StoryBroads...It's All Good: Kings of the World

What do these 20 movies have in common? Well, besides being the top-grossing films of all time, having pulled in more than 18 billion dollars worldwide. Let’s talk about the qualities that make them appeal to so many people.

Why do almost all of them center around science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tales? Is it a matter of High Drama and Special Effects? Or is "The Hero’s Journey" really at the heart of storytelling?

Listed in order of revenue, from $1,845,000,000 for Titanic to 775,400,000 for Star Wars:

Titanic
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
LotR: The Two Towers
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Shrek 2
Jurassic Park
HP and the Goblet of Fire
HP and the Chamber of Secrets
LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring
Finding Nemo
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Spider-Man
Independence Day
E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial
HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Lion King
Spider-Man 2
Star Wars

*Yes, we know that George Clooney appeared in none of these movies. But we like looking at him.

2 Comments :

Suzanne Forster said...: OMG, you got me with the picture!!! Now, I can't remember the question, lol.

Let me see. I think it's all of the above. The fantasy makes them magical, which is addressed by the special effects. But the hero's journey anchors them in good, solid, compelling storytelling, and of course, some high drama.

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it, lol.

Suz; 3:12 PM
Maggie Shayne said...: Thanks for putting George's pic up there. It's a nice way to begin the day.

I wonder if there's a correlation between the amount a picture cost to make and the amount it takes in. Or the amount spent in promoting it and the total take. I think those elements might play a role. But yes, the epic nature of the core storytelling is crucial.

Mag; 2:48 AM