While the term “blockbuster” can pertain to any film that makes a killing at the box office, it tends to denote big-budget tentpole releases from the major Hollywood studios. As a result, it can take on a negative connotation among cinephiles, many of whom think that the most common examples offer spectacle over substance.
The modern marketplace does plenty to back up their claim with its seemingly endless gamut of superhero flicks, formulaic family fare, and overstuffed actioners. While the quality of execution may be variable, the majority of these films seem engineered to launch franchises and bolster the corporate bottom line. (This is the worst movie from every major franchise.)
However, to presume that most blockbusters are mere cash grabs is to sell the trend short. At the heart of these films is a constant friction between art and commerce, which extends across all entertainment-based industries but exists on a particularly epic scale in Hollywood. From the days of the silent era until now, directors have attempted to put massive visions on the big screen without succumbing to the demands of studio executives and by extension of audiences themselves. For proof, look no further than James Cameron’s upcoming “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which took a full 13 years coming to fruition and refuses to shed a minute from its near-three hour runtime.
Evaluating the best years for blockbuster films from the perspective of critical acclaim and audience approval, might be a way of determining the eras during which the aforementioned friction between art and commerce found its best groove. Indeed, many of cinema’s biggest earners also offered uncompromising artistic visions, even if those same visions were eventually corrupted by sequels, reboots, and imitations. Examples include everything from the first two “Star Wars” films to Spielberg’s “Jaws” to Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” (These are the best movie sequels of all time.)
To determine the best years for blockbusters, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on worldwide box office from The Numbers, an online movie database owned by Nash Information Services, and audience and critic ratings from IMDb, an online movie and TV database owned by Amazon, and Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator. Film years were ranked based on average IMDb audience rating, Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer (critics’) score of the 10 films with the highest global box office from each year. Average ratings data was combined into a composite index, with all three measures weighted equally. Data is current as of September 2022.
60. 1983
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.6/10 (1.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 60% (1.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 64% (476 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi
59. 2011
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.7/10 (3.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 66% (2.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 60% (2,344 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
58. 1996
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.7/10 (2.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 65% (5.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 64% (662 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Independence Day
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Jerry Maguire
57. 1998
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.8/10 (3.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 64% (38.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 64% (942 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Armageddon
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Saving Private Ryan
56. 2005
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.8/10 (4.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 59% (267.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 71% (2,293 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
55. 2006
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.8/10 (3.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (8.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 63% (2,055 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Casino Royale
54. 2000
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.9/10 (3.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 65% (39.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 65% (1,484 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Mission: Impossible 2
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Gladiator
53. 1974
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.8/10 (1.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 68% (1.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 66% (410 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Towering Inferno
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Godfather: Part II
52. 2004
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (4.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 68% (137.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 65% (2,281 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Shrek 2
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
51. 1988
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.9/10 (2.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (2.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 66% (513 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Rain Man
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Die Hard
50. 1985
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (1.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (2.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 63% (448 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Back to the Future
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Back to the Future
49. 2009
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (5.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (11.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 64% (2,638 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Avatar
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Up
48. 1995
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (4.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (5.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 66% (683 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Die Hard: With a Vengeance
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Toy Story
47. 2022
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.7/10 (2.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 86% (107,550 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 63% (2,854 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Top Gun: Maverick
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Top Gun: Maverick
46. 1980
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (1.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 72% (2.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 68% (448 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back
45. 1992
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (2.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (4.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 67% (618 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Aladdin
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Aladdin
44. 1976
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (906,561 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 68% (33.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (367 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Rocky
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: All the President’s Men
43. 1979
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (2.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (1.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 71% (581 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Moonraker
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Alien
42. 2002
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (5.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (42.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (2,190 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
41. 2008
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (7.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (7.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 72% (2,440 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Dark Knight
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Dark Knight
40. 1978
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (1.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (2.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (478 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Grease
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Deer Hunter
39. 1967
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (816,184 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (1.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 71% (429 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Jungle Book
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Graduate
38. 1990
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (2.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (36.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (605 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Ghost
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Dances with Wolves
37. 1963
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.0/10 (389,588 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 72% (385,981 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (263 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Cleopatra
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Dr. No
36. 2021
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.6/10 (2.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 92% (75,050 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (2,282 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Spider-Man: No Way Home
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Spider-Man: No Way Home
35. 2007
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (5.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (19.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (2,383 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Bourne Ultimatum
34. 1986
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (2.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (2.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (488 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Top Gun
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Aliens
33. 2020
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 6.7/10 (1.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 87% (108,058 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 72% (1,762 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
32. 2001
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (6.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (40.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (1,891 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi
31. 2003
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (6.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (138.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 67% (2,281 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
30. 1997
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (3.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 72% (40.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 78% (825 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Titanic
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: As Good as it Gets
29. 2018
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (4.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (362,121 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (4,192 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Avengers: Infinity War
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Avengers: Infinity War
28. 2014
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (5.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 78% (2.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 70% (2,871 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Transformers: Age of Extinction
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Guardians of the Galaxy
27. 1993
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (3.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (3.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (718 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Jurassic Park
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Schindler’s List
26. 1989
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (3.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (5.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (553 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
25. 1975
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (1.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (1.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (382 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Jaws
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
24. 1969
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (612,173 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (308,881 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (392 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
23. 1987
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (1.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (2.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (523 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Fatal Attraction
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Untouchables
22. 1966
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (178,824 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 71% (106,881 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 83% (354 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Bible
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
21. 2012
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (6.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (5.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 73% (2,788 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Avengers
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Dark Knight Rises
20. 1984
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (1.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (3.5 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (483 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Ghostbusters
19. 1977
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (1.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (1.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (425 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope
18. 1991
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (3.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (4.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 69% (650 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Terminator 2: Judgment Day
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Silence of the Lambs
17. 2016
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.2/10 (5.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (1.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (3,589 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Captain America: Civil War
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Zootopia
16. 2010
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (6.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (3.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (2,637 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Toy Story 3
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: How to Train Your Dragon
15. 1981
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (1.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (1.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (518 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Raiders of the Lost Ark
14. 1999
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (6.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (40.2 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (1,443 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Toy Story 2
13. 1965
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.1/10 (478,231 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (768,150 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (292 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Sound of Music
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Sound of Music
12. 2015
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (5.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (1.8 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (3,402 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Inside Out
11. 1994
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (6.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (7.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 75% (741 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Lion King
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Pulp Fiction
10. 1970
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (436,311 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 78% (472,055 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 76% (307 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Love Story
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Woodstock
9. 2019
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (4.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 86% (680,024 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 74% (4,473 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Avengers: Endgame
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Avengers: Endgame
8. 2013
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (5.9 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 82% (3.6 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 78% (2,699 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Frozen
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
7. 2017
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (4.4 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 77% (952,932 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 82% (3,684 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Star Wars Ep. VIII: The Last Jedi
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Coco
6. 1971
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (1.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (912,595 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (458 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Diamonds Are Forever
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Last Picture Show
5. 1982
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.4/10 (1.7 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (33.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (579 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Das Boot
4. 1964
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.3/10 (665,410 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 81% (1.1 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 85% (344 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: Goldfinger
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: Goldfinger
3. 1973
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.6/10 (1.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 84% (1.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 79% (441 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Exorcist
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Sting
2. 1972
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.6/10 (2.0 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 85% (918,197 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 86% (405 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: The Godfather
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: The Godfather
1. 1968
> Avg. IMDb rating, top 10 highest-grossing films: 7.7/10 (1.3 million votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, 10 highest-grossing films: 84% (872,454 votes)
> Avg. Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, 10 highest-grossing films: 89% (569 reviews)
> Highest-grossing movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey
> Highest-rated movie among top 10: 2001: A Space Odyssey