The domestic box office (US and Canada) grossed $8.5 billion (£6.4bn) in 2024 – a 3.8% decrease from the previous year – deepening concerns about the future of Hollywood in a post-pandemic, streaming-dominated world.

As of May 2025, domestic box office takings total just $2.5 billion (£1.9bn), with A Minecraft Movie leading the pack at nearly $400 million (£300m). Meanwhile, big-budget titles like Captain America: Brave New World and Disney’s Snow White remake have underperformed, signalling the slump is far from over.

Amid this uncertainty, Donald Trump’s proposal to tax foreign-made films has rattled Hollywood, sparking fears of higher costs and fewer productions. While the White House has yet to make a firm decision, the industry remains on edge.

But things weren't always so grim. We’ve analysed domestic box office data dating back to 1977 and adjusted it for inflation to reveal the 30 most successful years in movie history. Read on to discover which years made the cut and the movie hits that defined them.

All dollar amounts in US dollars