Science fiction has captivated audiences for decades with imaginative storylines, mind-bending concepts, and high-stake adventures. As a result, many sci-fi movies have experienced phenomenal financial success at the box office. The following list ranks the ten biggest sci-fi hits of all time, accounting for inflation with their adjusted box-office gross figures.

1. Star Wars (1977) – Adjusted Gross: $3,214,000,000

The legendary space opera directed by George Lucas shattered records and redefined the genre upon its release, creating a multibillion-dollar franchise in the process.

2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Adjusted Gross: $2,607,975,964

Steven Spielberg’s heartfelt story of a young boy who befriends a stranded alien resonated with audiences and became an instant classic for all ages.

3. Jurassic Park (1993) – Adjusted Gross: $1,994,566,972

Spielberg does it again with this groundbreaking film that brought dinosaurs to life through state-of-the-art special effects and an enthralling storyline.

4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Adjusted Gross: $1,846,345,031

The highly anticipated Star Wars sequel solidified the franchise as a cultural phenomenon while raising the stakes for its beloved characters.

5. Avatar (2009) – Adjusted Gross: $1,685,817,985

James Cameron’s visually stunning masterpiece introduced moviegoers to the mesmerizing world of Pandora and its inhabitants while breaking box office records worldwide.

6. Return of the Jedi (1983) – Adjusted Gross: $1,574,252,848

Closing out the original Star Wars trilogy on a high note secured this installment’s status as one of the most popular sci-fi films of all time.

7. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) – Adjusted Gross: $1,564,426,710

This influential classic warned against the perils of nuclear war and featured one of the most memorable lines in sci-fi history: “Klaatu barada nikto.”

8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – Adjusted Gross: $1,235,080,959

Another Spielberg masterpiece made its mark in the 70s with this film’s breathtaking visual effects and intriguing tale of extraterrestrial contact.

9. Independence Day (1996) – Adjusted Gross: $1,151,067,166

This action-packed alien invasion epic helmed by Roland Emmerich was a blockbuster sensation during the 90s due to its eye-popping special effects and memorable tagline: “Welcome to Earth!”

10. The Matrix (1999) – Adjusted Gross: $1,044,409,655

The Wachowskis’ groundbreaking cyberpunk masterpiece redefined action cinema and introduced moviegoers to new concepts about reality and perception.

From awe-inspiring space operas to revolutionary effects-driven adventures, these ten sci-fi hits have earned their place as the biggest box-office successes in the genre’s history. Their influence continues to impact the world of science fiction and cinema at large.