The 10 Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Films Of All Time

Though Hollywood has created films that fall into a lot of entertaining genres, there are none quite as magnificent and fascinating as those that carry a sci-fi label.

Science fiction films oftentimes take place far in the future where large technological, social, environmental, or political changes have occurred. While sometimes the events of these movies play out on earth, other times they happen deep into space or in alternative universes.

To celebrate this exciting genre, we thought it was time to look at the highest-grossing sci-fi movies of all time. To do this, we’ll be looking at the worldwide box office numbers on Box Office Mojo.

Are you ready to take one giant step forward into the future? Here are the highest-grossing sci-fi films to be released so far.

10 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999): $1.03 billion

If you guessed that you’d be seeing more than one Star Wars film in the lineup, you were correct.

The first chronological installment in the series, which premiered in 1999, has young Obi-Wan Kenobi training under Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn. After the Trade Federation limits access to the planet Naboo in anticipation of an invasion, it’s up to the pair to set things right.

During their journey, they end up meeting a nine-year-old slave known as Anakin Skywalker. He will one day rise to become one of the galaxy’s greatest threats, Darth Vader.

9 Jurassic Park (1993): $1.03 billion

Next in line is the titular installment in the Jurassic Park franchise.

Debuting in 1993, this sci-adventure film, based on the novel of the same name, tells of the Isla Nublar, which has become filled with genetically engineered dinosaurs. Scientists show off these creatures by turning the island into a theme park. However, this idea backfires after the power shuts down and lets the colossal creatures run loose.

A group of visitors has one goal in mind: staying alive.

8 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): $1.06 billion

This Star Wars spin-off film flew into theaters in 2016.

It tells of former scientist Galen Erso who is torn away from his family to design the Death Star. Fifteen later, his daughter Jyn teams up with a spy to take the plans away.

The Rebel Alliance depends on her to keep their people safe.

7 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014): $1.10 billion

The fourth installment in the Transformers series entered theaters in 2014 to a giant audience. Though the critical reviews were largely negative, it still managed to score huge at the box office.

While the people on earth try to move on with life, their efforts are halted by a new group that tries to move into power. As an upcoming villain plans to dominate the earth, it’s up to humans and the Autobots to face the fresh threats.

6 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011): $1.12 billion

Taking place five years before the events of Age of Extinction, this Transformers installment has Sam and his girlfriend, Carly, fighting against the Decepticons who have declared war on the Autobots.

Though Optimus Prime believes that bringing the Transformer Sentinel Prime back to life might help them win the war, the group soon realizes that there are consequences that occur when you play with fate. It all ends with a giant fight in the streets of Chicago.

5 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018): $1.31 billion

Though much of the Jurassic Park series took place during the ’90s and early 2000s, the series was revived in 2015 with the release of Jurassic World. Its sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, did almost as well.

This 2018 adventure has dinosaur handler Owen Grady and park operation manager Claire Dearing attempting to save the dinosaurs that are about to be killed off by a volcanic eruption. However, their quest to rescue the creatures soon has them digging up a conspiracy that goes much deeper than they’re prepared for.

4 Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017): $1.33 billion

The eighth installment in the Skywalker Saga (and the second installment in the sequel trilogy) has the young Rey reaching a bitter Luke Skywalker, who has distanced himself on a remote island. Though Luke is at first reluctant to help Rey, she convinces him to train her in the ways of the Force.

Meanwhile, the members of the Resistance, including Finn and Poe, prepare for a fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

3 Jurassic World (2015): $1.67 billion

The aforementioned Jurassic World roared into theaters in 2015.

Following a plot similar to the original Jurassic Park, a group of visitors at the luxury Jurassic World resort find their lives in danger after the dinosaurs get loose. It’s up to Owen and Claire to keep the tourists safe, including Claire’s visiting nephews, whom she has struggled to make time for.

2 Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015): $2.07 billion

The highest-grossing Star Wars film of all time is the opener of the prequel trilogy, which entered theaters in 2015.

This space opera introduces Rey, an independent scavenger who shows signs of the Force —  Poe, a Resistance pilot who gets ahold of a map that reveals Luke Skywalker’s location — and Finn, a former Stormtrooper who hopes to turn around his pursuits. They team together to take on the galaxy’s newest threat, the son of Han and Leia, Kylo Ren.

1 Avatar (2009): $2.79 billion

Topping off the list as the highest-grossing sci-fi film of all time (and the second-highest film of all time under Avengers: Endgame) is Avatar. This 2009 film tells of blue creatures known as the Na’vi who live in the vibrant world of Pandora.

In the year 2154, former Marine Jake Sully learns that he can also make a future here by linking up to an Avatar. This Na’vi-human hybrid reverses his paralysis and allows him to wander free in the world. As he falls for a woman he meets on Pandora, he is pulled further into the land’s impending doom and sets out to save it.

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