The 10 highest-grossing summer movies of all-time

Summer time means movie time! It’s when all the kids are out of school and even the adults can take some time off from work. So what’s one of the funnest things to do in the warmer months? Go to the movies!

Over the years there’s been so many great films overall, including in the summer. From Coming to America in 1998, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006, Wonder Woman in 2017, and so many more.

Unfortunately we couldn’t list all of them here. But we’ve rounded up 10 summer movies that have brought in the big bucks to their studios. The following numbers are based on how much the films grossed worldwide.

The 10 highest-grossing summer movies of all-time

1. Jurassic World, $1.6 billion

Released: June 12, 2015

The very first to top our list is Jurassic World. Located off the coast of Costa Rica, the Jurassic World luxury resort is a habitat for genetically engineered dinosaurs. One of them is the vicious and intelligent Indominus rex. When she escapes, it sets off a chain reaction causing other dinosaurs to run amok. It’s up to a former military man and animal expert to save two young brothers and the rest of the tourists.

Jurassic World currently holds the seventh spot of highest-grossing films ever made. It was also the second-highest grossing film of 2015 and is the highest-grossing in the franchise.

2. Marvel’s The Avengers, $1.5 billion

Released: May 4, 2012

When Thor’s evil brother Loki gains access access to the Tesseract, Nick Fury initiates a superhero recruitment effort to defeat him. Joining the team are Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, the Black Widow, and Hawkeye.

The Avengers set numerous box office records, and was the highest-grossing film of 2012. It’s also the first Marvel production to generate $1 billion in ticket sales!

3. Incredibles 2, $1.2 billion

Release date: June 5, 2018

Incredibles 2 is one of my favorite Disney movies and, based on this box office number, hundreds of people would agree!

Telecommunications guru Winston Deavor enlists Elastigirl to fight crime and change the public image of superheroes into a more positive light. Mr. Incredible is left at home to take care of the children. As Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack offer him a new set of headaches, a cyber-criminal named Screenslaver sets a dastardly plan – hypnotizing the world through computer screens.

In its opening weekend, The Incredibles 2 set the record for best debut for an animated film. It was the 15th highest grossing film of all time during its theatrical run, as well as being Pixar’s highest-grossing film.

4. Captain America: Civil War, $1.1 billion

Release date: May 6, 2016

This is a story that has some similarities with The Incredibles 2. The Avengers receive political pressure after their actions lead to collateral damage. Captain America believes superheroes should remain free to defend humans without government involvement. But, Iron Man disagrees. As things escalate, Black Widow and Hawkeye have to pick a side.

Captain America: Civil War became the highest-grossing film of 2016 and currently ranks 23 in the list of high-grossing films of all time.

5. Toy Story 3, $1.06 billion

Release date: June 18, 2010

This film is my favorite from the franchise, and it really touched so many hearts of kids and adults alike. With Andy getting ready to move out for college, he puts his toys away to be stored in the attic. But Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys accidentally get put on the curb with the trash. Everyone except Woody is donated to a day-care center, and the little toys make plans for a big escape.

Toy Story 3 is the first animated film to reach $1 billion at the box office. It also became the second Pixar film, third animated movie, and third production produced by Walt Disney Pictures to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

6. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, $1.02 billion

Release date: May 19, 1999

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a young apprentice Jedi Knight under the guardianship of Qui-Gon Jinn. When the Trade Federation cuts off all routes to the planet Naboo, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are assigned to settle the matter.

The Phantom Menace broke numerous box office records during its debut. It became the highest-grossing film of 1999, the second-highest-grossing film worldwide and in North America (behind Titanic), and the highest-grossing Star Wars film at the time.

7. The Dark Knight, $1 billion

Release date: July 18, 2008

Batman has been able to keep crime down in Gotham City, but a criminal calling himself the Joker throws the town into chaos. Everyone’s favorite hero is needed to stop the new villain.

The Dark Knight is considered to be one of the best and most influential films of its decade. It appeared on 287 critics’ Top 10 lists, more than any other 2008 movie except WALL-E. It also set the record for highest-grossing domestic opening with $158 million, a record it held for three years.

8. Spider-Man, $825 million

Release Date: May 3, 2002

Peter Parker gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface after being bitten by a genetically-altered spider. He vows to use his abilities for good to fight crime. He keeps his beloved uncle Ben’s words in mind – with great power comes great responsibility.

Spider Man was the first film to reach $100 million in a single weekend, as well as the most successful film based on a comic book at the time. The movie is credited for redefining the modern superhero genre, as well as the summer blockbuster.

9. Grease, $396 million

Release date: June 13, 1978

Movie musical Grease is centered around the friendships, romances, and adventures of a group of high school kids in the 1950s. It’s the perfect summer movie isn’t it? After all Sandy and Danny have a summer romance. But the school cliques get in the way for a while.

Grease became the highest-grossing musical film ever in 1978. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

10. Black Widow, $379.6 million

Release date: July 9, 2021

Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, is faced with a dangerous conspiracy that has ties to her past. With a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha has to deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships she left long before she became an Avenger.

Black Widow is the first film in Phase Four of the MCU, and was delayed three times from an original May 2020 release date due to the pandemic. But, it managed to break several pandemic office box office records.

What’s your favorite film on this list? Have you seen all of these movies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!