Most Watched Movies Of All Time
Everyone has a different way of measuring what people watch the most. Theater tickets sold, re releases across decades, broadcast reruns, and home viewing all add to a film’s total reach. What follows focuses on movies that drew huge crowds during their original runs and kept finding new audiences as formats changed over time.
These are the titles that piled up admissions around the world, set box office records in multiple markets, returned to cinemas for anniversaries, and stayed popular on television and streaming. Each entry notes the core facts that kept these films in circulation for years and in front of millions of viewers.
‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939)
Produced by David O Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming, this Civil War epic became a landmark in early Hollywood exhibition. Its large roadshow release, reserved seat engagements, and repeated theatrical reissues across the twentieth century kept tickets selling long after the premiere.
Adjusted for inflation, the movie earned extraordinary grosses in North America and abroad and remained a staple of repertory screenings. Television broadcasts and home video releases further extended its reach to new generations.
‘Avatar’ (2009)
James Cameron’s science fiction adventure introduced performance capture on a massive scale and helped popularize modern 3D in multiplexes worldwide. The movie set opening records in many countries and sustained unusually long theatrical legs.
Multiple theatrical re releases accompanied new format rollouts including premium large format and high frame rate presentations for the sequel window. Its global gross surpassed two billion dollars and continued to climb with each return engagement.
‘Titanic’ (1997)
James Cameron’s historical romance combined large scale visual effects with a star making lead pair. It dominated the box office for months and set weekend and weekday endurance records in numerous markets.
The film received broad awards recognition and saw several theatrical re releases tied to restoration and 3D conversions. Home video and television play further expanded its already massive audience.
‘Star Wars’ (1977)
Written and directed by George Lucas, this space fantasy arrived as a surprise phenomenon. It played for many months in first run houses and returned to theaters with new prints and sound upgrades.
The movie launched a long running franchise and extensive merchandising that kept interest high between re releases. Broadcast and home video adoption ensured that new viewers discovered it well beyond the original run.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
This ensemble superhero event from Marvel Studios concluded a decade spanning storyline with a large returning cast. It opened across thousands of screens and set first day and opening weekend records in many territories.
The film surpassed two billion dollars worldwide and maintained strong attendance through premium formats. Subsequent special event screenings kept it visible after the initial theatrical window.
‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
Directed by Robert Wise and led by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, this musical rolled out in roadshow engagements with reserved seating. Word of mouth led to extended runs that lasted many months in some theaters.
The movie enjoyed numerous re releases and became a regular fixture on television during holidays. Sing along presentations and restorations brought audiences back to cinemas well into the modern era.
‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)
Steven Spielberg’s family science fiction drama set records for ticket sales during its first run. It then returned to theaters multiple times, including a widely publicized anniversary release.
The film performed strongly on home video and in television rotation, reinforcing its broad reach. New restorations and event screenings have continued to introduce it to younger viewers.
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this dinosaur adventure showcased breakthrough digital effects and animatronics. It opened to record numbers and sustained high admissions through the summer.
Re releases timed to anniversaries and 3D conversions brought the movie back to premium screens. The franchise that followed helped keep the original title in circulation across home platforms.
‘The Lion King’ (1994)
Disney’s animated feature paired traditional animation with early digital techniques for sweeping landscapes. The movie became a box office leader for animation in the 1990s with strong family attendance.
Stage adaptations and later digital remasters pushed renewed interest in the original. Home video sales were significant, and television airings kept the songs and story widely familiar.
‘Jaws’ (1975)
Steven Spielberg’s thriller pioneered the wide summer release pattern. It set new records for opening screens and admissions as word of mouth spread.
The film returned to theaters for anniversaries and restorations and maintained a long life on television. Home media editions kept the title available as formats evolved.
‘Doctor Zhivago’ (1965)
David Lean’s historical romance used a roadshow strategy with limited theaters and longer runs. It gradually built an audience that translated into large total admissions.
Repertory screenings and restorations continued to draw crowds. Television broadcasts in many countries expanded the film’s audience beyond the original generation.
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
William Friedkin’s adaptation of the novel became a cultural event with long queues and repeat attendance. It played strongly in domestic and international markets with extended engagements.
A director’s cut re release and later restorations kept the title in theaters. Television and home video versions extended its reach to viewers who missed the early runs.
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937)
Walt Disney’s first feature length animated film toured the world with multiple re issues. It became a cornerstone of family moviegoing in the decades before home video.
The film returned to cinemas on a regular cycle that introduced it to new children every few years. Later restorations and home releases ensured continuing discovery by later generations.
‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956)
Cecil B DeMille’s biblical epic was presented in large format screenings and enjoyed a long first run. Its production scale and holiday timing supported strong repeat attendance.
Annual television broadcasts in some regions created a seasonal viewing tradition. Restorations and special event screenings kept the title visible in modern formats.
‘Ben-Hur’ (1959)
William Wyler’s historical epic premiered with roadshow bookings and premium ticketing. The chariot race sequence became a draw for repeat viewers during the initial run.
The movie received multiple restorations for large format and digital projection. Home media releases highlighted the film’s scale and helped maintain its audience.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
Peter Jackson’s trilogy conclusion opened to record numbers across many territories. Extended edition releases widened interest in the theatrical cut.
Awards recognition and anniversary screenings brought the film back to cinemas. The trilogy’s continued availability on home platforms kept viewership high.
‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)
The first entry in the wizarding series introduced the main cast and school setting to global audiences. It opened strongly during holiday season and held well into the new year.
Subsequent installments boosted revisits to the original, both theatrically and at home. Television marathons regularly feature the movie, adding to cumulative viewership.
‘Frozen’ (2013)
This animated musical from Disney built momentum through strong word of mouth. It maintained high admissions for many weeks and became a family favorite during winter holidays.
Sing along screenings and special event showings returned it to cinemas. Streaming and television placements added to the already large home audience.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)
The long awaited sequel emphasized aerial photography captured with modern cameras in real aircraft. It displayed strong staying power in theaters across multiple demographics.
Premium large format and repeat viewings boosted total admissions. After the theatrical run, the film found additional audiences on home platforms.
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)
This superhero entry combined cast members from different eras of the franchise. It delivered large opening weekends and held well across the holiday period.
Later extended cut screenings brought the title back to multiplexes. Continued franchise interest kept the movie prominent on home services.
‘Black Panther’ (2018)
This Marvel Studios release set records for a February opening and sustained high admissions through spring. It performed strongly in both domestic and international markets.
The character’s appearances in later ensemble films supported continued interest. Anniversary screenings and home releases have maintained steady viewership.
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Christopher Nolan’s crime drama anchored by a memorable antagonist drew large crowds and long runs. It broke records for superhero films at the time and held strong in subsequent weeks.
The movie returned to select theaters for anniversaries and special format presentations. Its continued presence on home platforms keeps the audience growing.
‘Barbie’ (2023)
Greta Gerwig’s comedy drew large global attendance with strong weekday and weekend numbers. It delivered notable legs through late summer and into fall.
Special screenings and audience events sustained momentum after opening. The film’s quick transition to home platforms continued to add new viewers.
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ (2023)
Based on the long running game series, this animated adventure achieved a large family turnout worldwide. It set records for an animated opening in several markets.
Word of mouth and school holiday timing helped produce long runs. The home release brought in additional viewers who missed the theatrical window.
‘Grease’ (1978)
This musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John became a late 1970s phenomenon. It played for many months in first run and drive in theaters.
Re release campaigns and sing along events returned it to cinemas regularly. Television broadcasts and home media kept the soundtrack and story in front of new audiences.
Share your picks for the most watched movies in the comments and tell us which ones you think belong on this list.
