1980 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1980. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1980. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1979 will most likely earn money in 1979 and 1980. 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.

Show Actuals
1981 →
Rank Movie Release Date Distributor Genre 1980 Gross
Infl. adj.		 Tickets Sold
1 Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire S… May 21, 1980 20th Century Fox Adventure $806,316,768 67,417,790
2 Stir Crazy Dec 12, 1980 Columbia Black Comedy $450,389,591 37,657,992
3 Kramer vs. Kramer Dec 19, 1979 Drama $440,086,931 36,796,566
4 Airplane! Jul 4, 1980 Paramount Pictures Comedy $371,042,501 31,023,620
5 Any Which Way You Can Dec 17, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $314,282,764 26,277,823
6 Private Benjamin Oct 10, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $310,548,060 25,965,556
7 Coal Miner’s Daughter Mar 7, 1980 Universal Drama $298,701,165 24,975,013
8 Smokey and the Bandit II Aug 15, 1980 Universal Comedy $294,032,047 24,584,619
9 The Blues Brothers Jun 20, 1980 Universal Comedy $254,449,622 21,275,052
10 Ordinary People Sep 19, 1980 Paramount Pictures Drama $232,544,095 19,443,486
11 Popeye Dec 12, 1980 Paramount Pictures Musical $221,518,038 18,521,575
12 The Blue Lagoon Jun 20, 1980 Columbia Drama $213,073,825 17,815,537
13 Urban Cowboy Jun 6, 1980 Paramount Pictures Western $208,603,239 17,441,742
14 The Shining May 23, 1980 Warner Bros. Horror $195,705,499 16,363,336
15 Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie Jul 18, 1980 Universal Comedy $185,291,941 15,492,637
16 Caddyshack Jul 25, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $177,160,697 14,812,767
17 Friday the 13th May 9, 1980 Paramount Pictures Horror $176,752,798 14,778,662
18 Brubaker Jun 20, 1980 20th Century Fox Drama $165,046,702 13,799,891
19 Little Darlings Mar 21, 1980 Paramount Pictures Comedy $152,617,821 12,760,687
20 Dressed to Kill Jan 1, 1980 Filmways Pictures Thriller/Suspense $141,826,037 11,858,364
21 Flash Gordon Dec 5, 1980 Universal Action $120,524,610 10,077,308
22 The Elephant Man Oct 3, 1980 Paramount Pictures Drama $115,646,815 9,669,466
23 Bronco Billy Jun 11, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $107,887,465 9,020,691
24 Caligula Feb 1, 1980 Analysis Drama $103,491,725 8,653,154
25 Seems Like Old Times Dec 19, 1980 Columbia Romantic Comedy $103,149,442 8,624,535
26 Xanadu Aug 8, 1980 Universal Musical $101,204,591 8,461,922
27 American Gigolo Feb 1, 1980 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $101,120,573 8,454,897
28 My Bodyguard Jul 11, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $99,961,378 8,357,974
29 In Search of Historic Jesus Jan 1, 1980 Sunn Classics Pic… Documentary $97,814,126 8,178,438
30 Fame May 16, 1980 MGM Musical $94,269,827 7,882,092
31 Altered States Dec 25, 1980 Warner Bros. Horror $88,272,323 7,380,628
32 Cruising Jan 1, 1980 United Artists Thriller/Suspense $87,962,568 7,354,729
33 The Octagon Jan 1, 1980 American Cinema R… Action $84,475,836 7,063,197
34 Hardly Working Jan 1, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $80,029,740 6,691,449
35 Windwalker Jan 1, 1980 Pacific Internati… Western $80,029,740 6,691,449
36 Honeysuckle Rose Jul 18, 1980 Warner Bros. Drama $79,208,154 6,622,755
37 Herbie Goes Bananas Jan 1, 1980 Comedy $75,583,643 6,319,702
38 Rough Cut Jun 19, 1980 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $74,054,742 6,191,868
39 The Final Countdown Jan 1, 1980 United Artists Action $74,017,728 6,188,773
40 The Hunter Jan 1, 1980 Paramount Pictures Action $74,017,728 6,188,773
41 A Change of Seasons Dec 1, 1980 20th Century Fox Drama $72,915,985 6,096,654
42 Hero At Large Feb 8, 1980 MGM Comedy $70,847,381 5,923,694
43 The Island Jun 13, 1980 Universal Adventure $69,878,536 5,842,686
44 First Family Dec 25, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $67,575,832 5,650,153
45 The Long Riders May 16, 1980 United Artists Western $67,575,832 5,650,153
46 Prom Night Aug 15, 1980 Avco Embassy Horror $65,785,495 5,500,459
47 The Nude Bomb May 9, 1980 Universal Comedy $65,188,825 5,450,570
48 Oh, God! Book II Oct 3, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $64,487,417 5,391,924
49 Wholly Moses! Jun 13, 1980 Sony Pictures Comedy $62,937,241 5,262,311
50 The Competition Dec 3, 1980 Columbia Drama $57,799,257 4,832,713
51 Hopscotch Jan 1, 1980 Avco Embassy Comedy $57,799,257 4,832,713
52 Middle Age Crazy Jan 1, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $57,799,257 4,832,713
53 The Last Married Couple in Am… Feb 8, 1980 Universal Comedy $57,068,069 4,771,577
54 The Changeling Jan 1, 1980 Associated Film D… Horror $53,353,160 4,460,966
55 Used Cars Jul 18, 1980 Columbia Comedy $52,087,450 4,355,137
56 Hangar 18 Jan 1, 1980 Sunn Classics Pic… Thriller/Suspense $48,907,063 4,089,219
57 It’s My Turn Jan 1, 1980 Columbia Romantic Comedy $48,907,063 4,089,219
58 The Last Flight of Noah’s Ark Jun 25, 1980 Walt Disney Adventure $48,907,063 4,089,219
59 The Mirror Crack’d Jan 1, 1980 Associated Film D… Thriller/Suspense $48,907,063 4,089,219
60 The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu M… Aug 8, 1980 Orion Pictures Comedy $47,561,123 3,976,682
61 Stardust Memories Sep 26, 1980 United Artists Comedy $46,190,511 3,862,082
62 The Hollywood Knights Jan 1, 1980 Columbia Comedy $44,460,967 3,717,472
63 Maniac Jan 1, 1980 Analysis Horror $44,460,967 3,717,472
64 Up the Academy Jun 6, 1980 Warner Bros. Comedy $44,460,967 3,717,472
65 Serial Mar 28, 1980 Paramount Pictures Comedy $43,886,206 3,669,415
66 Somewhere in Time Oct 3, 1980 Universal Drama $43,169,807 3,609,515
67 Saturn 3 Jan 1, 1980 Thriller/Suspense $40,014,870 3,345,724
68 Tom Horn Jan 1, 1980 Western $40,014,870 3,345,724
69 Tribute Dec 19, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $40,014,870 3,345,724
70 The Formula Dec 19, 1980 MGM Thriller/Suspense $39,544,869 3,306,427
71 Mad Max Mar 21, 1980 Filmways Pictures Action $39,006,482 3,261,411
72 The Big Brawl Aug 29, 1980 Warner Bros. Action $37,915,170 3,170,164
73 The Awakening Oct 31, 1980 Warner Bros. Horror $37,414,401 3,128,294
74 Terror Train Jan 1, 1980 Horror $35,568,773 2,973,977
75 How to Beat the High Co$t of … Jan 1, 1980 Filmways Pictures Comedy $33,345,725 2,788,104
76 Foxes Feb 29, 1980 United Artists Drama $33,213,889 2,777,081
77 The Big Red One Jul 18, 1980 United Artists Drama $32,039,551 2,678,892
78 The Stunt Man Jun 27, 1980 20th Century Fox $31,406,720 2,625,979
79 Fatso Feb 1, 1980 20th Century Fox $31,122,677 2,602,230
80 Raise the Titanic Aug 1, 1980 Associated Film D… Adventure $31,122,677 2,602,230
81 9 to 5 Dec 19, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $30,445,203 2,545,585
82 Where the Buffalo Roam Apr 25, 1980 Universal Comedy $29,608,234 2,475,604
83 The Gong Show Movie May 23, 1980 Universal Comedy $29,439,918 2,461,531
84 Motel Hell Oct 24, 1980 United Artists Horror $28,200,115 2,357,869
85 Little Miss Marker Mar 21, 1980 Universal Comedy $28,105,520 2,349,959
86 Oh Heavenly Dog Jul 11, 1980 20th Century Fox Comedy $27,637,235 2,310,805
87 The Mountain Men Jan 1, 1980 Columbia $26,676,580 2,230,483
88 Simon Jan 1, 1980 $26,676,580 2,230,483
89 Divine Madness! Sep 26, 1980 Warner Bros. Concert/Performance $23,644,778 1,976,988
90 In God We Tru$t Sep 26, 1980 Universal Comedy $23,186,461 1,938,667
91 The Exterminator Jan 1, 1980 Avco Embassy $22,230,483 1,858,736
92 He Knows You're Alone Aug 29, 1980 MGM Horror $21,676,660 1,812,429
93 Coast to Coast Oct 3, 1980 Paramount Pictures $19,987,183 1,671,169
94 Willie and Phil Jan 1, 1980 20th Century Fox $19,562,825 1,635,687
95 Melvin and Howard Oct 24, 1980 Universal Comedy $19,160,409 1,602,040
96 Roadie Jun 13, 1980 United Artists Comedy $18,790,850 1,571,141
97 Die Laughing Jan 1, 1980 $17,784,387 1,486,988
98 Kagemusha Oct 10, 1980 20th Century Fox Drama $17,784,387 1,486,988
99 Resurrection Sep 26, 1980 Universal Drama $17,384,322 1,453,538
100 Hide in Plain Sight Mar 21, 1980 MGM Drama $16,925,979 1,415,215
101 Guyana: Crime of the Century Jan 25, 1980 Universal Drama $16,886,729 1,411,933
102 When Time Ran Out... Mar 28, 1980 Warner Bros. Adventure $16,735,054 1,399,252
103 Heaven’s Gate Nov 19, 1980 United Artists Western $15,491,672 1,295,290
104 North Sea Hijack Apr 18, 1980 Universal Adventure $13,310,600 1,112,926
105 Midnight Madness Feb 8, 1980 Walt Disney $12,893,680 1,078,066
106 Loving Couples Oct 24, 1980 20th Century Fox Romantic Comedy $12,478,677 1,043,367
107 The Idolmaker Nov 14, 1980 United Artists Drama $11,674,187 976,102
108 The Black Marble Jan 1, 1980 Avco Embassy Romantic Comedy $11,115,242 929,368
109 Gilda Live Mar 28, 1980 Warner Bros. Concert/Performance $10,054,879 840,708
110 Windows Jan 18, 1980 United Artists Thriller/Suspense $9,781,413 817,843
111 Just Tell Me What You Want Feb 8, 1980 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $9,278,581 775,801
112 Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (an… May 30, 1980 Paramount Pictures Comedy $8,950,851 748,398
113 Can't Stop the Music Jun 20, 1980 Associated Film D… Musical $8,892,193 743,494
114 Foolin' Around Jan 1, 1980 Columbia $8,892,193 743,494
115 Tess Dec 12, 1980 Columbia Drama $8,402,313 702,534
116 Raging Bull Nov 14, 1980 United Artists Drama $8,283,091 692,566
117 Carny May 23, 1980 United Artists Drama $8,081,759 675,732
118 Lion of the Desert Jan 1, 1980 United Film Distr… Drama $6,669,145 557,620
119 Nijinsky Mar 20, 1980 Paramount Pictures $4,657,082 389,388
120 Heart Beat Jan 18, 1980 Warner Bros. Drama $4,241,781 354,663
121 One Trick Pony Oct 3, 1980 Warner Bros. Drama $3,749,015 313,462
122 A Small Circle of Friends Mar 12, 1980 United Artists Drama $3,409,089 285,040
123 Leo and Lorre Feb 29, 1980 United Artists $2,303,025 192,560
124 Penitentiary May 10, 1980 Jerry Gross Organ… Drama $1,276,030 106,691
125 Home Movies May 16, 1980 United Artists $396,298 33,135
126 Those Lips, Those Eyes Aug 15, 1980 United Artists Romantic Comedy $283,510 23,704
127 Why Would I Lie? Aug 8, 1980 MGM Comedy $233,300 19,506
128 Gloria Oct 1, 1980 Columbia Thriller/Suspense $209,051 17,479