100 Top All Time Box Office Film Earners

Gone With The Wind stands as the most enduring symbol of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Arguably the most loved film of all time and one of the greatest; Gone With The Wind is clearly one of filmdom's greatest cinematic achievements. Winner of ten Academy Awards including Best Picture, it broke the records and created one that would stand for many decades. It has sold more tickets than any other film in history and adjusting for inflation, the film is the highest grossing of all time. Scanning the South's tragic history during the Civil War and the Reconstruction period, told from the view of Scarlet O'Hara, Gone With The Wind is primarily a star-studded Civil War epic drama. However it is so much more than that, it is one of only two films that truly represent America, the other being The Godfather. Set during the time when the nation was forged it has become etched in the American cultural psyche. Gone With The Wind is about war, history, social class, politics, race, work, fashion, the land, language, religion, romance, relationships, death, gender roles, regional distinctions all seen through the lens of the American experience heightened by the "Immortal tale of the old South". Scarlet O'Hara, the indomitable, selfish, fiery Southern belle, played by Vivien Liegh in her greatest performance steals the show and creates a character that encapsulates a great leading lady performance. What makes her character as great as it is, is her twisted romance with Rhett Butler, Clarke Gable, culminating in the greatest line in movie history 'Frankly My Dear I don't give a damn'. It also includes other great lines such as "After all, tomorrow is another day!" and "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." Pure classic, pure great, pure cinema. Winner of my Best Film from the 1930's.

"Along time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." The first of an epic space opera franchise and a fictional universe by writer/director George Lucas that has expanded and evolved since 1977 to become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon that has no rival. The beginning of the series to end all series, a film that may not be about history but certainly maked history. Spawining two sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, a prequel trilogy and an Expanded Star Wars Universe that virtually created a lifestyle brand. A worldwide epic that has had a irreversible impact on not just the Sci-Fi genre but on films in general. One of the main reasons the film is so great is that despite being about a "galaxy far away", set in a "along time ago", the characters, themes and story are firmly rooted in old hollywood. In the iconic scene where Luke Skywalker looks longfully to the hrizion (with two suns) he could be Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz, or James Dean, the scene of the lightsaber duel between the wise Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Guinness) and the ultimate villain, the black-garbed sinister Lord Darth Vader (voice of Jones), could be a scene from a medieval swashbuckler epic. The whole film is filled with allusions to the past despite being filled with aliens and galactic battle ships, a quasi-Western film about a battle as old as time between good (the rebel forces) and evil (the Imperial Galactic Empire). Star Wars is an ultimate spectacular space adventure that combines the old and the new: from a desert farm to Jabba the Hutt; the big and the small: from the epic battle between the Rebels and Empire to a simple coming of age story; and good verses evil. Truly one of the greatest sagas ever told and one of the greatest films ever put to screen. "May the force be with you." Winner of my Greatest Film Scores.

A stroke of pure cinema and musical genius by two of Hollywood's greatest musical composers Rodgers and Hammerstein, who's names have become synonymous with the Hollywood musical. From the famous opening shot of Maria daydreaming, standing arms open wide on top of a mountain singing one of the greatest songs in cinema "The Sound of Music" through the Von Trapp family, the romance and marriage and the war to the end credits of the family escaping over the mountains The Sound of Music is filled with a mixture of comedy, love, romance, suspense and the most wonderful collection of songs one film has ever held. Such songs as the incomparable "The Sound of Music", "Maria," "My Favorite Things," "You Are Sixteen, Going On Seventeen," "Climb Every Mountain," "Do-Re-Mi," and "Edelweiss." The Sound of Music stands as the monumental musical, imitated but never duplicated, a musical masterpiece that celebrates music of every kind from a symphonic waltz to a simple guitar, epic and intimate. Not only a musical milestone, The Sound of Music has become a cultural event, as such I have been on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, Austria, one of the highest grossing films of all time and certainly one of the most popular films ever. A personally much loved classic that strikes a note in every heart. Winner of my Best Film from the 1960's.

Spielberg's very personal, heartwarming masterpiece, could almost be classic Disney. With it's portrayal of the love between a young, boy and a lost alien. E.T. "E.T. phone home.", Classic.

The favorite film of my youth. Titanic broke my heart and keeps a piece still. 11 Academy Awards, Highest Grossing film ever. 'My Heart Will Go On' haunting soundtrack. Winner of my Greatest Disaster Films. Winner of mr Greatest Epics. Winner of my Best Film from the 1990's. Winner of my Greatest Romantic Period Film.

Jaws is a masterful, horrible and realistic suspense/disaster film. Taps into the most primal of human fears, what is in the water? A really enormous scary shark. The famous theme music makes all the difference. "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Winner of my Best Creature Feature Films.

From Pasternak's sweeping epic novel, set in the World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution It's strenght lies in it's portraal of the realities of life in Russia after the 1917 Communist Revolution. The most memorable thing of all is the romantic score.

Is it just me or is the Exorcist not as scary as its made out to be? Yes it is a great movie, it has it's horrifying moments i.e. the descending the staircase, but at times it teters close to the edge of the ridiculous. Great horror film yes, one of the scariest films of all time, not really. One critic aptly described the Exorcist as Religious pornography and I agree, as great as it is. Realistic psychological thrillers are always more scary than the supernatural ghosts and demons. I guess it call comes down to what you believe.

Mirror, mirror on the wall which is the best Disney of all? Snow White is. Disney's first and greatest film is the purest of gold from the golden age of Walt Disney. With one the greatest Disney songs, 'Some Day My Prince Will Come'. An absolute Classic. Winner of my Greatest Film Kiss.

The definition of an Epic. 11 Oscars, huge box office and really long. Its depiction of Jesus Christ was also extremely subtle and reverant. This epic, character-driven story features Heston as the title character in his carrer defining role. By far the film's most impressive and legendary action scene - is the spectacularly famous chariot race. Winner of my Greatest Chase Scene.

One of the best films of the decade. Recently overtook Titanic to become the highest grossing film of all time, James Cameron is back! A film that will revolutionise cinema. Absolutely amazing.

"Plastics." and "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?"

The Disney Triumphant masterpiece. Each of the eight segments are genius giving new life to the classical greats. The Sorceror's Apprentice with micky, The Nutcracker, Waltz of the flowers and so much more.

Tragic, three part romantic saga with Mob boss Don Corleone and the rising, son Michael. Gripping suspense and memorable dialogue "I'll make

him an offer he can't refuse". The visually grand images of times and places contrast with the film's graphic violence. The Godfather remains among the most celebrated, landmark films of all time. Winner of my Best Film from the 1970's. Winner of my Greatest Crime and Gangster Films.

A simple, kind man changes history. With flashbacks through some of the highlights of modern American history. It is such a fascinating story as he becomes central to the major events of the late 20th century. I thought it was very clever how, through the use of seamless digital visual imagery, Forrest appears to interact in scenes with famous historical people. "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" one of the great songs in this great Disney Musical Classic.

A Modern Disney Classic. Favorite Musical of all who see it. The highest grossing animated film ever! Based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, with unforgettable visuals, and tunes like 'Hakuna Matata' make this an all time Disney masterpeice.

Mostly cheesey but at times romantic, with the great song 'Summer Nights' sang by two great performers John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John.

One of the best films of 2008 and the best superhero film ever. Heath Ledger is certain to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his truly mad performance as the joker. Yet there is Method to his Madness, this crazed character does make sense in his own twisted thinking. The film more than the original poses some extreemly difficult ethical questions concerning right and wrong, hero and villian, questions that are not nescessarily answered. Once again Nolan has redfined the comic book genre and has continued the most original and masterly film series out today. See this film!

"Love means never having to say you're sorry."

"When you wish apon a star, your dreams will come true". The great music and characters of Pinocchio, Gepetto and Jimminy added with the moral lessons of being good create a Disney Classic. 'When You Wish Upon A Star' is the best Disney song ever.

"A martini. Shaken, not stirred."

Good Old Fashioned Family Swash Buckling Adventure. What the film lacks in straight forward plot and conclusive ending is made up by the hilarious darker comedy; awesome action mixed with real and digital props and good old fashioned swash buckling family fun which the film has in spades. Johnny Depp is one of the most versitiale and talented actors in theatres today and his character of Jack Sparrow is truly a great character, original, werid and so many things. The second installment in this series is almost as good as the first, with even more money to spend on special effects and epic production it feels like a feast. Differs from the first in that it is supprisingly dark, for a Disney production, and the werid vodo mysticism is heightened. No doubt this film will be the biggest blockbuster of the year and so it should be. Overall the most enjoyable film of the year, so far."

One of the saddest moments in Disney movie history is when Bambi's mother dies. Not only that but the nameless responsible hunter was voted one of the greatest villians of all time, by the AFI. Truly a Disney Classic.

Greatest film of the 2000's decade. End to the best saga of the age. 11 Academy Awards, second highest grossing film worldwide. Winner of my Best of the Decade 2000- and Top Film of 2003. J.R. Tolkein's epic literary masterpeice is matched by Peter Jackson's epic film masterpeice.

An adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. Harrison is fantastic as the obliviously cruel Henry Higgins, and the beautifully sensational Eliza Doolittle (Hepburn). Although the acting is superb, the music is the film's enduring element. The best are: "I Could Have Danced All Night", "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "The Rain In Spain," . Overall a great musical with some of the most memoriable songs in musical history.

Rude but funny. "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." and "Toga! Toga!" The boys from the Delta House are immature, irresponsible, disrespectful, and not all that bright; in short, the perfect heroes for a Guy Movie.

The end of Star Wars, the end of an era. Best Star Wars film of the prequels, which isn't saying much. Doesn't live up to the Space Oprea originals. Definately a historic moment in cinematic history. As always epic, over-laden with special effects and at times reminiscent of the classics. But still a pale shell of what the originals were.

"My precious." The weakest of the trilogy but still one of the best films of 2002.

"I see dead people" Scared the living hell out of me. Haley Joel Osment was perfect in his role, as was Bruce Willis. The twist at the end was the most surprising twist I could imagine. I also liked this film because of it's philosphical connotations with regards to life after death, etc... Winner of my Top Supernatural Films.

Tootsie is one of the funniest films ever. Why is it that most of the funniest films to come out of Hollywood are cross dressing comedies, i.e. Some Like It Hot? Hoffman is sensational; puts on a dress, lands the role of a lifetime in a TV soap opera and makes a complicated, gender-bending love story. "That's one nutty hospital!."

A Pixar triumph. I loved this movie, I cannot remember when I have laughed so hard in my life. One of the best of 2003.

Generally considered to be one of the great Musicals made by Hollywood. Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York, the best redition of an updated Shakespeare I have ever seen. The tale of Romeo and Juliet's undying love. With great songs like 'Somewhere' and 'America' and 'Tonight'. A Best Picture Classic.

There has been a few film moments of Movie Magic, where a film has been so spectacular that it feels truly magical. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is one such film. As a child and an avid reader of Harry Potter series before they became famous, it was a magical experience for me watching for the first time, the day the film came out in that dark cinema. Looking at it now I see the same qualities that made the film so magical. The story more than anything makes the film what it is but seeing your imagination realised, from book to film so perfectly I still stand in awe. The great British cast, the score by Williams and the forever young simplicity and magic of the story make this an all time great film.

Spielberg's Spectacular science fiction fantasy. Genius mystery that celebrates the possibility of friendly alien life. The final culmination with the rendezvous with alien creatures is creepy but awe inspiring. Groundbreaking special effects and always great John Williams score. I really hate Richard Dreyfuss.

From T. E. Lawrence's memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the Majestic adventure and character drama - the epic story of T. E. Lawrence played to perfection by Peter O'Toole. The cinematography is unequaled by anything I have seen. Winner of my Best of the British Films.

Rocky is a rare combination of a great sport film, a great inspirational film and a great guy film. But more than anything it's inspirational story and central character Rocky are the key to it sucess as a great film. There are plenty of guy sports films but rarely any inspirational ones. Rocky inspires glory in the underdog, the average joe and makes you stand up and cheer. This would not be possible however if it wasn't for the great hero Rocky. Rocky played by Stallone in his best performance, is not only likeable but a true hero for our times. Winner of Best Picture, on the AFI Top 100 and Rocky ranked as the 7th greatest hero, Rocky is a winner. "Yo, Adrian!"

Best film of 2001. The begining of the greatest cinematic saga of this century. Best Fantasy Film. A towering marker in film history.

It may not look it but this is a Dark World War II drama. The Matter Of Principal. With the famous bridge that embodies the absurdities of war. Guiness seals himself as one of the greatest British actors. One of the best war films made.

Colossally crap!!!

The film that represents what a great adaptation is. Jack Nicholson soars. Nurse Ratched is one of the greatest villans in Cinema.

One of the funniest films I have ever seen. I don't work with the males because I ust to be one

We continue to live in the Pixar golden age, two thumbs way up for Toy Story 3.

The one film that would best sum up Hitchcock's career, style and mastery. Great screenplay and acting from Stewart, and the most beautiful actress Grace Kelly. The story and smaller sub story's are amazing. Winner of my Greatest Alfred Hitchock Films.

Sometimes more isn't better, its just more. With the largest budget ever, 258 million, the widest release, 4252 theatres, 4 villians, at least 3 different plot lines, two financing studios, Sony and Columbia, 2 hours and 20 mins screen time and as the final (?) instalment of the most successful comic book film franchise, a crowded Spider-Man 3 believes more is better. Not only that but also believes a comic book/superhero film need not be confined to its generic boundaries, but can be a comedy, romance, musical, horror, action, thriller and epic all in equal measure. Considering this, one can't help the feeling that Spider-Man has become self aware of it's 'moreness'. Spider Man knows he has the biggest budget, he knows that he has millions of fans and that millions of people will see this film. I should say the "makers" know. And it comes through in the film, with the parade, fans and spectacle of spider man. I felt as if I was watching a movie about a movie, a remake of the first two spider mans. To top it off this crowded, 'enough is never enough', more than a superhero, self-aware monstrosity ends up lacking coherance in turn reducing what should have been an entertaining and awesome superhero film into a mildly entertaining, over-stuffed and confused mess.

"Hasta la vista, baby."