1985 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1985. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1985. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1984 will most likely earn money in 1984 and 1985. 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.

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Rank Movie Release Date Distributor Genre 1985 Gross
Infl. adj.		 Tickets Sold
1 Back to the Future Jul 3, 1985 Universal Adventure $651,400,305 54,464,908
2 Rambo: First Blood Part II May 22, 1985 Sony/TriStar Action $506,751,709 42,370,544
3 Beverly Hills Cop Dec 5, 1984 Paramount Pictures Comedy $440,961,002 36,869,649
4 Rocky IV Nov 27, 1985 MGM Drama $355,514,844 29,725,321
5 Cocoon Jun 21, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $256,912,079 21,480,943
6 The Dream is Alive Jun 30, 1985 IMAX Films Documentary $235,830,986 19,718,309
7 The Goonies Jun 7, 1985 Warner Bros. Adventure $224,261,465 18,750,958
8 Witness Feb 8, 1985 Paramount Pictures Drama $220,780,172 18,459,880
9 Police Academy 2: Their First… Mar 29, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $186,431,274 15,587,899
10 Fantasia Nov 13, 1940 Musical $170,138,183 14,225,600
11 A View to a Kill May 24, 1985 MGM Action $169,555,606 14,176,890
12 National Lampoon’s European V… Jul 26, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $166,429,296 13,915,492
13 Fletch May 31, 1985 Universal Comedy $157,332,958 13,154,929
14 The Breakfast Club Feb 15, 1985 Universal Comedy $154,554,097 12,922,583
15 Spies Like Us Dec 6, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $147,408,550 12,325,129
16 The Jewel of the Nile Dec 11, 1985 20th Century Fox Adventure $147,364,368 12,321,435
17 Mask Mar 8, 1985 Universal Drama $142,906,105 11,948,670
18 Pale Rider Jun 28, 1985 Warner Bros. Western $139,512,787 11,664,948
19 Pee Wee\'s Big Adventure Jul 26, 1985 Warner Bros. Adventure $137,929,667 11,532,580
20 Brewster's Millions May 22, 1985 Universal Comedy $137,455,775 11,492,957
21 Jagged Edge Oct 4, 1985 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $130,610,278 10,920,591
22 St. Elmo’s Fire Jun 28, 1985 Sony Pictures Drama $127,348,732 10,647,887
23 Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome Jul 10, 1985 Warner Bros. Action $122,060,118 10,205,695
24 Commando Oct 4, 1985 20th Century Fox Action $118,164,726 9,879,993
25 Silverado Jul 10, 1985 Sony Pictures Western $111,851,268 9,352,112
26 The Killing Fields Nov 2, 1984 Warner Bros. Drama $111,535,965 9,325,749
27 Teen Wolf Aug 23, 1985 Atlantic Comedy $111,469,258 9,320,172
28 The Last Dragon Mar 22, 1985 Sony Pictures Action $111,177,465 9,295,774
29 Amadeus Sep 19, 1984 Warner Bros. Drama $108,036,119 9,033,120
30 White Nights Nov 22, 1985 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $100,625,433 8,413,497
31 Desperately Seeking Susan Mar 29, 1985 Orion Pictures Comedy $92,310,986 7,718,309
32 Prizzi's Honor Jun 14, 1985 20th Century Fox Black Comedy $89,952,676 7,521,126
33 Out of Africa Dec 18, 1985 Universal Drama $89,902,805 7,516,956
34 A Passage to India Dec 14, 1984 Sony Pictures Drama $87,078,813 7,280,837
35 Agnes of God Sep 13, 1985 Sony Pictures Drama $86,340,540 7,219,108
36 Fright Night Aug 2, 1985 Sony Pictures Horror $83,963,367 7,020,348
37 Summer Rental Aug 9, 1985 Paramount Pictures Comedy $83,116,946 6,949,577
38 The Emerald Forest Jul 3, 1985 Avco Embassy Drama $82,434,890 6,892,549
39 Santa Claus Nov 29, 1985 Sony/TriStar Adventure $79,485,624 6,645,955
40 The Gods Must Be Crazy Jul 9, 1984 20th Century Fox Comedy $78,381,349 6,553,624
41 The Care Bears Movie Mar 29, 1985 Samuel Goldwyn Fi… Adventure $77,264,969 6,460,281
42 Friday the 13th Part V: A New… Mar 22, 1985 Paramount Pictures Horror $73,883,887 6,177,582
43 The Black Cauldron Jul 24, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $71,721,903 5,996,814
44 A Nightmare on Elm Street Par… Nov 1, 1985 New Line Horror $71,301,811 5,961,689
45 Porky's Revenge Mar 22, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $69,125,431 5,779,718
46 101 Dalmatians Jan 25, 1961 Adventure $68,544,475 5,731,143
47 Code of Silence May 3, 1985 Orion Pictures Action $68,543,808 5,731,087
48 Volunteers Aug 16, 1985 Sony/TriStar Comedy $66,961,648 5,598,800
49 Year of the Dragon Aug 16, 1985 MGM Action $63,025,716 5,269,708
50 Ladyhawke Apr 12, 1985 Warner Bros. Action $61,989,859 5,183,098
51 The Sure Thing Mar 1, 1985 Embassy Comedy $61,100,439 5,108,732
52 Invasion U.S.A. Sep 27, 1985 Cannon Action $59,079,893 4,939,790
53 The Falcon and the Snowman Jan 25, 1985 Orion Pictures Thriller/Suspense $57,711,504 4,825,376
54 Young Sherlock Holmes Dec 4, 1985 Paramount Pictures Adventure $56,669,367 4,738,241
55 To Live and Die in L.A. Nov 1, 1985 MGM Action $56,265,476 4,704,471
56 Weird Science Aug 2, 1985 Universal Comedy $54,969,703 4,596,129
57 Death Wish 3 Nov 1, 1985 Cannon Action $54,297,989 4,539,965
58 King Solomon's Mines Nov 22, 1985 Cannon Adventure $49,926,222 4,174,433
59 Remo Williams: The Adventure … Oct 11, 1985 Orion Pictures Adventure $48,493,259 4,054,620
60 Baby: Secret of the Lost Lege… Mar 22, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $48,096,365 4,021,435
61 The Return of the Living Dead Aug 16, 1985 Orion Pictures Horror $47,967,618 4,010,670
62 Tomboy Jan 1, 1985 Romantic Comedy $47,503,099 3,971,830
63 Sesame Street Presents Follow… Aug 2, 1985 Warner Bros. Adventure $47,036,052 3,932,780
64 The Color Purple Dec 18, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $46,887,654 3,920,372
65 One Magic Christmas Nov 22, 1985 Walt Disney Drama $44,570,419 3,726,623
66 Vision Quest Feb 15, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $43,797,183 3,661,971
67 Real Genius Aug 7, 1985 Sony/TriStar Comedy $43,635,534 3,648,456
68 Perfect Jun 7, 1985 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $43,523,815 3,639,114
69 Micki + Maude Dec 21, 1984 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $43,229,659 3,614,520
70 The Flamingo Kid Dec 21, 1984 20th Century Fox Comedy $42,925,656 3,589,101
71 Kiss of the Spider Woman Jul 26, 1985 Island/Alive Drama $41,286,429 3,452,042
72 Lifeforce Jun 21, 1985 Sony/TriStar Horror $39,092,507 3,268,604
73 Just One of the Guys Apr 26, 1985 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $38,331,480 3,204,973
74 Clue Dec 13, 1985 Paramount Pictures Comedy $37,503,720 3,135,762
75 Krush Groove Oct 25, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $37,236,746 3,113,440
76 Silver Bullet Oct 11, 1985 Paramount Pictures Horror $36,396,170 3,043,158
77 Missing in Action 2: The Begi… Mar 1, 1985 Cannon Action $36,235,252 3,029,703
78 The Purple Rose of Cairo Mar 1, 1985 Orion Pictures Comedy $35,817,111 2,994,741
79 Return to Oz Jun 21, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $35,774,931 2,991,214
80 Protocol Dec 21, 1984 Warner Bros. Comedy $35,744,566 2,988,676
81 Compromising Positions Aug 30, 1985 Paramount Pictures Comedy $35,711,549 2,985,915
82 Moving Violations Apr 19, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $35,711,549 2,985,915
83 Starman Dec 14, 1984 Sony Pictures Adventure $35,514,048 2,969,401
84 American Ninja Aug 30, 1985 Cannon Action $35,371,279 2,957,464
85 Better Off Dead... Aug 23, 1985 Warner Bros. Black Comedy $34,692,763 2,900,732
86 After Hours Sep 13, 1985 Warner Bros. Black Comedy $34,394,009 2,875,753
87 Lost in America Feb 15, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $33,956,987 2,839,212
88 Once Bitten Nov 15, 1985 Goldwyn Entertain… Comedy $33,411,328 2,793,589
89 Explorers Jul 12, 1985 Paramount Pictures Adventure $33,262,276 2,781,126
90 A Chorus Line Dec 10, 1985 Sony Pictures Musical $32,629,599 2,728,227
91 Tuff Turf Jan 11, 1985 New World Drama $31,565,401 2,639,247
92 The Cotton Club Dec 14, 1984 Orion Pictures Drama $31,245,244 2,612,478
93 Sweet Dreams Oct 2, 1985 Sony/TriStar Drama $30,658,028 2,563,380
94 Target Nov 8, 1985 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $30,399,285 2,541,746
95 Cat’s Eye Apr 12, 1985 MGM Horror $30,321,127 2,535,211
96 2010 Dec 7, 1984 MGM Thriller/Suspense $30,018,118 2,509,876
97 Gotcha May 3, 1985 Universal Action $29,725,718 2,485,427
98 Mischief Feb 8, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $29,310,423 2,450,704
99 The River Dec 17, 1984 Universal Drama $29,242,560 2,445,030
100 The Man With One Red Shoe Jul 19, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $29,126,511 2,435,327
101 That Was Then… This is Now Nov 8, 1985 Paramount Pictures Drama $29,074,821 2,431,005
102 Secret Admirer Jun 14, 1985 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $29,050,190 2,428,945
103 Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of t… May 25, 1983 20th Century Fox Adventure $29,003,930 2,425,077
104 Nineteen Eighty-Four Dec 14, 1984 Atlantic Thriller/Suspense $28,193,160 2,357,287
105 Enemy Mine Dec 20, 1985 20th Century Fox Adventure $27,955,159 2,337,387
106 The Journey of Natty Gann Sep 27, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $25,931,537 2,168,188
107 City Heat Dec 7, 1984 Warner Bros. Action $24,957,195 2,086,721
108 Transylvania 6-5000 Nov 8, 1985 New World Comedy $24,256,901 2,028,169
109 Stick Apr 26, 1985 Universal Action $23,464,287 1,961,896
110 Red Sonja Jun 28, 1985 MGM Action $23,265,943 1,945,312
111 Into the Night Feb 22, 1985 Universal Action $22,640,314 1,893,002
112 D.A.R.Y.L. Jun 14, 1985 Paramount Pictures Drama $22,106,301 1,848,352
113 Girls Just Want to Have Fun Apr 12, 1985 New World Romantic Comedy $21,312,555 1,781,986
114 Plenty Sep 19, 1985 20th Century Fox Drama $20,565,176 1,719,496
115 Heaven Help Us Feb 8, 1985 Sony/TriStar Comedy $20,452,590 1,710,082
116 Day of the Dead Jun 30, 1985 United Film Distr… Horror $19,554,640 1,635,003
117 Avenging Angel Jan 11, 1985 New World Action $18,943,249 1,583,883
118 Johnny Dangerously Dec 21, 1984 20th Century Fox Comedy $17,962,943 1,501,918
119 Brazil Dec 18, 1985 Universal Black Comedy $17,789,051 1,487,378
120 Places in the Heart Sep 21, 1984 Sony/TriStar Drama $17,134,641 1,432,662
121 Rainbow Brite and the Star St… Nov 15, 1985 Warner Bros. Adventure $16,474,381 1,377,456
122 Rustlers' Rhapsody May 10, 1985 Paramount Pictures Western $16,329,898 1,365,376
123 King David Mar 29, 1985 Paramount Pictures Drama $16,171,268 1,352,112
124 Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Dec 19, 1984 Cannon Musical $15,671,609 1,310,335
125 Creator Sep 20, 1985 Universal Romantic Comedy $15,402,418 1,287,827
126 Pinocchio Feb 9, 1940 Walt Disney Adventure $14,901,079 1,245,909
127 The Company of Wolves Apr 19, 1985 Cannon Horror $14,787,728 1,236,432
128 The Mean Season Feb 15, 1985 Orion Pictures Thriller/Suspense $14,653,345 1,225,196
129 That's Dancing Jan 18, 1985 MGM Documentary $14,186,709 1,186,179
130 My Science Project Aug 9, 1985 Walt Disney Comedy $13,812,958 1,154,929
131 The Heavenly Kid Jul 26, 1985 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $12,978,355 1,085,146
132 Mrs. Soffel Dec 26, 1984 MGM/UA Classics Drama $12,889,538 1,077,720
133 Murphy's Romance Dec 25, 1985 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $12,382,606 1,035,334
134 The Bride Aug 16, 1985 Sony Pictures Horror $12,128,451 1,014,084
135 Dune Dec 14, 1984 Universal Action $12,059,837 1,008,347
136 Turk 182! Feb 15, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $12,005,937 1,003,840
137 Gremlins Jun 8, 1984 Warner Bros. Comedy $11,941,902 998,486
138 Starchaser: The Legend of Orin Nov 22, 1985 Atlantic Adventure $11,322,583 946,704
139 Fraternity Vacation Apr 12, 1985 New World Comedy $11,229,955 938,959
140 Gymkata May 3, 1985 MGM Action $10,947,416 915,335
141 Stop Making Sense Oct 19, 1984 Cinecom Concert/Performance $10,823,224 904,951
142 The Legend of Billie Jean Jul 19, 1985 Sony/TriStar Drama $10,443,944 873,239
143 Twice in a Lifetime Oct 23, 1985 Bud Yorkin Co. Drama $9,879,189 826,019
144 Rappin' May 10, 1985 Cannon Drama $9,651,700 806,998
145 Hot Moves May 17, 1985 Cardinal Film Rel… Comedy $9,206,451 769,770
146 Fast Forward Feb 15, 1985 Sony Pictures Musical $8,930,805 746,722
147 Maxie Sep 27, 1985 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $8,759,437 732,394
148 Bad Medicine Nov 22, 1985 20th Century Fox Comedy $8,588,274 718,083
149 A Private Function Mar 1, 1985 Island/Alive Comedy $8,479,003 708,946
150 Godzilla (ゴジラ) Aug 23, 1985 New World Action $8,231,175 688,225
151 Paris, Texas Nov 9, 1984 20th Century Fox Drama $7,215,748 603,323
152 Re-Animator Oct 18, 1985 Empire Pictures Horror $6,815,515 569,859
153 The Terminator Oct 26, 1984 Orion Pictures Action $6,526,144 545,664
154 Warning Sign Aug 23, 1985 20th Century Fox Drama $6,462,163 540,314
155 The Slugger's Wife Mar 29, 1985 Sony Pictures Comedy $6,327,008 529,014
156 The Brother from Another Plan… Sep 7, 1984 Cinecom Comedy $6,048,967 505,766
157 Runaway Dec 14, 1984 Sony/TriStar Thriller/Suspense $5,697,912 476,414
158 Bring on the Night Nov 8, 1985 Goldwyn Entertain… Documentary $5,645,420 472,025
159 A Soldier’s Story Sep 14, 1984 Sony Pictures Drama $5,300,261 443,165
160 Heavenly Bodies Feb 1, 1985 MGM/UA Classics Drama $5,280,546 441,517
161 Un dimanche à la campagne Nov 16, 1984 MGM/UA Classics Drama $5,271,200 440,735
162 Marie: A True Story Sep 27, 1985 MGM Drama $5,180,361 433,140
163 Ghostbusters Jun 8, 1984 Sony Pictures Comedy $5,029,823 420,553
164 American Flyers Aug 16, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $4,785,196 400,100
165 Certain Fury Mar 1, 1985 New World Action $4,652,915 389,039
166 Wetherby Jul 19, 1985 MGM/UA Classics Drama $3,683,882 308,016
167 The Trip to Bountiful Dec 20, 1985 Island Drama $3,024,283 252,866
168 The Hit Mar 8, 1985 Island/Alive Comedy $2,953,867 246,978
169 Ran Dec 20, 1985 Rialto Pictures Drama $2,896,715 242,200
170 Dance With a Stranger Aug 9, 1985 Goldwyn Entertain… Drama $2,837,454 237,245
171 The Protector (威龍猛探) Aug 23, 1985 Warner Bros. Action $2,793,718 233,588
172 Lust in the Dust Feb 8, 1985 New World Comedy $2,451,426 204,968
173 Fever Pitch Nov 22, 1985 MGM Drama $2,056,220 171,924
174 Joshua Then and Now Sep 6, 1985 20th Century Fox Romantic Comedy $1,827,421 152,794
175 Runaway Train Dec 6, 1985 Cannon Action $1,801,422 150,620
176 Code Name: Emerald Sep 27, 1985 MGM Action $1,735,140 145,078
177 Mass Appeal Dec 14, 1984 Universal Drama $1,647,785 137,774
178 Supergirl Nov 21, 1984 Sony/TriStar Adventure $1,572,258 131,459
179 Mishima: A Life in Four Chapt… Sep 13, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $1,474,102 123,252
180 Fool For Love Dec 6, 1985 Cannon Drama $1,467,384 122,690
181 Key Exchange Aug 14, 1985 20th Century Fox Romantic Comedy $1,431,831 119,718
182 Falling in Love Nov 21, 1984 Paramount Pictures Drama $1,396,210 116,740
183 Subway Nov 6, 1985 Island/Alive Thriller/Suspense $1,316,136 110,044
184 Sylvester Mar 15, 1985 Sony Pictures Drama $1,299,385 108,644
185 Alamo Bay Apr 3, 1985 Sony/TriStar Drama $1,283,493 107,315
186 Lily in Love Apr 19, 1985 New Line Comedy $1,269,060 106,108
187 Birdy Dec 21, 1984 Sony/TriStar Drama $1,221,133 102,101
188 Private Resort May 3, 1985 Sony/TriStar Comedy $1,117,893 93,469
189 Movers and Shakers May 3, 1985 MGM Comedy $1,048,845 87,696
190 Oh God, You Devil! Nov 9, 1984 Warner Bros. Comedy $1,042,562 87,170
191 Eleni Nov 1, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $1,027,893 85,944
192 The Aviator Mar 1, 1985 MGM Adventure $967,564 80,900
193 Maccheroni Nov 11, 1985 Paramount Pictures Drama $793,009 66,305
194 Def-Con 4 Mar 15, 1985 New World Action $710,539 59,409
195 The New Kids Jan 18, 1985 Sony Pictures Horror $670,798 56,086
196 Revolution Dec 25, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $595,312 49,775
197 The Quiet Earth Oct 18, 1985 Skouras Drama $518,033 43,313
198 The Holcroft Covenant Oct 18, 1985 Universal Thriller/Suspense $510,833 42,711
199 The Doctor and the Devils Oct 4, 1985 20th Century Fox Drama $495,481 41,428
200 Always Oct 2, 1985 Goldwyn Entertain… Drama $493,557 41,267
201 Flesh & Blood Aug 30, 1985 Orion Pictures Action $336,901 28,169
202 My Man Adam Oct 25, 1985 Sony/TriStar Comedy $313,049 26,174
203 Fandango Jan 25, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $290,187 24,263
204 Un amour de Swann Sep 14, 1984 Orion Pictures Drama $252,551 21,116
205 Sylvia May 31, 1985 MGM/UA Classics Drama $149,025 12,460
206 Dreamchild Oct 4, 1985 Universal Drama $129,683 10,843
207 La historia oficial Nov 8, 1985 Almi Drama $99,137 8,289
208 Smooth Talk Nov 15, 1985 SpectraFilm Drama $56,549 4,728
209 Otac na sluzbenom putu Oct 11, 1985 Cannon Drama $39,128 3,271
210 Came a Hot Friday Oct 4, 1985 Orion Classics Drama $30,001 2,508
211 James Joyce's Women Sep 12, 1985 Universal Drama $27,299 2,282
212 Shoah Nov 1, 1985 IFC Films Documentary $15,272 1,276
213 The Bay Boy Feb 15, 1985 Orion Pictures Drama $12,347 1,032
214 Oberst Redl Oct 4, 1985 Orion Classics Drama $7,941 663