Over the past 50 years “the silver screen” has seen many charismatic artists whose supreme charm and massive talent have captivated audiences worldwide. Among them stands the legendary Harrison Ford – a man credited with some of America’s high-grossing films and always seeming to leave his unforgettable mark with each role.
How big of a powerhouse’s cinematic star has Ford been for decades? Let’s take a look.
The Iconic Harrison Ford
Born July 13th, 1942 in Chicago, Ford’s first appearances in films began in the late 1960’s and have now incredibly stretched into the 2020’s. Nearly 60 years of acting have produced a staggering over $5.3 Billion (and counting) domestic and over $9.4 Billion in box office revenue.
Ford’s legendary presence in Hollywood is demonstrated by almost everything he has touched seemingly turning into gold. Let’s take a look at his best.
Ford’s Five Biggest Box Office Hits
Let’s explore the five top-grossing films of Ford’s career, ranked by domestic gross, adjusted for inflation.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Even amongst all the films in the iconic “Star Wars” series, 2015’s ‘The Force Awakens’ stands out both for its critical acclaim and for its box-office success. It’s the highest-grossing film of Ford’s career with a domestic gross of $936.6 million adjusted for inflation.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
The film that brought Harrison Ford into the limelight, the iconic 1977 “Star Wars” film. The first in the now massive series starring Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher with Ford still stands strong in its earnings even in today’s world. Despite being over five decades old, it has amassed an adjusted gross of $786.6 million.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
As the box office’s perennial favorite, Indiana Jones – Ford’s daunting college professor turned treasure seeking, aciton hero- launched his adventurous role in 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which dazzled audiences. The first in the franchise of films, it’s domestic gross stands at a stunning $782.6 million adjusted for inflation.
The Empire Strikes Back
As the second installment in the Star Wars series, 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back” features one of Ford’s most unforgettable performances ending with him being “frozen in carbonite” in the film’s climatic moments. With a domestic gross of $719.4 million, this film is a testament to Ford’s unmatched influence in Hollywood.
Return of the Jedi
Rounding out the top five is ‘Return of the Jedi’, the third entry (at the time) from the Star Wars series. Characterized by its epic storytelling and Ford’s compelling performance as Han Solo helps defeat “The Empire” once and for all, this film raked in over $696.3 million in adjusted gross revenue.
It was said Ford, “his talent, coupled with his uncanny ability to make any character believable, have elevated him into the realm of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors.”
Final Thoughts
These numbers reinforce what we’ve known for decades — Harrison Ford continues to be a phenomenon in his own right. His performances, always saturated with captivating charisma and an unparalleled aura, are a true testament to his talent. With a knack for stealing every scene, Ford’s undeniable brilliance shines and shines. Simply put, there’s no one else who’s delivered in film after film like Harrison Ford.
