Disney's 10 highest-grossing movies ever (GALLERY)
This week, Disney became the first movie studio in history to make at least $7 billion in worldwide ticket sales in a single year. Massive hits like "Rogue One," "Finding Dory," "Captain America: Civil War" and "Zootopia" helped push the studio over the monumental line. But Disney's box office success is of course nothing new as the studio has been cranking out hit after hit for decades. Take a look back at Disney's 10 highest-grosing movies of all time, in terms of worldwide ticket sales not adjusted for inflation. Gallery: Clint Davis / Figures: BoxOfficeMojo.comSean Gallup
#10 — Finding Dory (2016) — Worldwide Gross: $1.027 billion — This highly anticipated sequel to Disney-Pixar's 2003 hit "Finding Nemo" was an instant hit. It had the highest-grossing opening weekend of any animated movie in American history and went on to join Disney's top 10 worldwide. The film, starring Ellen DeGeneres in the title role, was a favorite of audiences and critics in 2016.
#9 — Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) — Worldwide Gross: $1.045 billion — This fourth installment in the massively successful "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise still stands as the most expensive movie ever made, but the investment turned out to be justified. "On Stranger Tides" saw Penelope Cruz join the cast along with star Johnny Depp, in place of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. It wasn't hailed by critics but audiences evidently loved it. A sequel is expected to hit theaters in 2017.
#8 — Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) — Worldwide Gross: $1.066 billion — The oldest movie to make Disney's all-time top 10, this sequel to 2003's blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" saw the return of Johnny Depp as his beloved character Capt. Jack Sparrow. At the time it was released, "Dead Man's Chest" was the highest-grossing Disney movie of all time, worldwide.
#7 — Toy Story 3 (2010) — Worldwide Gross: $1.067 billion — The third chapter in Disney-Pixar's beloved "Toy Story" franchise proved to arguably be the best of them all. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and became the highest-grossing movie in Disney history at the time it was released. It was originally believed to be the final "Toy Story" film but a fourth installment is set for release in 2019.
#6 — Captain America: Civil War (2016) — Worldwide Gross: $1.153 billion — Marvel movies have proven to be a juggernaut for Disney and the momentum carried on to 2016, when the third "Captain America" film raked in more than $1 billion worldwide. "Civil War" was an epic film, clocking in at 2.5 hours and including appearances from the Avengers, as well as Spider-Man. Audiences and critics loved it.
#5 — Iron Man 3 (2013) — Worldwide Gross: $1.214 billion — Another trilogy that has been a goldmine for Disney has been the "Iron Man" series. The third entry in the acclaimed franchise proved to be the biggest hit with audiences yet. Rumors of a fourth "Iron Man" movie have been swirling for years but there are no concrete plans as of 2016.
#4 — Frozen (2013) — Worldwide Gross: $1.276 billion — As of 2016, "Frozen" stands as the highest-grossing animated movie Disney has ever produced. The runaway hit sold millions of tickets, soundtracks and toys and was considered an instant classic by die-hard Disney fans. A sequel has been highly anticipated since 2013 and has been rumored to be in the works since 2015.
#3 — Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) — Worldwide Gross: $1.405 billion — The sequel to 2012's "The Avengers" was a massive hit, following in the footsteps of its predecessor. Iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk were reunited and audiences loved it — as did Disney investors.
#2 — The Avengers (2012) — Worldwide Gross: $1.518 billion — When Disney bought Marvel Entertainment in 2009, no one could have predicted that it would change the course of movie history forever. So far, 14 movies have been released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, totaling nearly $11 billion in ticket sales worldwide, with 2012's "The Avengers" at the top. The movie combined beloved Marvel heroes from standalone films into one epic blockbuster and it's still considered the gold standard for superhero films.
#1 — Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) — Worldwide Gross: $2.068 billion — This reboot of the "Star Wars" franchise proved to be the greatest gamble in Disney history. When the studio bought the franchise in 2013, fans were apprehensive but "The Force Awakens" was universally beloved. It's currently the highest-grossing movie in American history and stands at third all-time worldwide.