Megahit movies in hard times

With the unemployment rate hitting 10.8%, Steven Spielberg's heartwarming tale of an alien left behind on earth holds the record for most weekends at the top of the charts (it was No. 1 for 16 weeks). Domestically, the film grossed $435 million, while Spielberg reportedly earned $500,000 a day from his share of the film's profits.

Average ticket price: $2.94 ($6.70 in today's dollars)

NEXT: Spider-Man (2002)