- The highest-grossing movies of the past decade are, for the most part, a long list of movie franchise films.
- Between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the animated world of "Toy Story," it's clear American movie-goers love a continuing storyline.
- The "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" franchises make the list, too. As does the under-the-sea favorite "Finding Dory."
- Here's a complete list of the highest-grossing movies each year of the past decade, including their release date and how much they made in their respective release year.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The highest-grossing film of 2019 was the final Avengers movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: "Avengers: Endgame."
Source: Box Office Mojo
In 2019, the movie made $858,373,000 domestically. It landed in theaters in April.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The film took home People's Choice Awards for Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, and Favorite Male Movie Star for Robert Downey Jr.'s final portrayal of Iron Man.
Source: IMDb
"Black Panther" was the highest-grossing movie of 2018.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The MCU film made $700,059,566 domestically that year after being released in February.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The movie took home three Academy Awards in 2019: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score), Best Achievement in Costume Design, and Best Achievement in Production Design. It also took home two Screen Actors Guild Awards that same year.
Source: IMDb
The highest-grossing movie of 2017 was "Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi."
Source: Box Office Mojo
It made $517,218,368 domestically that year.
Source: Box Office Mojo
Actress Carrie Fisher won the 2018 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Fantasy — she died before the movie release in December 2017.
Source: IMDb
"Finding Dory"— part of the "Finding Nemo" franchise — was the highest-grossing movie of 2016.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The movie made $486,295,561 domestically that year.
Source: Box Office Mojo
"Finding Dory" was released in June 2016 and won the 2017 People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie.
Source: IMDb
The highest-grossing movie of 2015 was "Jurassic World."
Source: Box Office Mojo
The movie hit theaters in June 2015 and made $652,270,595 domestically that year.
Source: Box Office Mojo
"Jurassic World" won the 2016 MTV Movie and TV Award for Best Action Performance.
Source: IMDb
In 2014, "Guardians of the Galaxy" earned the title of the highest-grossing movie of the year. The MCU film also starred "Jurassic World" actor, Chris Pratt.
Source: Box Office Mojo
It made $328,095,589 domestically in 2014 after landing in theaters in August.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The movie was nominated for several awards including a 2015 Grammy Award for its iconic soundtrack featuring songs of legends like David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, and The Jackson 5.
Source: IMDb
The highest-grossing movie of 2013 was another movie in the MCU: "Iron Man 3."
Source: Box Office Mojo
In 2013, it made $406,609,688 domestically.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The film, which was the third solo story for Robert Downey Jr.'s iconic Tony Stark character, was released in May 2013 and won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie in 2014.
Source: IMDb
"The Avengers" was the highest-grossing film of 2012.
Source: Box Office Mojo
This Marvel movie hit theaters in May 2012 and made $619,257,177 domestically that year.
Source: IMDb
This first MCU "Avengers" earned Robert Downey Jr. a 2013 People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Superhero.
Source: IMDb
The highest-grossing movie of 2011 was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."
Source: Box Office Mojo
In 2011 it made $381,011,219 domestically.
Source: Box Office Mojo
This final movie of the Harry Potter franchise was released in July 2011 and won the People's Choice Award in 2012 for Favorite Movie.
Source: IMDb
The highest-grossing movie of 2010 was "Toy Story 3."
Source: Box Office Mojo
That year it made $410,171,027 domestically.
Source: Box Office Mojo
The third movie in the "Toy Story" franchise hit theaters in June of 2010 and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year in 2011.
Source: IMDb
"Avatar" made $466,141,929 domestically in 2010 — nearly $56 million more than "Toy Story 3"— but it was actually released in December of 2009.
Source: Box Office Mojo