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- Morgan Freeman's movies have grossed over $11 billion across more than 100 films in his six decades in Hollywood.
- Freeman's most notable films include Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption, and Batman Begins.
- His highest-grossing films include Wanted, Now You See Me, and The Dark Knight trilogy.
With a voice rich in timber and a presence that steals every scene, Morgan Freeman has become one of the most respected actors in the business.
His resume is filled with roles that have made us laugh, cry, and ponder the deeper questions of life, and fittingly, Freeman is ranked among the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Throughout his nearly six decades in the industry, Freeman has appeared in over 100 movies, which cumulatively have grossed a total of over $11 billion at the box office.
Per various reports, Morgan Freeman has a net worth of around $250 million, which comes as no surprise given his massive stature and presence in the entertainment industry.
He rose to fame in the 1970s for his role in the children's television series The Electric Company.
Freeman went on to receive an Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actor" for his performance in Clint Eastwood's sports drama Million Dollar Baby.
His other Oscar-nominated roles were in the prison drama/novel adaptation of Stephen King's The Shawshank Redemption, and Invictus, in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela.
Freeman has played everyone from presidents to prisoners, and he made his directorial debut with the drama Bopha! in 1993.
Let's dive into the treasure chest of the highest-grossing Morgan Freeman movies, uncovering the secrets behind these blockbusters, and discovering the roles that have made him a Hollywood legend.
Collabed With ClintNumbers Don't Lie: The Highest-Grossing Clint Eastwood Movies, Ranked
From Spaghetti Westerns to Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood has amassed a $375 million net worth, with his films grossing over $3 billion.10 Wanted (2008)
Global Box Office, Wanted - $603,873,504
In the action thriller film Wanted, Morgan Freemen treads a different path, ditching his usual wise mentor persona for a more mysterious role.
The film, based on a comic book series, follows Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a frustrated office worker who discovers a shocking family secret.
Enter Freeman as Sloan, a shrouded figure who guides Wesley through the cutthroat world of the Fraternity, a clandestine society of killers.
Director Timur Bekmambetov's vision translates to a visually stunning film praised for its breakneck action sequences.
At the box office. Wanted earned $134.5 million in North America and $208 million overseas, totaling $342 million worldwide on the back of a $75 million production budget.
Wanted also generated significant revenue of around $65 million from DVD sales.
Estimated Budget | $75,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $50,927,085 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $134,508,551 |
Box Office (International) | $207,954,512 |
Box Office (Total) | $342,463,063 |
9 Now You See Me (2013)
Global Box Office, Now You See Me - $351,723,989
Morgan Freeman adds a touch of seasoned skepticism to the world of magic and illusion in Now You See Me.
This heist film follows the Four Horsemen, a group of talented magicians who pull off jaw-dropping bank robberies right during their stage shows.
Freeman steps into the role of Thaddeus Bradley, a former magician turned debunker determined to expose the Horsemen's tricks.
The film, directed by Louis Leterrier, is a twisty and fast-paced ride filled with visual flair. Now You See Me had a successful box office run, taking $29 million on its opening weekend.
By the end of its box office run, Now You See Me had grossed $117.7 million in the U.S. and Canada and $234 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $351.7 million, against a budget of $75 million.
Estimated Budget | $75,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $29,350,389 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $117,723,989 |
Box Office (International) | $234,000,000 |
Box Office (Total) | $351,723,989 |
Hollywood's Biggest PaychecksPayday Kings: The Highest-Paid Movie Roles Of All Time
From star-driven studios to franchise-focused streaming, these Hollywood kings (and a queen) bagged lucrative roles.8 Deep Impact (1998)
Global Box Office, Deep Impact - $349,464,664
Facing a planetary crisis in the 1998 disaster flick Deep Impact, Morgan Freeman's performance is quite a departure from his typical calm demeanor on-screen.
Here, he takes on the immense responsibility of President Tom Beck, leading the world through the discovery of a comet hurtling towards Earth.
The film follows the desperate attempts to deflect the comet or evacuate the planet. Despite the polarizing reviews by critics of Deep Impact, audiences found themselves drawn to the film's suspenseful narrative.
Deep Impact debuted at the North American box office with $41 million in its first weekend.
Deep Impact ultimately grossed $140 million in North America and an additional $209 million worldwide, for a total gross of $349 million.
Estimated Budget | $80,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $41,152,375 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $140,464,664 |
Box Office (International) | $209,000,000 |
Box Office (Total) | $349,464,664 |
7 Batman Begins (2005)
Global Box Office, Batman Begins - $375,325,692
Morgan Freeman joined the cast of Batman Begins, a superhero action thriller directed by Christopher Nolan.
This film revitalized the Batman film franchise, acting as a reboot that traced Bruce Wayne's path from the trauma of his parents' murders to becoming the crime-fighting vigilante Batman.
The film also featured the villainous Ra's al Ghul and the Scarecrow, who threatened to plunge Gotham City into chaos.
While expectations were lukewarm due to the previous film Batman & Robin's poor reception, Batman Begins garnered critical acclaim, surpassing the Schumacher-era Batman films.
Freeman was reportedly paid $5 million for his role in Batman Begins, which amounts to a bit over $8 million in 2024's dollars (when adjusted for inflation).
Batman Begins opened with $48 million in its first weekend and went on to gross $206 million in North America and $168 million overseas, which amounted to a total of $375 million worldwide.
Estimated Budget | $150,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $48,745,440 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $206,863,479 |
Box Office (International) | $168,435,467 |
Box Office (Total) | $375,325,692 |
This Christopher Nolan:These Are The Highest-Grossing Christopher Nolan Movies
Mastermind filmmaker Christopher Nolan transcends storytelling with mind-bending blockbusters, earning over $6 billion at the global box office.6 Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
Global Box Office, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves - $390,493,908
Morgan Freeman starred alongside Kevin Costner in Kevin Reynolds's blockbuster adaptation of Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
Freeman portrayed Azeem, a Moorish warrior who accompanies Robin Hood on his quest against Alan Rickman's uproariously evil Sheriff Of Nottingham.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Freeman's and Rickman's performances, but had reservations about Costner's performance and the overall execution.
Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves grossed $165.5 million in the US and Canada.
Its international performance was even stronger, adding another $225 million and bringing its global total to $390.5 million — which made it the second-highest-grossing film of 1991.
Estimated Budget | $48,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $25,625,602 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $165,493,908 |
Box Office (International) | $225,000,000 |
Box Office (Total) | $390,493,908 |
5 Lucy (2014)
Global Box Office, Lucy - $469,058,574
Scarlett Johansson stars as the titular character who gains extraordinary mental powers after a drug enters her system, in Luc Besson's sci-fi action thriller Lucy.
Critical reception was sharply divided; while the film earned praise for its themes, visuals, and Johansson's performance, many critics found its plot illogical, particularly its reliance on the thoroughly debunked "ten percent of the brain" myth.
The film grossed $469 million worldwide, with roughly $126 million of that coming from the domestic market and $342 million from other territories, for a worldwide total of $463.4 million, meaning that it returned more than eleven times its budget of $40 million.
Estimated Budget | $40,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $43,899,340 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $126,663,600 |
Box Office (International) | $342,394,974 |
Box Office (Total) | $469,058,574 |
We Love LucyCaptain America, Lucy, The Avengers: The Highest-Grossing Scarlett Johansson Movies, Ranked
Scarlett Johansson is the highest-grossing box office star of all time with $15.4 billion box office total and a $165 million net worth.4 The Lego Movie (2014)
Global Box Office, The Lego Movie - $470,759,687
Warner Bros.'s surprise smash-hit The Lego Movie brought the iconic building toys to life in a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt animated adventure — and what seemed at first like a feature-length toy commercial turned into a cinematic smash hit.
Morgan Freeman lent his distinctive voice to Vitruvius, a wise, old wizard who guides the unassuming hero Emmet (Chris Pratt) on his quest to save the Lego universe.
The Lego Movie scored $257.97 million in North America and another $212.79 million in other regions, resulting in a global total of nearly $470 million.
With a production budget of approximately $60 million, The Lego Movie proved to be a lucrative venture, earning a net profit of $229 million.
Estimated Budget | $60,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $69,050,279 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $257,966,122 |
Box Office (International) | $212,793,565 |
Box Office (Total) | $470,759,687 |
3 Bruce Almighty (2003)
Global Box Office, Bruce Almighty - $484,592,874
Morgan Freeman brings his divine presence to the 2003 comedy Bruce Almighty.
Freeman portrays God himself, who decides to answer the frustrated prayers of a down-on-his-luck news reporter, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey).
Endowed with God's powers for a week, Bruce wreaks hilarious havoc but ultimately learns valuable lessons about humility and responsibility. The film grossed $67.9 million in its opening weekend alone.
By the end of its theatrical run, Bruce Almighty had earned a domestic box office total of $242 million, with the international box office adding another $242 million, for a global total of $484 million.
Freeman reportedly received $10 million for his supporting role in Bruce Almighty.
Estimated Budget | $81,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $67,953,330 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $242,829,261 |
Box Office (International) | $241,763,613 |
Box Office (Total) | $484,592,874 |
Bruce Almighty, Starring ...The Highest-Grossing Jim Carrey Movies, From Ace Ventura To Bruce Almighty
Jim Carrey soared from stand-up to a $180 million net worth, and his films have grossed a gargantuan $5.7 billion.2 The Dark Knight (2008)
Global Box Office, The Dark Knight - $1,029,315,930
This Christopher Nolan-directed superhero film picks up where Batman Begins left off, with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) continuing his crusade as Batman alongside Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and rising star District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).
Freeman reprises his role as Lucius Fox, a trusted confidant and tech wiz who provides Batman with his high-tech gadgets. Freeman reportedly received a paycheck of $5 million for his role.
The Dark Knight received critical acclaim for its mature tone, visual style, and performances, with many considering it one of the greatest superhero films and best movies of the 2000s.
It grossed $158.4 million during its opening weekend, and went on to earn over $1.029 billion worldwide.
Estimated Budget | $185,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $158,411,483 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $534,987,076 |
Box Office (International) | $494,279,071 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,029,315,930 |
1 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Global Box Office, The Dark Knight Rises - $1,114,104,809
Morgan Freeman makes his final appearance as Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's final installment of the Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises.
Eight years after the events of the previous film, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is forced out of retirement to become Batman once again, and protect Gotham City from a new threat: the villainous Bane (Tom Hardy).
Freeman reprises his role as Lucius Fox, a loyal confidante and the tech genius who equips Batman with his gadgets.
The Dark Knight Rises was showered with praise from critics for its satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, and Freeman reportedly received $5 million for his role as Lucius Fox.
The film earned $448.1 million in the US and Canada and $632.9 million in other countries, totaling $1.081 billion worldwide.
The Dark Knight Rises was the highest-grossing Batman film at the time, and is the highest-grossing of Morgan Freeman's movies to date.
Estimated Budget | $250,000,000 |
|---|---|
Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $160,887,295 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $448,149,584 |
Box Office (International) | $665,935,446 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,114,104,809 |
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