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The biggest box office hit the year you were born

The biggest box office hit the year you were born
EntertainmentEntertainment1 min read

2015: "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens"

2015: "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens"

Adjusted gross: $2.07 billion

Unadjusted gross: $2.07 billion

Critic rating: 81

Fan rating: 8.3

Plot summary: "Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance."

2014: "Transformers: Age of Extinction"

2014: "Transformers: Age of Extinction"

Adjusted gross: $1.12 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.1 billion

Critic rating: 32

Fan rating: 5.7

Plot summary: "Autobots must escape sight from a bounty hunter who has taken control of the human serendipity: Unexpectedly, Optimus Prime and his remaining gang turn to a mechanic, his daughter, and her back street racing boyfriend for help."

2013: "Frozen"

2013: "Frozen"

Adjusted gross: $1.31 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.28 billion

Critic rating: 74

Fan rating: 7.6

Plot summary: "When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition."

2012: "The Avengers"

2012: "The Avengers"

Adjusted gross: $1.58 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.52 billion

Critic rating: 69

Fan rating: 8.1

Plot summary: "Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity."

2011: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

2011: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

Adjusted gross: $1.43 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.34 billion

Critic rating: 87

Fan rating: 8.1

Plot summary: "Harry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts."

2010: "Toy Story 3"

2010: "Toy Story 3"

Adjusted gross: $1.17 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.06 billion

Critic rating: 92

Fan rating: 8.3

Plot summary: "The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home."

2009: "Avatar"

2009: "Avatar"

Adjusted gross: $3.1 billion

Unadjusted gross: $2.78 billion

Critic rating: 83

Fan rating: 7.9

Plot summary: "A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home."

2008: "The Dark Knight"

2008: "The Dark Knight"

Adjusted gross: $1.12 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1 billion

Critic rating: 82

Fan rating: 9

Plot summary: "When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, the caped crusader must come to terms with one of the greatest psychological tests of his ability to fight injustice."

2007: "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"

2007: "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World

Adjusted gross: $1.11 billion

Unadjusted gross: $963 million

Critic rating: 50

Fan rating: 7.1

Plot summary: "Captain Barbossa, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, find Jack Sparrow, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle."

2006: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

2006: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man

Adjusted gross: $1.27 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.07 billion

Critic rating: 53

Fan rating: 7.3

Plot summary: "Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well."

2005: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

2005: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

Adjusted gross: $1.1 billion

Unadjusted gross: $897 million

Critic rating: 81

Fan rating: 7.6

Plot summary: "Harry finds himself mysteriously selected as an under-aged competitor in a dangerous tournament between three schools of magic."

2004: "Shrek 2"

2004: "Shrek 2"

Adjusted gross: $1.17 billion

Unadjusted gross: $920 million

Critic rating: 75

Fan rating: 7.2

Plot summary: "Princess Fiona's parents invite her and Shrek to dinner to celebrate her marriage. If only they knew the newlyweds were both ogres."

2003: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

2003: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

Adjusted gross: $1.46 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.12 billion

Critic rating: 94

Fan rating: 8.9

Plot summary: "Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring."

2002: "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

2002: "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

Adjusted gross: $1.23 billion

Unadjusted gross: $923 million

Critic rating: 88

Fan rating: 8.7

Plot summary: "While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard."

2001: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"

2001: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer

Adjusted gross: $1.32 billion

Unadjusted gross: $975 million

Critic rating: 64

Fan rating: 7.5

Plot summary: "Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

2000: "Mission: Impossible II"

2000: "Mission: Impossible II"

Adjusted gross: $759 million

Unadjusted gross: $546 million

Critic rating: 59

Fan rating: 6.1

Plot summary: "A secret agent is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called 'Chimera.'"

1999: "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace"

1999: "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace"

Adjusted gross: $1.41 billion

Unadjusted gross: $984 million

Critic rating: 51

Fan rating: 6.5

Plot summary: "Two Jedi Knights escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to reclaim their old glory."

1998: "Armageddon"

1998: "Armageddon"

Adjusted gross: $813 million

Unadjusted gross: $554 million

Critic rating: 42

Fan rating: 6.6

Plot summary: "After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas is going to impact Earth in less than a month, N.A.S.A. recruits a misfit team of deep core drillers to save the planet."

1997: "Titanic"

1997: "Titanic"

Adjusted gross: $3.17 billion

Unadjusted gross: $2.13 billion

Critic rating: 74

Fan rating: 7.7

Plot summary: "A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind, but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic."

1996: "Independence Day"

1996: "Independence Day"

Adjusted gross: $1.25 billion

Unadjusted gross: $817 million

Critic rating: 59

Fan rating: 6.9

Plot summary: "The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive."

1995: "Die Hard: With A Vengeance"

1995: "Die Hard: With A Vengeance"

Adjusted gross: $575 million

Unadjusted gross: $366 million

Critic rating: 58

Fan rating: 7.6

Plot summary: "John McClane and a Harlem store owner are targeted by German terrorist Simon Gruber in New York City, where he plans to rob the Federal Reserve Building."

1994: "The Lion King"

1994: "The Lion King"

Adjusted gross: $1.59 billion

Unadjusted gross: $988 million

Critic rating: 83

Fan rating: 8.5

Plot summary: "Lion cub and future king Simba searches for his identity. His eagerness to please others and penchant for testing his boundaries sometimes gets him into trouble."

1993: "Jurassic Park"

1993: "Jurassic Park"

Adjusted gross: $1.71 billion

Unadjusted gross: $1.03 billion

Critic rating: 68

Fan rating: 8.1

Plot summary: "During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok."

1992: "Aladdin"

1992: "Aladdin"

Adjusted gross: $860 million

Unadjusted gross: $504 million

Critic rating: N/A

Fan rating: 8

Plot summary: "When a street urchin vies for the love of a beautiful princess, he uses a genie's magic power to make himself off as a prince in order to marry her."

1991: "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"

1991: "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"

Adjusted gross: $913 million

Unadjusted gross: $520 million

Critic rating: 75

Fan rating: 8.5

Plot summary: "A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her young son, John Connor, from a more advanced cyborg, made out of liquid metal."

1990: "Ghost"

1990: "Ghost"

Adjusted gross: $926 million

Unadjusted gross: $506 million

Critic rating: 52

Fan rating: 7

Plot summary: "After an accident leaves a young man dead, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic."

1989: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"

1989: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"

Adjusted gross: $915 million

Unadjusted gross: $474 million

Critic rating: 65

Fan rating: 8.3

Plot summary: "When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, eminent archaeologist Indiana Jones must follow in his father's footsteps and stop the Nazis."

1988: "Rain Man"

1988: "Rain Man"

Adjusted gross: $718 million

Unadjusted gross: $355 million

Critic rating: 65

Fan rating: 8

Plot summary: "Selfish yuppie Charlie Babbitt's father left a fortune to his savant brother Raymond and a pittance to Charlie; they travel cross-country."

1987: "Fatal Attraction"

1987: "Fatal Attraction"

Adjusted gross: $674 million

Unadjusted gross: $320 million

Critic rating: 67

Fan rating: 6.9

Plot summary: "A married man's one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family."

1986: "Top Gun"

1986: "Top Gun"

Adjusted gross: $779 million

Unadjusted gross: $357 million

Critic rating: N/A

Fan rating: 6.9

Plot summary: "As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom."

1985: "Back to the Future"

1985: "Back to the Future"

Adjusted gross: $847 million

Unadjusted gross: $381 million

Critic rating: 86

Fan rating: 8.5

Plot summary: "A young man is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence."

1984: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"

1984: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"

Adjusted gross: $767 million

Unadjusted gross: $333 million

Critic rating: 57

Fan rating: 7.6

Plot summary: "A skirmish in Shanghai puts archaeologist Indiana Jones, his partner Short Round, and singer Willie Scott crossing paths with an Indian village desperate to reclaim a rock stolen by a secret cult beneath the catacombs of an ancient palace."

1983: "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi"

1983: "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi"

Adjusted gross: $1.14 billion

Unadjusted gross: $475 million

Critic rating: 52

Fan rating: 8.4

Plot summary: "After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to make Vader return from the dark side of the Force."

1982: "E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial"

1982: "E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial"

Adjusted gross: $1.97 billion

Unadjusted gross: $793 million

Critic rating: 94

Fan rating: 7.9

Plot summary: "A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home-world."

1981: "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

1981: "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Adjusted gross: $1.03 billion

Unadjusted gross: $390 million

Critic rating: 90

Fan rating: 8.5

Plot summary: "Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis."

1980: "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back"

1980: "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back"

Adjusted gross: $1.56 billion

Unadjusted gross: $538 million

Critic rating: 79

Fan rating: 8.8

Plot summary: "After the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke."

1979: "Moonraker"

1979: "Moonraker"

Adjusted gross: $693 million

Unadjusted gross: $210 million

Critic rating: N/A

Fan rating: 6.3

Plot summary: "James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle and discovers a plot to commit global genocide."

1978: "Grease"

1978: "Grease"

Adjusted gross: $1.45 billion

Unadjusted gross: $395 million

Critic rating: 70

Fan rating: 7.2

Plot summary: "Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?"

1977: "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope"

1977: "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope"

Adjusted gross: $3.06 billion

Unadjusted gross: $775 million

Critic rating: 92

Fan rating: 8.7

Plot summary: "Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee, and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."

1976: "Rocky"

1976: "Rocky"

Adjusted gross: $946 million

Unadjusted gross: $225 million

Critic rating: N/A

Fan rating: 8.1

Plot summary: "Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer, gets a supremely rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed, in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect."

1975: "Jaws"

1975: "Jaws"

Adjusted gross: $2.09 billion

Unadjusted gross: $471 million

Critic rating: 79

Fan rating: 8

Plot summary: "When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and a grizzled fisherman set out to stop it."

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