Avatar is already the 2nd most succesfull movie ever created.

[dtewi]

It doesn't take inflation into account. Seriously, take it into account and those top 10 current day movies don't break the top 50 (I think).

EDIT: Whoops, I meant to say some of those don't break the top 50.

Here's adjusted for inflation list: http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

Avatar is at #85 (but I'm unsure how accurate that is).