Market Charts > 1988 > Movie Chart

North America (US and Canada) Domestic Movie Chart for 1988

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Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1988. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1988. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1987 will most likely earn money in 1987 and 1988. Click on the individual movie to see its total gross over all the years in which it played.

Inflation-adjusted figures are based on ticket sale estimates.

See Top 1988 Movies at the Domestic Box Office for the total domestic box office for the top 100 movies released in 1988, and Movie Index 1988 for an overview of all movies released in 1988.

Top Grossing Movies of 1988

RankMovieRelease
Date		DistributorGenre1988 GrossTickets Sold
1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Jun 22, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $151,668,767 36,902,376
2 Coming to America Jun 29, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $128,152,301 31,180,608
3 Good Morning Vietnam Dec 23, 1987 Walt Disney Comedy $121,650,966 29,598,775
4 Big Jun 3, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $112,555,170 27,385,686
5 Crocodile Dundee 2 May 25, 1988 Paramount Pictures Action $109,306,210 26,595,184
6 3 Men and a Baby Nov 25, 1987 Walt Disney Comedy $80,091,739 19,487,041
7 Cocktail Jul 29, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $78,222,753 19,032,300
8 Moonstruck Dec 16, 1987 MGM Romantic Comedy $77,051,120 18,747,231
9 Die Hard Jul 15, 1988 20th Century Fox Action $76,307,437 18,566,286
10 Beetle Juice Mar 30, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $73,326,666 17,841,037
11 Twins Dec 9, 1988 Universal Comedy $73,099,158 17,785,683
12 A Fish Called Wanda Jul 15, 1988 MGM Comedy $63,493,000 15,448,418
13 Willow May 20, 1988 Sony Pictures Adventure $57,269,863 13,934,273
14 The Naked Gun: From the Fil… Dec 2, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $54,989,495 13,379,439
15 Scrooged Nov 23, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $54,916,587 13,361,699
16 Rambo III May 25, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $53,715,611 13,069,491
17 Bull Durham Jun 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $50,888,729 12,381,685
18 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4… Aug 19, 1988 New Line Horror $49,369,899 12,012,140
19 Rain Man Dec 16, 1988 MGM Comedy $47,175,875 11,478,315
20 Colors Apr 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Action $46,616,067 11,342,108
21 Young Guns Aug 12, 1988 20th Century Fox Western $44,726,644 10,882,395
22 Biloxi Blues Mar 25, 1988 Universal Comedy $43,184,798 10,507,250
23 The Great Outdoors Jun 17, 1988 Universal Comedy $41,455,230 10,086,430
24 Oliver & Company Nov 18, 1988 Walt Disney Adventure $40,368,143 9,821,932
25 Big Business Jun 10, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $40,150,487 9,768,974
26 The Land Before Time Nov 18, 1988 Universal Adventure $40,141,956 9,766,899
27 Midnight Run Jul 20, 1988 Universal Action $38,413,606 9,346,376
28 The Dead Pool Jul 13, 1988 Warner Bros. Action $37,903,000 9,222,141
29 Red Heat Jun 17, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $34,994,648 8,514,512
30 The Last Emperor Nov 20, 1987 Sony Pictures Drama $34,729,953 8,450,110
31 The Accused Oct 14, 1988 Paramount Pictures Drama $32,078,318 7,804,943
32 Tequila Sunrise Dec 2, 1988 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $30,223,131 7,353,559
33 Shoot to Kill Feb 12, 1988 Walt Disney Action $29,300,000 7,128,953
34 Child’s Play Nov 9, 1988 United Artists Horror $28,738,235 6,992,271
35 Ernest Saves Christmas Nov 11, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $28,202,109 6,861,827
36 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Dec 14, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $27,888,057 6,785,415
37 Broadcast News Dec 16, 1987 20th Century Fox Comedy $26,301,987 6,399,510
38 Betrayed Aug 26, 1988 United Artists Thriller/Suspense $25,816,139 6,281,299
39 Funny Farm Jun 3, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $25,537,221 6,213,435
40 Alien Nation Oct 7, 1988 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $25,216,243 6,135,338
41 Gorillas in the Mist Sep 23, 1988 Universal Drama $24,720,479 6,014,715
42 License to Drive Jul 6, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $22,434,275 5,458,461
43 Married to the Mob Aug 19, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $21,486,757 5,227,921
44 Punchline Sep 30, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $21,032,000 5,117,274
45 Short Circuit 2 Jul 6, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $20,882,000 5,080,778
46 Action Jackson Feb 12, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Action $20,085,205 4,886,911
47 The Presidio Jun 10, 1988 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $20,036,000 4,874,939
48 The Serpent and the Rainbow Feb 5, 1988 Universal Horror $19,595,000 4,767,639
49 Police Academy 5: Assignmen… Mar 18, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $19,510,000 4,746,958
50 Bambi Aug 13, 1942 RKO Radio Pictures Adventure $19,236,940 4,680,520
51 Friday the 13th Part VII: T… May 13, 1988 Paramount Pictures Horror $19,170,001 4,664,233
52 Fatal Attraction Sep 18, 1987 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $19,094,999 4,645,985
53 The Seventh Sign Apr 1, 1988 Sony/TriStar Horror $18,875,011 4,592,460
54 Above the Law Apr 8, 1988 Warner Bros. Action $18,869,631 4,591,151
55 Working Girl Dec 20, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $18,824,834 4,580,251
56 Halloween 4: The Return of … Oct 1, 1988 Universal Horror $17,768,757 4,323,298
57 Frantic Feb 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $17,637,000 4,291,240
58 Johnny Be Good Mar 25, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $17,500,399 4,258,004
59 For Keeps? Jan 15, 1988 Sony/TriStar Drama $17,000,000 4,136,253
60 Mississippi Burning Dec 9, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $16,348,041 3,977,625
61 Bright Lights, Big City Apr 1, 1988 United Artists Drama $16,118,077 3,921,673
62 She's Having a Baby Feb 5, 1988 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $16,031,707 3,900,658
63 Masquerade Mar 11, 1988 MGM Thriller/Suspense $15,855,828 3,857,865
64 Throw Momma From the Train Dec 11, 1987 Orion Pictures Black Comedy $15,762,260 3,835,099
65 Big Top Pee-Wee Jul 22, 1988 Paramount Pictures Adventure $15,122,324 3,679,397
66 Arthur 2: On the Rocks Jul 8, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $14,681,192 3,572,066
67 School Daze Feb 12, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $14,545,844 3,539,134
68 Tucker: The Man and His Dream Aug 12, 1988 Paramount Pictures Drama $14,404,223 3,504,677
69 Poltergeist III Jun 10, 1988 MGM Horror $14,114,000 3,434,063
70 Stand and Deliver Apr 1, 1988 Drama $13,994,920 3,405,090
71 The Milagro Beanfield War Mar 18, 1988 Universal Comedy $13,825,794 3,363,940
72 Return to Snowy River Apr 15, 1988 Walt Disney Western $13,687,027 3,330,176
73 Vice Versa Mar 11, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $13,664,060 3,324,588
74 They Live Nov 4, 1988 Universal Thriller/Suspense $13,008,928 3,165,189
75 Cocoon: The Return Nov 23, 1988 20th Century Fox Adventure $12,921,595 3,143,940
76 D.O.A. Mar 18, 1988 Walt Disney Thriller/Suspense $12,706,478 3,091,600
77 Everybody’s All-American Nov 4, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $12,638,294 3,075,010
78 Eddie Murphy Raw Dec 18, 1987 Paramount Pictures Concert/Perfor… $12,487,018 3,038,203
79 Casual Sex? Apr 22, 1988 Universal Comedy $12,277,096 2,987,127
80 Bloodsport Feb 26, 1988 Cannon Action $11,806,119 2,872,535
81 Caddyshack II Jul 22, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $11,798,302 2,870,633
82 Crossing Delancey Aug 24, 1988 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $11,719,296 2,851,410
83 Moon Over Parador Sep 9, 1988 Universal Romantic Comedy $11,444,204 2,784,477
84 Wall Street Dec 11, 1987 20th Century Fox Drama $11,382,374 2,769,434
85 The Couch Trip Jan 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $11,005,304 2,677,689
86 Moving Mar 4, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $10,815,378 2,631,478
87 Planes, Trains & Automobiles Nov 25, 1987 Paramount Pictures Comedy $10,435,929 2,539,155
88 Shakedown May 6, 1988 Universal Action $10,068,039 2,449,644
89 The Unbearable Lightness of… Feb 5, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $10,006,000 2,434,549
90 Iron Eagle II Nov 11, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $10,000,000 2,433,090
91 Mystic Pizza Oct 21, 1988 Samuel Goldwyn Films Comedy $9,863,905 2,399,976
92 Return of the Living Dead P… Jan 15, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Horror $9,205,924 2,239,884
93 Dead Ringers Sep 23, 1988 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $9,134,733 2,222,562
94 Switching Channels Mar 4, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $9,000,000 2,189,781
95 Bad Dreams Apr 8, 1988 20th Century Fox Horror $9,000,000 2,189,781
96 Clean and Sober Aug 10, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $8,674,093 2,110,484
97 The Accidental Tourist Dec 23, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $8,614,154 2,095,901
98 U2: Rattle and Hum Nov 4, 1988 Paramount Pictures Concert/Perfor… $8,600,823 2,092,657
99 High Spirits Nov 18, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $8,578,231 2,087,160
100 The Last Temptation of Christ Aug 12, 1988 Universal Drama $8,373,585 2,037,368
101 Satisfaction Feb 12, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $8,253,123 2,008,059
102 The Blob Aug 5, 1988 Sony/TriStar Horror $8,247,943 2,006,798
103 *batteries not included Dec 18, 1987 Universal Comedy $8,069,184 1,963,305
104 Without a Clue Oct 21, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $8,000,000 1,946,472
105 Salsa May 6, 1988 Cannon Drama $8,000,000 1,946,472
106 A New Life Mar 25, 1988 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $7,721,851 1,878,795
107 Overboard Dec 18, 1987 MGM/UA Classics Romantic Comedy $7,497,206 1,824,137
108 Stealing Home Aug 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $7,467,504 1,816,910
109 Hellbound: Hellraiser II Dec 23, 1988 New World Horror $7,422,294 1,805,910
110 Phantasm II Jul 8, 1988 Universal Horror $7,282,851 1,771,983
111 Off Limits Mar 11, 1988 20th Century Fox Action $7,242,035 1,762,052
112 A Cry in the Dark Nov 11, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $6,908,797 1,680,972
113 Hairspray Feb 26, 1988 Musical $6,671,108 1,623,140
114 Fresh Horses Nov 18, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $6,640,346 1,615,655
115 A Night in the Life of Jimm… Feb 26, 1988 20th Century Fox Drama $6,264,058 1,524,101
116 Braddock: Missing in Action… Jan 22, 1988 Cannon Action $6,000,000 1,459,854
117 The Unholy Apr 22, 1988 Vestron Horror $6,000,000 1,459,854
118 Hot to Trot Aug 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $6,000,000 1,459,854
119 Mac and Me Aug 12, 1988 Orion Pictures Adventure $6,000,000 1,459,854
120 1969 Nov 18, 1988 Atlantic Drama $5,979,011 1,454,747
121 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Dec 14, 1988 MGM/UA Classics Comedy $5,913,413 1,438,786
122 The Rescue Aug 5, 1988 Walt Disney Action $5,855,392 1,424,669
123 Eight Men Out Sep 1, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $5,680,515 1,382,120
124 Heartbreak Hotel Sep 30, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $5,509,417 1,340,490
125 Empire of the Sun Dec 9, 1987 Warner Bros. Drama $5,420,742 1,318,915
126 Clara's Heart Jan 1, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $5,194,491 1,263,866
127 My Stepmother Is an Alien Dec 9, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $5,178,681 1,260,019
128 Dirty Dancing Aug 21, 1987 Vestron Drama $5,111,548 1,243,685
129 Monkey Shines Jan 1, 1988 $5,000,000 1,216,545
130 Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Sep 30, 1988 New World Comedy $5,000,000 1,216,545
131 Hero and the Terror Jan 1, 1988 Cannon Action $5,000,000 1,216,545
132 The Good Mother Nov 4, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $4,764,606 1,159,271
133 Sunset Apr 29, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $4,595,000 1,118,004
134 Women on the Verge of a Ner… Nov 11, 1988 Sony Pictures Cla… Black Comedy $4,516,316 1,098,860
135 Bat*21 Oct 21, 1988 Sony/TriStar Drama $3,966,256 965,025
136 Memories of Me Sep 28, 1988 MGM Comedy $3,965,000 964,720
137 Nuts Nov 20, 1987 Warner Bros. Drama $3,940,643 958,793
138 Sweet Hearts Dance Sep 23, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $3,790,493 922,261
139 Imagine: John Lennon Oct 7, 1988 Warner Bros. Documentary $3,753,977 913,376
140 Dead Heat May 6, 1988 New World Action $3,588,626 873,145
141 Bagdad Cafe Apr 29, 1988 MGM Drama $3,587,303 872,823
142 The New Adventures of Pippi… Jan 1, 1988 $3,569,939 868,598
143 Madame Sousatzka Jan 1, 1988 $3,548,000 863,260
144 Things Change Oct 1, 1988 Sony Pictures $3,527,886 858,366
145 White Mischief Apr 22, 1988 Drama $3,107,000 755,961
146 Dominick and Eugene Jan 1, 1988 Drama $3,076,031 748,426
147 Messenger of Death Jan 1, 1988 $3,074,681 748,097
148 Feds Oct 28, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $3,000,000 729,927
149 Critters 2: The Main Course Apr 29, 1988 New Line Comedy $3,000,000 729,927
150 The Big Blue Aug 22, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $2,919,196 710,266
151 Running on Empty Jan 1, 1988 Drama $2,835,116 689,809
152 Ironweed Dec 18, 1987 Sony/TriStar Drama $2,685,108 653,310
153 Torch Song Trilogy Dec 14, 1988 New Line Comedy $2,666,448 648,770
154 Baby Boom Oct 7, 1987 MGM Romantic Comedy $2,644,645 643,465
155 18 Again! Jan 1, 1988 New World Comedy $2,567,099 624,598
156 My Life as a Dog May 1, 1987 Skouras Drama $2,414,560 587,484
157 Hope and Glory Oct 16, 1987 Sony Pictures Comedy $2,401,369 584,274
158 Barfly Oct 16, 1987 Cannon Drama $2,330,767 567,096
159 Beaches Dec 21, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $2,192,759 533,518
160 Bird Oct 1, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $2,181,286 530,726
161 Cinderella Dec 18, 1981 Walt Disney Musical $2,175,915 529,419
162 Jean de Florette Jun 26, 1987 Orion Classics Drama $2,135,991 519,705
163 Manon des sources Nov 16, 1987 Orion Classics Drama $2,051,777 499,215
164 House of Games Oct 1, 1987 Orion Pictures Thriller/Suspense $2,043,723 497,256
165 Dangerous Liaisons Dec 21, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $2,036,167 495,417
166 The Moderns Apr 15, 1988 $2,011,497 489,415
167 Kansas Sep 23, 1988 Trans World Enter… Thriller/Suspense $2,000,000 486,618
168 Spellbinder Jan 1, 1988 Thriller/Suspense $1,938,049 471,544
169 Permanent Record Jan 1, 1988 Paramount Pictures $1,893,000 460,583
170 Cop Mar 1, 1988 $1,884,315 458,470
171 Vibes Aug 5, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $1,883,811 458,348
172 Stormy Monday May 1, 1988 Drama $1,791,328 435,846
173 Little Nikita Jan 1, 1988 Drama $1,733,070 421,671
174 The Running Man Nov 13, 1987 Sony/TriStar Action $1,707,444 415,436
175 Lady in White Apr 22, 1988 New Century Vista… Horror $1,705,139 414,875
176 Cry Freedom Nov 6, 1987 Universal Drama $1,639,161 398,822
177 Pelle the Conqueror Dec 21, 1988 Miramax Drama $1,591,336 387,186
178 Another Woman Oct 14, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $1,562,749 380,230
179 A Handful of Dust Jul 1, 1988 New Line $1,560,700 379,732
180 Two Moon Junction May 1, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Thriller/Suspense $1,547,397 376,495
181 Platoon Leader Oct 31, 1988 Cannon Drama $1,348,771 328,168
182 A Time of Destiny Apr 1, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $1,212,487 295,009
183 The Lair of the White Worm Oct 21, 1988 Comedy $1,189,315 289,371
184 The Wrong Guys Jan 1, 1988 Comedy $1,152,786 280,483
185 High Season Mar 25, 1988 Hemdale Comedy $1,125,000 273,722
186 The Thin Blue Line Aug 25, 1988 Miramax Documentary $1,099,279 267,464
187 Aria Jan 1, 1988 Miramax Comedy $1,028,679 250,286
188 Little Dorrit Oct 21, 1988 $1,025,000 249,391
189 Five Corners Jan 22, 1988 Cineplex/Odeon Drama $969,000 235,766
190 The Dead Dec 17, 1987 Vestron Drama $961,426 233,923
191 Appointment with Death Jan 1, 1988 Cannon Thriller/Suspense $960,040 233,586
192 Watchers Dec 31, 1988 Universal Action $940,173 228,752
193 Giulia e Giulia Feb 5, 1988 $901,000 219,221
194 Waxwork Jun 17, 1988 $808,114 196,621
195 Bulletproof Jan 1, 1988 Action $807,947 196,580
196 Shy People Dec 4, 1987 Cannon Drama $769,119 187,133
197 The Girl in a Swing Dec 31, 1988 Millimeter Films Drama $747,013 181,754
198 Sister, Sister Feb 9, 1988 $743,445 180,886
199 Split Decision Jan 1, 1988 $695,822 169,299
200 Housekeeping Nov 30, 1987 Sony Pictures Drama $647,518 157,546
201 Spike of Bensonhurst Nov 11, 1988 FilmDallas Pictures Comedy $623,112 151,608
202 Da Jan 1, 1988 $604,532 147,088
203 Pumpkinhead Oct 14, 1988 United Artists Horror $578,447 140,741
204 Buster Nov 18, 1988 Hemdale Comedy $540,000 131,386
205 Apprentice to Murder Jan 1, 1988 New World Thriller/Suspense $466,639 113,537
206 Talk Radio Dec 1, 1988 Universal Thriller/Suspense $463,734 112,830
207 The House on Carroll Street Jan 1, 1988 $459,824 111,879
208 Track 29 Jan 1, 1988 $429,028 104,386
209 Last Rites Nov 18, 1988 MGM Thriller/Suspense $426,965 103,884
210 Some Girls Sep 9, 1988 MGM $401,421 97,669
211 Full Moon in Blue Water Nov 18, 1988 Trans World Enter… Comedy $396,045 96,361
212 Gandahar Jan 28, 1988 Adventure $370,698 90,194
213 Prison Mar 4, 1988 Empire Pictures Horror $354,704 86,302
214 The Deceivers Jan 1, 1988 Drama $346,730 84,362
215 It Takes Two Jul 13, 1988 Romantic Comedy $344,375 83,789
216 Tapeheads Oct 1, 1988 $343,786 83,646
217 Promised Land Jan 1, 1988 $316,199 76,934
218 The Chocolate War Nov 18, 1988 Drama $303,624 73,874
219 Rent-A-Cop Jan 1, 1988 $295,000 71,776
220 Plain Clothes Apr 15, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $289,000 70,316
221 Maurice Jan 1, 1987 Drama $267,173 65,005
222 Illegally Yours Jan 1, 1988 Comedy $259,019 63,021
223 Call Me Jan 1, 1988 Vestron Thriller/Suspense $251,819 61,269
224 I’ve Heard the Mermaids Sin… Sep 11, 1987 Miramax Comedy $232,359 56,535
225 Judgment in Berlin Jan 1, 1988 $229,000 55,717
226 Miles from Home Sep 1, 1988 $188,964 45,976
227 Rocket Gibraltar Sep 2, 1988 Sony Pictures $187,349 45,583
228 Seven Hours to Judgment Sep 16, 1988 Trans World Enter… Action $177,820 43,265
229 My Best Friend Is a Vampire May 31, 1988 Romantic Comedy $174,380 42,428
230 Pass the Ammo Jan 1, 1988 New Century Vista… $169,785 41,310
231 Taffin Feb 26, 1988 Action $159,969 38,921
232 Far North Jan 1, 1988 Drama $147,234 35,823
233 Freeway Sep 2, 1988 Anchor Bay Entert… Thriller/Suspense $143,000 34,793
234 Hanna's War Nov 23, 1988 Cannon Drama $139,796 34,013
235 Rikky and Pete May 20, 1988 United Artists Comedy $127,999 31,143
236 Biggles Jan 29, 1988 New Century Vista… Adventure $112,132 27,282
237 Stars and Bars Jun 10, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $111,987 27,247
238 Hôtel Terminus: The Life an… Oct 7, 1988 Samuel Goldwyn Films Documentary $105,286 25,617
239 Eat the Rich Apr 22, 1988 New Line Comedy $42,450 10,328
240 When the Wind Blows Mar 11, 1988 King’s Road Enter… Multiple Genres $5,274 1,283
241 The Courier Jan 1, 1988 Drama $5,000 1,216
242 I Hate Actors Apr 29, 1988 Galaxy Internatio… Comedy $3,765 916
243 Walker Dec 4, 1987 Universal $3,126 760
244 State Park Apr 22, 1988 Atlantic Comedy $325 79
Total Gross of All Movies$3,465,082,702
Total Tickets Sold843,085,704

Our Theatrical Market pages are based on the Domestic Theatrical Market performance only. The Domestic Market is defined as the North American movie territory (consisting of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam).

The yearly amounts on our Theatrical Market pages are based on box office years. Each box office year starts on the first Monday of the year, so the previous year ends on the Sunday before the first Monday. For example, the "2017 box office year" started on January 2, 2017 so the "2016 box office year" ended on Sunday, January 1, 2017.