| Rank | Title | Studio | Worldwide | Domestic / % | Overseas / % | Year^ | ||
| 1 | Avatar | Fox | $2,782.3 | $760.5 | 27.3% | $2,021.8 | 72.7% | 2009^ |
| 2 | Titanic | Par. | $2,185.4 | $658.7 | 30.1% | $1,526.7 | 69.9% | 1997^ |
| 3 | Marvel's The Avengers | BV | $1,511.8 | $623.4 | 41.2% | $888.4 | 58.8% | 2012 |
| 4 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 | WB | $1,328.1 | $381.0 | 28.7% | $947.1 | 71.3% | 2011 |
| 5 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | P/DW | $1,123.7 | $352.4 | 31.4% | $771.4 | 68.6% | 2011 |
| 6 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | NL | $1,119.9 | $377.8 | 33.7% | $742.1 | 66.3% | 2003^ |
| 7 | Skyfall | Sony | $1,094.3 | $302.8 | 27.7% | $791.5 | 72.3% | 2012 |
| 8 | The Dark Knight Rises | WB | $1,081.0 | $448.1 | 41.5% | $632.9 | 58.5% | 2012 |
| 9 | Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest | BV | $1,066.2 | $423.3 | 39.7% | $642.9 | 60.3% | 2006 |
| 10 | Toy Story 3 | BV | $1,063.2 | $415.0 | 39.0% | $648.2 | 61.0% | 2010 |
Nonetheless, it must noted that Titanic does buck the trend as James Cameron's epic was both a commercial and critical success, taking home eleven Academy Awards including Best Picture.
So it could be argued that the favourite films of Joe Public are not necessarily those that win the Academy Award for Best Film. So what are the most popular films? I surveyed a variety of people of different ages to find out what their favourite film and why they think this.
Some Like It Hot
Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon
Director: Billy Wilder
Released it 1959, 'Some Like It Hot' remains one of the best comedies ever made. Perhaps Marilyn Monroe's best performance alongside Lemmon and Curtis dressed up in drag. A timeless, laugh out loud movie perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Stand By Me
Starring: River Phoenix, Will Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
Director: Rob Reiner
Based on Stephen King's short story, 'The Body' this is a wonderful coming of age film that shows the relationship between a group of school friends. The four friends set out on an adventure to find a body and on their journey stories are told, friendships are tested and leeches are removed.
"I think its adorable, beautifully shot and touching" - @rozzyunwin
Notting Hill
Director: Roger Mitchell
The romantic comedy was a genre that dominated film about Britain between the 1990s and the mid 2000s. It has been suggested, “romantic comedy has proved to be one of the most enduring cinematic genres” (Mortimer, 2010, p1). A genre that uses a traditional but successful formula that is reliable in attracting a large audience. Film studios place greater focus on maximising returns on their initial investment thus they replicate a ‘recipe’ that has been successful in the past. At the heart of the success was the triangle that has been so influential in moulding an audiences’ perceptions of Britain. Working Title is the British film production company behind the biggest British romantic comedies of the last twenty years. Nonetheless, it was their collaboration with screenwriter, Richard Curtis and British actor Hugh Grant that provided the key ingredients. These three components created three of the most known romantic comedies that arguably epitomise quintessential Britain. These include 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', Love Actually' and of course 'Notting Hill'.
A formula that sees a bumbling Englishman (Hugh Grant) meet an American woman leading to a feel good film that has women and even men flocking to the cinema.
"Upsy Daisy"-William ThackerSideways
A comedy drama that sees two middle aged men set off on a road trip through California's wine country. Paul Giamatti's starring role combined with "brilliant humour, stunning California scenery and great wine facts."
Director: Alexander Payne
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Tarantino has arguably been one of the most consistent directors over the last twenty years producing modern classics such as 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Reservoir Dogs' but also finding success in the past few years with 'Inglorious Basters' and most recently with the fantastic, 'Django Unchained'. Nonetheless, @James_Mullinder decided his favourite ever film was Kill Bill Vol. 2 as Uma Thurman returns seeking vengeance.
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine
Forrest Gump
Starring: Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Robin Wright Sally Field
Director: Robert Zemeckis
This is one of my favourite ever films. Tom Hanks heads up a fantastic cast as Forrest Gump, an innocent but rather dumb man who finds himself at the heart of some of history's biggest moments including serving in the Vietnam War and witnessing the Watergate scandal. Based on the book by Winston Groom, the film won an Academy Award for Best Picture with the ability to make you take your emotions on a roller coaster. A classic American soundtrack, combined with a unique tale and formidable cast leads to a relentlessly quotable modern classic.
"Stupid is as stupid does"- Forrest Gump
'The Shawshank Redemption' is a staple of top ten lists' and also the second inclusion of a Stephen King adaptation in my survey. A compelling story described by @Emma_Kelson as a film that opened her eyes to a world she knew little about. This is a powerful, thought provoking tale with one critic suggesting that "if you don't like Shawshank, you're beyond Redemption."
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Director: Frank Darabont
Elf
Perhaps a bit of a curveball in this list? People may ask how can you go from Shawshank to Elf? Easy! That is the beauty of film and people's opinions. Film critic, Mark Kermode described Elf as a 'turkey' but surely that shows how you shouldn't listen to the critics. This has become a staple of many people's Christmas viewings and is arguably the greatest Christmas film of the last fifteen years. Stick an innocent Elf played by Will Ferrel into a bustling New York and hilarity ensues.
Director: Jon Favreau
That's it for Part 1 but check back soon to see even more favourite films including, 'Its a Wonderful Life', 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'The Prestige.'
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