Nov 02, 2026 8:00pm IST
The Odyssey’ to ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’: 5 Highest-Grossing R-Rated Films of All Time
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has rewritten box office history, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time with worldwide collections of approximately $1.79 billion. The July 2026 release has comfortably surpassed the previous record held by Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”, which collected around $1.338 billion during its theatrical run.
The latest reshuffle has also brought anime into the top five, with “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” overtaking “Deadpool 2” to claim the fifth position. Three films in the ranking have crossed the billion-dollar mark, while the top five now feature two films directed by Christopher Nolan. Here is a look at the five highest-grossing R-rated films worldwide. The figures are unadjusted for inflation.
The Odyssey – $1.79 Billion
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has sailed to the top of the worldwide box office rankings, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in cinema history. Released on July 17, 2026, the epic adventure adapts Homer’s ancient Greek poem, following Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The film features an ensemble cast comprising Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron. Rated ‘R’ in the US for violence and some language, the film’s commercial performance has been particularly striking for an epic rooted in ancient mythology. Its worldwide collection has also made it the biggest box office success of Nolan’s career.
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Deadpool & Wolverine – $1.338 Billion
Before “The Odyssey” took over the record, “Deadpool & Wolverine” held the distinction of being the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. Released in 2024, Shawn Levy’s film brought Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine together for their first full-fledged cinematic crossover. The story follows Deadpool as he attempts to save his universe, eventually seeking help from an unwilling Wolverine. Combining graphic action, profanity, irreverent humour and surprise appearances, the Marvel Studios production became a global theatrical phenomenon. It collected approximately $1.338 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest superhero releases of all time.
Joker – $1.079 Billion
Todd Phillips’ “Joker” demonstrated that a dark, character-driven psychological drama could compete with some of the biggest franchise releases at the worldwide box office. Released in 2019, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian whose deteriorating mental state and growing alienation from society lead him towards becoming Gotham City’s infamous criminal. Moving away from the conventional superhero film template, the Warner Bros. production explored the character’s descent through a gritty and unsettling narrative. Its success was particularly significant as it became the first R-rated film to cross the $1 billion mark, eventually collecting approximately $1.079 billion worldwide. Phoenix also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.
Oppenheimer – $983.15 Million
Nolan makes another appearance on the list with “Oppenheimer”, his historical drama about the development of the atomic bomb. Released in 2023, the film stars Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Florence Pugh. Despite being a three-hour historical drama with an R rating for sexuality, nudity and language, the film emerged as a major theatrical event. Its simultaneous release alongside Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” created the widely discussed Barbenheimer phenomenon, helping it collect approximately $983.15 million worldwide. The film went on to win seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Approximately $793.5 Million
The latest entrant in the top five is also the only animated film on the list. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” marks the beginning of the anime franchise’s concluding trilogy, adapting the Infinity Castle arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps as they are drawn into Muzan Kibutsuji’s stronghold, where they face the Upper Rank demons as the final confrontation approaches. Released internationally in 2025, the Japanese film received an R rating in the US for bloody violence throughout. Its worldwide collection of approximately $793.5 million has pushed “Deadpool 2” out of the top five, making it the highest-grossing R-rated animated film of all time.
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