Men in Black (1997)

Men in Black
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $250,690,539Details
International Box Office $337,100,000Details
Worldwide Box Office $587,790,539
Further financial details...

Synopsis

A streetwise NYPD detective joins a secret organization that polices extraterrestrial affairs on Earth. Men in Black follows the exploits of agents Kay and Jay, members of a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The two Men in Black find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent worlds from colliding, the MiB must track down the terrorist and prevent the destruction of Earth. It's just another typical day for the Men in Black.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$51,068,455 (20.4% of total gross)
Legs:4.91 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:42.6% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$90,000,000 (worldwide box office is 6.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,020 opening theaters/3,180 max. theaters, 11.4 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $575,111,598

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 145 $250,690,539
All Time International Box Office (Rank 201-300) 241 $337,100,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 101-200) 187 $587,790,539

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play, Google Play
Netflix:Netflix, Netflix, Netflix, Netflix
Hulu:Hulu

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 1st, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
International Releases: September 11th, 1997 (Wide) (Australia)
July 7th, 2023 (Limited) (Australia)
Video Release: October 23rd, 1997 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sci-fi violence
Running Time: 98 minutes
Franchise: Men in Black
Comparisons: vs. Men in Black: International
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Visual Effects, Marvel Comics, Secret Agent, Friendly Alien on Earth, Set in New York City, Action Comedy, Buddy Cop
Source:Based on Comic/Graphic Novel
Genre:Action
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Science Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Fastest to $250m 140 $250,107,128 Jan 2, 1998 187
Biggest Domestic 21st Weekend 86 $558,608 Nov 21, 1997 145
Biggest Domestic 20th Weekend 17 $2,117,200 Nov 14, 1997 138
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 306 $5,212,283 Nov 14, 1997 138
Biggest 9th Monday 38 $776,173 Sep 1, 1997 62
Biggest 9th Sunday 92 $915,385 Aug 31, 1997 61
Labor Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 268 $8,259,758 Aug 29, 1997 61
Labor Day (All Movies, 4-Day, Fri-Mon, Inflation Adjusted) 159 $10,170,599 Aug 29, 1997 61
Biggest 7th Thursday 83 $601,979 Aug 21, 1997 51
Biggest 7th Wednesday 94 $594,678 Aug 20, 1997 50
Fastest to $100m 165 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $150m 156 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $200m 156 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $50m 191 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Biggest Domestic July Weekend 52 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Science Fiction Weekend Domestic 71 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Sony Pictures Weekend Domestic 29 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 15 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 7 $125,724,083 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day) 14 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 7 $125,724,083 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top 1997 Theater Average 38 $16,910 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Sony Pictures Day Domestic 75 $20,220,137 Jul 5, 1997 4
Biggest Domestic Thursday 56 $14,206,708 Jul 3, 1997 2
Biggest Domestic Wednesday 66 $14,043,310 Jul 2, 1997 1

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 4, 1997 1 $51,068,455   3,020 $16,910   $84,133,900 1
Jul 11, 1997 1 $30,062,317 -41% 3,020 $9,954   $139,584,970 2
Jul 18, 1997 1 $19,029,928 -37% 3,102 $6,135   $172,145,793 3
Jul 25, 1997 3 $12,350,884 -35% 3,180 $3,884   $194,036,790 4
Aug 1, 1997 4 $8,011,097 -35% 2,932 $2,732   $208,122,305 5
Aug 8, 1997 5 $5,652,350 -29% 2,653 $2,131   $218,004,940 6
Aug 15, 1997 7 $4,204,505 -26% 2,261 $1,860   $225,304,729 7
Aug 22, 1997 10 $2,881,113 -31% 1,835 $1,570   $230,502,569 8
Aug 29, 1997 10 $3,355,069 +16% 1,561 $2,149   $235,057,188 9
Sep 5, 1997 10 $1,803,297 -46% 1,491 $1,209   $237,311,281 10
Sep 12, 1997 13 $1,578,313 -12% 1,367 $1,155   $239,354,920 11
Sep 19, 1997 13 $1,208,375 -23% 1,260 $959   $240,942,775 12
Sep 26, 1997 13 $906,890 -25% 1,080 $840   $242,117,436 13
Oct 3, 1997 16 $687,721 -24% 922 $746   $243,017,806 14
Oct 10, 1997 18 $443,442 -36% 677 $655   $243,629,478 15
Oct 17, 1997 24 $301,530 -32% 478 $631   $244,064,365 16
Oct 24, 1997 28 $200,870 -33% 450 $446   $244,337,321 17
Oct 31, 1997 20 $621,083 +209% 1,010 $615   $245,012,779 18
Nov 7, 1997 26 $252,630 -59% 505 $500   $245,419,734 19
Nov 14, 1997 12 $2,117,200 +738% 776 $2,728   $247,659,078 20
Nov 21, 1997 19 $558,608 -74% 605 $923   $248,408,779 21
Nov 28, 1997 27 $250,433 -55% 535 $468   $248,804,341 22
Dec 5, 1997 26 $160,025 -36% 539 $297   $249,002,783 23
Dec 12, 1997 27 $150,400 -6% 394 $382   $249,212,070 24
Dec 19, 1997 21 $207,444 +38% 349 $594   $249,479,758 25
Dec 26, 1997 31 $171,828 -17% 181 $949   $249,836,052 26
Jan 2, 1998 51 $37,499 -78% 58 $647   $250,107,128 27
Jan 9, 1998 49 $29,725 -21% 41 $725   $250,147,615 28

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Jul 1, 1997 1 $4,815,427     0     $4,815,427  
Jul 2, 1997 1 $14,043,310 +192%   3,020 $4,650   $18,858,737 1
Jul 3, 1997 1 $14,206,708 +1%   0     $33,065,445 2
Jul 4, 1997 1 $15,722,315 +11%   3,020 $5,206   $48,787,760 3
Jul 5, 1997 1 $20,220,137 +29%   3,020 $6,695   $69,007,897 4
Jul 6, 1997 1 $15,126,003 -25%   3,020 $5,009   $84,133,900 5
Jul 7, 1997 1 $7,433,260 -51%   3,020 $2,461   $91,567,160 6
Jul 8, 1997 1 $6,835,526 -8%   3,020 $2,263   $98,402,686 7
Jul 9, 1997 1 $6,016,459 -12% -57% 3,020 $1,992   $104,419,145 8
Jul 10, 1997 1 $5,103,508 -15% -64% 3,020 $1,690   $109,522,653 9
Jul 11, 1997 1 $9,254,927 +81% -41% 3,020 $3,065   $118,777,580 10
Jul 12, 1997 1 $12,188,740 +32% -40% 3,020 $4,036   $130,966,320 11
Jul 13, 1997 1 $8,618,650 -29% -43% 3,020 $2,854   $139,584,970 12
Jul 14, 1997 1 $3,510,742 -59% -53% 3,020 $1,162   $143,095,712 13
Jul 15, 1997 1 $3,808,526 +8% -44% 3,020 $1,261   $146,904,238 14
Jul 16, 1997 2 $3,156,788 -17% -48% 3,020 $1,045   $150,061,026 15
Jul 17, 1997 2 $3,054,839 -3% -40% 3,020 $1,012   $153,115,865 16
Jul 18, 1997 1 $5,780,062 +89% -38% 3,102 $1,863   $158,895,927 17
Jul 19, 1997 1 $7,904,234 +37% -35% 3,102 $2,548   $166,800,161 18
Jul 20, 1997 1 $5,345,632 -32% -38% 3,102 $1,723   $172,145,793 19
Jul 21, 1997 2 $2,407,283 -55% -31% 3,102 $776   $174,553,076 20
Jul 22, 1997 2 $2,606,378 +8% -32% 3,102 $840   $177,159,454 21
Jul 23, 1997 2 $2,213,609 -15% -30% 3,102 $714   $179,373,063 22
Jul 24, 1997 2 $2,312,843 +4% -24% 3,102 $746   $181,685,906 23
Jul 25, 1997 3 $3,717,794 +61% -36% 3,180 $1,169   $185,403,700 24
Jul 26, 1997 3 $5,002,664 +35% -37% 3,180 $1,573   $190,406,364 25
Jul 27, 1997 3 $3,630,426 -27% -32% 3,180 $1,142   $194,036,790 26
Jul 28, 1997 3 $1,524,085 -58% -37% 3,180 $479   $195,560,875 27
Jul 29, 1997 3 $1,671,303 +10% -36% 3,180 $526   $197,232,178 28
Jul 30, 1997 3 $1,441,815 -14% -35% 3,180 $453   $198,673,993 29
Jul 31, 1997 3 $1,437,215 n/c -38% 3,180 $452   $200,111,208 30
Aug 1, 1997 5 $2,317,618 +61% -38% 2,932 $790   $202,428,826 31
Aug 2, 1997 4 $3,301,983 +42% -34% 2,932 $1,126   $205,730,809 32
Aug 3, 1997 4 $2,391,496 -28% -34% 2,932 $816   $208,122,305 33
Aug 4, 1997 5 $1,126,764 -53% -26% 2,932 $384   $209,249,069 34
Aug 5, 1997 5 $1,178,432 +5% -29% 2,932 $402   $210,427,501 35
Aug 6, 1997 5 $986,280 -16% -32% 2,932 $336   $211,413,781 36
Aug 7, 1997 5 $938,809 -5% -35% 2,932 $320   $212,352,590 37
Aug 8, 1997 6 $1,603,708 +71% -31% 2,653 $604   $213,956,298 38
Aug 9, 1997 5 $2,382,950 +49% -28% 2,653 $898   $216,339,248 39
Aug 10, 1997 5 $1,665,692 -30% -30% 2,653 $628   $218,004,940 40
Aug 11, 1997 6 $742,877 -55% -34% 2,653 $280   $218,747,817 41
Aug 12, 1997 5 $831,842 +12% -29% 2,653 $314   $219,579,659 42
Aug 13, 1997 5 $807,754 -3% -18% 2,653 $304   $220,387,413 43
Aug 14, 1997 5 $712,811 -12% -24% 2,653 $269   $221,100,224 44
Aug 15, 1997 7 $1,200,628 +68% -25% 2,261 $531   $222,300,852 45
Aug 16, 1997 7 $1,763,151 +47% -26% 2,261 $780   $224,064,003 46
Aug 17, 1997 7 $1,240,726 -30% -26% 2,261 $549   $225,304,729 47
Aug 18, 1997 7 $535,185 -57% -28% 2,261 $237   $225,839,914 48
Aug 19, 1997 6 $584,885 +9% -30% 2,261 $259   $226,424,799 49
Aug 20, 1997 6 $594,678 +2% -26% 2,261 $263   $227,019,477 50
Aug 21, 1997 6 $601,979 +1% -16% 2,261 $266   $227,621,456 51
Aug 22, 1997 10 $845,268 +40% -30% 1,835 $461   $228,466,724 52
Aug 23, 1997 10 $1,221,919 +45% -31% 1,835 $666   $229,688,643 53
Aug 24, 1997 10 $813,926 -33% -34% 1,835 $444   $230,502,569 54
Aug 25, 1997 10 $304,886 -63% -43% 1,835 $166   $230,807,455 55
Aug 26, 1997 10 $318,272 +4% -46% 1,835 $173   $231,125,727 56
Aug 27, 1997 11 $268,577 -16% -55% 1,835 $146   $231,394,304 57
Aug 28, 1997 11 $307,815 +15% -49% 1,835 $168   $231,702,119 58
Aug 29, 1997 12 $630,953 +105% -25% 1,561 $404   $232,333,072 59
Aug 30, 1997 9 $1,032,558 +64% -15% 1,561 $661   $233,365,630 60
Aug 31, 1997 9 $915,385 -11% +12% 1,561 $586   $234,281,015 61
Sep 1, 1997 9 $776,173 -15% +155% 1,561 $497   $235,057,188 62
Sep 2, 1997 12 $171,241 -78% -46% 1,561 $110   $235,228,429 63
Sep 3, 1997 12 $144,667 -16% -46% 1,561 $93   $235,373,096 64
Sep 4, 1997 12 $134,888 -7% -56% 1,561 $86   $235,507,984 65
Sep 5, 1997 10 $466,539 +246% -26% 1,491 $313   $235,974,523 66
Sep 6, 1997 10 $872,182 +87% -16% 1,491 $585   $236,846,705 67
Sep 7, 1997 10 $464,576 -47% -49% 1,491 $312   $237,311,281 68
Sep 8, 1997 11 $106,452 -77% -86% 1,491 $71   $237,417,733 69
Sep 9, 1997 11 $125,089 +18% -27% 1,491 $84   $237,542,822 70
Sep 10, 1997 11 $115,052 -8% -20% 1,491 $77   $237,657,874 71
Sep 11, 1997 12 $118,733 +3% -12% 1,491 $80   $237,776,607 72
Sep 12, 1997 - $402,196 +239% -14% 1,367 $294   $238,178,803 73
Sep 13, 1997 - $787,850 +96% -10% 1,367 $576   $238,966,653 74
Sep 14, 1997 - $388,267 -51% -16% 1,367 $284   $239,354,920 75
Sep 15, 1997 - $85,737 -78% -19% 1,367 $63   $239,440,657 76
Sep 16, 1997 - $105,931 +24% -15% 1,367 $77   $239,546,588 77
Sep 17, 1997 - $90,331 -15% -21% 1,367 $66   $239,636,919 78
Sep 18, 1997 - $97,481 +8% -18% 1,367 $71   $239,734,400 79
Sep 19, 1997 - $304,088 +212% -24% 1,260 $241   $240,038,488 80
Sep 20, 1997 - $604,188 +99% -23% 1,260 $480   $240,642,676 81
Sep 21, 1997 - $300,099 -50% -23% 1,260 $238   $240,942,775 82
Sep 22, 1997 - $64,522 -78% -25% 1,260 $51   $241,007,297 83
Sep 23, 1997 - $73,802 +14% -30% 1,260 $59   $241,081,099 84
Sep 24, 1997 - $63,324 -14% -30% 1,260 $50   $241,144,423 85
Sep 25, 1997 - $66,123 +4% -32% 1,260 $52   $241,210,546 86
Sep 26, 1997 13 $220,734 +234% -27% 1,080 $204   $241,431,280 87
Sep 27, 1997 13 $450,023 +104% -26% 1,080 $417   $241,881,303 88
Sep 28, 1997 - $236,133 -48% -21% 1,080 $219   $242,117,436 89
Sep 29, 1997 - $48,638 -79% -25% 1,080 $45   $242,166,074 90
Sep 30, 1997 - $52,119 +7% -29% 1,080 $48   $242,218,193 91
Oct 1, 1997 - $47,751 -8% -25% 1,080 $44   $242,265,944 92
Oct 2, 1997 - $64,141 +34% -3% 1,080 $59   $242,330,085 93

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 4, 1997 1 $76,457,208   3,020 $25,317   $109,522,653 2
Jul 11, 1997 1 $43,593,212 -43% 3,020 $14,435   $153,115,865 3
Jul 18, 1997 1 $28,570,041 -34% 3,102 $9,210   $181,685,906 4
Jul 25, 1997 3 $18,425,302 -36% 3,180 $5,794   $200,111,208 5
Aug 1, 1997 5 $12,241,382 -34% 2,932 $4,175   $212,352,590 6
Aug 8, 1997 5 $8,747,634 -29% 2,653 $3,297   $221,100,224 7
Aug 15, 1997 7 $6,521,232 -25% 2,261 $2,884   $227,621,456 8
Aug 22, 1997 10 $4,080,663 -37% 1,835 $2,224   $231,702,119 9
Aug 29, 1997 10 $3,805,865 -7% 1,561 $2,438   $235,507,984 10
Sep 5, 1997 10 $2,268,623 -40% 1,491 $1,522   $237,776,607 11
Sep 12, 1997 15 $1,957,793 -14% 1,367 $1,432   $239,734,400 12
Sep 19, 1997 13 $1,476,146 -25% 1,260 $1,172   $241,210,546 13
Sep 26, 1997 13 $1,119,539 -24% 1,080 $1,037   $242,330,085 14
Oct 3, 1997 16 $855,951 -24% 922 $928   $243,186,036 15
Oct 10, 1997 18 $576,799 -33% 677 $852   $243,762,835 16
Oct 17, 1997 26 $373,616 -35% 478 $782   $244,136,451 17
Oct 24, 1997 26 $255,245 -32% 450 $567   $244,391,696 18
Oct 31, 1997 20 $775,408 +204% 1,010 $768   $245,167,104 19
Nov 7, 1997 27 $374,774 -52% 505 $742   $245,541,878 20
Nov 14, 1997 12 $2,308,293 +516% 776 $2,975   $247,850,171 21
Nov 21, 1997 19 $703,737 -70% 605 $1,163   $248,553,908 22
Nov 28, 1997 29 $288,850 -59% 535 $540   $248,842,758 23
Dec 5, 1997 25 $218,912 -24% 539 $406   $249,061,670 24
Dec 12, 1997 27 $210,644 -4% 394 $535   $249,272,314 25
Dec 19, 1997 21 $391,910 +86% 349 $1,123   $249,664,224 26
Dec 26, 1997 26 $405,405 +3% 181 $2,240   $250,069,629 27
Jan 2, 1998 54 $48,261 -88% 58 $832   $250,117,890 28

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 9/11/1997 $0 0 1 1 $304 12/29/2020
 
Rest of World $337,099,696
 
International Total$337,100,000 12/29/2020

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
May 27, 20121732,924 32,924$589,853$589,853762
Jun 3, 20121933,665+2% 66,589$438,655$1,028,508763
Jun 10, 20121546,858+39% 113,447$1,155,987$2,184,495764
Jun 17, 20121268,514+46% 181,961$1,690,240$3,874,735765
Jun 24, 20121343,977-36% 225,938$798,183$4,672,918766
Jul 22, 20122722,918 294,396$249,210$5,745,127770
Jul 29, 2012971,203+211% 365,599$685,044$6,430,171771
Aug 5, 20122327,820-61% 393,419$289,169$6,719,340772
Aug 12, 20122317,060-39% 410,479$223,721$6,943,061773
Aug 19, 20122320,309+19% 430,788$295,518$7,238,579774

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
May 27, 20121017,830 17,830$234,875$234,875762
Jun 3, 20122010,571-41% 28,401$139,785$374,660763

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

Leading Cast

Tommy Lee Jones    K
Will Smith    J

Supporting Cast

Linda Fiorentino    Laurel
Vincent D'Onofrio    Edgar
Rip Torn    Zed
Tony Shalhoub    Jeebs
Verne Troyer    Alien Son
Sean Whalen    Passport Officer
Richard Hamilton    Agent D (K's first Partner)
David Cross    Newton the Morgue Attendant
Jon Gries    Nick the Van Driver
Siobhan Fallon Hogan    Beatrice
Mike Nussbaum    Gentle Rosenburg
Sergio Calderon    Jose
Carel Struycken    Arquillian
Fredric Lehne    INS Agent Janus
Kent Faulcon    1st Lt. Jake Jensen
John Alexander    Mikey

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Walter F. Parkes    Producer
Laurie MacDonald    Producer
Steven Spielberg    Executive Producer
Graham Place    Co-Producer
Ed Solomon    Screenwriter
Barry Sonnenfeld    Director
Lowell Cunningham    Story Creator
Peter Linz    Puppeteer
Danny Elfman    Composer
Donald Peterman    Cinematographer
Jim Miller    Editor
Bo Welch    Production Designer
Tom Duffield    Art Director
Sean Haworth    Set Designer
Lawrence A. Hubbs    Set Designer
Marco Rubeo    Set Designer
Patrick M. Sullivan    Set Designer
Cheryl Carasik    Set Decorator
Mary E Vogt    Costume Designer
Peter F. Kurland    Sound Editor
Rick Baker    Special Make-up Effects
Eric Brevig    Visual Effects Supervisor
Steven R Molen    Associate Producer
John Cameron    Assistant Director
Eric Brevig    Second Unit Director
Keith Peterman    Second Unit Camera
David Rubin    Casting Director
Debra Zane    Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Blu-ray Sales: Red Revels in Blu

June 7th, 2012

New releases took the top four spots in the Blu-ray sales chart. Red Tails took first place with 446,000 units / $10.25 million for a 48% opening week Blu-ray share. The film was expensive to make and it didn't perform well enough in theaters, but its home market numbers are better. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for May 1st, 2012

May 1st, 2012

It's yet another very slow week on the home market. In fact, all of May is very slow on the home market, although this is not surprising for this time of year. I'm not even going to attempt to pad out the list this week. Is there anything in contention for Pick of the Week? Fortunately, the answer to that is yes. Unfortunately, the screener is late. Normally I really don't like awarding Pick of the Week to a film when the screener is late, but in this case, Haywire is head and shoulders above the rest, so unless the Blu-ray has less than zero special features, it's the best out there. More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Synopsis

A streetwise NYPD detective joins a secret organization that polices extraterrestrial affairs on Earth. Men in Black follows the exploits of agents Kay and Jay, members of a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The two Men in Black find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent worlds from colliding, the MiB must track down the terrorist and prevent the destruction of Earth. It's just another typical day for the Men in Black.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$51,068,455 (20.4% of total gross)
Legs:4.91 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:42.6% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$90,000,000 (worldwide box office is 6.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,020 opening theaters/3,180 max. theaters, 11.4 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $575,111,598

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 145 $250,690,539
All Time International Box Office (Rank 201-300) 241 $337,100,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 101-200) 187 $587,790,539

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play, Google Play
Netflix:Netflix, Netflix, Netflix, Netflix
Hulu:Hulu

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: July 1st, 1997 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
International Releases: September 11th, 1997 (Wide) (Australia)
July 7th, 2023 (Limited) (Australia)
Video Release: October 23rd, 1997 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sci-fi violence
Running Time: 98 minutes
Franchise: Men in Black
Comparisons: vs. Men in Black: International
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Visual Effects, Marvel Comics, Secret Agent, Friendly Alien on Earth, Set in New York City, Action Comedy, Buddy Cop
Source:Based on Comic/Graphic Novel
Genre:Action
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Science Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
Fastest to $250m 140 $250,107,128 Jan 2, 1998 187
Biggest Domestic 21st Weekend 86 $558,608 Nov 21, 1997 145
Biggest Domestic 20th Weekend 17 $2,117,200 Nov 14, 1997 138
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 306 $5,212,283 Nov 14, 1997 138
Biggest 9th Monday 38 $776,173 Sep 1, 1997 62
Biggest 9th Sunday 92 $915,385 Aug 31, 1997 61
Labor Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 268 $8,259,758 Aug 29, 1997 61
Labor Day (All Movies, 4-Day, Fri-Mon, Inflation Adjusted) 159 $10,170,599 Aug 29, 1997 61
Biggest 7th Thursday 83 $601,979 Aug 21, 1997 51
Biggest 7th Wednesday 94 $594,678 Aug 20, 1997 50
Fastest to $100m 165 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $150m 156 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $200m 156 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Fastest to $50m 191 $200,111,208 Jul 31, 1997 30
Biggest Domestic July Weekend 52 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Science Fiction Weekend Domestic 71 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Sony Pictures Weekend Domestic 29 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 15 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 7 $125,724,083 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day) 14 $51,068,455 Jul 4, 1997 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 7 $125,724,083 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top 1997 Theater Average 38 $16,910 Jul 4, 1997 5
Top Sony Pictures Day Domestic 75 $20,220,137 Jul 5, 1997 4
Biggest Domestic Thursday 56 $14,206,708 Jul 3, 1997 2
Biggest Domestic Wednesday 66 $14,043,310 Jul 2, 1997 1

Leading Cast

Tommy Lee Jones    K
Will Smith    J

Supporting Cast

Linda Fiorentino    Laurel
Vincent D'Onofrio    Edgar
Rip Torn    Zed
Tony Shalhoub    Jeebs
Verne Troyer    Alien Son
Sean Whalen    Passport Officer
Richard Hamilton    Agent D (K's first Partner)
David Cross    Newton the Morgue Attendant
Jon Gries    Nick the Van Driver
Siobhan Fallon Hogan    Beatrice
Mike Nussbaum    Gentle Rosenburg
Sergio Calderon    Jose
Carel Struycken    Arquillian
Fredric Lehne    INS Agent Janus
Kent Faulcon    1st Lt. Jake Jensen
John Alexander    Mikey

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Walter F. Parkes    Producer
Laurie MacDonald    Producer
Steven Spielberg    Executive Producer
Graham Place    Co-Producer
Ed Solomon    Screenwriter
Barry Sonnenfeld    Director
Lowell Cunningham    Story Creator
Peter Linz    Puppeteer
Danny Elfman    Composer
Donald Peterman    Cinematographer
Jim Miller    Editor
Bo Welch    Production Designer
Tom Duffield    Art Director
Sean Haworth    Set Designer
Lawrence A. Hubbs    Set Designer
Marco Rubeo    Set Designer
Patrick M. Sullivan    Set Designer
Cheryl Carasik    Set Decorator
Mary E Vogt    Costume Designer
Peter F. Kurland    Sound Editor
Rick Baker    Special Make-up Effects
Eric Brevig    Visual Effects Supervisor
Steven R Molen    Associate Producer
John Cameron    Assistant Director
Eric Brevig    Second Unit Director
Keith Peterman    Second Unit Camera
David Rubin    Casting Director
Debra Zane    Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Blu-ray Sales: Red Revels in Blu

June 7th, 2012

New releases took the top four spots in the Blu-ray sales chart. Red Tails took first place with 446,000 units / $10.25 million for a 48% opening week Blu-ray share. The film was expensive to make and it didn't perform well enough in theaters, but its home market numbers are better. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for May 1st, 2012

May 1st, 2012

It's yet another very slow week on the home market. In fact, all of May is very slow on the home market, although this is not surprising for this time of year. I'm not even going to attempt to pad out the list this week. Is there anything in contention for Pick of the Week? Fortunately, the answer to that is yes. Unfortunately, the screener is late. Normally I really don't like awarding Pick of the Week to a film when the screener is late, but in this case, Haywire is head and shoulders above the rest, so unless the Blu-ray has less than zero special features, it's the best out there. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 4, 1997 1 $51,068,455   3,020 $16,910   $84,133,900 1
Jul 11, 1997 1 $30,062,317 -41% 3,020 $9,954   $139,584,970 2
Jul 18, 1997 1 $19,029,928 -37% 3,102 $6,135   $172,145,793 3
Jul 25, 1997 3 $12,350,884 -35% 3,180 $3,884   $194,036,790 4
Aug 1, 1997 4 $8,011,097 -35% 2,932 $2,732   $208,122,305 5
Aug 8, 1997 5 $5,652,350 -29% 2,653 $2,131   $218,004,940 6
Aug 15, 1997 7 $4,204,505 -26% 2,261 $1,860   $225,304,729 7
Aug 22, 1997 10 $2,881,113 -31% 1,835 $1,570   $230,502,569 8
Aug 29, 1997 10 $3,355,069 +16% 1,561 $2,149   $235,057,188 9
Sep 5, 1997 10 $1,803,297 -46% 1,491 $1,209   $237,311,281 10
Sep 12, 1997 13 $1,578,313 -12% 1,367 $1,155   $239,354,920 11
Sep 19, 1997 13 $1,208,375 -23% 1,260 $959   $240,942,775 12
Sep 26, 1997 13 $906,890 -25% 1,080 $840   $242,117,436 13
Oct 3, 1997 16 $687,721 -24% 922 $746   $243,017,806 14
Oct 10, 1997 18 $443,442 -36% 677 $655   $243,629,478 15
Oct 17, 1997 24 $301,530 -32% 478 $631   $244,064,365 16
Oct 24, 1997 28 $200,870 -33% 450 $446   $244,337,321 17
Oct 31, 1997 20 $621,083 +209% 1,010 $615   $245,012,779 18
Nov 7, 1997 26 $252,630 -59% 505 $500   $245,419,734 19
Nov 14, 1997 12 $2,117,200 +738% 776 $2,728   $247,659,078 20
Nov 21, 1997 19 $558,608 -74% 605 $923   $248,408,779 21
Nov 28, 1997 27 $250,433 -55% 535 $468   $248,804,341 22
Dec 5, 1997 26 $160,025 -36% 539 $297   $249,002,783 23
Dec 12, 1997 27 $150,400 -6% 394 $382   $249,212,070 24
Dec 19, 1997 21 $207,444 +38% 349 $594   $249,479,758 25
Dec 26, 1997 31 $171,828 -17% 181 $949   $249,836,052 26
Jan 2, 1998 51 $37,499 -78% 58 $647   $250,107,128 27
Jan 9, 1998 49 $29,725 -21% 41 $725   $250,147,615 28

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Jul 1, 1997 1 $4,815,427     0     $4,815,427  
Jul 2, 1997 1 $14,043,310 +192%   3,020 $4,650   $18,858,737 1
Jul 3, 1997 1 $14,206,708 +1%   0     $33,065,445 2
Jul 4, 1997 1 $15,722,315 +11%   3,020 $5,206   $48,787,760 3
Jul 5, 1997 1 $20,220,137 +29%   3,020 $6,695   $69,007,897 4
Jul 6, 1997 1 $15,126,003 -25%   3,020 $5,009   $84,133,900 5
Jul 7, 1997 1 $7,433,260 -51%   3,020 $2,461   $91,567,160 6
Jul 8, 1997 1 $6,835,526 -8%   3,020 $2,263   $98,402,686 7
Jul 9, 1997 1 $6,016,459 -12% -57% 3,020 $1,992   $104,419,145 8
Jul 10, 1997 1 $5,103,508 -15% -64% 3,020 $1,690   $109,522,653 9
Jul 11, 1997 1 $9,254,927 +81% -41% 3,020 $3,065   $118,777,580 10
Jul 12, 1997 1 $12,188,740 +32% -40% 3,020 $4,036   $130,966,320 11
Jul 13, 1997 1 $8,618,650 -29% -43% 3,020 $2,854   $139,584,970 12
Jul 14, 1997 1 $3,510,742 -59% -53% 3,020 $1,162   $143,095,712 13
Jul 15, 1997 1 $3,808,526 +8% -44% 3,020 $1,261   $146,904,238 14
Jul 16, 1997 2 $3,156,788 -17% -48% 3,020 $1,045   $150,061,026 15
Jul 17, 1997 2 $3,054,839 -3% -40% 3,020 $1,012   $153,115,865 16
Jul 18, 1997 1 $5,780,062 +89% -38% 3,102 $1,863   $158,895,927 17
Jul 19, 1997 1 $7,904,234 +37% -35% 3,102 $2,548   $166,800,161 18
Jul 20, 1997 1 $5,345,632 -32% -38% 3,102 $1,723   $172,145,793 19
Jul 21, 1997 2 $2,407,283 -55% -31% 3,102 $776   $174,553,076 20
Jul 22, 1997 2 $2,606,378 +8% -32% 3,102 $840   $177,159,454 21
Jul 23, 1997 2 $2,213,609 -15% -30% 3,102 $714   $179,373,063 22
Jul 24, 1997 2 $2,312,843 +4% -24% 3,102 $746   $181,685,906 23
Jul 25, 1997 3 $3,717,794 +61% -36% 3,180 $1,169   $185,403,700 24
Jul 26, 1997 3 $5,002,664 +35% -37% 3,180 $1,573   $190,406,364 25
Jul 27, 1997 3 $3,630,426 -27% -32% 3,180 $1,142   $194,036,790 26
Jul 28, 1997 3 $1,524,085 -58% -37% 3,180 $479   $195,560,875 27
Jul 29, 1997 3 $1,671,303 +10% -36% 3,180 $526   $197,232,178 28
Jul 30, 1997 3 $1,441,815 -14% -35% 3,180 $453   $198,673,993 29
Jul 31, 1997 3 $1,437,215 n/c -38% 3,180 $452   $200,111,208 30
Aug 1, 1997 5 $2,317,618 +61% -38% 2,932 $790   $202,428,826 31
Aug 2, 1997 4 $3,301,983 +42% -34% 2,932 $1,126   $205,730,809 32
Aug 3, 1997 4 $2,391,496 -28% -34% 2,932 $816   $208,122,305 33
Aug 4, 1997 5 $1,126,764 -53% -26% 2,932 $384   $209,249,069 34
Aug 5, 1997 5 $1,178,432 +5% -29% 2,932 $402   $210,427,501 35
Aug 6, 1997 5 $986,280 -16% -32% 2,932 $336   $211,413,781 36
Aug 7, 1997 5 $938,809 -5% -35% 2,932 $320   $212,352,590 37
Aug 8, 1997 6 $1,603,708 +71% -31% 2,653 $604   $213,956,298 38
Aug 9, 1997 5 $2,382,950 +49% -28% 2,653 $898   $216,339,248 39
Aug 10, 1997 5 $1,665,692 -30% -30% 2,653 $628   $218,004,940 40
Aug 11, 1997 6 $742,877 -55% -34% 2,653 $280   $218,747,817 41
Aug 12, 1997 5 $831,842 +12% -29% 2,653 $314   $219,579,659 42
Aug 13, 1997 5 $807,754 -3% -18% 2,653 $304   $220,387,413 43
Aug 14, 1997 5 $712,811 -12% -24% 2,653 $269   $221,100,224 44
Aug 15, 1997 7 $1,200,628 +68% -25% 2,261 $531   $222,300,852 45
Aug 16, 1997 7 $1,763,151 +47% -26% 2,261 $780   $224,064,003 46
Aug 17, 1997 7 $1,240,726 -30% -26% 2,261 $549   $225,304,729 47
Aug 18, 1997 7 $535,185 -57% -28% 2,261 $237   $225,839,914 48
Aug 19, 1997 6 $584,885 +9% -30% 2,261 $259   $226,424,799 49
Aug 20, 1997 6 $594,678 +2% -26% 2,261 $263   $227,019,477 50
Aug 21, 1997 6 $601,979 +1% -16% 2,261 $266   $227,621,456 51
Aug 22, 1997 10 $845,268 +40% -30% 1,835 $461   $228,466,724 52
Aug 23, 1997 10 $1,221,919 +45% -31% 1,835 $666   $229,688,643 53
Aug 24, 1997 10 $813,926 -33% -34% 1,835 $444   $230,502,569 54
Aug 25, 1997 10 $304,886 -63% -43% 1,835 $166   $230,807,455 55
Aug 26, 1997 10 $318,272 +4% -46% 1,835 $173   $231,125,727 56
Aug 27, 1997 11 $268,577 -16% -55% 1,835 $146   $231,394,304 57
Aug 28, 1997 11 $307,815 +15% -49% 1,835 $168   $231,702,119 58
Aug 29, 1997 12 $630,953 +105% -25% 1,561 $404   $232,333,072 59
Aug 30, 1997 9 $1,032,558 +64% -15% 1,561 $661   $233,365,630 60
Aug 31, 1997 9 $915,385 -11% +12% 1,561 $586   $234,281,015 61
Sep 1, 1997 9 $776,173 -15% +155% 1,561 $497   $235,057,188 62
Sep 2, 1997 12 $171,241 -78% -46% 1,561 $110   $235,228,429 63
Sep 3, 1997 12 $144,667 -16% -46% 1,561 $93   $235,373,096 64
Sep 4, 1997 12 $134,888 -7% -56% 1,561 $86   $235,507,984 65
Sep 5, 1997 10 $466,539 +246% -26% 1,491 $313   $235,974,523 66
Sep 6, 1997 10 $872,182 +87% -16% 1,491 $585   $236,846,705 67
Sep 7, 1997 10 $464,576 -47% -49% 1,491 $312   $237,311,281 68
Sep 8, 1997 11 $106,452 -77% -86% 1,491 $71   $237,417,733 69
Sep 9, 1997 11 $125,089 +18% -27% 1,491 $84   $237,542,822 70
Sep 10, 1997 11 $115,052 -8% -20% 1,491 $77   $237,657,874 71
Sep 11, 1997 12 $118,733 +3% -12% 1,491 $80   $237,776,607 72
Sep 12, 1997 - $402,196 +239% -14% 1,367 $294   $238,178,803 73
Sep 13, 1997 - $787,850 +96% -10% 1,367 $576   $238,966,653 74
Sep 14, 1997 - $388,267 -51% -16% 1,367 $284   $239,354,920 75
Sep 15, 1997 - $85,737 -78% -19% 1,367 $63   $239,440,657 76
Sep 16, 1997 - $105,931 +24% -15% 1,367 $77   $239,546,588 77
Sep 17, 1997 - $90,331 -15% -21% 1,367 $66   $239,636,919 78
Sep 18, 1997 - $97,481 +8% -18% 1,367 $71   $239,734,400 79
Sep 19, 1997 - $304,088 +212% -24% 1,260 $241   $240,038,488 80
Sep 20, 1997 - $604,188 +99% -23% 1,260 $480   $240,642,676 81
Sep 21, 1997 - $300,099 -50% -23% 1,260 $238   $240,942,775 82
Sep 22, 1997 - $64,522 -78% -25% 1,260 $51   $241,007,297 83
Sep 23, 1997 - $73,802 +14% -30% 1,260 $59   $241,081,099 84
Sep 24, 1997 - $63,324 -14% -30% 1,260 $50   $241,144,423 85
Sep 25, 1997 - $66,123 +4% -32% 1,260 $52   $241,210,546 86
Sep 26, 1997 13 $220,734 +234% -27% 1,080 $204   $241,431,280 87
Sep 27, 1997 13 $450,023 +104% -26% 1,080 $417   $241,881,303 88
Sep 28, 1997 - $236,133 -48% -21% 1,080 $219   $242,117,436 89
Sep 29, 1997 - $48,638 -79% -25% 1,080 $45   $242,166,074 90
Sep 30, 1997 - $52,119 +7% -29% 1,080 $48   $242,218,193 91
Oct 1, 1997 - $47,751 -8% -25% 1,080 $44   $242,265,944 92
Oct 2, 1997 - $64,141 +34% -3% 1,080 $59   $242,330,085 93

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 4, 1997 1 $76,457,208   3,020 $25,317   $109,522,653 2
Jul 11, 1997 1 $43,593,212 -43% 3,020 $14,435   $153,115,865 3
Jul 18, 1997 1 $28,570,041 -34% 3,102 $9,210   $181,685,906 4
Jul 25, 1997 3 $18,425,302 -36% 3,180 $5,794   $200,111,208 5
Aug 1, 1997 5 $12,241,382 -34% 2,932 $4,175   $212,352,590 6
Aug 8, 1997 5 $8,747,634 -29% 2,653 $3,297   $221,100,224 7
Aug 15, 1997 7 $6,521,232 -25% 2,261 $2,884   $227,621,456 8
Aug 22, 1997 10 $4,080,663 -37% 1,835 $2,224   $231,702,119 9
Aug 29, 1997 10 $3,805,865 -7% 1,561 $2,438   $235,507,984 10
Sep 5, 1997 10 $2,268,623 -40% 1,491 $1,522   $237,776,607 11
Sep 12, 1997 15 $1,957,793 -14% 1,367 $1,432   $239,734,400 12
Sep 19, 1997 13 $1,476,146 -25% 1,260 $1,172   $241,210,546 13
Sep 26, 1997 13 $1,119,539 -24% 1,080 $1,037   $242,330,085 14
Oct 3, 1997 16 $855,951 -24% 922 $928   $243,186,036 15
Oct 10, 1997 18 $576,799 -33% 677 $852   $243,762,835 16
Oct 17, 1997 26 $373,616 -35% 478 $782   $244,136,451 17
Oct 24, 1997 26 $255,245 -32% 450 $567   $244,391,696 18
Oct 31, 1997 20 $775,408 +204% 1,010 $768   $245,167,104 19
Nov 7, 1997 27 $374,774 -52% 505 $742   $245,541,878 20
Nov 14, 1997 12 $2,308,293 +516% 776 $2,975   $247,850,171 21
Nov 21, 1997 19 $703,737 -70% 605 $1,163   $248,553,908 22
Nov 28, 1997 29 $288,850 -59% 535 $540   $248,842,758 23
Dec 5, 1997 25 $218,912 -24% 539 $406   $249,061,670 24
Dec 12, 1997 27 $210,644 -4% 394 $535   $249,272,314 25
Dec 19, 1997 21 $391,910 +86% 349 $1,123   $249,664,224 26
Dec 26, 1997 26 $405,405 +3% 181 $2,240   $250,069,629 27
Jan 2, 1998 54 $48,261 -88% 58 $832   $250,117,890 28

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 9/11/1997 $0 0 1 1 $304 12/29/2020
 
Rest of World $337,099,696
 
International Total$337,100,000 12/29/2020

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
May 27, 20121732,924 32,924$589,853$589,853762
Jun 3, 20121933,665+2% 66,589$438,655$1,028,508763
Jun 10, 20121546,858+39% 113,447$1,155,987$2,184,495764
Jun 17, 20121268,514+46% 181,961$1,690,240$3,874,735765
Jun 24, 20121343,977-36% 225,938$798,183$4,672,918766
Jul 22, 20122722,918 294,396$249,210$5,745,127770
Jul 29, 2012971,203+211% 365,599$685,044$6,430,171771
Aug 5, 20122327,820-61% 393,419$289,169$6,719,340772
Aug 12, 20122317,060-39% 410,479$223,721$6,943,061773
Aug 19, 20122320,309+19% 430,788$295,518$7,238,579774

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
May 27, 20121017,830 17,830$234,875$234,875762
Jun 3, 20122010,571-41% 28,401$139,785$374,660763

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.