richard Gere-led romance An Officer and a Gentleman completed the top five.
With 247 films released, the US domestic box office raked in a juicy $4.5 billion in 1992, equivalent to $10.1 billion (£8bn) in today's money.
Moviegoers displayed diverse tastes that year, enjoying a mix of action-packed blockbusters and comedy flicks. Tim Burton's Batman Returns was the top performer, grossing $358 million (£282m) in today's money.
Following closely behind was the pulse-pounding Lethal Weapon 3, with an inflation-adjusted gross of $320 million (£252m), and the Whoopi Goldberg-led comedy Sister Act, which pulled in $308 million (£243m).
The Christmas classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York secured the fourth spot, while wacky comedy Wayne's World rounded out the top five.
The domestic box office raked in $4.3 billion in 1990 ($10.3bn/£8.1bn in today's money), with 236 movies released.
Romantic movies stole the spotlight, with the tearjerking Ghost the number one release, closely followed by the rom-com Pretty Woman.
These swoon-worthy flicks raked in an inflation-adjusted calendar year gross of $481 million (£379m) and $399 million (£315m) respectively.
Bringing a festive twist to proceedings was Christmas classic Home Alone, which secured third place with an inflation-adjusted gross of $336 million (£265m). The action-packed blockbuster Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles claimed the fourth spot, while thriller The Hunt for Red October rounded out the top five.
In 1989, 235 films were released, grossing a domestic total of $4.1 billion. That's $10.4 billion (£8.2bn) in today's money.
Tim Burton's Batman claimed the top spot, pulling in $650 million (£512m) when adjusted for inflation. Action-packed blockbusters were clearly on-trend in 1989, with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Lethal Weapon 2 claiming the second and third spots, with inflation-adjusted takes of $511 million (£403m) and $381 million (£300m).
Switching up genres, heartwarming drama Rain Man ranked fourth, while comedy Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year.
The domestic box office banked $4.8 billion in 1993, equivalent to around $10.5 billion (£8.3bn) today. The number one release was Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, which grossed an epic $729 million (£575m) when adjusted for inflation.
Two gripping adaptations claimed the second and third spots: The Fugitive, a silver screen adaptation of the classic TV series, and The Firm, a legal thriller based on the John Grisham novel. These films earned inflation-adjusted grosses of $378 million (£298m) and $340 million (£268m), respectively.
Rounding out the top five were two heartwarming comedies: rom-com Sleepless in Seattle, which starred Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, and Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams.
The 259 films released in 1994 saw the domestic box office pull in close to $5.1 billion, the equivalent of $10.8 billion (£8.5bn) in today's money.
Disney's beloved animated flick The Lion King roared to the top, grossing an impressive $634 million (£500m) when adjusted for inflation. The critically acclaimed Forrest Gump was hot on its heels with an inflation-adjusted gross of $632 million (£498m).
Action comedy True Lies claimed the third spot, followed by Christmas classic The Santa Clause and the live-action adaptation of The Flintstones.
With 306 films released, the US box office grossed an impressive $5.6 billion in 1996. That amounts to around $11.2 billion (£8.8bn) in 2024 money.
The Will Smith-led sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day topped the charts, banking an inflation-adjusted sum of $605 million (£477m), while disaster movie Twister ranked second with a $478 million (£377m) gross.
The first Mission: Impossible took third spot with a 2024-equivalent gross of $358 million (£282m), launching a multi-billion dollar franchise in the process. Crime thriller The Rock and wacky comedy The Nutty Professor rounded out the top five.
The total US box office take for 1997 was $6.1 billion, the equivalent of $11.9 billion (£9.4bn) in 2024 money.
Of the 310 movies released that year, sci-fi flick Men in Black, starring Will Smith, took the top spot, grossing an inflation-adjusted $487 million (£384m). It was followed closely by blockbuster sequel The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which raked in $445 million (£351m).
Comedy Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey, and the Harrison Ford-led thriller Air Force One claimed the third and fourth spots. Perhaps surprisingly, the re-release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope completed the top five highest-grossers. The reissue of the 1977 classic earned an inflation-adjusted sum of $268 million (£211m), showcasing the enduring appeal of the space opera franchise.
In 1998, 334 films were released, collectively grossing $6.7 billion domestically. That's the equivalent of $12.9 billion (£10.2bn) today.
James Cameron's Titanic dominated the box office, earning $488 million that calendar year, or $940 million (£741m) in 2024 money.
Michael Bay's doomsday movie Armageddon and Steven Spielberg's war epic Saving Private Ryan claimed the second and third spots, with inflation-adjusted grosses of $380 million (£299m) and $365 million (£288m) respectively.
While big-budget blockbusters dominated the top three, comedies rounded off the top five. There's Something About Mary, starring Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz, and The Waterboy, starring Adam Sandler, demonstrated the genre's enduring popularity at the box office.
The year 2000 saw an impressive 439 movies debut on the silver screen, collectively grossing $7.5 billion. That's $13.7 billion (£10.8bn) when adjusted for inflation.
The top-grossing film of the year was the holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey and based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book. It grossed over $251 million, or $458 million (£361m) in today's money.
The festive flick saw off stiff competition to claim the top spot. Mission: Impossible II, the hotly anticipated follow-up to the 1996 hit, and Ridley Scott's historical epic Gladiator claimed the second and third positions, grossing an inflation-adjusted $400 million (£315m) and $347 million (£274m) respectively.
Disaster film The Perfect Storm secured fourth spot, while the Ben Stiller-led comedy Meet the Parents ranked fifth.
Big-budget blockbusters were all the rage at the box office in 2014, with Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy claiming the top spot. It earned an inflation-adjusted sum of $444 million (£350m) domestically, spawning a successful trilogy in the process.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 narrowly missed out on the number one spot, banking an inflation-adjusted sum of $418 million (£330m), while another Marvel epic claimed third place with Captain America: The Winter Soldier bringing in $347 million (£273m).
Quirky animated blockbuster The Lego Movie and Michael Bay's action-packed Transformers: Age of Extinction rounded off the top five. In total, 2014's gross domestic take was $10.3 billion, the equivalent of $13.7 billion (£10.8bn) in today's money.
The next year to feature in our round-up is 2019. An astounding 910 films were released, collectively grossing $11.4 billion, or $14 billion (£11bn) in 2024 money.
Taking the top spot was the Marvel superhero blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, which raked in over $858 million domestically, surpassing the billion-dollar mark in today's money.
The live-action remake of The Lion King claimed the second spot, closely followed by Toy Story 4, with inflation-adjusted grosses of $677 million (£531m) and $541 million (£424m) respectively.
In 2019 Disney dominated the box office, producing the top six highest-grossing films of the year. Alongside the previously mentioned titles, these included Frozen II, Captain Marvel, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. And it didn't end there: Disney's live-action reimagining of Aladdin also secured the eighth spot.
In 2008, the domestic box office brought in a staggering $9.6 billion, equivalent to $14 billion (£11bn) today.
Of the 725 films released that year, the standout performer was Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, the second entry in his gritty Batman trilogy. It grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $792 million (£617m), which was miles apart from the next highest-grossing movie of 2008...
In second place was superhero flick, Marvel's Iron Man, which grossed $474 million (£370m) in today's money. This was swiftly followed by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which banked $473 million (£369m). Action flick Hancock, which starred Will Smith, was the fourth highest-grossing flick of 2008, followed by Pixar's animated offering WALL-E.
1999's 448 films resulted in a $7.5 billion year for the domestic box office. That's an impressive $14.1 billion (£11.1bn) in today's money.
Leading the pack was Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the first new Star Wars film to be released in 16 years. Fans flocked to cinemas to witness the prequel, which grossed the equivalent of $820 million (£646m) in 2024 money.
Claiming the second spot was low-budget horror film The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Bruce Willis. The unexpectedly successful film smashed its modest expectations, grossing an inflation-adjusted sum of $527 million (£415m).
Moviegoers also enjoyed Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, family flick Toy Story 2, and mind-bending sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix.
Among the 731 films released in 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 emerged as the champion. Fans flocked to theatres to witness the epic conclusion of the Harry Potter saga, with the fantasy flick grossing an inflation-adjusted total of $529 million (£417m) domestically.
The action-packed Transformers: Dark of the Moon grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $490 million (£386m), securing its position at number two. Additionally, the fantasy-romance adaptation Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1, earned $382 million (£301m) in today's money.
The comedy sequel The Hangover Part II took fourth place, followed by Disney's swashbuckling adventure saga Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The total domestic box office gross for the year was $10.1 billion, which translates to $14.1 billion (£11.1bn) today.
In 2005, 676 films hit the big screen, collectively amassing $8.8 billion, which is a cool $14.2 billion (£11.2bn) in today's money.
Despite facing critical backlash, the highest-grossing domestic film of the year was Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, with an inflation-adjusted gross of $606 million (£478m).
Following closely behind was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; the fourth instalment in the beloved wizarding world series grossed $435 million (£343m) in 2024 cash. Tom Cruise's blockbuster War of the Worlds took third place, earning an inflation-adjusted gross of $373 million (£294m).
Meanwhile, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first movie in the Narnia franchise, and the comedy classic Wedding Crashers completed the top five.
Yet again, a Star Wars flick claimed the top spot, with The Last Jedi earning an inflation-adjusted sum of $658 million (£519m) domestically.
Following closely behind was another Disney film, with the live-action remake of the classic Beauty and the Beast banking an inflation-adjusted sum of $641 million (£505m).
Superhero films ruled supreme at the 2017 box office, with DC's Wonder Woman, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Sony's Spider-Man: Homecoming rounding out the top five, generating an inflation-adjusted total for the year of $14.2 billion (£11.2bn).
2001's $8 billion domestic gross, a hefty $14.2 billion (£11.1bn) in 2024 money, also sees it take the joint 13th spot.
While the concluding part of the Harry Potter story dominated the box office in 2011, the first entry, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, reigned supreme back in 2001, grossing a magical $512 million (£404m) in today's money.
Family-friendly favourites Shrek and Monsters, Inc. claimed the second and third spots, grossing inflation-adjusted sums of $475 million (£374m) and $421 million (£332m) respectively.
Two sequels secured the fourth and fifth spots, with Rush Hour 2 and The Mummy Returns both making their mark on the domestic box office.
The domestic box office took in a tidy $9.2 billion in 2006, which is $14.3 billion (£11.3bn) in 2024 money.
Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, the second instalment in the swashbuckling franchise, clinched the top spot with an inflation-adjusted gross of $658 million (£519m).
Another Disney hit, the animated Cars, raced into second place, earning $379 million (£299m) in today's money.
Superhero movies were also popular in 2006. X-Men: The Last Stand secured the third spot, while Superman Returns soared to fifth. Nestled between these superhero sagas was The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks and adapted from Dan Brown's best-selling novel.
In joint ninth place is the year 2007, which saw a gross of $9.7 billion at the domestic box office. That's equivalent to $14.7 billion (£11.6bn) today.
A grand total of 775 films were released that year, with blockbuster franchises being the hottest trend at the box office. Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 took the top spot, with an inflation-adjusted gross of $502 million (£391m).
Shrek the Third claimed second place, grossing $482 million (£375m) in modern money, while the first entry of Michael Bay's Transformers saga came in third, banking an inflation-adjusted sum of $476 million (£371m).
Continuing the trend of franchises reigning supreme, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix completed the top five.
A massive 845 films hit the silver screen in 2015, grossing a grand total of $11.1 billion, or an epic $14.7 billion (£11.6bn) today.
The top performer was Jurassic World, a reboot of the beloved 90s franchise. It grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $865 million (£673m) domestically, kickstarting a money-spinning new trilogy.
Walt Disney Studios had a particularly strong year, with its movies claiming the second, third, and fourth spots. These were the space opera Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, the superhero flick Avengers: Age of Ultron, and the animated hit Inside Out.
Meanwhile, the action-packed Furious 7, from the multibillion-dollar Fast & Furious franchise, zoomed into fifth place, grossing an inflation-adjusted sum of $468 million (£364m).
Next on our list is 2013, which saw 826 films released with a collective gross of almost $11 billion. That's $14.8 billion (£11.7bn) in 2024 money.
A mix of family-friendly films and action-packed blockbusters ruled the box office, with Marvel's Iron Man 3 the top release.
The superhero flick pulled in an inflation-adjusted gross of $550 million (£428m) domestically, defeating DC's rival superhero offering, Man of Steel, which took the fourth spot with an inflation-adjusted gross of $391 million (£305m).
The top five also included dystopian blockbuster The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and the animated flicks Despicable Me 2 and Monsters University. This trio of sequels claimed the second, third, and fifth spots respectively.
The domestic box office pulled in $10.8 billion in 2012, equivalent to $14.8 billion (£11.7bn) in today's money. That year, 807 movies graced the silver screen, with iconic film franchises dominating the scene.
The highest-grossing film by a wide margin was Marvel's The Avengers, which earned an inflation-adjusted sum of $851 million (£662m). Meanwhile, the conclusion to Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, claimed the second spot, with a gross of $611 million (£475m) today.
Rounding out the top five were The Hunger Games, the first instalment in the dystopian series based on the books by Suzanne Collins, the James Bond flick Skyfall, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, which concluded the screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's "romantasy" book series.
In 2018, a record-breaking 993 films hit theatres, resulting in a domestic box office gross of $11.9 billion. That's a phenomenal $14.9 billion (£11.8bn) today.
Superhero movies were the biggest trend, with four out of the five top grossers falling under the genre. Leading the charge were Marvel's Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, raking in a respective $700 million and $678 million domestically. Adjusted for inflation, that translates to $874 million (£680m) and $847 million (£670m).
Adding to the superhero frenzy, The Incredibles 2 claimed the third spot, while Deadpool 2 secured fifth place with its R-rated superhero action. In the mix of superhero sagas, the action blockbuster Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom secured the fourth spot, highlighting the year's penchant for big-budget productions.
The year 2016 was another busy one, with 855 newly released films grossing a collective $11.4 billion. That's a massive $14.9 billion (£11.8bn) today.
Disney had an exceptional performance yet again, with the studio landing four out of the top five highest-grossing films.
Finding Nemo sequel Finding Dory made the biggest splash at the domestic box office, grossing an inflation-adjusted sum of $632 million (£492m). Meanwhile, Disney's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, superhero movie Captain America: Civil War, and the live-action remake of The Jungle Book secured the second, third, and fifth spots respectively.
Universal Pictures' animated film The Secret Life of Pets claimed the fourth spot, with an inflation-adjusted gross of $478 million (£372m), indicating that family-friendly flicks were the hottest trend of 2016.
In 2010, 651 films were released, collectively grossing almost $10.6 billion, or £15.3 billion (£12.1bn) today.
Leading the charge was James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar, which earned an inflation-adjusted sum of $667 million (£529m) at the domestic box office. Avatar also holds the record for being the highest-grossing film of all time, with a global lifetime gross of $2.9 billion (£2.3bn).
Close behind were Disney's Toy Story 3 and the live-action remake of Alice in Wonderland, grossing inflation-adjusted sums of $594 million (£464m) and $478 million (£374m) respectively.
Marvel's Iron Man 2 and romantic fantasy franchise The Twilight Saga: Eclipse rounded out the top five
In 2009, 646 films were released, collectively grossing a grand sum of $10.6 billion ($15.5bn/£12.2bn in today's money).
Action blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen claimed the top spot with its inflation-adjusted gross of $584 million (£456m). It wasn't the only film franchise to perform well in 2009, as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Twilight Saga: New Moon took the second and fourth places respectively.
Meanwhile, Disney-Pixar's Up was a surprise hit, ranking third and pulling in an impressive $425 million (£332m) domestically in today's money.
Completing the top five was James Cameron's Avatar. Though this aforementioned blockbuster became the highest-grossing film of 2010, it was actually released in December 2009 and grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $412 million (£321m) that calendar year.
Claiming the top spot as the highest-grossing year in domestic box office history is 2002. With 570 films hitting cinemas, the year grossed $9.2 billion, equivalent to a record-shattering $16.1 billion (£12.7bn) today.
Leading the charge was Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, starring Tobey Maguire. The Sony-produced film brought in an inflation-adjusted sum of $716 million (£560m), launching a beloved trilogy.
Two juggernaut film franchises, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, claimed spots two and three, grossing inflation-adjusted sums of $536 million (£419m) and $465 million (£363m), respectively.
Rounding off the top performers were two surprise hits: M. Night Shyamalan's sci-fi flick Signs and the low-budget comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding. These films triumphed over established blockbuster franchises such as the sequel Men in Black II and the Bond flick Die Another Day to secure spots in the top five.
Now find out which Star Wars movie made the most money at the box office