The Academy Awards—commonly known as the Oscars—held their first ceremony in 1929. Widely regarded as the most prestigious honors in film, the Oscars celebrate exceptional cinematic achievement and often reflect the tastes and concerns of their time. Nominees compete across many categories, but the most coveted prize remains Best Picture. Over the past nine decades more than a hundred films have been nominated in that category. Many were box office successes; nine of them grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. This article examines those nine Best Picture nominees that crossed the billion-dollar threshold, films that combined commercial triumph with critical recognition and left a lasting mark on cinema.
9. Joker (2019)
Joker Review
Set in a bleak, deteriorating Gotham City, Joker follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a struggling comedian whose life spirals into violence after a series of personal and societal traumas. The film departs from typical comic-book movie conventions, favoring a grim, character-driven approach inspired by films like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. While some critics found the film heavy-handed in its themes, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance earned widespread acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actor. Joker also made history for a superhero-related film by receiving a record number of Oscar nominations for its genre at the time.
8. Avatar (2009)
James Cameron’s Avatar revolutionized visual effects and motion-capture technology when it premiered in 2009. The film centers on Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a Marine who participates in the avatar program to interact with the indigenous Na’vi on the moon Pandora, only to grow sympathetic to their cause. Avatar’s immersive world-building and technical innovations propelled it to become the highest-grossing film of its time and a multiple-Oscar nominee and winner. Critics praised its spectacle, though some considered the story familiar and predictable; its universal accessibility helped fuel its enormous box office appeal.
7. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Top Gun: Maverick Review
After several pandemic-related delays, Top Gun: Maverick finally reached theaters in 2022 and became a reaffirmation of the theatrical experience. Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, now training a new generation of pilots and confronting legacy issues when he must coach the son of his late friend. Praised for its practical aerial cinematography, dynamic pacing, and Cruise’s star presence, the film crossed $1 billion in global box office receipts and earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It stood out as a crowd-pleasing, old-fashioned blockbuster made for the big screen.
6. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Avatar: The Way of Water Review
Sixteen years after the original, James Cameron returned to Pandora with Avatar: The Way of Water, following Jake and Neytiri as parents forced into exile when new threats arrive. The sequel dazzled audiences with expanded world-building and ambitious underwater motion-capture sequences, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2022. Critics applauded its technical mastery, even as some found the narrative familiar and derivative of the first film. Still, the movie’s visual accomplishments and emotional beats earned it major awards attention.
5. Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther Review
Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther became the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture. Set in the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, the story follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) as he assumes the throne and faces his cousin Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), whose vision for Wakanda challenges tradition. The film was widely praised for its cultural impact, performances, production design, and score, winning multiple Academy Awards. It reached $1 billion worldwide in less than a month, underscoring its broad cultural and commercial resonance.
4. Barbie (2023)
Barbie Review
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie became a cultural phenomenon upon release, delivering a visually lavish, often self-aware exploration of identity and idealization through the journey of Barbie (Margot Robbie). The film combined nostalgic musical touches and elaborate practical sets with contemporary commentary, resulting in a massive opening weekend and multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. While some critics noted pacing and focus issues in the second half, Barbie’s creativity, humor, and production design secured its place as both a box office juggernaut and an artistic statement.
3. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Directed by Lee Unkrich and written by Michael Arndt, Toy Story 3 is one of only three animated films ever nominated for Best Picture. Released in 2010, it was the highest-grossing film of that year and earned widespread critical praise for its blend of humor, emotional depth, and technical craft. The story centers on Andy’s toys as their owner grows up and prepares for college; themes of loss, loyalty, and growing up are handled with surprising poignancy. The film’s animation detail and heartfelt storytelling helped it resonate across generations.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
10 Best The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Moments
Peter Jackson’s conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy is both an emotional and technical triumph. The Return of the King won Best Picture and swept every category in which it was nominated at the Academy Awards, while also surpassing $1 billion at the global box office. The film follows the fractured fellowship as factions rally against Sauron while Frodo and Sam, guided by Gollum, journey to Mount Doom. The trilogy pushed motion-capture and visual effects forward and blended practical locations with CGI to create a convincing, immersive world. The film’s earnest performances, sweeping score, and sense of resolution make it a landmark in fantasy cinema.
1. Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s Titanic is the modern blockbuster par excellence. In 1998 it became the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide and dominated the 70th Academy Awards with 14 nominations and 11 wins, including Best Picture. The film weaves a romantic narrative between Jack and Rose against the historically tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic, blending spectacle, intimate performances, and pioneering special effects—miniatures, massive water tanks, and CGI—into a cohesive cinematic experience. Titanic’s broad appeal, emotional resonance, and technical ambition have kept it a touchstone of popular cinema.
Each of these nine films demonstrates a different way popular cinema can reach global audiences while also attracting awards recognition. From intimate character studies to sweeping epics and innovative technical achievements, these billion-dollar Best Picture nominees show that commercial success and critical acclaim can, at times, go hand in hand. Which of these films do you consider the most accomplished—both artistically and commercially?
Updated to include Barbie: 29 January 2024. Originally published: 1 March 2023.