Budget: $280 millionGross Earnings: $2.78 billion James Camerons visually arresting 3D spectacular was given life years before such incredible technology was available. Cameron put pen to paper way back in 1994, writing an 80-page first draft of the screenplay which would eventually evolve into Avatar one of the most expensive films of all time. Theres no escaping the fact that as soon as you are shown Pandora its clear that the visual effects of Avatar were unlike anything wed ever encountered before. From the all-too-real Na'vi to the organic Hometree they inhabit, everything in the 2009 film looks superb. Of course Avatars narrative is far less original than the visuals which itll be remembered for (**COUGH** Pocahontas **COUGH Dances with Wolves) but this doesnt mean that Avatar isnt a worthy cinematic experience. The film which started as an idea in Camerons head over 20 years before ultimately becoming the highest grossing movie of all time.