With top-tier films costing hundreds of millions of dollars to produce these days, any director who sets out to create the next big blockbuster better be sure they’ve got what it takes to make their project both a pop-culture and commercial success.
Some directors have been more successful at doing this than others, and that’s catapulted them into the ranks of the highest-grossing directors in Hollywood history. Curious which directors have reached the absolute top of their craft?
Here are the top-grossing directors of all time.
Don’t forget: You can watch these directors’ movies right on DIRECTV!
The 10 Top-Grossing Directors Worldwide
So, which of your favorite directors are responsible for pulling the most money into Hollywood’s coffers? Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-grossing directors ever.
1. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is the top-grossing film director of all time, grossing in at $10.8 billion. Known for shaping modern Hollywood, Spielberg has directed some of the most iconic films of all time, including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones franchise and the Jurassic Park franchise.
His ability to balance blockbuster spectacle with heartfelt storytelling has made him a dominant force in both commercial and critical cinema, and nearly synonymous with top-quality filmmaking. He’s won multiple Academy Awards for his historical films, such as Schindler’s List (Best Picture, Best Director) and Saving Private Ryan (Best Director).
2. James Cameron
A visionary director renowned for pushing the boundaries of cinematic technology, James Cameron has directed some of the most iconic and technologically advanced films in modern cinematic history, including Titanic and Avatar.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and groundbreaking use of visual effects, he has redefined the sci-fi and action genres to bring us classics like the Terminator and the sequel to the iconic sci-fi horror film Alien.
3. The Russo Brothers (Anthony & Joe Russo)
Anthony and Joe Russo, known professionally as The Russo Brothers, became household names after directing some of the most successful films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War and the Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame super films. These solidified their reputation as masters of large-scale, character-driven action movies. The Russos also recent blockbusters The Gray Man, Extraction and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
4. Michael Bay
Known for his signature high-octane, explosion-heavy filmmaking style, Bay has dominated the action genre with films like Armageddon, Bad Boys and The Rock. However, his most financially successful work has come from the Transformers franchise, of which he directed the first five films and has grossed billions worldwide. His distinctive visual flair, fast-paced editing and over-the-top action sequences define his filmmaking approach.
5. Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s, leading to nearly three decades worth of subsequent film and television content. It was Peter Jackson who brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy worlds to life in that initial three-film set, and he set a new standard for epic filmmaking in the process, winning multiple Oscars, including Best Picture for The Return of the King.
Jackson also directed The Hobbit trilogy, a prequel to the original movies, and has explored diverse projects, including the documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, showcasing his technical and storytelling prowess.
6. David Yates
David Yates was the directorial mind behind another series of epic fantasy films that took pop culture by storm in the early 2000s: the Harry Potter franchise. Yates directed the final four Harry Potter films, bestowing upon them a much darker, more mature tone as the series neared its conclusion.
He continued his work in the Wizarding World franchise by helming the Fantastic Beasts films, and his mastery of large-scale storytelling and character-driven fantasy has solidified him as a key figure in blockbuster filmmaking.
7. Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan has built a reputation as one of the most innovative directors of his generation with his iconic catalog of mind-bending movies. He revolutionized superhero films with The Dark Knight trilogy and crafted intricate, high-concept films like Inception, Interstellar and Tenet. His meticulous approach to filmmaking, including large-format cinematography and minimal CGI, has earned him both critical and commercial acclaim as well as a cult following.
8. Ridley Scott
A director cut from a similar cloth as James Cameron, Ridley Scott also made his mark with the original Alien and sci-fi classic Blade Runner, redefining how the genre was approached in the process. He later directed Oscar-winner Gladiator and continued to deliver successful films like The Martian and House of Gucci. His ability to blend visual spectacle with thought-provoking themes has kept him relevant across decades.
9. Tim Burton
Famous for his gothic aesthetic and quirky storytelling, Tim Burton has directed cult classics such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd and The Nightmare Before Christmas. His signature visual style — often featuring twisted fairytale elements and dark, gloomy aesthetics — and frequent collaborations with Johnny Depp, makes him one of Hollywood’s most distinctive filmmakers. You know a Tim Burton film when you see one.
10. J.J. Abrams
A filmmaker with a knack for reinvigorating major sci-fi franchises, J.J. Abrams revived the Star Trek franchise and continued the Star Wars saga with The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. His work on the beloved television series Lost and movies Super 8 and Mission: Impossible III showcase his ability to blend nostalgia with fresh storytelling. Known for his use of mystery boxes and fast-paced action, he remains a key figure in modern blockbuster cinema.
Top 30 Highest Grossing Directors, All-Time
And here’s a full list of the top 30 highest-grossing directors of all time, including which of their movies made the most money:
| Rank | Name | Worldwide Box Office | Highest-Grossing Film |
| 1 | Steven Spielberg | $10.8B | Jurassic Park – $1.1B |
| 2 | James Cameron | $8.8B | Avatar – $2.9B |
| 3 | Russo brothers | $6.9B | Avengers: Endgame – $2.8B |
| 4 | Michael Bay | $6.7B | Transformers: Dark of the Moon – $1.1B |
| 5 | Peter Jackson | $6.6B | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $1.2B |
| 6 | David Yates | $6.5B | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – $1.4B |
| 7 | Christopher Nolan | $6.2B | The Dark Knight Rises – $1.1B |
| 8 | Ridley Scott | $5.0B | The Martian – $653.6M |
| 9 | Tim Burton | $4.9B | Alice in Wonderland – $1.0B |
| 10 | J. J. Abrams | $4.7B | Star Wars: The Force Awakens – $2.1B |
| 11 | Ron Howard | $4.4B | The Da Vinci Code – $767.8M |
| 12 | Jon Favreau | $4.4B | The Lion King – $1.7B |
| 13 | Robert Zemeckis | $4.4B | Forrest Gump – $679.8M |
| 14 | Sam Raimi | $4.3B | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – $955.8M |
| 15 | James Wan | $4.1B | Furious 7 – $1.5B |
| 16 | Chris Columbus | $4.1B | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – $1.0B |
| 17 | Roland Emmerich | $4.1B | Independence Day – $817.4M |
| 18 | Jon Watts | $3.9B | Spider-Man: No Way Home – $1.9B |
| 19 | Gore Verbinski | $3.8B | Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – $1.1B |
| 20 | Bryan Singer | $3.7B | Bohemian Rhapsody – $910.8M |
| 21 | Pierre Coffin | $3.7B | Minions – $1.2B |
| 22 | Francis Lawrence | $3.7B | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – $865.0M |
| 23 | Clint Eastwood | $3.5B | American Sniper – $547.7M |
| 24 | George Lucas | $3.4B | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $1.0B |
| 25 | Brad Bird | $3.4B | Incredibles 2 – $1.2B |
| 26 | M. Night Shyamalan | $3.2B | The Sixth Sense – $672.8M |
| 27 | Todd Phillips | $3.2B | Joker – $1.1B |
| 28 | Chris Renaud | $3.2B | Despicable Me 2 – $970.8M |
| 29 | Zack Snyder | $3.2B | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – $874.4M |
| 30 | Kyle Balda | $3.1B | Minions – $1.2B |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the all-time top-grossing director?
Steven Spielberg is the highest-grossing director in history.
Who are the top five highest-grossing directors?
Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, The Russo Brothers, Michael Bay and Peter Jackson are the top five top-grossing directors of all time.
What is the highest-grossing film of all time?
James Cameron's Avatar is the all-time highest grossing film.
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