Oscar nods and critical acclaim are all well and good, but for a lot of producers the most important metric is how much the movie earns.

Box office statistics offer insight into how a movie is appreciated in wider popular culture.

Using combined worldwide box office data from The Numbers, Newsweek presents the highest-grossing movies in each year of this century.

Mission: Impossible 2 ($13,323,140,197)

2000 ‧ Action/Thriller ‧ 2h 3m

Secret agent Ethan Hunt travels to Sydney to search and destroy the genetically modified Chimera virus.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Your cranium may crave more substance, but your eyes will feast on the amazing action sequences”

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone ($15,454,624,629)

2001 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 2h 39m

Young orphan Harry Potter learns he is a wizard and is invited to study at Hogwarts school, where he enters a world of magic.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel’s overstuffed narrative into an involving—and often downright exciting—big-screen magical caper.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ($16,798,024,955)

2002 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 3h 43m

Saruman launches an assault from his domain as the two hobbits edge closer to Mordor with the suspect Gollum.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($17,829,856,828)

2003 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 4h 11m

The former Fellowship lead the World of Men against Sauron’s army to draw his gaze from the two intrepid hobbits.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy.”

Shrek 2 ($19,065,247,431)

2004 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 45m

Fiona’s parents, the rulers of Far Far Away, invite the newlyweds to visit, but the king takes an instant dislike to Shrek.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “It may not be as fresh as the original, but topical humor and colorful secondary characters make Shrek 2 a winner in its own right.”

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ($18,344,149,172)

2005 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 2h 37m

After Harry becomes involved in an inter-school tournament, he is unwittingly involved in a dark conspiracy.

Rotten Tomatoes’critics’ consensus states: “The main characters are maturing, and the filmmakers are likewise improving on their craft; vibrant special effects and assured performances add up to what is the most complex yet of the Harry Potter films.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($20,140,464,794)

2006 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 31m

Jack Sparrow searches for Davy Jones’ heart to avoid being enslaved by the mythical pirate.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Gone is Depp’s unpredictability and much of the humor and originality of the first movie.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End ($23,264,556,416)

2007 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 49m

Jack Sparrow’s friends form an alliance to save him the pirate and battle against the East India Company.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “POTC: AWE provides the thrilling action scenes, but mixes in too many characters with too many incomprehensible plot threads.”

The Dark Knight ($24,280,559,247)

2008 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 32m

Batman pledges to take on the psychopathic The Joker, who plans to wreak havoc and chaos on the citizens of Gotham.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Dark, complex and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.”

Avatar ($25,909,615,170)

2009 ‧ Sci-fi/Sci-fi ‧ 2h 42m

Disabled Marine Jake is sent on a unique mission and is faced with a dilemma about following his orders.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron’s singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking.”

Toy Story 3 ($25,274,344,985)

2010 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 48m

When Andy departs for college, the toys are mistakenly delivered to a daycare center, where they plot their return home.

Rotten Tomatoes’ crucial consensus states: “Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works.”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($27,423,043,647)

2011 ‧ Fantasy/Fantasy ‧ 2h 10m

The wizards race to destroy the remaining Horcruxes while their friends battle to defend the school against evil Lord Voldemort.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying—and suitably magical—conclusion.”

The Avengers ($31,712,391,848)

2012 ‧ Adventure/Action ‧ 2h 24m

The planet’s superheroes decide to collaborate to stop mischievous Loki’s extraterrestrial army from taking over the world.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes’ humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies.”

Frozen ($29,821,271,282)

2013 ‧ Family/Musical ‧ 1h 49m

Teenage girl Elsa starts an epic quest with an iceman and a reindeer to search for her sister.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Beautifully animated, smartly written, and stocked with singalong songs, Frozen adds another worthy entry to the Disney canon.”

Transformers: Age of Extinction ($29,959,240,869)

Action/Sci-fi ‧ 2h 45m

The Transformers race to come to the rescue when the world faces annihilation from a terrifying new threat,

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “With the fourth installment in Michael Bay’s blockbuster Transformers franchise, nothing is in disguise: Fans of loud, effects-driven action will find satisfaction, and all others need not apply.”

Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens ($36,091,491,001)

2015 ‧ Sci-fi/Adventure ‧ 2h 15m

When a new order threatens to topple the New Republic, members of the Resistance and the Republic race to stop them.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series’ former glory while injecting it with renewed energy.”

Captain America: Civil War ($37,059,805,141)

2016 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 28m

Tension grows after a section of the Avengers supports the U.S. Government decides to control their powers, while the others opposes it.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Captain America: Civil War begins the next wave of Marvel movies with an action-packed superhero blockbuster boasting a decidedly non-cartoonish plot and the courage to explore thought-provoking themes.”

Star Wars Ep. VIII: The Last Jedi ($37,936,871,922)

2017 ‧ Sci-fi/Action ‧ 2h 32m

Luke Skywalker’s isolated existence ends he meets he encounters Rey, who shows strong signs of the Force.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi honors the saga’s rich legacy while adding some surprising twists—and delivering all the emotion-rich action fans could hope for.”

Avengers: Infinity War ($38,282,395,462)

2018 ‧ Action/Sci-fi ‧ 2h 40m

The superheroes team attempt to prevent cosmic criminal Thanos from obliterating the Universe.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Avengers: Infinity War ably juggles a dizzying array of MCU heroes in the fight against their gravest threat yet, and the result is a thrilling, emotionally resonant blockbuster that (mostly) realizes its gargantuan ambitions.”

Avengers: Endgame ($38,763,440,114)

2019 ‧ Action/Sci-fi ‧ 3h 2m

Intergalactic enemy Thanos conquers the Universe, meaning the Avengers must assemble again for one final battle.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Exciting, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, Avengers: Endgame does whatever it takes to deliver a satisfying finale to Marvel’s epic Infinity Saga.”

Demon Slayer-Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Mugen Train ($8,310,419,334)

2020 ‧ Fantasy/Action ‧ 2 hours

A feral child and a friend with magical powers embark on a strange journey with the Flame Pillar.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Demon Slayer’s visually stunning animation and masterful action set pieces serve a heartfelt plot that is sure to satisfy fans.”