While movies in all genres have the power to transport viewers to another world, none invoke a sense of wonder quite as much as those that fall into the fantasy genre. Because of this, we thought it was time to look at the highest-grossing fantasy films to date. To do this, we'll be using stats from Box Office Mojo.
In this ranking, we'll be considering any live-action or animated film that contains some element of magic. Movies that lean in the direction of sci-fi, however (like those in the Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or Transformers franchises), won't be getting a shout-out. They have their own list.
With the logistics out of the way, it's time to head on a few big adventures. Here are the highest-grossing fantasy films of all time.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ($1.01 billion)
Though J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit novel was only a little over 300 pages long, it was split into thirds and adapted into a trilogy of movies. The first of these, An Unexpected Journey, premiered in theaters in 2012. Taking place in Middle-earth 77 years before the events of the main Lord of the Rings films, the story follows hobbit Bilbo Baggins, thirteen dwarves, and Thorin on a journey to take back the Lonely Mountain from the evil dragon Smaug.
Longtime Lord of the Rings fans were excited to see the new adaption, hence the reason the epic fantasy grossed $1.01 billion across the world.
Alice In Wonderland ($1.02 billion)
Though Disney turned a handful of its animated films into live-action adaption in the late 90s and early 2000s, the entertainment company didn't seriously start churning out remakes until the 2010s. It all began with Alice in Wonderland at the start of the decade. The adventure has a teenage Alice returning to Wonderland after falling down a rabbit hole. Though she had forgotten her original visit, she is soon recruited to kill the dragon-like Jabberwocky terrorizing the land and put the White Queen back into power.
Despite bringing in mixed reviews, Alice in Wonderland still managed to take home a whopping $1.02 billion at the box office.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ($1.04 billion)
Though all of the Pirates of the Caribbean films have had successful box office runs, the fourth installment in the series was one of the strongest. On Stranger Tides has Captain Jack Sparrow being forced into a quest with his former lover, Angelica. Her goal: to track down the rejuvenating Fountain of Youth. The problem: a rival ship from Spain, as well as Barbossa, hope to reach it first. Though the film's reviews were low, its gross was high, and it ultimately brought in $1.04 billion.
Aladdin ($1.05 billion)
Aladdin's wish came true; it was transformed into a giant box office success. This live-action musical remake follows the journey of the titular street urchin who lives in the bustling Arabian city of Agrabah. Though Aladdin isn't born into privilege, he gets a shot at a better future after coming across a genie inside a magic lamp. Though he hopes to use his three wishes to enchant the kind, strong, and beautiful princess Jasmine, he must soon face the wicked schemes of the sorcerer Jafar. The 2019 fantasy went home with $1.05 billion in its pocket.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($1.06 billion)
The second installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series swept up even more cash than the first.
In this 2006 adventure, ghost Davy Jones comes after Jack Sparrow to collect a debt. It is up to Sparrow, with help from Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, to avoid the ill fate he deserves. Dead Man's Chest ultimately struck gold—that is, if you consider $1.06 billion to be better than any treasure.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King ($1.12 billion)
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy had acquired a large following by the time its final installment entered theaters in 2003. This helped it become just as much of a box office success as it was a critical success. In The Return of the King, hobbits Frodo and Sam finally reach Mordor to rid of the one ring. Meanwhile, good and evil collide as Aragorn prepares his army to fight against Sauron and his crew in the city of Minas Tirith.
The film's $94 million budget was quickly transformed into a $1.12 billion gross.
Beauty And The Beast ($1.26 billion)
The Beauty and the Beast live-action remake enchanted theater-goers in 2017. This musical romance tells of a young maiden living in France who stumbles into the castle of a brooding beast. Though Belle is unhappy to be the Beast's prisoner, the two start to grow closer. She wonders if there's something more underneath his cold exterior. The film scored generally positive reviews as well as $1.26 billion.
Frozen ($1.28 billion)
Before Frozen 2 was pulling moviegoers into a story of sisterhood and friendship, the original was doing the same. Frozen tells of two princesses, Anna and Elsa, who are torn apart as children after Elsa's parents discover that she has dangerous ice powers. When Elsa's magic reemerges on her coronation day, however, she runs away to the North Mountain, unleashing an eternal winter on the kingdom of Arendelle. It is up to Anna to track her down and set things right. Frozen's $1.28 billion gross proved its success.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($1.34 billion)
Though every film in the Harry Potter franchise was successful, none did quite as well as the final installment in the series. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the final battle between good and evil—Harry and Lord Voldemort—takes place at Hogwarts Castle. Every past challenge has led up to this critical moment. With a wave of a magic wand, the Harry Potter finale made $1.34 billion appear before its eyes.
Frozen II ($1.37 billion)
Topping off the list is the highest-grossing fantasy film—animated or otherwise—of all time: the recently released Frozen II.
This time around, Elsa brings Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven on a journey into an enchanted forest in hopes of finding the voice that is calling to her. Only through this adventure will she find out secrets about her past and uncover her place in the future. The musical fantasy has already brought home $1.37 billion, and that number is only expected to grow.