THE 10 BIGGEST SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS

OF ALL TIME

Classic summer movies that brought in the dough.

A NOTE ON METHODOLOGY

Movies were considered that had opening weekends between Labor Day and Memorial Day

All figures represent domestic ticket sales only, and are given in inflation-adjusted (2015) dollars.

These figures include ticket sales if a movie was re-released at some later time.

Sales: $653 million

Year Released: 1994

Company: Paramount

This book-turned-movie did far better than expected, as it took viewers through tumultuous times via the unique lens of the title character.

10) FORREST GUMP

Photo: Toby Jamohan, via Flickr

9) RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sales: $682 million

Year released: 1981

Company: Lucasfilm

The first installment of the Indiana Jones series was the only one with a summer release.

Photo: Micky Aldridge, via Flickr

Sales: $733 million

Year Released: 1999

Company: Lucasfilm

This was the first Star Wars film in nearly 15 years. Though it was met with mixed reviews, fans turned out in droves.

8) STAR WARS: EPISODE I

Photo:Beekeeper, via Flickr

7) JURASSIC PARK

Sales: $733 million

Year released: 1993

Company: Amblin Entertainment

While a newer version is in theaters now, the original “Jurassic Park” stunned viewers with its special effects.

Photo: Jeremy Thompson

Sales: $734 million

Year Released: 1994

Company: Walt Disney

The movie became an instant hit during the golden age for Disney’s cartoon movie unit.

6) THE LION KING

Photo: Post Memes, via Flickr

5) STAR WARS: EPISODE VI

Sales: $755 million

Year released: 1983

Company: Lucasfilm

This was the last in the first set of Star Wars films, where we see Darth Vader sacrifice himself for Luke at the movie’s end.

Sales: $784 million

Year Released: 1980.

Company: Lucasfilm

The second installment in the first Star Wars trilogy, fans had to wait three years for “The Empire Strikes Back” to come to theaters.

4) STAR WARS: EPISODE V

Photo: Brett Jordan, via Flickr

3) E.T. : THE EXTRA-TERRESTIAL

Sales: $1.10 billion

Year released: 1982

Company: Amblin Entertainment

The story of an alien left behind and a 10-year old boy named Elliot became an instant classic.

Sales: $1.15 billion

Year Released: 1975

Company: Universal

The earliest release on this list, the success of Jaws convinced studio executives that summer thrillers could be huge hits.

2) JAWS

Photo: 7th Street Theatre, via Flickr

1) STAR WARS: EPISODE IV

Sales: $1.32 billion

Year released: 1977

Company: Lucasfilm

When the first-ever “Star Wars” came out, it broke every record in the book. Audiences couldn’t (and still can’t) get enough of the movie.

The entertainment industry can be BIG business.

But the industry is changing. Cable TV, for instance, is dying out, and a handful of companies are going to

thrive in the new environment.

Want to know which ones???

THEN CHECK OUT…

3 Companies Poised to Explode When Cable Dies