Top 10 Highest Grossing Action Movies of All Time

Action movies have long been a cornerstone of global cinema, captivating audiences with their adrenaline-pumping sequences, larger-than-life heroes, and groundbreaking visual effects. Over the decades, the genre has evolved from straightforward shootouts and car chases to complex narratives that incorporate elements of science fiction, espionage, and even heartfelt drama. From the explosive spectacles of the 1980s that made stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone household names to modern blockbusters like Avatar and Furious 7, action films have consistently dominated the box office. These movies not only push the boundaries of filmmaking but also reflect cultural trends, technological advancements, and audience preferences across generations.

The highest-grossing action movies of all time are a testament to the genre’s global appeal and its ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. Films such as James Cameron’s Avatar—the reigning champion with over $2.9 billion in worldwide earnings—have set new benchmarks for cinematic storytelling and visual grandeur. Other notable entries include franchise juggernauts like Furious 7, which combined high-octane stunts with emotional depth, and Top Gun: Maverick, a nostalgic yet modern sequel that resonated with both old and new audiences. These films not only rake in billions at the box office but also leave a lasting legacy, shaping the future of action cinema while continuing to entertain millions around the world.

10. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Budget: $170–177 million
Worldwide gross: $1,495,696,292

• Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
• Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie
• Story by: Peter Craig, Justin Marks
• Based on: Characters by Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr.
• Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison
• Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer
• Production companies: Paramount Pictures, Skydance, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
• Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
• Release dates: April 28, 2022 (CinemaCon), May 27, 2022 (United States)
• Running time: 131 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

9. Furious 7 (2015)

Budget: $190–250 million
Worldwide gross: $1,515,341,399

• Directed by: James Wan
• Written by: Chris Morgan
• Based on: Characters by Gary Scott Thompson
• Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Michael Fottrell
• Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Djimon Hounsou, Kurt Russell, Jason Statham
• Production companies: Universal Pictures, MRC, Original Film, One Race Films, China Film Co., Ltd., Dentsu Inc.
• Distributed by: Universal Pictures
• Release dates: April 1, 2015 (TCL Chinese Theatre), April 3, 2015 (United States)
• Running time: 137 minutes
• Countries: United States, China
• Language: English

8. The Avengers (2012)

Budget: $220–225 million
Worldwide gross: $1,518,815,515

• Directed by: Joss Whedon
• Screenplay by: Joss Whedon
• Story by: Zak Penn, Joss Whedon
• Based on: Avengers by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Produced by: Kevin Feige
• Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson
• Production company: Marvel Studios
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Release dates: April 11, 2012 (El Capitan Theatre), May 4, 2012 (United States)
• Running time: 143 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

7. Jurassic World (2015)

Budget: $150–215 million
Worldwide gross: $1,671,537,444

• Directed by: Colin Trevorrow
• Screenplay by: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow
• Story by: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
• Based on: Characters by Michael Crichton
• Produced by: Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley
• Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, Irrfan Khan
• Production companies: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, The Kennedy/Marshall Company
• Distributed by: Universal Pictures
• Release dates: May 29, 2015 (Le Grand Rex), June 12, 2015 (United States)
• Running time: 124 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

6. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Budget: $200 million
Worldwide gross: $1,922,598,800

• Directed by: Jon Watts
• Written by: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
• Based on: Spider-Man by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
• Produced by: Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal
• Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire
• Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pascal Pictures
• Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
• Release dates: December 13, 2021 (Fox Village Theatre), December 17, 2021 (United States)
• Running time: 148 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

5. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Budget: $325–400 million
Worldwide gross: $2,048,359,754

• Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
• Screenplay by: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
• Based on: Avengers by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Produced by: Kevin Feige
• Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldaña, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt
• Production company: Marvel Studios
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Release dates: April 27, 2018 (United States)
• Running time: 149 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Budget: $447 million (net); $533 million (gross)
Worldwide gross: $2,068,223,624

• Directed by: J. J. Abrams
• Written by: Lawrence Kasdan, J. J. Abrams, Michael Arndt
• Based on: Characters by George Lucas
• Produced by: Kathleen Kennedy, J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
• Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow
• Production companies: Lucasfilm Ltd., Bad Robot
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Release dates: December 14, 2015 (Hollywood, Los Angeles), December 18, 2015 (United States)
• Running time: 138 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Budget: $350–460 million
Worldwide gross: $2,320,250,281

• Directed by: James Cameron
• Screenplay by: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
• Story by: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno
• Produced by: James Cameron, Jon Landau
• Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet
• Production companies: TSG Entertainment, Lightstorm Entertainment
• Distributed by: 20th Century Studios
• Release dates: December 6, 2022 (Odeon Luxe Leicester Square), December 16, 2022 (United States)
• Running time: 192 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Budget: $356–400 million
Worldwide gross: $2,797,501,328

• Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
• Screenplay by: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
• Based on: Avengers by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Produced by: Kevin Feige
• Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Brolin
• Production company: Marvel Studios
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Release dates: April 22, 2019 (Los Angeles Convention Center), April 26, 2019 (United States)
• Running time: 181 minutes
• Country: United States
• Language: English

1. Avatar (2009)

Budget: $237 million
Worldwide gross: $2,923,706,026

• Directed by: James Cameron
• Written by: James Cameron
• Produced by: James Cameron, Jon Landau
• Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver
• Production companies: 20th Century Fox, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, Lightstorm Entertainment
• Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
• Release dates: December 10, 2009 (Odeon Leicester Square), December 18, 2009 (United States)
• Running time: 162 minutes
• Countries: United Kingdom, United States
• Language: English

List of Highest Grossing Action Movies of All Time

Here is the list of highest-grossing action films of all time.

Top 10 Highest Grossing Action Movies (Sci-fi, Superhero and Fantasy Excluded)

Here is the is a list of highest-grossing action films of all time, sci-fi, superhero and fantasy films are not included.

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