Market Charts > 1986 > Movie Chart

North America (US and Canada) Domestic Movie Chart for 1986

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Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1986. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1986. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1985 will most likely earn money in 1985 and 1986. 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 1986 Movies at the Domestic Box Office for the total domestic box office for the top 100 movies released in 1986, and Movie Index 1986 for an overview of all movies released in 1986.

Top Grossing Movies of 1986

RankMovieRelease
Date		DistributorGenre1986 GrossTickets Sold
1 Top Gun May 16, 1986 Paramount Pictures Action $171,838,925 46,317,769
2 Crocodile Dundee Sep 26, 1986 Paramount Pictures Comedy $129,589,193 34,929,701
3 The Karate Kid, Part II Jun 20, 1986 Sony Pictures Action $115,103,979 31,025,331
4 Back to School Jun 13, 1986 Orion Pictures Comedy $91,258,000 24,597,843
5 Aliens Jul 18, 1986 20th Century Fox Action $85,160,248 22,954,244
6 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Nov 26, 1986 Paramount Pictures Adventure $83,867,664 22,605,839
7 The Color Purple Dec 18, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $80,112,150 21,593,571
8 Ruthless People Jun 27, 1986 Walt Disney Black Comedy $71,624,879 19,305,897
9 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Jun 11, 1986 Paramount Pictures Comedy $70,136,369 18,904,681
10 Down and Out in Beverly Hills Jan 31, 1986 Walt Disney Comedy $62,134,225 16,747,769
11 The Golden Child Dec 12, 1986 Paramount Pictures Action $54,500,686 14,690,211
12 Out of Africa Dec 18, 1985 Universal Drama $52,411,671 14,127,135
13 Legal Eagles Jun 18, 1986 Universal Comedy $49,851,591 13,437,086
14 Cobra May 23, 1986 Cannon Action $49,042,224 13,218,928
15 Stand by Me Aug 8, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $47,734,510 12,866,444
16 The Color of Money Oct 17, 1986 Walt Disney Drama $44,852,668 12,089,667
17 Police Academy 3: Back in T… Mar 21, 1986 Warner Bros. Comedy $43,579,163 11,746,405
18 An American Tail Nov 21, 1986 Universal Adventure $42,865,605 11,554,071
19 Poltergeist II: The Other Side May 23, 1986 MGM Horror $40,996,665 11,050,314
20 Short Circuit May 9, 1986 Sony/TriStar Comedy $40,697,761 10,969,746
21 Pretty in Pink Feb 28, 1986 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $40,471,663 10,908,804
22 Peggy Sue Got Married Oct 10, 1986 Sony/TriStar Comedy $39,419,555 10,625,216
23 About Last Night... Jul 1, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $38,702,310 10,431,889
24 Running Scared Jun 27, 1986 MGM Comedy $38,500,726 10,377,554
25 The Fly Aug 15, 1986 20th Century Fox Horror $37,585,000 10,130,727
26 The Money Pit Mar 26, 1986 Universal Comedy $37,499,651 10,107,722
27 Gung Ho Mar 14, 1986 Paramount Pictures Comedy $36,611,610 9,868,358
28 Heartbreak Ridge Dec 5, 1986 Warner Bros. Action $35,831,841 9,658,178
29 Hannah and Her Sisters Feb 7, 1986 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $35,440,516 9,552,699
30 Nothing in Common Jul 30, 1986 Sony/TriStar Comedy $32,324,000 8,712,668
31 Three Amigos Dec 12, 1986 Orion Pictures Comedy $31,454,676 8,478,349
32 Soul Man Oct 24, 1986 New World Comedy $27,316,198 7,362,856
33 Murphy's Romance Dec 25, 1985 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $27,087,182 7,301,127
34 Wildcats Feb 14, 1986 Warner Bros. Comedy $26,285,544 7,085,052
35 Jumpin' Jack Flash Oct 10, 1986 20th Century Fox Comedy $25,587,804 6,896,982
36 Heartburn Jul 25, 1986 Paramount Pictures Comedy $25,314,289 6,823,258
37 The Jewel of the Nile Dec 11, 1985 20th Century Fox Adventure $24,534,668 6,613,118
38 Iron Eagle Jan 17, 1986 Sony/TriStar Action $24,159,872 6,512,094
39 Children of a Lesser God Oct 3, 1986 Paramount Pictures Drama $24,117,027 6,500,546
40 Little Shop of Horrors Dec 19, 1986 Warner Bros. Musical $23,636,730 6,371,086
41 The Great Mouse Detective Jul 2, 1986 Walt Disney Adventure $23,605,534 6,362,677
42 Rocky IV Nov 27, 1985 MGM Drama $22,348,825 6,023,942
43 Tough Guys Oct 3, 1986 Walt Disney Comedy $21,458,229 5,783,889
44 Lady and the Tramp Dec 19, 1986 Walt Disney Adventure $20,690,563 5,576,971
45 F/X Feb 7, 1986 Orion Pictures Action $20,603,715 5,553,561
46 Friday the 13th Part VI: Ja… Aug 1, 1986 Paramount Pictures Horror $19,472,057 5,248,532
47 House Feb 28, 1986 New World Horror $19,444,631 5,241,140
48 A Room with a View Mar 7, 1986 Cinecom Drama $19,168,056 5,166,591
49 Flight of the Navigator Jul 30, 1986 Walt Disney Adventure $18,564,613 5,003,938
50 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is … May 2, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $18,034,150 4,860,956
51 The Delta Force Feb 14, 1986 Cannon Action $17,005,599 4,583,719
52 Spies Like Us Dec 6, 1985 Warner Bros. Comedy $16,329,257 4,401,416
53 Howard the Duck Aug 1, 1986 Universal Action $16,295,774 4,392,391
54 Raw Deal Jun 6, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Action $16,209,459 4,369,126
55 Armed and Dangerous Aug 15, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $15,945,534 4,297,987
56 Legend Apr 18, 1986 Universal Adventure $15,502,112 4,178,466
57 Song of the South Nov 12, 1946 Walt Disney Musical $15,495,830 4,176,773
58 The Morning After Dec 25, 1986 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $15,487,917 4,174,640
59 Youngblood Jan 31, 1986 MGM Drama $15,448,400 4,163,989
60 Crimes of the Heart Dec 12, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Black Comedy $14,685,212 3,958,278
61 Psycho III Jul 2, 1986 Universal Horror $14,481,606 3,903,397
62 Sweet Liberty May 14, 1986 Universal Comedy $14,205,021 3,828,846
63 One Crazy Summer Aug 8, 1986 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $13,431,806 3,620,432
64 Extremities Aug 22, 1986 Atlantic Thriller/Suspense $13,418,091 3,616,736
65 Critters Apr 11, 1986 New Line Horror $13,167,232 3,549,119
66 April Fool's Day Mar 27, 1986 Paramount Pictures Horror $12,947,763 3,489,963
67 Labyrinth Jun 27, 1986 Sony Pictures Adventure $12,729,917 3,431,244
68 Club Paradise Jul 11, 1986 Warner Bros. Comedy $12,308,521 3,317,660
69 White Nights Nov 22, 1985 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $12,292,932 3,313,458
70 Firewalker Nov 21, 1986 Cannon Adventure $11,834,302 3,189,838
71 Big Trouble in Little China Jul 1, 1986 20th Century Fox Action $11,100,000 2,991,913
72 101 Dalmatians Dec 20, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $10,816,304 2,915,445
73 Under the Cherry Moon Jul 2, 1986 Warner Bros. Musical $10,090,429 2,719,792
74 Murphy's Law Apr 18, 1986 Cannon Action $9,947,631 2,681,302
75 SpaceCamp Jun 6, 1986 20th Century Fox Adventure $9,697,739 2,613,945
76 Sleeping Beauty Mar 21, 1986 Walt Disney Adventure $9,464,608 2,551,107
77 Deadly Friend Oct 10, 1986 Warner Bros. Horror $8,988,731 2,422,838
78 Platoon Dec 19, 1986 Orion Pictures Drama $8,822,404 2,378,006
79 Manhunter Aug 15, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Thriller/Suspense $8,620,929 2,323,700
80 Care Bears Movie II: A New … Mar 7, 1986 Sony Pictures Adventure $8,540,346 2,301,980
81 Wise Guys Apr 18, 1986 MGM Black Comedy $8,475,466 2,284,492
82 Something Wild Oct 22, 1986 Orion Pictures Comedy $8,362,000 2,253,908
83 Lucas Mar 28, 1986 20th Century Fox Comedy $8,200,000 2,210,242
84 Haunted Honeymoon Jul 25, 1986 Orion Pictures Comedy $8,033,397 2,165,336
85 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Aug 22, 1986 Cannon Horror $8,025,872 2,163,307
86 The Best of Times Jan 31, 1986 Universal Comedy $7,790,931 2,099,981
87 Quicksilver Feb 14, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $7,634,909 2,057,926
88 Maximum Overdrive Jul 25, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Horror $7,433,663 2,003,682
89 Runaway Train Dec 6, 1985 Cannon Action $7,401,309 1,994,961
90 The Boy Who Could Fly Aug 15, 1986 20th Century Fox Drama $7,177,431 1,934,617
91 The Name of the Rose Sep 24, 1986 20th Century Fox $7,153,000 1,928,032
92 Back to the Future Jul 3, 1985 Universal Adventure $6,988,149 1,883,598
93 Blue City May 2, 1986 Paramount Pictures Action $6,947,000 1,872,506
94 She's Gotta Have It Aug 8, 1986 Island Comedy $6,881,563 1,854,868
95 Nine 1/2 Weeks Feb 21, 1986 MGM Thriller/Suspense $6,734,844 1,815,321
96 Black Moon Rising Jan 10, 1986 New World Action $6,637,565 1,789,101
97 The Trip to Bountiful Dec 20, 1985 Island Drama $6,568,986 1,770,616
98 Just Between Friends Mar 21, 1986 Orion Pictures Drama $6,408,791 1,727,436
99 Hoosiers Nov 14, 1986 Orion Pictures Drama $6,088,022 1,640,976
100 A Fine Mess Aug 8, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $6,029,824 1,625,289
101 Trick or Treat Oct 24, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Horror $6,000,000 1,617,250
102 My Little Pony: The Movie Jun 6, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Adventure $5,958,456 1,606,052
103 Highlander Mar 7, 1986 20th Century Fox Action $5,900,000 1,590,296
104 The Transformers: The Movie Aug 8, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Adventure $5,849,647 1,576,724
105 The Hitcher Feb 21, 1986 Sony/TriStar Horror $5,844,868 1,575,436
106 Crossroads Mar 14, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $5,839,031 1,573,862
107 Mona Lisa Jun 13, 1986 Island Thriller/Suspense $5,794,000 1,561,725
108 52 Pick-Up Nov 7, 1986 Cannon Thriller/Suspense $5,186,646 1,398,017
109 Out of Bounds Jul 25, 1986 Thriller/Suspense $5,099,316 1,374,478
110 The Boys Next Door Mar 14, 1986 New World Drama $5,000,000 1,347,708
111 Invaders from Mars Jun 6, 1986 Cannon Horror $4,884,663 1,316,620
112 Band of the Hand Apr 11, 1986 Sony Pictures Action $4,865,912 1,311,566
113 Off Beat Apr 11, 1986 Walt Disney Comedy $4,842,778 1,305,330
114 Twice in a Lifetime Oct 23, 1985 Bud Yorkin Co. Drama $4,748,878 1,280,021
115 Violets Are Blue... Apr 11, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $4,743,287 1,278,514
116 Avenging Force Sep 12, 1986 Cannon Action $4,679,650 1,261,361
117 My Chauffeur Jan 24, 1986 Crown Romantic Comedy $4,676,892 1,260,617
118 Brazil Dec 18, 1985 Universal Black Comedy $4,648,940 1,253,083
119 Eliminators Jan 31, 1986 Empire Pictures Action $4,601,256 1,240,230
120 Fire with Fire May 9, 1986 Paramount Pictures Drama $4,577,139 1,233,730
121 Troll Jan 17, 1986 Empire Pictures Horror $4,542,346 1,224,352
122 A Chorus Line Dec 10, 1985 Sony Pictures Musical $4,517,692 1,217,706
123 Brighton Beach Memoirs Dec 25, 1986 Universal Comedy $4,088,194 1,101,939
124 That's Life! Sep 26, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $4,079,895 1,099,702
125 Enemy Mine Dec 20, 1985 20th Century Fox Adventure $4,005,684 1,079,699
126 Tai-Pan Nov 7, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Adventure $4,000,000 1,078,167
127 Vamp Jul 18, 1986 New World Comedy $4,000,000 1,078,167
128 The Manhattan Project Jun 13, 1986 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $3,900,000 1,051,212
129 Power Jan 31, 1986 20th Century Fox Drama $3,800,000 1,024,258
130 American Anthem Jun 27, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $3,571,624 962,701
131 The Wraith Nov 21, 1986 New Century Vista… Action $3,500,000 943,396
132 Born American Aug 29, 1986 Cinema Guild Action $3,401,376 916,812
133 Head Office Jan 3, 1986 Sony/TriStar Black Comedy $3,393,807 914,772
134 Bullies Aug 29, 1986 Universal Action $2,995,527 807,419
135 The Mission Oct 31, 1986 Warner Bros. Drama $2,964,116 798,953
136 Young Sherlock Holmes Dec 4, 1985 Paramount Pictures Adventure $2,918,243 786,588
137 The Mosquito Coast Dec 1, 1986 Warner Bros. Drama $2,705,260 729,180
138 The Men's Club Sep 19, 1986 Atlantic Drama $2,556,361 689,046
139 Streets of Gold Nov 14, 1986 20th Century Fox Drama $2,546,238 686,317
140 Desert Hearts Mar 7, 1986 Samuel Goldwyn Films Drama $2,492,088 671,721
141 At Close Range Apr 18, 1986 Orion Pictures Drama $2,347,000 632,614
142 Kiss of the Spider Woman Jul 26, 1985 Island/Alive Drama $2,327,431 627,339
143 Shanghai Surprise Aug 29, 1986 MGM $2,315,000 623,989
144 True Stories Oct 10, 1986 Musical $2,285,109 615,932
145 Nomads Mar 7, 1986 Atlantic Horror $2,278,264 614,087
146 No Retreat, No Surrender May 2, 1986 New World Action $2,273,045 612,680
147 Clue Dec 13, 1985 Paramount Pictures Comedy $2,245,304 605,203
148 No Mercy Dec 19, 1986 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $2,198,069 592,471
149 Turtle Diary Feb 14, 1986 Goldwyn Entertain… Drama $2,156,772 581,340
150 Heathcliff: The Movie Jan 17, 1986 Atlantic Adventure $2,091,504 563,747
151 ‘Round Midnight Oct 3, 1986 Warner Bros. Drama $2,030,165 547,214
152 Dangerously Close May 9, 1986 Cannon Thriller/Suspense $2,026,765 546,297
153 Blue Velvet Sep 19, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Thriller/Suspense $2,001,333 539,442
154 Playing for Keeps Oct 3, 1986 Universal Romantic Comedy $2,000,000 539,083
155 Wisdom Dec 31, 1986 20th Century Fox $1,994,197 537,519
156 The Clan of the Cave Bear Jan 17, 1986 Warner Bros. Adventure $1,953,732 526,612
157 Three Men and a Cradle Apr 25, 1986 Samuel Goldwyn Films Comedy $1,947,994 525,065
158 Hey There, It's Yogi Bear Jan 17, 1986 Atlantic Adventure $1,940,903 523,154
159 The Journey of Natty Gann Sep 27, 1985 Walt Disney Adventure $1,771,442 477,477
160 Jagged Edge Oct 4, 1985 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $1,723,064 464,437
161 Link Sep 19, 1986 Horror $1,720,450 463,733
162 Pirates Jul 1, 1986 $1,641,825 442,540
163 Solarbabies Nov 26, 1986 MGM $1,579,260 425,676
164 The Gods Must Be Crazy Jul 9, 1984 20th Century Fox Comedy $1,551,704 418,249
165 Salvador Apr 23, 1986 Hemdale Drama $1,500,000 404,312
166 Clockwise Oct 10, 1986 Universal Comedy $1,476,356 397,939
167 Sky Bandits Oct 31, 1986 Galaxy Internatio… Action $1,468,500 395,822
168 Belizaire the Cajun Jun 13, 1986 Skouras Drama $1,444,618 389,384
169 Down by Law Sep 26, 1986 Island/Alive $1,436,000 387,061
170 Rad Mar 21, 1986 Sony Pictures Drama $1,360,632 366,747
171 GoBots: Battle of the Rock … Mar 21, 1986 Adventure $1,338,264 360,718
172 8 Million Ways to Die Apr 25, 1986 Sony Pictures Action $1,305,114 351,782
173 Touch and Go Aug 22, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $1,300,000 350,404
174 Ran Dec 20, 1985 Rialto Pictures Drama $1,273,163 343,170
175 Witchboard Dec 31, 1986 Cinema Guild Horror $1,250,236 336,990
176 King Kong Lives Dec 19, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Adventure $1,246,204 335,904
177 Half Moon Street Jan 1, 1986 Drama $1,131,399 304,959
178 From Beyond Oct 24, 1986 Empire Pictures Horror $1,070,053 288,423
179 Jake Speed May 30, 1986 New World Adventure $1,058,048 285,188
180 The Adventures of the Ameri… Jan 17, 1986 Atlantic Adventure $1,023,042 275,752
181 Deadtime Stories Nov 28, 1986 Palisades Horror $1,014,331 273,404
182 Absolute Beginners Apr 18, 1986 Orion Pictures Musical $930,211 250,730
183 The Naked Cage Mar 7, 1986 Cannon Action $897,589 241,937
184 Defence of the Realm Nov 21, 1986 Thriller/Suspense $663,291 178,784
185 The Adventures of Mark Twain Jan 17, 1986 Atlantic Adventure $646,803 174,340
186 To Live and Die in L.A. Nov 1, 1985 MGM Action $606,146 163,381
187 Knights of the City Feb 14, 1986 New World Action $601,451 162,116
188 Night of the Creeps Aug 22, 1986 Sony/TriStar Horror $591,366 159,397
189 Nobody's Fool Nov 1, 1986 Romantic Comedy $563,568 151,905
190 Parting Glances Feb 19, 1986 Cinecom Drama $537,681 144,927
191 Water Apr 18, 1986 Atlantic Adventure $510,136 137,502
192 'Night Mother Sep 12, 1986 $441,863 119,100
193 Fool For Love Dec 6, 1985 Cannon Drama $400,603 107,979
194 Native Son Dec 12, 1986 Cinecom Drama $374,554 100,957
195 La cage aux folles 3 - 'Ell… Feb 14, 1986 United Artists Comedy $345,280 93,067
196 Desert Bloom Apr 18, 1986 Columbia Drama $343,127 92,487
197 The Decline of the American… Nov 14, 1986 Self Distributed Comedy $331,516 89,357
198 TerrorVision Feb 14, 1986 Empire Pictures Horror $320,256 86,322
199 Dream Lover Feb 21, 1986 MGM Thriller/Suspense $316,809 85,393
200 Sincerely Charlotte Jul 18, 1986 New Line Drama $300,544 81,009
201 Every Time We Say Goodbye Nov 14, 1986 Sony/TriStar Drama $278,623 75,100
202 Lady Jane Feb 7, 1986 Paramount Pictures Drama $277,646 74,837
203 The Boy in Blue Jan 17, 1986 20th Century Fox Drama $275,000 74,123
204 The Longshot Jan 17, 1986 Orion Pictures Comedy $256,301 69,083
205 The Whoopee Boys Aug 15, 1986 Paramount Pictures Comedy $240,464 64,815
206 King Solomon's Mines Nov 22, 1985 Cannon Adventure $238,227 64,212
207 Willy/Milly Nov 14, 1986 $214,000 57,681
208 Radioactive Dreams Sep 19, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Adventure $210,212 56,660
209 Matador Jan 1, 1986 Thriller/Suspense $206,952 55,782
210 Otello Sep 12, 1986 Cannon $189,042 50,954
211 Revolution Dec 25, 1985 Warner Bros. Drama $170,059 45,838
212 Thunder Run May 30, 1986 Cannon Action $145,975 39,346
213 Let's Get Harry Oct 31, 1986 Action $140,980 38,000
214 Never too Young to Die Jun 13, 1986 Paul Entertainment Adventure $129,508 34,907
215 Santa Claus Nov 29, 1985 Sony/TriStar Adventure $124,150 33,463
216 Weekend Warriors Sep 26, 1986 Moviestore Entert… Comedy $107,846 29,069
217 Welcome to 18 Nov 14, 1986 Green Griffin Comedy $97,446 26,265
218 American Justice Sep 19, 1986 MGM Action $89,352 24,084
219 Hardbodies 2 Jan 1, 1986 $78,000 21,024
220 The Girl in the Picture Jul 9, 1986 Samuel Goldwyn Films Romantic Comedy $76,350 20,579
221 Low Blow Apr 25, 1986 Crown International Action $63,860 17,212
222 A Man and a Woman: 20 Years… Aug 15, 1986 Warner Bros. Drama $56,821 15,315
223 The Mystery of Picasso Feb 21, 1986 Goldwyn Entertain… Documentary $50,253 13,545
224 Miss Mary Dec 19, 1986 New World Drama $49,432 13,323
225 Wetherby Jul 19, 1985 MGM/UA Classics Drama $42,592 11,480
226 Stripper Jan 31, 1986 20th Century Fox Documentary $39,065 10,529
227 The Imagemaker Jan 24, 1986 Castle Hill Produ… Thriller/Suspense $24,562 6,620
228 The Frog Prince Feb 21, 1986 Warner Bros. Comedy $14,845 4,001
229 Kaos Feb 14, 1986 MGM/UA Classics Drama $11,412 3,076
230 Duet for One Jan 1, 1986 Drama $9,000 2,425
231 Malcolm Jul 18, 1986 Vestron Comedy $7,064 1,904
232 Bliss Feb 21, 1986 New World Comedy $6,998 1,886
233 90 Days Sep 5, 1986 Cinecom Romantic Comedy $5,620 1,514
234 Crimewave Apr 25, 1986 Sony Pictures Comedy $5,101 1,374
235 Body Slam Nov 21, 1986 De Laurentiis Ent… Comedy $4,520 1,218
236 Sharma and Beyond Jan 15, 1986 Cinecom Drama $3,125 842
237 Those Glory, Glory Days Jan 22, 1986 Cinecom Comedy $2,968 800
238 Arthur's Hallowed Ground Feb 5, 1986 Cinecom Comedy $1,726 465
239 Winter Flight Feb 14, 1986 Cinecom Drama $1,621 436
240 Fast Talking Apr 23, 1986 Cinecom Drama $1,488 401
Total Gross of All Movies$3,050,400,641
Total Tickets Sold822,210,297

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.