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Today, billion-dollar blockbusters are expected from Marvel, Disney, or Fast & Furious, but that wasn’t always the case. For decades, crossing even $500 million was a towering achievement. There was a time when no film had ever touched the billion-dollar mark globally, not even Star Wars. That all changed in 1997 when one film didn’t just top the box office, it set records.
With no franchise, IP, or superheroes, this film combined historical tragedy, star-crossed romance, and visual spectacle in a way audiences had never seen. The movie’s longevity in theatres, global word-of-mouth, and award momentum helped it pull off the unthinkable. The first film to gross a billion dollars is Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s Titanic.
James Cameron’s Titanic wasn’t expected to be the highest-grossing movie ever. With ballooning costs, reportedly over $200M, and delayed release dates, many feared a colossal flop. But when it hit theatres in December 1997, it began a box office climb unlike any before. Boosted by repeat viewings, strong female turnout, and international resonance, Titanic didn’t just open big, it stayed big. It held the No. 1 box office spot in the U.S. for 15 consecutive weeks.
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By March 1998, it became the first film in history to gross $1 billion globally, eventually earning $1.84B in its original run, entering Guinness World Records. Cameron’s meticulous craftsmanship – rebuilding the Titanic set to scale, using cutting-edge CGI for its time, and anchoring it in a love story between Jack and Rose – gave it appeal across age, gender, and geography.
At the 1998 Academy Awards, Titanic tied the all-time record with 11 Oscar wins, including Best Picture and Best Director. Its legacy endured: after a 3D re-release in 2012 and another for its 25th anniversary, its total worldwide gross stands at $2.264, still in the all-time top 5. For over 12 years, Titanic remained the world’s highest-grossing film until James Cameron broke his own record with Avatar in 2009.
Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office updates!
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