1986 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

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.

To see the top movies released in 1986 (ranked by their total cumulative gross across all years), click the “Released in 1986” button below.

Inflation-adjusted figures are based on ticket sale estimates.

Show ActualsReleased in 1986
RankMovieRelease DateDistributorGenre1986 Gross
Infl. adj.
Tickets Sold
1Top GunMay 16, 1986Paramount PicturesAction$553,960,52446,317,769
2Crocodile DundeeSep 26, 1986Paramount PicturesComedy$417,759,23134,929,701
3The Karate Kid, Part IIJun 20, 1986Sony PicturesAction$371,062,96231,025,331
4Back to SchoolJun 13, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$294,190,21024,597,843
5AliensJul 18, 198620th Century FoxAction$274,532,76722,954,244
6Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeNov 26, 1986Paramount PicturesAdventure$270,365,83922,605,839
7The Color PurpleDec 18, 1985Warner Bros.Drama$258,259,11421,593,571
8Ruthless PeopleJun 27, 1986Walt DisneyBlack Comedy$230,898,53219,305,897
9Ferris Bueller’s Day OffJun 11, 1986Paramount PicturesComedy$226,099,99318,904,681
10Down and Out in Beverly HillsJan 31, 1986Walt DisneyComedy$200,303,32416,747,769
11The Golden ChildDec 12, 1986Paramount PicturesAction$175,694,93414,690,211
12Out of AfricaDec 18, 1985UniversalDrama$168,960,53514,127,135
13Legal EaglesJun 18, 1986UniversalComedy$160,707,55513,437,086
14CobraMay 23, 1986CannonAction$158,098,38213,218,928
15Stand by MeAug 8, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$153,882,67912,866,444
16The Color of MoneyOct 17, 1986Walt DisneyDrama$144,592,42812,089,667
17Police Academy 3: Back in Tra…Mar 21, 1986Warner Bros.Comedy$140,487,00511,746,405
18An American TailNov 21, 1986UniversalAdventure$138,186,69411,554,071
19Poltergeist II: The Other SideMay 23, 1986MGMHorror$132,161,75611,050,314
20Short CircuitMay 9, 1986Sony/TriStarComedy$131,198,17310,969,746
21Pretty in PinkFeb 28, 1986Paramount PicturesRomantic Comedy$130,469,29610,908,804
22Peggy Sue Got MarriedOct 10, 1986Sony/TriStarComedy$127,077,59510,625,216
23About Last Night...Jul 1, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$124,765,39810,431,889
24Running ScaredJun 27, 1986MGMComedy$124,115,54810,377,554
25The FlyAug 15, 198620th Century FoxHorror$121,163,50410,130,727
26The Money PitMar 26, 1986UniversalComedy$120,888,36310,107,722
27Gung HoMar 14, 1986Paramount PicturesComedy$118,025,5689,868,358
28Heartbreak RidgeDec 5, 1986Warner Bros.Drama$115,511,8119,658,178
29Hannah and Her SistersFeb 7, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$114,250,2899,552,699
30Nothing in CommonJul 30, 1986Sony/TriStarComedy$104,203,5158,712,668
31Three AmigosDec 12, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$101,401,0588,478,349
32Soul ManOct 24, 1986New WorldComedy$88,059,7657,362,856
33Murphy's RomanceDec 25, 1985Sony PicturesRomantic Comedy$87,321,4827,301,127
34WildcatsFeb 14, 1986Warner Bros.Comedy$84,737,2257,085,052
35Jumpin' Jack FlashOct 10, 198620th Century FoxComedy$82,487,9076,896,982
36HeartburnJul 25, 1986Paramount PicturesComedy$81,606,1726,823,258
37The Jewel of the NileDec 11, 198520th Century FoxAdventure$79,092,8926,613,118
38Iron EagleJan 17, 1986Sony/TriStarAction$77,884,6556,512,094
39Children of a Lesser GodOct 3, 1986Paramount PicturesDrama$77,746,5346,500,546
40Little Shop of HorrorsDec 19, 1986Warner Bros.Musical$76,583,7196,403,321
41The Great Mouse DetectiveJul 2, 1986Walt DisneyAdventure$76,097,6246,362,677
42Rocky IVNov 27, 1985MGMDrama$72,046,3476,023,942
43Tough GuysOct 3, 1986Walt DisneyComedy$69,175,3155,783,889
44Lady and the TrampJun 22, 1955Adventure$66,700,5755,576,971
45F/XFeb 7, 1986Orion PicturesAction$66,420,6015,553,561
46Friday the 13th Part VI: Jaso…Aug 1, 1986Paramount PicturesHorror$62,772,4535,248,532
47HouseFeb 28, 1986New WorldHorror$62,684,0405,241,140
48A Room with a ViewMar 7, 1986CinecomDrama$61,792,4395,166,591
49Flight of the NavigatorJul 30, 1986Walt DisneyAdventure$59,847,1085,003,938
50Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Ca…May 2, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$58,137,0444,860,956
51The Delta ForceFeb 14, 1986CannonAction$54,821,2844,583,719
52Spies Like UsDec 6, 1985Warner Bros.Comedy$52,640,9474,401,416
53Howard the DuckAug 1, 1986UniversalAction$52,533,0074,392,391
54Raw DealJun 6, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Action$52,254,7524,369,126
55Armed and DangerousAug 15, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$51,403,9324,297,987
56LegendApr 18, 1986UniversalAdventure$49,974,4634,178,466
57Song of the SouthNov 12, 1946Musical$49,954,2124,176,773
58The Morning AfterDec 25, 198620th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$49,928,7034,174,640
59YoungbloodJan 31, 1986MGMDrama$49,801,3114,163,989
60Crimes of the HeartDec 12, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Black Comedy$47,341,0073,958,278
61Psycho IIIJul 2, 1986UniversalHorror$46,684,6383,903,397
62Sweet LibertyMay 14, 1986UniversalComedy$45,793,0063,828,846
63One Crazy SummerAug 8, 1986Warner Bros.Romantic Comedy$43,300,3773,620,432
64ExtremitiesAug 22, 1986AtlanticThriller/Suspense$43,256,1643,616,736
65CrittersApr 11, 1986New LineHorror$42,447,4653,549,119
66April Fool's DayMar 27, 1986Paramount PicturesHorror$41,739,9583,489,963
67LabyrinthJun 27, 1986Sony PicturesAdventure$41,037,6843,431,244
68Club ParadiseJul 11, 1986Warner Bros.Comedy$39,679,2213,317,660
69White NightsNov 22, 1985Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$39,628,9673,313,458
70FirewalkerNov 21, 1986CannonAdventure$38,150,4723,189,838
71Big Trouble in Little ChinaJul 1, 198620th Century FoxAction$35,783,2882,991,913
72101 DalmatiansJan 25, 1961Walt DisneyAdventure$34,868,7322,915,445
73Under the Cherry MoonJul 2, 1986Warner Bros.Musical$32,528,7152,719,792
74Murphy's LawApr 18, 1986CannonAction$32,068,3742,681,302
75SpaceCampJun 6, 198620th Century FoxAdventure$31,262,7922,613,945
76Sleeping BeautyJan 29, 1959Walt DisneyAdventure$30,511,2432,551,107
77Deadly FriendOct 10, 1986Warner Bros.Horror$28,977,1492,422,838
78PlatoonDec 19, 1986Orion PicturesDrama$28,440,9572,378,006
79ManhunterAug 15, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Thriller/Suspense$27,791,4582,323,700
80Care Bears Movie II: A New Ge…Mar 7, 1986Sony PicturesAdventure$27,531,6812,301,980
81Wise GuysApr 18, 1986MGMBlack Comedy$27,322,5272,284,492
82Something WildOct 22, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$26,956,7442,253,908
83LucasMar 28, 198620th Century FoxComedy$26,434,5012,210,242
84Haunted HoneymoonJul 25, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$25,897,4202,165,336
85The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2Aug 22, 1986CannonHorror$25,873,1612,163,307
86The Best of TimesJan 31, 1986UniversalComedy$25,115,7782,099,981
87QuicksilverFeb 14, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$24,612,8062,057,926
88Maximum OverdriveJul 25, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Horror$23,964,0462,003,682
89Runaway TrainDec 6, 1985CannonAction$23,859,7451,994,961
90The Boy Who Could FlyAug 15, 198620th Century FoxDrama$23,138,0261,934,617
91The Name of the RoseSep 24, 198620th Century Fox$23,059,2671,928,032
92Back to the FutureJul 3, 1985UniversalAdventure$22,527,8331,883,598
93Blue CityMay 2, 1986Paramount PicturesAction$22,395,1811,872,506
94She’s Gotta Have ItAug 8, 1986IslandComedy$22,184,2301,854,868
95Nine 1/2 WeeksFeb 21, 1986MGMThriller/Suspense$21,711,2491,815,321
96Black Moon RisingJan 10, 1986New WorldAction$21,397,6491,789,101
97The Trip to BountifulDec 20, 1985IslandDrama$21,176,5691,770,616
98Just Between FriendsMar 21, 1986Orion PicturesDrama$20,660,1461,727,436
99HoosiersNov 14, 1986Orion PicturesDrama$19,626,0761,640,976
100A Fine MessAug 8, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$19,438,4621,625,289
101Trick or TreatOct 24, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Horror$19,342,3181,617,250
102My Little Pony: The MovieJun 6, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Adventure$19,208,3921,606,052
103HighlanderMar 7, 198620th Century FoxAction$19,019,9461,590,296
104The Transformers: The MovieAug 8, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Adventure$18,857,6221,576,724
105The HitcherFeb 21, 1986Sony/TriStarHorror$18,842,2161,575,436
106CrossroadsMar 14, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$18,823,3991,573,862
107Mona LisaJun 13, 1986IslandThriller/Suspense$18,678,2321,561,725
10852 Pick-UpNov 7, 1986CannonThriller/Suspense$16,720,2931,398,017
109Out of BoundsJul 25, 1986Thriller/Suspense$16,438,7651,374,478
110The Boys Next DoorMar 14, 1986New WorldDrama$16,118,5981,347,708
111Invaders from MarsJun 6, 1986CannonHorror$15,746,7841,316,620
112Band of the HandApr 11, 1986Sony PicturesAction$15,686,3361,311,566
113Off BeatApr 11, 1986Walt DisneyComedy$15,611,7591,305,330
114Twice in a LifetimeOct 23, 1985Bud Yorkin Co.Drama$15,309,0511,280,021
115Violets Are Blue...Apr 11, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$15,291,0281,278,514
116Avenging ForceSep 12, 1986CannonAction$15,085,8801,261,361
117My ChauffeurJan 24, 1986CrownRomantic Comedy$15,076,9891,260,617
118BrazilDec 18, 1985UniversalBlack Comedy$14,986,8791,253,083
119EliminatorsJan 31, 1986Empire PicturesAction$14,833,1601,240,230
120Fire with FireMay 9, 1986Paramount PicturesDrama$14,755,4131,233,730
121TrollJan 17, 1986Empire PicturesHorror$14,643,2501,224,352
122A Chorus LineDec 10, 1985Sony PicturesMusical$14,563,7731,217,706
123Brighton Beach MemoirsDec 25, 1986UniversalComedy$13,179,1911,101,939
124That's Life!Sep 26, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$13,152,4381,099,702
125Enemy MineDec 20, 198520th Century FoxAdventure$12,913,2021,079,699
126Tai-PanNov 7, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Adventure$12,894,8791,078,167
127VampJul 18, 1986New WorldComedy$12,894,8791,078,167
128The Manhattan ProjectJun 13, 198620th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$12,572,5071,051,212
129PowerJan 31, 198620th Century FoxDrama$12,250,1351,024,258
130American AnthemJun 27, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$11,513,915962,701
131The WraithNov 21, 1986New Century Vista…Action$11,283,019943,396
132Born AmericanAug 29, 1986Cinema GuildAction$10,965,083916,812
133Head OfficeJan 3, 1986Sony/TriStarBlack Comedy$10,940,682914,772
134BulliesAug 29, 1986UniversalAction$9,656,739807,419
135The MissionOct 31, 1986Warner Bros.Drama$9,555,479798,953
136Young Sherlock HolmesDec 4, 1985Paramount PicturesAdventure$9,407,597786,588
137The Mosquito CoastDec 1, 1986Warner Bros.Drama$8,721,000729,180
138The Men's ClubSep 19, 1986AtlanticDrama$8,240,991689,046
139Streets of GoldNov 14, 198620th Century FoxDrama$8,208,358686,317
140Desert HeartsMar 7, 1986Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Drama$8,033,793671,721
141At Close RangeApr 18, 1986Orion PicturesDrama$7,566,070632,614
142Kiss of the Spider WomanJul 26, 1985Island/AliveDrama$7,502,985627,339
143Shanghai SurpriseAug 29, 1986MGM$7,462,911623,989
144True StoriesOct 10, 1986Musical$7,366,551615,932
145NomadsMar 7, 1986AtlanticHorror$7,344,484614,087
146No Retreat, No SurrenderMay 2, 1986New WorldAction$7,327,660612,680
147ClueDec 13, 1985Paramount PicturesComedy$7,238,231605,203
148No MercyDec 19, 1986Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$7,085,958592,471
149Turtle DiaryFeb 14, 1986Goldwyn Entertain…Drama$6,952,828581,340
150Heathcliff: The MovieJan 17, 1986AtlanticAdventure$6,742,423563,747
151‘Round MidnightOct 3, 1986Warner Bros.Drama$6,544,683547,214
152Dangerously CloseMay 9, 1986CannonThriller/Suspense$6,533,722546,297
153Blue VelvetSep 19, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Thriller/Suspense$6,451,737539,442
154Playing for KeepsOct 3, 1986UniversalRomantic Comedy$6,447,439539,083
155WisdomDec 31, 198620th Century Fox$6,428,732537,519
156The Clan of the Cave BearJan 17, 1986Warner Bros.Adventure$6,298,284526,612
1573 hommes et un couffinApr 25, 1986Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Comedy$6,279,787525,065
158Hey There, It's Yogi BearJun 3, 1964AtlanticAdventure$6,256,927523,154
159The Journey of Natty GannSep 27, 1985Walt DisneyAdventure$5,710,632477,477
160Jagged EdgeOct 4, 1985Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$5,554,675464,437
161LinkSep 19, 1986Horror$5,546,249463,733
162PiratesJul 1, 1986$5,292,784442,540
163SolarbabiesNov 26, 1986MGM$5,091,092425,676
164The Gods Must Be CrazyJul 9, 198420th Century FoxComedy$5,002,259418,249
165SalvadorApr 23, 1986HemdaleDrama$4,835,580404,312
166ClockwiseOct 10, 1986UniversalComedy$4,759,358397,939
167Sky BanditsOct 31, 1986Galaxy Internatio…Action$4,734,032395,822
168Belizaire the CajunJun 13, 1986SkourasDrama$4,657,043389,384
169Down by LawSep 26, 1986Island/Alive$4,629,261387,061
170RadMar 21, 1986Sony PicturesDrama$4,386,296366,747
171GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lo…Mar 21, 1986Adventure$4,314,188360,718
1728 Million Ways to DieApr 25, 1986Sony PicturesAction$4,207,322351,782
173Touch and GoAug 22, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$4,190,836350,404
174RanDec 20, 1985Rialto PicturesDrama$4,104,321343,170
175WitchboardDec 31, 1986Cinema GuildHorror$4,030,410336,990
176King Kong LivesDec 19, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Adventure$4,017,412335,904
177Half Moon StreetJan 1, 1986Drama$3,647,313304,959
178From BeyondOct 24, 1986Empire PicturesHorror$3,449,551288,423
179Jake SpeedMay 30, 1986New WorldAdventure$3,410,850285,188
180The Adventures of the America…Jan 17, 1986AtlanticAdventure$3,298,001275,752
181Deadtime StoriesNov 28, 1986PalisadesHorror$3,269,919273,404
182Absolute BeginnersApr 18, 1986Orion PicturesMusical$2,998,740250,730
183The Naked CageMar 7, 1986CannonAction$2,893,575241,937
184Defense of the RealmNov 21, 1986Thriller/Suspense$2,138,264178,784
185The Adventures of Mark TwainJan 17, 1986AtlanticAdventure$2,085,112174,340
186To Live and Die in L.A.Nov 1, 1985MGMAction$1,954,045163,381
187Knights of the CityFeb 14, 1986New WorldAction$1,938,909162,116
188Night of the CreepsAug 22, 1986Sony/TriStarHorror$1,906,398159,397
189Nobody’s FoolNov 1, 1986Romantic Comedy$1,816,785151,905
190Parting GlancesFeb 19, 1986CinecomDrama$1,733,333144,927
191WaterApr 18, 1986AtlanticAdventure$1,644,535137,502
192'Night MotherSep 12, 1986$1,424,442119,100
193Fool For LoveDec 6, 1985CannonDrama$1,291,432107,979
194Native SonDec 12, 1986CinecomDrama$1,207,457100,957
195La cage aux folles 3 - 'Elles…Feb 14, 1986United ArtistsComedy$1,113,08693,067
196Desert BloomApr 18, 1986ColumbiaDrama$1,106,14592,487
197Le déclin de l'empire américa…Nov 14, 1986Self DistributedComedy$1,068,71589,357
198TerrorVisionFeb 14, 1986Empire PicturesHorror$1,032,41686,322
199Dream LoverFeb 21, 1986MGMThriller/Suspense$1,021,30385,393
200Signé CharlotteJul 18, 1986New LineDrama$968,87081,009
201Every Time We Say GoodbyeNov 14, 1986Sony/TriStarDrama$898,20275,100
202Lady JaneFeb 7, 1986Paramount PicturesDrama$895,05374,837
203The Boy in BlueJan 17, 198620th Century FoxDrama$886,52374,123
204The LongshotJan 17, 1986Orion PicturesComedy$826,24369,083
205The Whoopee BoysAug 15, 1986Paramount PicturesComedy$775,18964,815
206King Solomon's MinesNov 22, 1985CannonAdventure$767,97764,212
207Willy/MillyNov 14, 1986$689,87657,681
208Radioactive DreamsSep 19, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Adventure$677,66556,660
209MatadorJan 1, 1986Thriller/Suspense$667,15555,782
210OtelloSep 12, 1986Cannon$609,41850,954
211RevolutionDec 25, 1985Warner Bros.Drama$548,22345,838
212Thunder RunMay 30, 1986CannonAction$470,58239,346
213Let's Get HarryOct 31, 1986Action$454,48038,000
214Never too Young to DieJun 13, 1986Paul EntertainmentAdventure$417,49734,907
215Santa ClausNov 29, 1985Sony/TriStarAdventure$400,22533,463
216Weekend WarriorsSep 26, 1986Moviestore Entert…Comedy$347,66529,069
217Welcome to 18Nov 14, 1986Green GriffinComedy$314,13926,265
218JackalsSep 19, 1986MGMAction$288,04624,084
219Hardbodies 2Jan 1, 1986$251,45021,024
220The Girl in the PictureJul 9, 1986Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Romantic Comedy$246,13120,579
221Low BlowApr 25, 1986Crown Internation…Action$205,86717,212
222Un homme et une femme, 20 ans…Aug 15, 1986Warner Bros.Drama$183,17515,315
223Le mystère PicassoOct 7, 1957Goldwyn Entertain…Documentary$162,00213,545
224Miss MaryDec 19, 1986New WorldDrama$159,35513,323
225WetherbyJul 19, 1985MGM/UA ClassicsDrama$137,30511,480
226StripperJan 31, 198620th Century FoxDocumentary$125,93510,529
227The ImagemakerJan 24, 1986Castle Hill Produ…Thriller/Suspense$79,1816,620
228El amor brujoDec 23, 1986Orion ClassicsDrama$56,7834,747
229The Frog PrinceFeb 21, 1986Warner Bros.Comedy$47,8564,001
230KaosFeb 14, 1986MGM/UA ClassicsDrama$36,7893,076
231Duet for OneJan 1, 1986Drama$29,0132,425
232MalcolmJul 18, 1986VestronComedy$22,7721,904
233BlissFeb 21, 1986New WorldComedy$22,5601,886
23490 DaysSep 5, 1986CinecomRomantic Comedy$18,1171,514
235CrimewaveApr 25, 1986Sony PicturesComedy$16,4441,374
236Body SlamNov 21, 1986De Laurentiis Ent…Comedy$14,5711,218
237Sharma and BeyondJan 15, 1986CinecomDrama$10,074842
238Those Glory, Glory DaysJan 22, 1986CinecomComedy$9,568800
239Arthur's Hallowed GroundFeb 5, 1986CinecomComedy$5,564465
240Winter FlightFeb 14, 1986CinecomDrama$5,226436
241Fast TalkingApr 23, 1986CinecomDrama$4,797401