Mr. Depp turns 51 today. Depp began his legendary status since his first role in A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984, and after 30 years in film Depp has featured in many great movies. But today we focus on the financial side of filmmaking and Depp starred in the most expensive movie ever made Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007). The film cost around $300 million and even after an adjustment for inflation it is probably still the most costly film made. But was it a good investment?

 

Fimmaking is a lucrative business and there is some serious money to be made. But I often feel disappointed when a film concentrates on the business side of movie making, and prefer those films that focus on story and originality. However, At World's End certainly made its money at the box office, making over $960 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. These numbers must be every studios dream and it's no surprise that such films are made, but how does At World's End compare to other films?

As the site says, these results are due to films having various re-releases, which might make this list look very different in 20 years time. But it is still interesting to see that the most modern film on the list was released 17 years ago. Are films as good as they used to be? Are "classic" films better with time? Which films would be on this list in 10 years time? I'm not sure, but I would love to hear your ideas, let me know on Twitter @onthisdayinfilm.

 

by Russell Farnham

According to Box Office Mojo and its list on best grossing films in the US based on an adjustment in inflation, At World's End sits at #124 one place below Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) which had a reported budget at $150 million. So maybe budget is not a way to judge films and it might not be the best way to make money in the industry. Here is the top 10 films on the list, it's very interesting to see that most of the films on here are quite old, take a look:

 

10 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 

 

9 - The Exorcist (1973)

 

8 - Doctor Zhivago (1965)

 

7 - Jaws (1975)

 

6 - The Ten Commandments (1956)

 

5 - Titanic (1997)

 

4 - E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982)

 

3 - The Sound of Music (1965)

 

2 - Star Wars (1977)

 

1 - Gone with the Wind (1939)