Rank 1: Gone with the Wind
- Release Year: 1939
- Box Office Gross: 167 million €
- Inflation-adjusted Box Office Gross: 3.791 billion €
The adaptation of the novel by Margaret Mitchell is today considered one of the great masterpieces of American cinema and is a monumental work. It runs for 220 minutes and tells the epic story of the headstrong Scarlett O’Hara during the Civil War, the conflict between the South and the North of the USA.
Even today, the film is still impressive with its beautiful visuals and detailed production design. The music is legendary, as is the performance by lead actress Vivien Leigh. All of this contributed to the film becoming the most successful of all time.
Only the romanticized depiction of slavery and the then-acceptable racism might deter some contemporary viewers. However, when considering the film in the context of its time, it is found to be a cinematic masterpiece amidst its problematic aspects.
These were the most successful films of all time. How many of them have you seen, and were you surprised by any of the placements? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Streaming services can also achieve great success, as shown by the following list: The 10 most-watched films of all time ranked on Netflix
