The highest-grossing Martin Scorsese movies showcase how commercial success intersects with the vision of a legendary filmmaker. While artistry often takes priority for Scorsese, his films’ box office returns, especially after inflation adjustments, reveal which stories have most impacted audiences and the industry.
How Box Office Gross Is Measured for Scorsese’s Films
Though many of Martin Scorsese’s movies receive critical acclaim regardless of their box office tallies, commercial performance remains a key factor in measuring impact, influence, and visibility. In this analysis, only worldwide grosses adjusted for inflation are used to provide an even playing field across decades, considering that older films like Taxi Driver entered theaters when movie ticket prices differed substantially from today’s.
This ranking is based on numbers sourced from the industry data provider “the Numbers” along with inflation calculations derived from Calculator.net. Both financial performance and cultural factors are considered in understanding why certain Scorsese films rose to the top in commercial terms, even though production budgets or distribution models may affect their actual profitability. From gritty crime sagas set in New York to sweeping biopics and psychological thrillers, Scorsese’s box office trajectory is as varied as his directorial style.
10. Taxi Driver (1976): An Unsettling Classic’s Enduring Power
Adjusted worldwide gross: $161,096,405
Taxi Driver is widely recognized for its psychological intensity and stands out as one of Martin Scorsese’s most memorable works. Nearly five decades since its release, its staying power in box office rankings is enhanced by inflation adjustments, catapulting it into this top ten despite having premiered when the value of the dollar was quite different.
Robert De Niro leads the cast as the unforgettable Travis Bickle, delivering one of many acclaimed performances with Scorsese. Supported by a young Jodie Foster, the film’s dark look at urban alienation remains as impactful today as at its debut.
This is notable when compared to films like Goodfellas, which, while similarly lauded, did not achieve the same level of commercial return after adjustments. Taxi Driver’s reputation as one of the darkest psychological dramas in cinema hasn’t diminished its appeal, underlining Scorsese’s ability to connect with both critics and wider audiences, even for challenging material.
9. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023): A Modern Epic’s Financial Journey
Adjusted worldwide gross: $165,038,982
Killers of the Flower Moon arrives as one of Scorsese’s most ambitious historical epics, its runtime stretching nearly three and a half hours. The film attracted considerable attention for its heavy subject matter and for marking a return to the big screen after its predecessor, The Irishman, received only a limited theatrical run in favor of streaming distribution. Top-billed by Leonardo DiCaprio, the cast also includes Louis Cancelmi, Jillian Dion, and Scott Shepherd.
Although the film ranks high in gross revenue, its exceptionally large budget means it falls short of breaking even. Its unique release circumstances, and the balance between theatrical and streaming strategies, helped the movie avoid being labeled an outright box office disaster. This complexity of film finance highlights how public figures and industry observers can only comment based on available data, which is often incomplete.
Despite commercial challenges, the intense themes and impressive ensemble assured it a place among the highest-grossing Martin Scorsese movies, demonstrating that even weighty, difficult stories can draw global audiences when handled by a director of Scorsese’s stature.
8. Casino (1995): The High Stakes of Crime and Commerce
Adjusted worldwide gross: $232,872,283
Casino lives up to its title by placing money and power at the heart of its narrative, chronicling the intricate web of mob-controlled Las Vegas casinos. Martin Scorsese’s direction draws clear stylistic comparisons to Goodfellas, with plenty of voiceover, raw violence, and gritty realism fueling the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro. Sharon Stone’s performance as Ginger McKenna adds a strong emotional core amid the brutality.
The film’s reputation for graphic violence surpasses even Scorsese’s earlier crime stories, and its longer runtime didn’t deter audiences from propelling it into the upper echelons of his financial successes. Casino serves as a testament to the director’s unique ability to marry dark, controversial material with broad audience appeal, underlining once more why his movies remain enduring draws at the global box office.
7. Hugo (2011): A Love Letter to Cinema Finds Its Audience
Adjusted worldwide gross: $257,310,030
Hugo stands apart from Scorsese’s usual gritty dramas as a fantastical exploration of silent cinema and its legacy, presented through a family-friendly lens. While its subject and style made for a unique entry in the director’s filmography, the considerable budget – over $150 million in 2011, or about $215 million in inflation-adjusted terms – meant it only narrowly surpassed its production costs.
The film stars Sacha Baron Cohen and Jude Law in notable roles. Despite Hugo’s modest box office returns relative to its scale, its value lies in Scorsese’s evident passion for the craft and the opportunity to share that passion with a new generation. Hugo ultimately became a personal and critical triumph, resonating with audiences through its heartfelt homage to early film pioneers and the history of movie-making.
6. Gangs of New York (2002): Gritty Historical Drama in the Heart of the City
Adjusted worldwide gross: $327,227,105
Gangs of New York immerses viewers in the lawless turmoil of 1860s New York, with Leonardo DiCaprio navigating a world ruled by warring factions and personal vendettas. Although not universally regarded as Scorsese’s strongest work, its ambitious scale and meticulously realized backdrop provide a visceral window into the director’s longstanding fascination with the city.
Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis join DiCaprio in bringing to life a narrative thick with violence, revenge, and the pursuit of power. While some critics point to flaws, the film‘s vivid depiction of the city’s tumult and the investment of its large budget are apparent in every scene, ensuring that audiences were drawn into its world and maintaining its strong commercial showing among Scorsese’s catalog.
5. The Aviator (2004): Charting the Highs and Lows of Howard Hughes
Adjusted worldwide gross: $354,600,046
The Aviator represents one of Scorsese’s largest biographical projects, examining the tumultuous life of Howard Hughes as businessman, engineer, and film producer. Leonardo DiCaprio again takes the lead, supported by Willem Dafoe, Alan Alda, and John C. Reilly among others.
Though The Aviator’s story may not be as gripping as some of Scorsese’s other work, it is elevated by its technical craftsmanship and powerful performances. The lengthy runtime and sheer detail make for a demanding watch, but the ambition and polish distinguish it from standard biographical fare. The film’s substantial earnings show that large-scale character studies, when executed by a director of Scorsese’s caliber, can achieve significant reach and lasting impact.
4. Cape Fear (1991): Reimagining a Thriller for a New Generation
Adjusted worldwide gross: $430,253,214
Scorsese has not hesitated to revisit or reinterpret existing stories, and his 1991 take on Cape Fear stands as an intense and financially successful adaptation. By the standards of its era, this psychological thriller resonated deeply with audiences, due in no small part to the menacing portrayal of Max Cady by Robert De Niro. Supporting turns from Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Joe Don Baker round out the cast.
Scorsese’s deft directorial hand elevates the source material, employing distinctive cinematic techniques that underscore the mounting tension. Cape Fear succeeds as both a worthy retelling and an enduring box office hit, underscoring the director’s range and ability to breathe new life into established tales.
3. Shutter Island (2010): Psychological Mystery and Box Office Success
Adjusted worldwide gross: $441,475,959
Shutter Island is a taut psychological thriller featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Mortimer, exploring themes of identity, trauma, and truth within the walls of a forbidding institution. The film’s ambiguous ending, narrative twists, and suspenseful atmosphere fueled widespread word-of-mouth and repeat viewings.
Strong reviews, DiCaprio’s star power, and the collective curiosity of audiences drove Shutter Island’s impressive commercial performance. While it may not have matched Scorsese’s highest critical honors, this atmospheric mystery reaffirmed the broad popular appetite for the director’s explorations of the human mind and the darker aspects of existence.
2. The Departed (2006): Crime Saga Earns Critical and Commercial Triumph
Adjusted worldwide gross: $461,883,684
The Departed is notable not only for its box office success but also for securing Martin Scorsese’s long-awaited Oscar for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film weaves an intense tale of undercover operations and deception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy and Matt Damon as Colin, with memorable performances from Jack Nicholson and Martin Sheen.
Based loosely on Infernal Affairs, the film maintains its individuality through energetic pacing and sharp storytelling. Its all-star cast and relentless tension made The Departed a standout in Scorsese’s career, merging critical acclaim and audience appeal in equal measure.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Satirical Excess at the Summit
Adjusted worldwide gross: $537,920,063
Capping the list of highest-grossing Martin Scorsese movies, The Wolf of Wall Street explores greed and ambition through the lens of white-collar crime. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the infamous Jordan Belfort, whose meteoric rise and fall offer a dizzying, often darkly comic look at excess and corruption. The cast also features Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Kyle Chandler.
The film is known for its sharp wit, provocative subject matter, and relentless energy. Its popularity stems not only from its entertainment value but from the way it challenges viewers to confront the allure and consequences of unchecked ambition. The Wolf of Wall Street’s ability to provoke and captivate ensured its place as Scorsese’s commercial high-water mark, resonating with audiences worldwide.
What These Box Office Rankings Mean for Scorsese and Cinema
This ranking demonstrates that Martin Scorsese’s box office achievements cut across decades, genres, and thematic explorations. From Taxi Driver’s raw tension to The Wolf of Wall Street’s wild satire, viewers have been drawn to his intense and passionate filmmaking regardless of the financial risks involved. Social factors, shifting distribution strategies, and inflation adjustments all play roles in these final numbers, but one constant remains: Scorsese’s extraordinary ability to make powerful stories that both challenge and engage global audiences. His sustained success continues to influence filmmakers, audiences, and the ever-evolving relationship between art and commerce in cinema.
