See if you can guess where it ranks adjusted for inflation, based just on number of ticket sales(you probably won't even be close):

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm?p=.htm

Its not nearly as impressive, especially considering the average Star Wars ticket went for about $2.00, and I shelled out $15 for Avatar.

 

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It'll end up about 14th in the US. It's hard to compare the really old movies because the marketplace was so different. Gone With the Wind and movies like that would get reissued every few years and rake in more money at the box office. In the era of Star Wars and Raiders big films would play for more than a year on screens. Nowadays even the big films get pushed off faster for newer stuff. If Avatar stayed on the big IMAX and 3D screens, it'd probably make more money, but things like Alice in Woderland are going to reduce its screens. However, they're probably fine with that, because when the DVD rolls out they're going to make another metric ton of cash.


I've often wondered why they didn't ever track box office by tickets sold, because it seems like that would be a better gauge, but I guess people like looking at the big dollar totals.

Haven't heard lately, but last time I heard, the #1 grossing movie of all time when adjusted for inflation was Gone with the Wind not Star Wars. Boggles the mind IMO.

Yeah, Gone With the Wind is #1, Star Wars was #2 but not far off. Star Wars is much more impressive to me though considering the different eras.

 

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Gone With The Wind was probably the most anticipated film of all time. It was like Titanic times Twilight, and didn't even have the benefit of modern media to hype it up or get people talking. Yet regular people were actively invested in who would be cast in each part. It rolled out across the country, and the anticipation built even further. It basically invented the event film for decades to come. And, as I said, every so often they would trot it out to theaters again and make more money. There's absolutely no mystery to it being the number one film of all time, when you adjust for inflation. With everything else we have to divide our attention nowadays, it's a wonder modern films even come close.

Yeah, looking at older movies, they didn't have to compete with things like the internet, video games, cable, etc., and there wasn't as much to do during those days if one wanted to go out (amusement parks are only available in so many places too). And tickets cost less too, so seeing multiple viewings probably wasn't going to bankrupt you.

I think another other major contributing factor for Avatar's success is the fact that it was released in the winter, with no other major movie to challenge it. It probably wouldn't of done as well if it was released in the summer.

I'm hoping though, that movie studios don't just release movies in 3-D for the sake of having 3-D. As basic as Avatar's story was, it was still pretty exciting to watch. Not often you get to see a giant tree getting blown up, and get reminded of how automatic weapons made cavalry charges obsolete.

The other thing to consider when looking at Avatar is that it's ticket price is higher than an average movie due to the 3D. I paid an extra $3 a ticket. And when my theaters matinee price is $7.00, that's almost half the price of a regular ticket tacked on.

 

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Its already too late. 3D is the new fad. Lucas is even seriously considering re-releasing Star Wars in 3D.

 

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Well... in Denmark we pay 175 danish kroner which equals to US$33 for a ticket to Avatar

 

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I love seeing Star Wars in the Theater, please release them again, 3D or not.

 

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