Entertainment
10 Greatest Blockbuster Movies of the Last 50 Years, Ranked
Back in 1975, Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws kick-started the concept of a blockbuster film as we know it today. It pioneered wide-release distribution and had an unprecedentedly massive marketing campaign, which led it to becoming the highest-grossing film in history (a record that was broken by Star Wars two years later). One can go back and retroactively apply the “blockbuster” label to several pre-1975 movies, but the concept as we understand it today was technically born 51 years ago.
That means that over the course of the last 50 years, several of the most popular and successful movies of modern times have been blockbusters through and through. A superhero film from the most profitable movie franchise in history; a big, genre-defining action extravaganza; or yet another Steven Spielberg film. No matter the case, the best blockbusters of the last half-century can all be counted among the most iconic movies ever made. For variety’s sake, there will only be one entry per franchise on this list.
10
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
No list of the biggest blockbusters of the last five decades could ever possibly be complete without talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and no list of the best blockbusters of the last 50 years could be complete without talking about the best MCU movie to date: Avengers: Infinity War. It may not have broken the international box office at quite the same level that Avengers: Endgame, the second-highest-grossing movie ever, did; but “seventh-highest-grossing movie of all time” is not a title to scoff at.
Infinity War‘s marketing promised the most ambitious crossover event in cinematic history, and the film somehow managed to live up to the hype. Full of exciting moments, giving each character their fair share of time under the spotlight, and with one of the best movie endings of the 2010s, it’s arguably the latest true superhero film masterpiece that Hollywood has given us.
9
‘Mission: Impossible — Fallout’ (2018)
With the sole exception of the not-so-acclaimed Mission: Impossible 2, the action franchise led by Tom Cruise was one of those action movie series that only kept getting better and better with each new installment. The franchise reached its peak with its sixth outing: Mission: Impossible — Fallout, which is far and away one of the most exciting thrillers of the 21st century.
Everything that anyone could possibly want from an action blockbuster, Fallout possesses plentifully. The flawlessly-choreographed combat scenes are a blast, the death-defying stunts are as nail-biting as ever, the character work is surprisingly layered and fun, and the story is the most entertaining and best-paced that the franchise ever saw. This is the kind of action film that (rightfully) makes people go “they don’t make ’em like that anymore.”
8
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
Right before the turn of the century, the Wachowskis casually decided to completely revolutionize the action and sci-fi movie genres. The Matrix was nothing short of game-changing, and even today, watching this delightful film is still an absolute blast—whether it’s your first or hundredth time watching. It’s proof that blockbuster films can become undeniable cultural phenomena.
Part trans allegory, part martial arts movie, part philosophical dissertation on existence, and 100% thrills and adrenaline from start to finish, The Matrix is not just enjoyable, but also one of the most important action movies that define the genre. The film proved hugely influential and spawned an equally financially successful franchise, though there’s no beating the original.
7
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)
You never bet against James Cameron, and audiences were able to learn that all the way back in 1991. The visionary Canadian filmmaker made Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which was the most expensive film of all time at the time of its release. The result? A massive success that quickly became the third-highest-grossing movie of all time.
It’s one of the most perfect action movies ever made, a thrilling and eye-popping landmark of the sci-fi action genre that’s still impressive over three decades later. But as full of adrenaline-pumping action sequences as it may be (supported by some of the most stunning visual effects of the ’90s), what really makes Terminator 2 stand out is how surprisingly well-written and heartwarming it is. It’s a character-driven piece at heart, and that’s what makes it such a special kind of blockbuster.
6
‘Titanic’ (1997)
As if any more proof were needed that he was one of the most commercially successful filmmakers in history, James Cameron came out in 1997 with what would soon prove to be the highest-grossing film in history: Titanic. Proof that blockbusters don’t need to be action-packed or full of fantasy or sci-fi elements in order to pull in the big bucks, Titanic remained in theaters for nearly a year, making its theatrical run one of the longest ever.
Watching Titanic today, it’s abundantly easy to see why people were so eager to watch it and re-watch it back in 1997. Beautifully romantic, perfect in its use of melodramatic elements, and technically lavish in every sense imaginable, the film is as emotionally stirring as it is visually gorgeous. Add to that one of the most breathtaking third acts in film history, and you get a disaster movie whose financial triumph should surprise no one.
5
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
If there’s any filmmaker worthy of calling himself the modern king of Hollywood blockbusters, it’s Christopher Nolan. Nowadays, he’s a director whose mere name is enough to fill seats, and that’s thanks to a trajectory that includes masterpieces of the caliber of The Dark Knight. Today, many still see this action crime thriller as the greatest comic book movie and superhero movie of all time.
Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker is arguably the main reason why the movie has aged as well as it has.
The Dark Knight is the definitive live-action portrayal of the Caped Crusader, one of those superhero movies that are a masterclass in filmmaking. Heath Ledger‘s performance as The Joker is arguably the main reason why the movie has aged as well as it has, but it’s by no means the only thing it has going for it. The rest of the cast does an equally great job, the action sequences are thrilling beyond measure, and Nolan’s airtight direction proves why he’s the author of several of the greatest blockbusters of all time.
A conversation about the greatest blockbusters of the last 50 years is never complete without mentioning at least one Steven Spielberg movie. And as far as Steven Spielberg blockbusters go, it doesn’t get much more iconic than E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It became the highest-grossing movie of all time when it came out, a record it would keep for a whopping 15 years, until Titanic came and took it.
It may no longer be the most financially successful film ever, but E.T. is still very much one of the most universally-loved sci-fi movies of all time. It’s movie magic in its purest form, bolstered by the charming innocence of Spielberg’s direction and the absolute perfection of John Williams‘ score. There are many family movie blockbusters that should be considered essential viewing for cinephiles of all ages, and this is definitely one of them.
3
‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989)
As phenomenal as E.T. may be, there is arguably no Steven Spielberg blockbuster from the last 50 years better than Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It’s undeniably less iconic than Raiders of the Lost Ark, but this threequel is not only the best installment in the series, but also Spielberg’s best adventure movie ever.
It turns out that the secret ingredient to make a flawless action-adventure movie is to pair Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. The duo provide all the heart and thematic depth of the film, carrying all the thrill of this Indy adventure on their shoulders effortlessly. Extraordinary visuals, an unforgettable John Williams score, several jaw-dropping action scenes… What’s not to love about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?
2
‘Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
This is another case of a sequel that’s arguably not quite as iconic or as much of a landmark in the history of blockbuster cinema, but even the biggest of Star Wars fans must admit that Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back is the peak of the galaxy far, far away. It’s one of the most perfect and timeless sci-fi movies ever, and the quintessential Hero’s Journey film.
There’s nothing by-the-numbers about The Empire Strikes Back. Everything about it still feels every bit as fresh and creative as it does iconic even after all these years, from the music to the visuals to the action scenes. Perfectly-paced, thematically powerful, and culminating in one of the coolest third acts in the history of genre cinema, it may not have been quite as successful as its predecessor initially; but with time, it has come to be praised as the greatest science-fantasy movie ever made.
1
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
Cinema has never seen a movie franchise quite like Peter Jackson‘s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Adapting J. R. R. Tolkien‘s Legendarium for the big screen was nothing if not a titanically ambitious task, but Jackson and his team didn’t just meet expectations, they soared far above them. The series concluded with what’s easily one of the most perfect movies of the last 75 years: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
It’s perhaps the greatest of all fantasy epics, a perfect conclusion to this perfect adaptation of one of the most perfect stories in the history of 20th-century literature. From romance to action to magic to a myriad of unforgettable moments, Return of the King has everything that anyone could possibly want from a blockbuster film. It became the second-highest-grossing film ever at the time of its release, and it’s still one of the most widely beloved cinematic masterpieces in the history of blockbuster cinema.
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