Who Wants To Be A Billionaire?

With the ticket price inflation and 3D, movie theatre's tickets are really high nowadays. In USA, average ticket price is $8. IMAX 3D tickets could reach $18. That's a lot of money to spend only for 2 hours. However, for people like me I would definitely spend that money to escape the real world and enjoy the entertainment of the movie world. With all this high-priced tickets, a lot of films reached the $1 billion mark in the worldwide box-office, the latest one to reach this milestone is Iron Man 3. Up until the year 2008--or the year before Avatar, the films that reached this billionaire status is only four: Titanic, LOTR: Return of the King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and The Dark Knight. It used to be a magnificent feat because they did it without 3D ticket price. Now, there's 16 films that belong to this billionaire club. Do most of them deserve to be in this exclusive club? Let's find out starting from the top. (data update May 27, 2013)

1. Avatar (2009) - $2.7b
Yes. James Cameron did it again. This groundbreaking film started the whole 3D craze and proved that CGI is truly movie magic. Or, you can consider this as a Pocahontas rip-off and the most expensive animated movie of all time. Still, this film belongs to this club.

2. Titanic (1997) - $2.1b
A massive production even at its own time. This James Cameron's ambitious film can only be beaten by none other than James Cameron's new ambitious film. This success was inimitable, it also launched Leonardo DiCaprio to stardom. Yes, billionaire club all the way.

3. The Avengers (2012) - $1.5b
A landmark film to have a superhero team-up in the big screen. Geeks and non-geeks and moviegoers flocked to the cinemas, especially in the US where it scored the biggest opening weekend gross ever. But billionaire club? Yes, but verging on no.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) - $1.3b
The series of a generation (my generation). The ending was well made, a more than decent adaptation to the great novel. This film started the whole two-part penultimate ending followed by Twilight and The Hunger Games. But I'm a bit torn because this wasn't a satisfying adaptation (I only said more than decent). So, no?

5. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) - $1.12b
While slightly better than Revenge of the Fallen, this film is a disappointment for me. Too much unnecessary human drama, not enough robot action, rushed ending and lame alien army. Plus, no Megan Fox! Sorry, but no to the billionaire club.

6. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) - $1.11b
The last chapter to one of the best movie trilogy of all time and also to one of the best book adaptations of all time. Also a winner of 11 Oscars in 2004. Yes to the billionaire club.

7. Iron Man 3 (2013) - $1.11b (still in theaters)

The first 2013 film to be here. It's here because of The Avengers' success, but it is a mixed bag for an Iron Man film. It has cool moments but equally dumb moments too. A bit unsatisfying, hence, no the billionaire club.

8. Skyfall (2012) - $1.10b
James Bond, without 3D. Great film, new angle on the secret agent, a cunning villain. Yes please to the billionaire club.

9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - $1.08b
Last chapter to Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. While not that satisfying in logic, the film stays majestic and true to the tone of the trilogy. And Bane. Yes to the billionaire club.

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - $1.06b
One of the biggest sequels in the last decade, definitely the most anticipated after the unique first film. I too was expecting this to be big. And I loved it. Yes to the billionaire club and also because it doesn't use 3D.

11. Toy Story 3 (2010) - $1.06b
Again, one of the best series ender for the trilogy. A trilogy so well-made it spanned for 15 years. A great film. The best animated film ever. Yes to the billionaire club.

12. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) - $1.04b
NO. Hate this film. When you see the definition of 'cash-grab', you'll see a still from this film. It's in 3D, it has no Will and Elizabeth, it has a crappy story, it abuses Jack Sparrow, and much more. NO.

13. Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - $1.02b
This film isn't even in the billionaire club if it's not for the 3D re-release. Although it's one of the most anticipated sequels of all time, this film isn't that special other than to introduce Liam Neeson as a Jedi and also the iconic face-painted Sith Darth Maul. Sorry, but no thanks to the billionaire club.

14. Alice in Wonderland (2010) - $1.02b
This is the film that makes me write this post in the first place. Burton's Alice isn't exceptional at all. Like, at all. I don't recall anything special other than the strange Mad Hatter dance at the end. No to the billionaire club.

15. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - $1.01b
How about An Unnecessary Prequel? I wouldn't talk bad about this if it was in the same quality with the trilogy. I applaud the scenes with Gollum, but other than that the film is repetitive, the CG looks bad because it relied to much on computer effects rather than practical effects. Sorry, but no thanks.

16. The Dark Knight (2008) - $1.00b
Now, where's the love for the best superhero film of all time? I won't say much. But yes to the billionaire club.


What other films that could reach $1 billion this year?
My picks are Man of Steel and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Also Fast and Furious 6 and possibly Thor: The Dark World could have a shot too. Whereas The Hunger Games: Catching Fire mostly will just eclipse its predecessor.

Coming up next week or early June: the super late review of Oblivion