Since the very first Academy Awards back in 1929, hundreds of films have been nominated for the coveted Best Picture category. While all of the nominees are certainly critically acclaimed, only a handful turn out to be top-grossers domestically and abroad. Of the eight Best Picture nominees this year, The Martian brought in the most at the box office by a landslide—it almost doubled The Revenant’s ticket sales, which was the second-highest grosser.
Coins2Day consulted Box Office Mojo to round up the worldwide highest-grossing Best Picture winners in the history of the Oscars. You may be surprised that the highest-grossing film also happens to be the oldest one on the list.
All numbers have been adjusted to account for inflation.
Gone With the Wind (1939): $6.8 billion
This Civil War-era drama took home eight Oscars, including Best Actress (Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara) and Best Director (Victor Fleming).
Titanic (1997): $3.23 billion
This film is tied with All About Eve for the most Oscar nominations, 14, for a single film.
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003): $1.44 billion
There have only been two sequels in the history of the Oscars to win Best Picture—Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and The Godfather Part 2.
The King’s Speech (2010): $450 million
Colin Firth won the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of King George VI in this film.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): $406 million
This film won eight of the 10 Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Director (Danny Boyle) and Best Original Score.
