1

The Supremes

Image: Namroud Gorguis

The ‘60s gave us The Supremes, which was not only one of the most successful girl groups ever but also had the iconic Diana Ross among its members.

Have you heard "Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over / Think it over"? But that unforgettable 1965 hit was not the Supremes' only success. They created many other hits, such as the famous "You Can't Hurry Love" from 1966. In fact, the group had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100!

The influence of this successful group was so deep that it inspired and contributed to the flourishing and recognition of many other girl groups in the decades that followed, some of which are also on this list.

2

The Jackson 5

Image: Markus Spiske

The Supremes were not the only musical group that gave rise to an iconic solo star. The Jackson 5 appeared in 1964, featuring a very young Michael Jackson and his four brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.

In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the Jackson brothers achieved great success. In fact, one of their first singles, "I Want You Back," from 1969, became a number-one hit. When that song was played all over America, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old! Tunes like "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" are just a few of the other hits that followed.

In addition, The Jackson 5 had their own TV show, "The Jacksons" (from 1976 to 1977), and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997!

3

The Monkees

Image: Austin Prock

If you hear, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales..." you know how the lyrics of that song go on, right?

The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night inspired an American series called The Monkees , televised from 1966 to 1968. If you watched it, you probably remember the musical band of the same name, created specifically for the show. Originally composed of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees achieved great musical success, particularly with the hit we just mentioned, "I'm a Believer," which remains famous worldwide.

4

The Ronettes

Image: Gayatri Pandkar

The '60s were prolific in musical groups, and one of the most popular was The Ronettes, a girl group formed by sisters Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. Have you listened to some of their hits, such as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," and "Walking in the Rain"?

In addition to their catchy tunes, what distinguished The Ronettes was their style, characterized by dramatic makeup, beehive hairstyles , and iconic outfits.

Despite their influence, many years passed before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 .

5

The Pointer Sisters

Image: Haley Lawrence

Pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and even dance music were some of the genres played by The Pointer Sisters, the girl group from Oakland, California, that rose to fame in the 70s. Their talent and versatility kept them going for several decades!

As their name suggests, The Pointer Sisters were a trio made up of sisters Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer. "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," and "Fire" were some of the most famous hits of this three-time Grammy Award-winning group. Have you listened to them? You probably have!

6

New Kids on the Block

Image: Florian Schmetz

NKOTB was the coolest way to refer to the legendary New Kids on the Block (in fact, their fan base called themselves "NKOTB Nation"). Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, this boy band triumphed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

NKOTB paved the way for other boy bands that emerged in the '90s, reshaping our concept of pop music. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "Step by Step" were just a few of their many hits, which made them winners of several American Music Awards during their peak years. They also sold more than 80 million records worldwide!

If you want to remember NKOTB, you can listen to their songs, of course, but you can also visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they've been honored since 2014.

7

Salt-N-Pepa

Image: Ben Wiens

In 1985, Queens , New York, saw the birth of Salt-N-Pepa, a legendary hip-hop group that became one of the first female groups in the genre.

Did you ever dream of forming a band when you were in college? We did! So did the members of Salt-N-Pepa. They not only made it happen, but they also became a huge success.

With hits like "Push It," "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and many others, these girls were everywhere. They had so much flow and rhythm that, in 2005, they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame!

8

Backstreet Boys

Image: Steve Johnson

If someone says, "Tell me why," many of us would probably respond with, "Ain't nothing but a heartache." And that's just one of the many ways the Backstreet Boys have left their mark across generations.

As one of the best-selling boy bands, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were a sensation in the late '90s and early 2000s . Their music was everywhere, and fans were desperate to meet them.

As you know, they had several hits that we still remember, such as "I Want It That Way," "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," and "As Long As You Love Me." You've probably danced to the beat of some of these hit songs, right? Did you have a favorite?

9

Destiny's Child

Image: Rob Sarmiento

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were the final and best-known members of a girl group called Destiny's Child. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Big hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills"—which won them a couple of Grammy Awards, by the way—launched these women to total stardom. Destiny's Child was a constant presence on the charts during the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and had us all singing catchy lyrics like "Say my name, say my name / If no one is around you, say baby I love you."

In addition to several major hits that still live on in many people's minds and hearts, Destiny's Child gave us the incredible, iconic, record-breaking Beyoncé . What more could we ask for?

10

'N Sync

Image: Alphacolor

This list could never be complete without mentioning the unforgettable 'N Sync.

Not only was this one of pop's most legendary boy bands, but it also featured one member who eventually became a solo superstar. Yes, you guessed it— we're talking about Justin Timberlake! He, along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, formed 'N Sync in 1995. Their first album, released in 1998, sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and included hits like "I Want You Back."

The faces of the 'N Sync members were everywhere: on posters, T-shirts, dolls, and all sorts of merchandise, selling out not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world. Remember their performance at the 2001 Super Bowl ?

1

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Image: Dante Muñoz

Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man had been one of the most successful hits of the 2000s . That’s why, when Spider-Man 3 (2007) began production in 2005, it was given the highest budget of any movie in history at the time: around $258 million.

If you’ve seen this movie, you might have guessed that the biggest portion of the budget went into special effects for its three different villains. The New Goblin, Venom, and Sandman were three separate challenges for the visual effects team, particularly Sandman , played by Thomas Haden Church. Groundbreaking technology had to be developed to animate explosive sand fists and parting bodies of sand, making the character’s action scenes cost millions of dollars each.

2

Titanic (1997)

Image: Derek Oyen

To begin with, building the full-scale ship model and massive water tank for Titanic (1997) cost over $150 million. Director James Cameron was very particular about authenticity, so the ship’s interior design was meticulously designed to match that of the original Titanic. At the time, it was also the most expensive movie ever made. But one might argue it was all worth it.

The CGI, stunts, and practical effects used for replicating the sinking sequence were especially costly. Bear in mind that Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were already known young talents by the time they were cast for this movie, so they took a small share of the fortune—around $5 million between them. Famously, though, James Cameron forfeited his paycheck to keep the movie under budget, much like Jack climbing down from the door to keep Rose afloat. It worked out in the end because he earned $97 million from backend profits.

3

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Image: André Volkmann

Balancing the stories of all of these superheroes was just as challenging as paying all the corresponding actors. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) had an estimated budget of almost $400 million. Who could forget the battle scenes filled with as many timeless superheroes as A-list actors? Reportedly, Robert Downey Jr. alone took home around $75 million after backend deals.

This two-hour-and-a-half movie had over 2,500 visual effects shots, which included the destruction of a planet and a ship, as well as an epic battle in the fictional Wakanda . Not to mention the advanced motion-capture technology required for Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos, the villain of the film.

4

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Image: Igor Bumba

When Avengers: Infinity War was released, it became the highest-grossing superhero film in history, amassing over $2 billion at the box office. But that title lasted it around a year, until its sister sequel Avengers: Endgame (2019) surpassed it. The sequel cost roughly the same as the previous installment but came just shy of earning $3 billion .

Just like the previous ones, this Avengers installment had a star-studded cast that included Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. A feast of 3 hours worth of cameos, the movie ended with a climactic final battle scene, where almost every hero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe assembled. Making this movie involved hundreds of extras, an enormous amount of CGI, masterful choreography, and an unprecedented skill for star scheduling .

5

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

Image: cottonbro studio

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End had a budget of around $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever at the time of its 2007 release. Whoever watched this film will remember a waterfall at the edge of the world or a massive final battle between two ships over a maelstrom. Those takes relied heavily on CGI, but not entirely. As with previous productions in the franchise, filming required large-scale water sets and multiple ships to be built. The cost of both practical and visual effects for these scenes was astronomical.

Admittedly, a significant portion of the budget went to the ensemble cast, particularly Johnny Depp, who received a notable pay bump following the massive success of the first two films. Keith Richards , the Rolling Stones guitarist, was also famously featured, adding to the film’s star power.

6

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Image: Deepak Rastogi

Surprise! The Avengers movie with the most colossal budget was the least liked of the four. It sometimes puzzles fans to learn that it cost $365 million in 2015, which, adjusted for inflation, would be over $430 million today.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) had to use massive amounts of CGI to create cinematic takes on the levitating fictional city of Sokovia. Destruction, flying characters, drones, and explosions contributed significantly to the costs. More importantly, filming on location and flying so many celebrities around the globe added to the expense. This movie showed scenes filmed all over the world, including the U.S., South Africa, Italy, South Korea, and England.

7

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Image: LJ

Lightsaber battles have never been cheap. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) had a reported production budget of around $275 million. It was the third Star Wars movie produced by Disney, and while the budget had decreased compared to the previous installments, it was still a financial success.

The final battle sequence on the Sith planet Exegol required a fortune, but it needed to: as it served as the climax of Disney’s trilogy. Special effects even included the scenes of characters like General Leia, played by the late Carrie Fisher . The film faced the unique challenge of incorporating footage of Fisher filmed for previous Star Wars movies after her passing in 2016.

8

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Image: Pixabay

Even though the 4th installment of the Pirates franchise had relatively low reviews, it became the second film in the saga to surpass a billion dollars in box office revenue. Released in 2011, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides had a staggering budget of $379 million.

Mermaids, zombies, splitting ships, boats on fire, and a Fountain of Youth all required the coordination of several visual effects teams. The salaries of new stars like Penélope Cruz , along with filming locations across Hawaii, the UK, California, and Puerto Rico, added to the costs. Also, this was the first movie in the franchise to be shot for 3D screenings .

9

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Image: Nick Wehrli

A movie that revolves around dinosaurs fleeing from a volcanic eruption , Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), received an estimated budget of around $432 million. How are dinosaurs created? Much like the earlier films of the saga, this one used a mix of CGI and animatronics , especially for the more up-close, intimate scenes involving Velociraptors and an Indoraptor.

For the dinosaur auction scene, a whole large-scale set was built. Filming also took place in Hawaii, England, and Spain. The stars of the Jurassic World trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, reportedly earned around $10 million each.

10

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Image: Rod Long

When Disney acquired the rights to produce movies from Lucasfilm , it proceeded to give the first installment of their Star Wars reboot the biggest budget it had ever given. That was over $447 million in 2015.

With J.J. Abrams directing a Star Wars movie after so long, he could indulge in creating a full-size Millennium Falcon , animatronic creatures, and remote-controlled puppetry. The Starkiller Base destruction sequence was one of the most expensive scenes. Not to mention that the legendary face of Star Wars , Mark Hamill, had a very short cameo at the end of this movie; that one-minute feature alone earned him $3 million .

1

Town crier

In early American towns (and elsewhere in the world), before printed media and mass communication were the norm, news didn’t arrive through newspapers or broadcasts: it arrived by voice. Town criers walked streets ringing bells and loudly announcing public notices, laws, and important events . They were essential in communities where literacy was limited, and information traveled slowly.

2

Factory lectors

Nowadays, when you have some manual, boring labor to do, you can turn on the radio, listen to some music, or a podcast. Of course, that wasn’t an option once upon a time. In some factories, workers hired a lector to read aloud while they worked .

Starting in the mid 1800s and into the beginning of the 1900s, lectors in factories shared newspapers, novels, and political texts, keeping workers informed and entertained during long hours.

3

Elevator operator

Using an elevator seems easy enough today, but for decades, elevators didn’t run themselves. Operators manually controlled speed, direction, and stopping points using levers and switches , while also greeting passengers and announcing floors.

In luxury hotels and department stores, a skilled, often uniformed operator was part of the experience, expected to be polite, precise, and calm under pressure. The job peaked in the early 20th century, especially in big cities like New York and Chicago.

4

Switchboard operator

For early telephone calls, switchboard operators had to manually plug cords into panels to link callers together . The occupation rose shortly after Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in the 1870s, and became a fundamental job until the middle of the following century, when direct dialing was introduced.

Most operators were women, chosen for their calm voices, speed, and courtesy. They often memorized local names, numbers, and even callers’ personal habits and routines.

5

Bowling pinsetter

In early bowling alleys, pins did not magically reset themselves via machines. Pinsetters stood behind the lanes, manually rearranging pins after every roll.

It was noisy, repetitive, and sometimes dangerous work, often done by teenagers . It was only in the 1950s that automatic pinsetting machines were introduced.

6

Lamplighter

Since the beginning of the 19th century, every evening, lamplighters walked city blocks, lighting gas lamps one by one . At dawn, they returned to extinguish them. This job was vital for public safety because the lights helped prevent crime and accidents in dark streets.

It wasn’t until the 1880s that the first electric streetlights were introduced in some cities, but they weren’t the norm until the 1950s. At that point, the cost of maintaining gas pipes had become too high compared to electricity, so the last gas lamps were removed.

7

Milkman

For the first half of the 20th century, the milkman was a familiar sight on American streets. He delivered fresh milk in glass bottles, leaving them in insulated boxes by the door. Many families depended on daily or near-daily deliveries, since refrigeration was limited or unreliable. By the 1940s, however, most American homes owned a refrigerator and the role of milkmen slowly faded.

8

Typist

There was a time, before computers, autocorrect, and AI, when offices relied on professional typists to produce everything from letters to legal documents. Many large companies employed entire "typing pools," rooms filled with workers trained to type quickly and accurately on typewriters. Precision mattered more than you may think; unlike today, mistakes on paper (rather than the screen) sometimes meant starting the document over.

9

Human computer

There was also a time when "computers" were people; their occupation was first mentioned in texts from 1613. Their role was to develop complex mathematical calculations by hand for scientific research, engineering projects, and more. Astronomers during the Renaissance, navigators during the Age of Exploration, and NASA space missions all relied on human computing for their operations.

Imagine that: teams worked through equations for hours or days, checking each other’s math for accuracy. During World War II and the early Cold War, this work was vital to national defense.

10

Knocker-upper

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people woke up with the sun. However, by the early 1800s, when factory systems took hold of big cities, being even five minutes late ceased to be an option for workers. To avoid oversleeping, which could mean lost wages, they paid a person to wake them up.

Knocker-uppers walked neighborhoods early in the morning, tapping on windows with long poles or shooting dried peas through blowpipes . Eventually, alarm clocks were introduced in the late 1800s, and the need for this occupation started declining.

11

Telegraph operator

A case in which the occupation disappeared along with the technology. Before phones and instant messaging, the telegraph, which was invented in 1837, was the fastest way to send information across long distances.

Telegraph operators translated messages into Morse code , sending dots and dashes through wires that spanned the country. Speed and accuracy were critical, especially for news, business, and wartime communication. With the introduction of radio transmissions and telephones in the late 1800s, the service became more and more obsolete, although Western Union, the major telegraph service in the US, continued to operate until 2006.

12

Iceman

Finally, there were the icemen. Before refrigerators became household staples, the iceman was an essential figure in American daily life. He delivered massive blocks of ice straight to people’s homes .

These blocks kept food fresh and milk cold in an era before electric cooling. Ice was harvested from frozen lakes in winter, stored in insulated warehouses, and rationed carefully during warmer months.