8 Best Sci-Fi Movies That Made $1 Billion, Ranked

21 hours ago 8

Published Jun 13, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT

Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years.

Whether it be revolutionary technologies that reshape the human experience or vast, intergalactic worlds light-years away, there is an inherent joy and fascination with sci-fi storytelling that has made it a staple of cinema ever since the early days of the medium. These sci-fi films prove to be that much more striking and memorable when given a massive blockbuster scale and stature to bring their visions to life, with many of the most acclaimed and recognizable sci-fi success stories crossing over into the luxurious $1 billion club.

These massively successful titans of the sci-fi genre have taken a myriad of different paths to box-office success, whether it be continuing the impact of beloved film franchises or utilizing craft and technology to bring a striking original vision to life. While not every sci-fi film that has made $1 billion is of overwhelming high quality, the very best of this selection have proven to be some of the most recognizable and acclaimed sci-fi films of their respective eras.

8 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021)

Tobey Maguire, Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man prepare for battle in Spider-Man No Way Home.

Spider-Man was a massively popular character long before his introduction into the MCU, with a deep-rooted history of iconic film outings and iterations of the character for each generation. Spider-Man: No Way Home effectively taps into the long-lasting history of the character, bringing back iconic villains and heroes from Spider-Man films of the past to create a glorious love letter to the character's live-action blockbuster history.

While a lot of the box-office success of the film can be attributed to the highly anticipated and memorable return of iconic Spider-Man actors Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, it certainly helped that the film had its fair share of great action sequences and emotional story beats. It sticks to what makes the fundamentals of Spider-Man so enticing as a superhero, building upon the development and arcs of previous MCU films, and acts as the definitive outing of the character in the MCU and one of the best Spider-Man films to date.

7 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)

Acting as a culmination of over a decade's worth of films in the wider multiverse of MCU filmmaking, it isn't exactly shocking that Avengers: Endgame made box-office records and was at one point the highest-grossing film in box-office history. The film stands as a love letter to the MCU as a whole, with callbacks and references to each film leading up to this point while still telling a sprawling, highly entertaining action film that gives each character a moment to shine.

Even as the MCU continues to have new entries and build-up anticipation for the next Avengers film, it's difficult to imagine any other film in the MCU coming close to the complete global dominance and cultural impact that this iconic finale had. It has stood as a towering achievement for what is possible not just within the MCU but in extended-universe storytelling in film as a whole, proudly known as one of the defining blockbuster successes of the 21st century.

6 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' (2015)

While legacy sequels are all the rage nowadays for bringing back hardcore fans and continuing the stories of beloved films, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was truly the first film to succeed in this regard, bringing a classic franchise into the modern age. Releasing over 30 years after Return of the Jedi and over a decade after Revenge of the Sith, this monumental return to the Star Wars franchise was received with overwhelming excitement and praise from long-time fans.

While Disney's handling of Star Wars as a brand has arguably been muddied and not nearly as impactful in the decade since its release, it's hard to ignore just how impactful The Force Awakens was, not just for sci-fi blockbusters, but blockbuster filmmaking in general. It still holds the record for the highest-grossing film at the North American box office and is held in much higher regard than the two sequels that it would receive.

5 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (2022)

Releasing 13 years after the previous blockbuster juggernaut, Avatar: The Way of Water certainly had a lot to live up to in terms of legacy and anticipation following the highest-grossing movie of all time. James Cameron's groundbreaking marvel of visual achievement and technological advancement made perfect use of the time since the last film's release, with masterful top-notch CGI visuals that are still unmatched by any other high-budget blockbuster of the modern era.

The beautiful underwater sequences make the absolute most of both the groundbreaking motion capture technology as well as the absolute limit of 3D filmmaking at a blockbuster scale. Cameron's style of filmmaking has such a distinct vision in terms of pushing blockbuster filmmaking to its absolute limits, with The Way of Water perfectly encapsulating what sci-fi blockbuster filmmaking is capable of. While the Avatar franchise will surely continue to deliver memorable sequels in the coming years, The Way of Water is important for proving to audiences that Avatar was far from just a one-time success story.

4 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)

Captain America and the Avengers standing in line looking ahead in Avengers Infinity War (2018)

While a lot of the praise and prominent success of the MCU's finale is largely attributed to the brilliance of Avengers: Endgame, it is arguably even more impressive that Avengers: Infinity War was able to set the stage and stand as its own cinematic event without feeling like only half of a complete story. The impact and success of Endgame wouldn't have been nearly as large without Infinity War setting the stage and proving the quality of bringing together all corners of the MCU into one explosive blockbuster event.

Even today, the film still stands as one of the most ambitious superhero movies ever made and a landmark title in the MCU's success, with inherent charm and pacing that gives it an edge over Endgame in terms of standalone quality. A lot of the greater success and individuality of the film can be attributed to how it centers around the looming threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin), with each hero finding their own way to try and stop his conquest of universal destruction.

3 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' (2016)

While the actual trilogy of mainline Star Wars films under Disney had a relatively rocky reception from fans, one of the absolute best things to come out of the Disney era of Star Wars was being that much more willing to experiment with spinoffs and standalone stories, with the best example being Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Its entry into the $1 billion gross club can certainly be attributed by continued excitement from The Force Awakens the previous year, but that doesn't take away from the strength and effectiveness of Rogue One as a standalone experience.

This dynamic adventure of a rogue group of resistance fighters uniting for a mission to steal the Death Star's plans proves to be all the more effective thanks to its high stakes, entertaining characters, and emotional action-packed climax. Even with the occasional hiccups like distracted de-aging CGI, the film proves to be leaps and bounds ahead of Disney's other Star Wars efforts and has aged tremendously in the decade since its release.

2 'Avatar' (2009)

Image via 20th Century Studios

It's impossible to discuss the topic of sci-fi blockbusters without talking about James Cameron's Avatar, the film that currently holds the record for the highest-grossing movie of all time and manages to be just as groundbreaking and visually striking today as when it was released 17 years ago. The film ushered in a wave of 3D filmmaking in the wake of its success, as its revolutionary utilization of the technology not only helped it achieve massive box-office success, but completely redefined for many audiences what film was capable of.

Avatar proved to be a generational, must-watch experience that was pushing the medium of filmmaking forward with its brilliance, standing tall as a culmination of Cameron's exceptional career and creating a sprawling, mesmerizing sci-fi world. This perfectly directed sci-fi epic is often the first film that comes to mind when considering massively successful sci-fi films at the box-office, made all the more impressive that it achieved this as a completely original film, not a part of a pre-existing franchise.

1 'Jurassic Park' (1993)

A T. rex looking at a flare in the rain during a tense scene in the original Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park is an interesting case when it comes to its inclusion in the $1 billion club, as while it didn't earn $1 billion during its original box-office run, it would make it over the edge thanks to various re-releases over the years, with it now standing at $1.1 billion grossed worldwide. However, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi adventure masterpiece is still one of the most important and highly acclaimed sci-fi blockbusters ever released, being massively influential for the entire genre and featuring revolutionary visuals that still hold up over 30 years later.

The film proved to be so overwhelmingly successful as a worldwide phenomenon that it once held the title of the highest-grossing movie of all time at the box office, a mantle that it would hold until the release of Titanic 4 years later. Still, the film's substantial legacy grows with each passing year, as it's the oldest film to have grossed $1 billion and has seen a myriad of spinoffs and sequels that have further defined its cinematic legacy.

Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Personality Quiz Which Sci-Fi Hero Are You Most Like? Paul Atreides · Captain Kirk · Princess Leia · Ellen Ripley · Max Rockatansky

Five iconic heroes. Five completely different ways of facing an impossible universe. One of them shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of refusing to back down. Eight questions will tell you which one.

🏜️Paul Atreides

🖖Capt. Kirk

✊Princess Leia

🔦Ellen Ripley

🔥Max Rockatansky

FIND YOUR HERO →

How do you lead when the stakes couldn't be higher? The way you lead under pressure is the most honest thing about you.

AI absorb everything — every variable, every pattern — and move only when I know the path forward. BI read the room, make the call, and own the consequences. Hesitation costs more than mistakes. CI rally people. A cause needs a voice, and I refuse to let fear be louder than conviction. DI assess the threat, establish what needs doing, and get it done without waiting for permission. EI don't lead. I act. Others can follow or not — I'm already moving.

NEXT QUESTION →

What is your greatest strength in a crisis? The quality that keeps you alive when everything else fails.

APrescience — the ability to see further ahead than anyone else and plan accordingly. BImprovisation — I'm at my best when the plan falls apart and I have to invent a new one. CConviction — I know what I'm fighting for, and that certainty doesn't waver under fire. DComposure — I stay functional when everyone around me is falling apart. Panic is a luxury. EEndurance — I outlast things. I take the hit and keep moving long after others have stopped.

NEXT QUESTION →

What is the thing you'd sacrifice everything else for? Your deepest motivation is your truest compass.

AThe survival and dignity of my people — even if I have to become something frightening to ensure it. BThe safety of my crew — every single one of them. No one gets left behind. CFreedom — for my people, for every world still crushed under the weight of an empire. DThe truth — what actually happened, what's actually out there, whether anyone believes me or not. EThe one person — or the one memory — that still makes any of this worth surviving for.

NEXT QUESTION →

How do you relate to the people around you? Who you are to others under pressure is who you really are.

AWith intensity and distance — I care deeply, but the weight I carry makes closeness complicated. BWith warmth and irreverence — I take the mission seriously, not myself. CWith directness and trust — I say what I mean, and I expect the people I work with to rise to it. DWith professional care but clear limits — I'll protect you, but I won't pretend we're family. EWith wariness that slowly becomes loyalty — I don't trust easily, but when I do, it holds.

NEXT QUESTION →

You're facing a threat that no one else believes is real. What do you do? How you respond when you're the only one who sees it defines everything.

APrepare in silence. If they won't listen, I'll be ready when they finally have to. BKeep pushing until someone listens — and if no one does, handle it myself. CBuild the case, find the allies, and make the threat impossible to ignore. DDocument everything. The truth matters even if no one believes it yet. EStop trying to convince anyone. Survive it. That's the only argument that counts.

NEXT QUESTION →

What has your heroism cost you personally? Every hero pays. The question is what — and whether they'd pay it again.

AMy innocence — I've seen what I'm capable of, and I can't unsee it. BPeople I loved — the command chair has a view, but it's a lonely one. CA normal life — I gave up everything ordinary the moment I chose the cause. DMy sense of safety — I know exactly what's out there now, and I can't pretend otherwise. EAlmost everything — and I'm still not sure what I'm carrying it all for. But I keep going.

NEXT QUESTION →

How do you feel about the rules of the world you're in? Every hero has a relationship with the system. What's yours?

AI understand them deeply — and I know exactly which ones must be broken, and why. BI respect the spirit of them and bend the letter when the situation demands it. CThe system is the problem. I'm not here to work within it — I'm here to dismantle it. DI follow protocol until protocol stops being useful. Then I make the call myself. EThe rules collapsed a long time ago. What's left is instinct, and mine are reliable.

NEXT QUESTION →

When everything is on the line, what keeps you going? The answer is the most honest thing about you.

ADestiny — or something that feels so much like it that the difference no longer matters. BThe people on my ship — their faces, their trust, the fact that they're counting on me. CThe belief that what we're fighting for is worth every sacrifice, including this one. DSheer refusal to let it win — whatever it is. I don't stop. That's just who I am. EI'm not sure anymore. But the road is still there, and I'm still on it.

REVEAL MY HERO →

Your Hero Has Been Identified Your Sci-Fi Hero Is…

Your answers point to the iconic sci-fi hero who shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of facing the impossible.

Paul Atreides

You carry a weight most people would crumble under — the knowledge of what you're capable of, and the burden of what you might have to become.

You see further ahead than others and you plan accordingly, even when the vision frightens you.
You are driven by loyalty to your people and a sense of destiny you didn't ask for but can't escape.
Paul Atreides is not simply a hero — he is someone who understands the cost of power and chooses to bear it anyway.
That gravity, that willingness to carry what others won't, is exactly you.

Captain Kirk

You lead with instinct, warmth, and an absolute refusal to accept a no-win scenario — because you've always believed there's a third option nobody else has thought of yet.

You take the mission seriously without ever taking yourself too seriously.
Your crew would follow you anywhere, not because you demand it, but because you've earned it.
Kirk's genius isn't tactical — it's human. He reads people, bends rules with purpose, and wills outcomes into existence through sheer conviction.
That combination of warmth, audacity, and relentless optimism is unmistakably yours.

Princess Leia

You are the kind of person who holds the line when everyone else is losing faith — not because you're fearless, but because giving up simply isn't something you're capable of.

You lead through conviction. Your voice carries because your belief is unshakeable.
You gave up everything ordinary the moment you chose the cause, and you've never looked back.
Leia is not a supporting character in her own story — she is the moral centre of the entire rebellion.
That same fierce, principled, unbreakable core is what defines you.

Ellen Ripley

You are not reckless, not grandiose, and not particularly interested in being anyone's hero — you just refuse to stop when it matters.

You see threats clearly, you document the truth even when no one listens, and when the time comes you handle it yourself.
Ripley's heroism is earned, not performed. She doesn't have a speech — she has a flamethrower and a plan.
You share her composure under the worst possible pressure, and her refusal to pretend the monster isn't there.
When it counts, you don't flinch. That's everything.

Max Rockatansky

You have been through fire that would break most people — and what came out the other side is something the world underestimates at its peril.

You don't ask for help, don't need validation, and don't wait for anyone to tell you the rules no longer apply.
Your loyalty, when it finally arrives, is absolute — but it's earned in silence and tested in action, not in words.
Max is not a nihilist. He is someone who lost everything and found, against his will, that he still has something worth protecting.
That bruised, stubborn, ultimately human core is exactly yours.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ