The Cosmic Watchdog

As the world’s biggest and richest stars gather in Los Angeles ahead of the 95th Academy Awards this evening (March 2), it must be noted that those films that draw in the biggest crowds are not guaranteed to win big.

In fact, many of the highest-grossing films of all time were not even nominated for an Oscar, and if they were, many were beaten at the last minute.

The Daily Express looks at 10 of Hollywood’s “richest” films – those which earned the most money once they hit the big screens – that did not win a single Oscar between them.

10. Frozen 2 (2019) – $1.45 billion (£1.15 billion)

The sequel to the world-renowned 2013 film, Frozen 2 was released in 2019, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee from a screenplay by Lee, it starred the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff.

The film grossed $1.45 billion worldwide and received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 92nd Academy Awards, but was beaten by Rocketman’s “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

9. Furious 7 (2015) – $1.52 billion (£1.20 billion)

Also known as Fast & Furious 7, this film, directed by James Wan and written by Chris Morgan was the seventh instalment of the franchise. The film stars an ensemble cast including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker (in his final role) and Dwyane Johnson.

It grossed $1.515 billion worldwide, making it the third-highest-grossing film of 2015 and also set the record for the second-highest opening weekend of its time, grossing $397.6 million worldwide. Furious 7 was predicted by Vin Diesel to win the Best Picture Oscar, but it was not nominated.

8. The Avengers (2012) – $1.52 billion (£1.21 billion)

The first of the “Avengers” franchise and the sixth MCU film, The Avengers was written and directed by Joss Whedon. It featured an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner, alongside Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson.

It grossed over $1.52 billion worldwide, setting numerous box office records and became the third-highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release and the highest-grossing film of 2012. It received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 85th Academy Awards, but was beaten by Life of Pi.

7. The Lion King (2019) – $1.66 billion (£1.32 billion)

The 2019 photo-realistically animated remake of the traditionally-animated 1994, The Lion King was directed by Jon Favreau and written by Jeff Nathanson. It starred the voices of Donald Glover, Serth Rogen, Beyonce and James Earl Jones, reprising his voice role as Mufasaq for the last time.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticising its lack of originality and its nearly identical nature to the original. However, it grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide during its theatrical run and broke several box-office records. It was also nominated at the 92nd Academy Awards for visual effects but was beaten by 1917.

6. Jurassic World (2015) – $1.67 billion (£1.33 billion)

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly, Jurassic World was the first instalment in the new series and the fourth instalment in the Jurassic Park film series. The film stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio and BD Wong, who reprised his role from the original film.

On release, it set several box office records, including for the largest opening weekend, both domestically and worldwide. It ultimately grossed $1.67 billion worldwide. It was not nominated for any Oscars, though Ty Simpkins won Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the 42nd Saturn Awards.

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – $1.92 billion (£1.53 billion)

The third installment of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man series, No Way Home was directed by John Watts and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Holland starred alongside Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, who both reprised their Spider-Man roles.

The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed over $1.923 billion worldwide, surpassing its predecessor as the highest-grossing film released by Sony Pictures. The film received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 94th Academy Awards, but was beaten by Dune.

4. Ne Zha 2 (2025) – $1.96 billion (£1.56 billion) and counting…

The newest film on our list, Ne Zha 2 is a 2025 Chinese animated fantasy adventure film, serving as a sequel to the first film from 2019. Written and directed by Jiaozi, the film is loosely based on Chinese mythology stories and the 16th century Chinese novel “Investiture of the Gods”.

The film was released in cinemas across China on January 29, coinciding with the first day of Chinese New Year. It received positive reviews from critics and has grossed US $1.98 billion against a production budget of US $80 million, breaking multiple box-office records inside and outside of China. It also ranks as the highest-grossing film of 2025. It did not, however, receive a nomination for this year’s Oscars.

3. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – $2.05 billion (£1.63 billion)

The sequel to The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Infinity War was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It features a huge ensemble cast, including all of the original Avengers plus Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, and Josh Brolin.

With an estimated budget of $325 million – $400 million, the film is one of the most expensive films ever made. It was a major box-office success, becoming the fourth film and the first superhero film to gross over $2 billion worldwide, breaking numerous box-office records, and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2018. It received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards but was beaten by First Man.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2017) – $2.07 billion (£1.65 billion)

The first of the sequel trilogy and the seventh film of the “Skywalker Saga”, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was co-produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. It starred Daisey Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver, alongside much of the original cast, including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Daniels.

It was positively received by critics, and grossed $2.07 billion worldwide, breaking various box office records and becoming the third-highest-grossing film at the time of its release. It was nominated for five awards at the 88th Academy Awards, including Best Music and Best Visual Effects, but did not win any Oscars.

1. Avengers: Endgame (2019) – $2.8 billion (£2.2 billion)

Topping our list is the direct sequel to Infinity War and the 22nd film in the MCU franchise, Avengers: Endgame. This film was shot back-to-back with Infinity War. With an estimated budget of $356–400 million, the film is one of the most expensive films ever produced. The cast was much the same, with the addition of actors like Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel).

The film received praise for its direction, acting, musical score, action scenes, visual effects, and emotional weight, with critics lauding its culmination of the 22-film story. It grossed $2.799 billion worldwide, surpassing Infinity War’s entire theatrical run in eleven days and setting several box-office records. The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 92nd Academy Awards, but lost out to 1917.

Many of the highest-grossing films in history have won Oscars, including Avatar and its sequel, The Way of Water, Titanic and, potentially after tonight, Inside Out 2, which is nominated for Best Animated Feature.