‘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)
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)
Domestic Gross: $234.8 million
It took until 1984 for something to dethrone “The Exorcist” as the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, and “Beverly Hills Cop” did it by a nose. This Eddie Murphy comedy-action film was a huge success, being the first R-rated film to ever be the highest-grossing film of the year, winning more revenue than blockbusters like “Ghostbusters” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Its two sequels will both gross much less than the first, leaving “Beverly Hills Cop” as the highest-grossing R-rated film released before the year 2000.
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)