A more restricted movie rating doesn’t necessarily indicate gratuitous violence and nudity. It can often be a way for directors to include more mature themes or richness to the content of the film — without having to worry about censorship.
In fact, in the past 10 years, nine out of 10 Academy Award winners for best picture have been rated R. The other has been rated PG-13. But which restricted movies are the cream of the crop?
Using data from Gracenote, Graphiq site PrettyFamous ranked the top 10 R-rated movies by historical U.S. box office earnings, not adjusted for inflation.
#10. 300
U.S. box office: $210,593,000
Release year: 2007
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
#9. Saving Private Ryan
U.S. box office: $216,119,000
Release year: 1998
Genre: War, Historical Drama
#8. Ted
U.S. box office: $218,629,000
Release year: 2012
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
#7. The Exorcist
U.S. box office: $232,906,000
Release year: 1973
Genre: Horror
#6. The Hangover Part II
U.S. box office: $254,456,000
Release year: 2011
Genre: Comedy
#5. The Hangover
U.S. box office: $277,313,000
Release year: 2009
Genre: Comedy
#4. The Matrix Reloaded
U.S. box office: $281,492,000
Release year: 2003
Genre: Science Fiction, Action
#3. American Sniper
U.S. box office: $350,126,000
Release year: 2014
Genre: War, Biography, Drama
#2. Deadpool
U.S. box office: $363,024,000
Release year: 2016
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
#1. The Passion of the Christ
U.S. box office: $371,376,000
Release year: 2004
Genre: Drama
