The document lists the top 10 biggest summer blockbusters of all time by domestic ticket sales in inflation-adjusted dollars. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope from 1977 is number one with $1.32 billion in sales. Jaws from 1975 is number two with $1.15 billion, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial from 1982 is number three with $1.10 billion in sales. The list includes several Star Wars films as well as Jurassic Park, The Lion King, Forrest Gump, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Methodology notes domestic ticket sales are used and figures include later re-releases of films.

1. THE 10 BIGGEST SUMMER
BLOCKBUSTERS OF ALL TIME
Classic summer movies that brought in the dough.

2. A NOTE ON METHODOLOGY
Movies were considered that had opening weekends
between Labor Day and Memorial Day
All figures represent domestic ticket sales only, and are
given in inflation-adjusted (2015) dollars.
These figures include ticket sales if a movie was re-
released at some later time.

3.  Sales: $653 million
 Year Released: 1994
 Company: Paramount
This book-turned-movie did far
better than expected, as it took
viewers through tumultuous times
via the unique lens of the title
character.
10) FORREST GUMP
Photo: Toby Jamohan, via Flickr

4. 9) RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
 Sales: $682 million
 Year released: 1981
 Company: Lucasfilm
The first installment of the
Indiana Jones series was the only
one with a summer release.
Photo: Micky Aldridge, via Flickr

5.  Sales: $733 million
 Year Released: 1999
 Company: Lucasfilm
This was the first Star Wars film
in nearly 15 years. Though it was
met with mixed reviews, fans
turned out in droves.
8) STAR WARS: EPISODE I
Photo:Beekeeper, via Flickr

6. 7) JURASSIC PARK
 Sales: $733 million
 Year released: 1993
 Company: Amblin
Entertainment
While a newer version is in
theaters now, the original “Jurassic
Park” stunned viewers with its
special effects.
Photo: Jeremy Thompson

7.  Sales: $734 million
 Year Released: 1994
 Company: Walt Disney
The movie became an instant hit
during the golden age for
Disney’s cartoon movie unit.
6) THE LION KING
Photo: Post Memes, via Flickr

8. 5) STAR WARS: EPISODE VI
 Sales: $755 million
 Year released: 1983
 Company: Lucasfilm
This was the last in the first set
of Star Wars films, where we see
Darth Vader sacrifice himself
for Luke at the movie’s end.

9.  Sales: $784 million
 Year Released: 1980.
 Company: Lucasfilm
The second installment in the first
Star Wars trilogy, fans had to wait
three years for “The Empire
Strikes Back” to come to theaters.
4) STAR WARS: EPISODE V
Photo: Brett Jordan, via Flickr

10. 3) E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTIAL
 Sales: $1.10 billion
 Year released: 1982
 Company: Amblin
Entertainment
The story of an alien left behind
and a 10-year old boy named
Elliot became an instant classic.

11.  Sales: $1.15 billion
 Year Released: 1975
 Company: Universal
The earliest release on this list,
the success of Jaws convinced
studio executives that summer
thrillers could be huge hits.
2) JAWS
Photo: 7th Street Theatre, via Flickr

12. 1) STAR WARS: EPISODE IV
 Sales: $1.32 billion
 Year released: 1977
 Company: Lucasfilm
When the first-ever “Star Wars”
came out, it broke every record in
the book. Audiences couldn’t (and
still can’t) get enough of the
movie.

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