Ranking Every Billion Dollar Movie - From Worst To Best

10. The Avengers

Box Office: $1,518,812,988

It should go without saying, but The Avengers was a huge gamble for Marvel, even despite the successes of Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor. The idea of a superhero ensemble had been entertained previously but it was never able to get off the ground, and Marvel Studios were still a relatively young creative company, still learning and still not a million miles away from the same company that sold off all of its prized assets for a pittance.

The film required incredible balance as well as a unifying story to justify its existence, and in Joss Whedon Marvel found their perfect magician. Instead of going too big too soon, Whedon focused on the dynamics between the characters first and foremost, and the result is a team you really care for. He basically made the rest of the MCU possible.

There are issues - like the final act with the Chitauri invasion feeling tacked on, but it's still a glorious experience to watch now.