Maybe Cameron's own "Avatar"?

Not likely. I thought that the only movie to have a shot at shattering Titanic's record was Star Wars-Episode I. It didn't even come close. 75% of the time films already have their DVD release date scheduled, often 3-4 months after the movie has slowed down. 10-15 years from now it's possible, ticket prices may be $20...assuming they are still releasing movies in the theater and not directly to your widescreen plasma at home.

Well I have to say there will not be a movie that will beat Titanic because some movies that are coming out now turns into a boring movie. Someone got a really perfect movie like Star Wars 4 to beat Titanic and that won't happen in 30 to 40 years or ever.

I dont think any movie will ever beat titanic. The reason I say that is because with all the bootleg dvds and illegal movie sharing on the internet people dont need to go see a good movie in the theater anymore because they can just buy it on the street.

I also think that Disneys Prince Caspian will make a $100 million opening because Naria was a pretty big movie.

If any movie is going to beat titanic I believe its going to be Pirates of the caribbean 4 if that happens to get done. (depending if the story line is good)

I think the studios will have to make some big changes if any movie is to beat titanic. they need to work together in setting release dates. Having "the big 3" blockbusters within weeks of each other killed all of them as moviegoers were forced to switch blockbusters right away had spiderman 3, Shrek 3, and pirates at worlds end come out during different months all would have done much better.

I think sometime in the future a movie will eventually beat Titanic,but not anytime soon.Maybe in ten or so years.

As for the next film to possibly cross $100 million in its opening weekend I'd say Indiana Jones 4,but if it does it barely will make it.Another possible contender is the Dark Knight the good word of outh of the first film and then its all-star cast it could quite possibly make over $100 million in its first weekend.Those are the only two movies coming out anytime soon that could make that type of money in its first weekend.

It's inevitable that it will happen sometime, but when?

Titanic was a fluke in many ways, two being that it was a good film that appealled to males, females, young and old. Quite unusual though that a film of that length gets the repeated viewings it did.

As said above, it will happen one day. Ticket prices will move with inflation. I believe as an earner, Gone With The Wind is still the all-time earner (adjusted for inflation). I'd personally like to see number of tickets sold counted too, as this gives a better view of the popularity. Its too difficult to judge a films popularity by glancing at box office monetary totals as inflation is a big factor.

Titanic came at a good time: the end of the 90s when movie tickets weren't $9 and just when the Christmas holidays neared. The movie turned into a trend, especially for teen girls: see how many times you can see it in the theaters. Word of mouth helped, and Titanic really raked in the middle-aged and older folks.

I can't see any movie beating the $600 million doemstically; with today's ever-growing advertising, it only entices people to see the movie as soon as it comes out-hence the big frontloading of new releases. A weekend after release, of course the sales are going to decrease by over half. And illega pirating does all but help theatrical release sales..

Pirates 4? Nathynwest what kind of crack are you smoking? Pirates 3 couldn't even do that. Indy will top 100 million and as for a possible Titanic slayer? It will have to be something we haven't seen before (so all sequels are out) and as the previous poster mentioned it would have to appeal to multiple audiences on multiple levels. Until the industry stops turning every 80's toy into film no movie has a shot.

I agree with Shadowz that at this point, the only film that could beat Titanic's record would be something we haven't even heard of. All of the contemporary sequels, remakes and spinoffs just don't quite have the pull that their first installment have. Most of them have been pretty disappointing (Star Wars Episodes I through III, Pirates 3, Spider-Man 3, Shrek 3, etc....). Titanic will probably be beat someday by something totally unexpected that will take the country by storm, perhaps a great mythical tale that still hasn't been made for the big screen. As far as making more than $100 million in the first week-end, the next film to do that might be Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Considering how good it looks, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it made just above $100 million next month.

The problem facing a film trying to best that record is that there is so much more competition now in the box office than there was in 1997 when Titanic was released.

There was nothing much to watch the year Titanic reigned supreme. And people were watching it 2-3 times.

Also Titanic came out when some of the larger cineplexes started to come out and ticket prices first started to climb. About 3 years ago ticket prices have gone down a little.

Sure something like Pirates could compete with Titanic if it didn't have a Spidey, an Ocean's 13, a Shrek, Harry Potter, Transformers, etc. all within one month of it.

Studios now have more and more anticipated tentpole releases each year and it's a feat that will not be surpassed in my lifetime.

It will eventually happen. Remeber not everyone likes movies like Spiderman and Pirates. Titanic was a film that everyone was interested in. Same with the original Star Wars. One day, a movie will come out that everyone wants see. It will break Titanic. But don't worry, it won't happen any time soon.

YES - IT WILL HAPPEN. But it's not going to be a "Pirates" franchise movie or Comic Book movie. All those movies died out this summer because NOBODY went back a 2nd time. In 1977 people went to see Star Wars 5 times a piece because it was an amazing new type of movie and it was GOOD. Same thing with Titanic, it was an amazing accomplishment, original story and GOOD.

See a theme here? People will go back and dip into their pockets 2 or 3 times for a GOOD movie. That's why these summer blockbusters are front load marketed because the studio knows their product has no staying power. Titanic made NOTHING in its first few weeks, but one thing that sells is quality, and it just shows that people will pay for somethign worth paying for.

I think the only movie in the past few years that had a shot at Titanic was The Passion of the Christ it was such a world renowned concept. Everyone in the world know's who Jesus is and it appeals to all audiences. It's downfall was the R rating but it needed that in order to show the graphic way the world was back then. The only movie that can and will possibly beat titanic will be somthing like that that appeals worldwide to all ages, races, religions etc. Something like an Adam and Eve or a Heaven and Hell movie, or something like the Ten Commandements with new age effects, no idea what they could do with those but it has to be something like that and I don't think we'll see something like that for a while. I agree as well that Titanic was the only thing going back then A movie with a budget of $200 million in the 90's was unheard of and that also drew the appeal now everything that is practially made is a huge budget movie and very front loaded. They should space them out to earn more.

If Peter Jackson ever makes it "The Hobbit" can get in the conversation.

Maybe Titanic 2. I hear the script is fantastic. Lemme see...it was called...oh yeah..."Titanic 2; Attack of the Frozen Ice Burg Zombies. I believe the zombies came about because of global warming and cell phone usage. This is a marriage of many great ideas...all culminating in a huge bloody finish. (spoiler alert>>>) The Titanic will finish it's Voyage! OMG!!!

Films, especially summer blockbusters, just don't have "legs" like films in the past. "Titanic" was at the top or close to it for weeks and weeks, racking up more and more money until it took the top spot from "Star Wars." Nowadays, there is little parity, as films have huge openings to only quickly peter out. Maybe studios should release their films farther apart, allowing for continued, large grosses, but also to allow the filmgoers a little breathing room and anticipation between releases.

Ballard although I think you have a very valid point for the sequel, I like this idea better to beat the record: "Titanic" the remake. The way they are churning them out know you could have Lindsay Lohan as Rose and Justin Timberlake as Jack. Now that would bring the kiddies in!

I agree with a lot of what you guys are saying. Titanic appealed to the masses and so did Star Wars. Both movies were amazing in their own way when they came out. New movies didn't come out as often back then, now we get new movies every friday. We also have big screen tvs and HD, surround sound for our houses, new DVDs coming out every tuesday, etc.
Then there are those who don't necessarily care about quality and will watch a bootleg version of a movie.
We can also download them in a few hours, hook up our computers to our tvs or burn them, pop some popcorn in 2 minutes in the microwave (and it probably most likely didn't cost 5 dlls and is as good if not better than theater popcorn), grab our favorite drink and enjoy that new movie that just came out on friday on a beautiful sunday afternoon.
As for going to watch a movie that appeals to all people of all ages several times during its run in the theater, I don't know that people will do that when tickets are 9 dlls and popcorn is 6 dlls for a large and another 5 for pop, plus maybe candy or something else. I mean imagine a family of four going to watch a movie 2 or 3 times and spend 50 bucks or more each time. That would be so expensive that it would be better to invest in a nice big screen tv (even if it is from wal-mart), a nice surround sound system and in the comfort of their own home they can watch this movie (let it be bootleg version or 3 months later when it is on DVD).
Will there be a movie that beats titanic? Probably, like someone mentioned above 20 or 30 years, when tickets are 20 dlls. Or maybe there is some new writer out who will blow are minds soon.
As for a movie crossing the 100 million mark next year? Did anyone remember The Dark Knight? That is coming out next year. I think that movie should do it.

Enzo, The Passion of the Christ is not everyone can get into like Titanic was. Many people did not see Passion because it was a religious movie (and directed by a nut-job). Just because christian-themed movies appeal to you does not mean than they appeal to the rest of the world (as the majority of the world is in fact NOT christian). That being said if they make Christ vs. Predator...look out Titanic!

Titanic will never ever be beat. The film made $1,845,034,188. The movie attendance is going down every year. More people are buying HD TV's and have a home theater sound system. Why go to the movies? People talk during the film and are very noisy. They also don't make that many good films any more.

Probably a big movie like Harry Potter 7. Or something like the hobbit. I think that Harry Potter 7 can beat titanic because its the last one

Personally...I don't think ANYTHING will beat
"Titanic" domestically. James Cameron's wallet got fat for 2 reasons. 1.) Teen Girls 2.) No competition in winter '98.

Like a few posters above me...I thought the only 3 franchises that could possibly over take it (by fan-base & popularity) were the Star Wars Prequels, Lord Of The Rings or one of the Harry Potter adaptations. and the only 1 that's come CLOSE domestically has been "Shrek 2"?!??! Never underestimate the kiddies. haha.

But If "Transformers" is HUGELY successful & we see more 8O's cartoon's (i.e. He-Man, ThunderCats, G.I. Joe, Voltron) I don't
think they'd beat Titanic...but they certainly might be canidates for breaking the $1OO Mil. mark on Op. weekend.

For any, more recent, flicks that could open north of $1OO Mil. 4 come to mind easily:

1. HP & The Order Of The Phoenix
2. Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian

(potter fans haven't had a movie fix for 1 1/2 years, the 7th book is due 1 week after this so that fuels he fire, Potter fans...young & old... rival Star Wars, Rings & Spider-Man/X-Men fans in pure numbers...& every previous potter flick has not opened below $9O Mil, 'cept COS, so it's pretty certain to open above $1OO Mil.
"Narnia 1" was the fantasy replacment for the
Lord Of The Rings/Potter crowd...and it was HUGE.
w/ a summer 'O8 date for "Caspian" it could be massive.)

3. Indy 4
The last CLASSIC Franchise left. 'Nuff said.

4. The Dark Knight
Awesome word of mouth from "Begins" should carry
over to the sequel, which has the friggin' JOKER!
people!...and a total fan/film-maker assurence that this installment of the franchise is in superb hands. This could be the "X2/Empire Strikes Back" of Batman!

Anyway...those are only my thoughts.

Lil' Tidbit: Does anyone remember what beat
"Titanic"? (and when i say beat...i mean
"Titanic's" #1 weekend status Give up?...

Matt LeBlanc's "Lost In Space"...awesome movie! My fave of all time!...next to "Serenity"

So.... I think the problem with the Mega3 this summer was that the market was oversaturated with blockbusters. Each took away business from each other, which was the major problem. Spiderman was able to make the most because it opened first. Pirates would have dominated them if it had opened first, or even if it had opened during later in the summer where it wouldn't have school to deal with, which is why I think these movies suffered more than their previous installments. Pirates also had an enormous running time (3hours with trailers) which reduced the amount of showtimes that it would possibly be able to have.

Titanic is one of the best movies ever made. It has the perfect equation that appeals to ALL demographs. It is a well known historical event. It was PG13 which opened it to all crowds, it had equal amounts of romance to appeal to the date crowd, equal amounts of history to appeal to the senior demograph, and equal amounts of action and drama to appeal to everyone else. Despite its long running time (3h14m) It never felt like it. It is a masterpiece, and until a movie can match that perfect equation that James Cameron found, I don't think any movie will be able to beat it until then.

As for any other movie this summer that could possible make a 100$ opener would probably be transformers or Harry Potter, but because they are opening earlier in the week, I feel that thier openings are going to be softened, not to mention that they are going to effect each others attendance. So I feel that Transformers will fall into the 70-80 million opening and Harry potter will Fall somewhere between 90-105 million.

Indiana Jones, though being a popular franchise, is maybe a little too late. I haven't even seen any of the other ones, even though I want to. I feel that it isn't going to have that impressive of an opener... perhaps upwards of 60-75million. Prince Caspian, though being a part of the Narnia series isn't as well known as LWW, so that is seriously going to effect its opening take. I'm sure it will be in the neighborhood of the first movie, but it definantly won't cross the 100mill mark opening weekend. Dark Knight will open higher than Batman Begins, but it won't cross the 100mill mark either. Maybe next summer will have some suprise hits that might stick around for awhile, because so far, it doesn;t seem oversaturated... yet.

The problem with THIS summer is it is an oversaturated marketplace and no movie is going to be able to stand out because another blockbuster is being released the next week, which results in a 55-60% drop for each movie in its sophmore weekend

Hollywood needs to slow down and take their time... There is an audience for every movie and they don't have to rush the movie out because the audeience will still be there.

The Hobbit and the prequel of the LOTR for sure if it will be made by Peter jackson, all the Weta wizards, Alan Lee, Howard Shore and the original cast.

I also think. If Fox2000 makes any haste with Dragonball Z it shall also become be a very big big big chalange for the top ten. Worldwide!

Understand that domestic means nothing. I'm from the netherlands lets think and talk Global please!!

Harry Potter and Transformers are getting a lot of buzz. Transformers won at the MTV Movie Awards for the Most Highly Anticipate Summer Movie or something and Harry Potter is...well, it's Harry Potter. Wether they will surpass Titanic or not, I don't think they will.

As for the far future. I could actually give hope that if the 5th and 6th Harry Potter films are received very well by critics and movie-goers alike, as the past 4 have, then the 7th might actually stand a chance at beating Titanic.

I don't see any off movives in near future, there will be something in next ten years if you see there was huge gap between Gone with the wing (Titanic of it time ) and Titanic .

I think that the only way to beat Titanic is.... 3D... a totally new experience that will force moviegoers to enjoy the movie at the theatre and not waiting for dvd... If the movie will be good they wil come back 2-3-4 times because it will be the only way to see it in an unforgettable way.

Scissorhands

Titanic's box office total is nothing compared to what Gone With the Wind took in (if you figure in inflation). Star Wars might also be close. A movie will eventually beat Titanic's total when inflation has risen high enough.

Props to shadowz and Jamal Essayah

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/boxoffice/alltime/

First off if you look at the numbers nothing has come close to titanic. Star Wars is #2 but you have to account it was something at the time no one had ever seen and the re-releases it had. Shrek2 is #3. Like most people have said if the the big 3 of this summer had been spread apart theres no telling how much they could have amass each. i dont know why people keep sayin harry potter because none of the sequels have yet to beat the first book's movie (sry saruman but NO).

Titanic had sheer luck. I mean come on who would have guess a movie we all know the ending to would have done so great and 3hrs long to top.

If any of the movies we know about could beat titanic my guess is Avatar. What they have said about it already is that it gonna be something we havent seen before. and as for the next to top 100mil: dark knight and narnia have huge followings so who knows. Others to think about are: 10,000BC (roland emmerich has had HUGE opennings in the past like independence day); SPEED RACER!!!; Indie 4 of course; anything from PIXAR (WALL*E, Up, toystory3) i doubt the rat movie will beat 100mil opening weekend bc of all the competition this summer; JAMES BOND 22 (bc casino royale kicked ass and i was nvr a fan of the franchise until the last film and im sure im not the only one who cant wait for the next); OH AND ANGELS AND DEMONS christmas2008 is sure to make headlines.

wow thats long but hope you agree if not suck a nut.

I think "John Rambo" has a fighting chance to hit 50 Million total in the US/Canada! But it has no chance at Titanic.

Go Rambo 2008!

I think "John Rambo" has a fighting chance to hit 50 Million total in the US/Canada! But it has no chance at Titanic.

Go Rambo 2008!

I have a feeling "Titanic" will be beat eventually. I just don't have an idea as to what movie. "Spider-man 4" might be a possiblity, but only if everyone can forget the negitive reviews of the third one, they get everyone(Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Sam Raimi, etc.) back to work on it, and if the movie does better than the third one. But even that's stretching it. The movie that beats "Titanic" will probably either be a huge blockbuster like "Star Wars" or something like that, or a movie like "Titanic" itself with the same things in it that made it #1.

I think Pirates 4 can do great if they get rid of Orlando and Keira and just make it be all Johnny and Geoffrey Rush (maybe with a little of Davy Jones thrown in)... and keep it under 2 hours and 15 minutes! And don't get Brett Ratner to direct it! :)

I think one of the other big issues is how fast movies are available on DVD these days, which I'm sure hugely cuts into the long-term box office.

No. nothing will ever beat the numbers that film posted. With movies coming out on DVD only three months after they're released, people don't want to sit in a crowded movie theatre with people on their cell phones, teenage kids yacking up a storm, and little babies crying when they can watch the movie from the comfort of their own home on a nice flat-panel TV and a killer surround sound system that can be purchased from a big box retailer for less than $150. Think back to when Titanic came out. It was number one from December until March. Not a single movie toppled that thing for over three months. Movie theaters selling out midnight shows in February. Can you honestly see something like Pirates: At World's End doing that? Movies today don't have this universal appeal. Studios make these things for one set demographic and demand a powerful opening weekend. That's all their looking for. Do these movies that open poorly actually "loose" money? No they don't. They'll get it back. They just wanted a $20 million opening weekend and didn't get it. That's what's missing. Universal appeal. And I can't think of one movie since Titanic that had it. Hell, my grandparents even went and watched it and they never left their home. Until someone can come up with an original idea (not a freakin' sequel, but and original idea) that appeals to all men and all women of all ages, Titanic will remain number one. I hated that movie too by the way, but I still saw it. Twice. With ladies both times. Mad bonus points.

People keep mentioning franchise films as the only possible films that can break Titanic's reign as the highest grossing film in history. The problem with franchise films is a lot of people have already made up their minds on them before they see them, even if they are hugely popular franchises like Spiderman or Shrek, so the follow ups aren't likely to gross much more than their predecessor, and more likely less.

The film that tops Titanic will be a surprise hit and, like Star Wars and ET before it, will most likely be an original story or idea which no one has any pre-expectations of. Indiana Jones IV, Shrek 4, Harry Potter 5 may all prove to be excellent films, but they won't top Titanic.

The only way a franchise film could possibly top Titanic's stellar gross is that no other film tops Titanic for 5-10 years and then inflation allows asuch a film to top $600m.

i think the only movie that will beat titanic is if they made the last 12 pages of the bible into a movie with spectacular special effects,the story is already wicked. imagine jesus,god vs. satan,4 horse men in the apocolypse, the end of man kind, nations destroyed the rising of the dead for their judgement, the living scared sh*tless. their 666 sign on their forehead. everyone go will see this,the old the young the women and men,teens,nerds,church people,athies,devil worshipers etc...will all see this movie over and over,its the ultimate movie ever