No wonder people want to make movies ...

In Excel Math curriculum we help kids learn about numbers. Sometimes we use BIG numbers. Often there are dollar signs in front of the numbers, signifying currency.

Today I decided to take a look at how elementary math can help us understand money numbers. Money numbers generated by our favorite movies.

Movieline.com did a recent story on the most profitable movies in Hollywood history. Notice that PROFIT is NOT the same as HIGHEST GROSS sales (Avatar & Titanic). The figure used to compare these films is what financial analysts call Return on Investment (ROI). It's the amount of revenue compared to the cost of production.

My question for you is: How much did you contribute to the profitability of each film?

15. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) Gross revenue $1.1 billion with 1008% ROI
I watched it once on a Blu-Ray DVD my brother bought for me.

14. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Gross revenue $441 million with 1160% ROI
I've seen it at least 3-4 times, but never in a theatre.

13. There’s Something About Mary (1998) Gross revenue $370 million with with 1194% ROI
Saw it once all the way through, and turned it off several times since.

12. The Hangover (2009) Gross revenue $467 million with 1297% ROI
Never heard of it.

11. Jaws (1975) Gross revenue $471 million with with 1308% ROI
I've seen it several times. Once in a theater when it first came out, and later on TV.

10. Ghost (1990)  Gross Revenue: $506 million with 1446% ROI
Haven't seen it.

9. Home Alone (1990) Gross revenue $477 million with with 1590% ROI
Saw it twice on TV. When alone. At home.

8. The Passion of the Christ (2004) Gross Revenue: $612 million with 1749% ROI
I haven't seen it.

7. American Beauty (1999) Gross revenue $356 million with 1780% ROI
I haven't seen it.

6. Star Wars (1977) Gross Revenue: $775 million with 1938% ROI
I've seen it 4-5 times, plus I have the "Making Of Star Wars" radio show on my iPod.
"Luke, trust the force ..."

5. Grease (1978) Gross revenue $394 million with 1975% ROI
Haven't seen it. Not my kind of movie. My wife knows all the songs by heart ...

4. Pretty Woman (1990) Gross revenue $463 million with 2013% ROI
Have to admit I've seen it 3-4 times. Always on TV.

3. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Gross revenue $378 million with 2520% ROI
Haven't seen it.

2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Gross Revenue: $793 million with 3172% ROI
Saw it when it first came out, and several times since. After the first time it was always on TV.

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) Gross revenue $369 million with 6150% ROI !
Haven't seen it.

I guess I would say I've contributed about $100 to this pile of profit, so Hollywood doesn't lose any sleep over my taste in films. Using your elementary math, can you tell me the total gross revenue for these 15 films? And the average revenue?

Just shy of $8 BILLION! and $531,466,666 on average.