Today the original 'Star Wars' will be knocked out of the all-time unadjusted domestic top ten, one month shy of its 40th anniversary, as its combined $461 million gross is surpassed by 'Beauty and the Beast.'

These days we pay more and more attention to the worldwide records, or lists adjusted for inflation. But as a kid I used to love finding the domestic top ten in a newspaper or magazine. It was like a movie hall of fame, and it would be a huge deal when a new entry appeared.

If we are to insist on adjusting for inflation, it is because not doing so means records are constantly being broken and the top of the list is constantly being bombarded with newer films. But that's why today is such an important day: even though the top ten is full of newer films, Star Wars weathered the deluge for four decades. It ushered in the blockbuster era, and rode it out for this long. Since Star Wars hit theaters, 47 other films have entered the top ten. Just thirteen of them outgrossed A New Hope (it later moved past three of them after the 1997 re-release).

Gone with the Wind lasted 46 years in the top ten; Jaws 22; E.T. 33. Titanic hits 20 this year and will probably remain on the list for a very long time (after this year it will be the only film from the 20th century in the top ten). But the original Star Wars held out this long. And of course it remains entrenched in the inflation-adjusted list like nothing ever happened.

Top Ten North American Box Office Grosses, through 4/20/17
1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens $936.7 million
2 Avatar $760.5 million
3 Titanic $658.7 million
4 Jurassic World $652.3 million
5 The Avengers $623.4 million
6 The Dark Knight $534.9 million
7 Rogue One $532.1 million
8 Finding Dory $486.3 million
9 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace $474.5 million
10 Beauty and the Beast $461.0 million
(BOM)

Submitted April 20, 2017 at 07:29PM by Antithesys http://ift.tt/2oYZwyd