No. 1

Gone with the Wind
Year: 1939
Studio: MGM
Inflation-Adjusted Box Office Gross: $1,430,476,000
Unadjusted Box Office Gross: $198,676,459

Having sold more tickets than any other movie, Gone with the Wind is truly the most popular film of all time. In addition to topping the list of the highest-grossing (inflation-adjusted) films of all time, it is also known as one of the best, most influential movies of all time. But it didn't come cheap—producer David Selznick and primary financial backer John Hay Whitney saw more than $4 million, more than 50 actors with speaking parts, and 2,400 extras, simply unheard of in those days, go into its production.