Top 10 Most Profitable Movies of All Time

10. Ghost (1990)

Return on investment: 1446%
Budget: $35 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross Revenue: $506 million

What follows is a list of the 10 most profitable movies of all time, based on worldwide box office receipts. These movies made back their money over and over again, and while there are some acknowledged blockbusters here, there are also those that came out of nowhere and surprised everyone with their performance at the box office.

9. Home Alone (1990)

Return on investment: 1590%
Budget $30 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $477 million

8. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Return on investment: 1749%
Budget: $35 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross Revenue: $612 million

7. American Beauty (1999)

Return on investment: 1780%
Budget $20 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $356 million

6. Star Wars (1977)

Return on investment: 1938%
Budget $40 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross Revenue: $775 million

5. Grease (1978)

Return on investment: 1975%
Budget $20 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $394 million

4. Pretty Woman (1990)

Return on investment: 2013%
Budget $23 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $463 million

3. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Return on investment: 2520%
Budget $15 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $378 million

2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Return on investment: 3172%
Budget: $25 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross Revenue: $793 million

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Return on investment: 6150%
Budget $6 million (inflation-adjusted)
Gross revenue $369 million