‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
Domestic Gross: $233 million
The MPAA’s R classification has been in place since the scheme was established in 1970, only a few years before “The Exorcist” became the first R-rated film to top the box office. This horror icon, which tells the tale of a young girl’s intense exorcism, maintained the record for the highest-grossing R-rated film for 11 years — and for R-rated horror films for more than 40 years. When ticket sales are indexed for inflation, “The Exorcist” is by far the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, winning over $1 billion in theaters since 1973, according to Box Office Mojo.
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
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