James Cameron Cameron's "Titanic" and "Avatar" are the two highest-grossing films of all time at $2.19 billion and $2.78 billion respectively. Cameron also holds the distinction of having directed the first two of the four films in history to gross over $2 billion worldwide (the later two being "" and ""). In March 2011, he was named Hollywood's top earner by "Vanity Fair", with estimated 2010 earnings of $257 million. In October 2013, a new species of frog "Pristimantis jamescameroni" from Venezuela was named after him in recognition of his efforts in environmental awareness, in addition to his public promotion of veganism.
Film budgeting actual cost (amount spent during production to make the film) was still $129 million. In the US film production system, producers are typically not allowed to exceed the initial budget. Exceptions have of course been made, one of the most notable examples being "Titanic" (1997). Director James Cameron ran aground with the budget and offered his fee back to the studio. In other countries, producers who exceed their budget tend to eat the cost by receiving less of their producer's fees. While the US system is profitable and can afford to go over budget, some other countries' film industries tend