No. 2

Star Wars
Year: 1977
Studio: Fox
Inflation-Adjusted Box Office Gross: $1,261,086,700
Unadjusted Box Office Gross: $460,998,007

Arguably, Star Wars represents a turning point in motion picture history. Episode IV: A New Hope, the first installment of George Lucas' celebrated trilogy, shattered virtually every moviemaking trend and box office record. Set in the famous "galaxy far, far away," Star Wars unofficially began the rapid evolution of special effects that continues today. Initially rejected by major studios, Lucas persuaded 20th Century Fox to take a gamble on him. Considering Fox spent only $11 million, and how Star Wars raked in profits, it's safe to say that gamble paid off.

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