1988 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1988. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1988. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1987 will most likely earn money in 1987 and 1988.

To see the top movies released in 1988 (ranked by their total cumulative gross across all years), click the “Released in 1988” button below.

Inflation-adjusted figures are based on ticket sale estimates.

Show ActualsReleased in 1988
RankMovieRelease DateDistributorGenre1988 Gross
Infl. adj.
Tickets Sold
1Who Framed Roger Rabbit?Jun 22, 1988Walt DisneyComedy$441,352,42236,902,376
2Coming to AmericaJun 29, 1988Paramount PicturesRomantic Comedy$372,920,07831,180,608
3Good Morning VietnamDec 23, 1987Black Comedy$354,001,35129,598,775
4BigJun 3, 198820th Century FoxComedy$327,532,80627,385,686
5Crocodile Dundee 2May 25, 1988Paramount PicturesAction$318,078,41226,595,184
63 Men and a BabyNov 25, 1987Walt DisneyComedy$233,065,01219,487,041
7CocktailJul 29, 1988Walt DisneyDrama$227,626,30819,032,300
8MoonstruckDec 16, 1987Romantic Comedy$224,216,88418,747,231
9Die HardJul 15, 198820th Century FoxAction$222,052,78518,566,286
10BeetlejuiceMar 30, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$221,485,96018,518,892
11TwinsDec 9, 1988UniversalComedy$212,716,77117,785,683
12Oliver & CompanyNov 18, 1988Walt DisneyAdventure$188,982,02015,801,172
13A Fish Called WandaJul 15, 1988MGMComedy$184,763,08515,448,418
14WillowMay 20, 1988Sony PicturesAdventure$166,653,90813,934,273
15The Naked Gun: From the Files…Dec 2, 1988Paramount PicturesComedy$160,018,09313,379,439
16ScroogedNov 23, 1988Paramount PicturesComedy$159,805,93213,361,699
17Rambo IIIMay 25, 1988Sony/TriStarAction$156,311,12113,069,491
18Bull DurhamJun 15, 1988Orion PicturesRomantic Comedy$148,084,96312,381,685
19A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: …Aug 19, 1988New LineHorror$143,665,20512,012,140
20Rain ManDec 16, 1988MGMComedy$137,280,64811,478,315
21ColorsApr 15, 1988Orion PicturesAction$135,651,62111,342,108
22Young GunsAug 12, 198820th Century FoxWestern$130,153,44610,882,395
23Biloxi BluesMar 25, 1988UniversalComedy$125,666,71110,507,250
24The Great OutdoorsJun 17, 1988UniversalComedy$120,633,71110,086,430
25Big BusinessJun 10, 1988Walt DisneyComedy$116,836,9409,768,974
26The Land Before TimeNov 18, 1988UniversalAdventure$116,812,1159,766,899
27Midnight RunJul 20, 1988UniversalAction$111,782,6599,346,376
28The Dead PoolJul 13, 1988Warner Bros.Action$110,296,8089,222,141
29Red HeatJun 17, 1988Sony/TriStarAction$101,833,5748,514,512
30The Last EmperorNov 20, 1987Sony PicturesDrama$101,063,3188,450,110
31The AccusedOct 14, 1988Paramount PicturesDrama$93,347,1257,804,943
32Tequila SunriseDec 2, 1988Warner Bros.Thriller/Suspense$87,948,5767,353,559
33Shoot to KillFeb 12, 1988Walt DisneyAction$85,262,2877,128,953
34Child’s PlayNov 9, 1988United ArtistsHorror$83,627,5656,992,271
35Ernest Saves ChristmasNov 11, 1988Walt DisneyComedy$82,067,4516,861,827
36Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsDec 14, 1988Orion PicturesComedy$81,153,5676,785,415
37Broadcast NewsDec 16, 198720th Century FoxComedy$76,538,1426,399,510
38BetrayedAug 26, 1988United ArtistsThriller/Suspense$75,124,3366,281,299
39Funny FarmJun 3, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$74,312,6926,213,435
40Alien NationOct 7, 198820th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$73,378,6546,135,338
41Gorillas in the MistSep 23, 1988UniversalDrama$71,935,9926,014,715
42License to DriveJul 6, 198820th Century FoxComedy$65,283,1945,458,461
43Married to the MobAug 19, 1988Orion PicturesComedy$62,525,9405,227,921
44PunchlineSep 30, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$61,202,6085,117,274
45Short Circuit 2Jul 6, 1988Sony/TriStarComedy$60,766,1125,080,778
46Action JacksonFeb 12, 1988Lorimar Motion Pi…Action$58,447,4584,886,911
47The PresidioJun 10, 1988Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$58,304,2734,874,939
48The Serpent and the RainbowFeb 5, 1988UniversalHorror$57,020,9734,767,639
49Police Academy 5: Assignment:…Mar 18, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$56,773,6254,746,958
50BambiAug 13, 1942Walt DisneyAdventure$55,979,0274,680,520
51Friday the 13th Part VII: The…May 13, 1988Paramount PicturesHorror$55,784,2364,664,233
52Fatal AttractionSep 18, 1987Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$55,565,9824,645,985
53The Seventh SignApr 1, 1988Sony/TriStarHorror$54,925,8234,592,460
54Above the LawApr 8, 1988Warner Bros.Action$54,910,1674,591,151
55Working GirlDec 20, 198820th Century FoxComedy$54,779,8094,580,251
56Halloween 4: The Return of Mi…Oct 1, 1988Galaxy Internatio…Horror$51,706,6514,323,298
57FranticFeb 26, 1988Warner Bros.Thriller/Suspense$51,323,2414,291,240
58Johnny Be GoodMar 25, 1988Orion PicturesComedy$50,925,7354,258,004
59For Keeps?Jan 15, 1988Sony/TriStarDrama$49,469,5864,136,253
60Mississippi BurningDec 9, 1988Orion PicturesDrama$47,572,4023,977,625
61Bright Lights, Big CityApr 1, 1988United ArtistsDrama$46,903,2123,921,673
62She's Having a BabyFeb 5, 1988Paramount PicturesRomantic Comedy$46,651,8773,900,658
63MasqueradeMar 11, 1988MGMThriller/Suspense$46,140,0743,857,865
64Throw Momma From the TrainDec 11, 1987Orion PicturesBlack Comedy$45,867,7933,835,099
65Big Top Pee-WeeJul 22, 1988Paramount PicturesAdventure$44,005,5953,679,397
66Arthur 2: On the RocksJul 8, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$42,721,9123,572,066
67School DazeFeb 12, 1988Sony PicturesDrama$42,328,0523,539,134
68Tucker: The Man and His DreamAug 12, 1988Paramount PicturesDrama$41,915,9383,504,677
69Poltergeist IIIJun 10, 1988MGMHorror$41,071,3973,434,063
70Stand and DeliverApr 1, 1988Drama$40,724,8773,405,090
71The Milagro Beanfield WarMar 18, 1988UniversalComedy$40,232,7243,363,940
72Return to Snowy RiverApr 15, 1988Walt DisneyWestern$39,828,9163,330,176
73Vice VersaMar 11, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$39,762,0823,324,588
74They LiveNov 4, 1988UniversalThriller/Suspense$37,855,6643,165,189
75Cocoon: The ReturnNov 23, 198820th Century FoxAdventure$37,601,5273,143,940
76D.O.A.Mar 18, 1988Walt DisneyThriller/Suspense$36,975,5423,091,600
77Everybody’s All-AmericanNov 4, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$36,777,1283,075,010
78Eddie Murphy: RawDec 18, 1987Paramount PicturesConcert/Performance$36,336,9193,038,203
79Casual Sex?Apr 22, 1988UniversalComedy$35,726,0512,987,127
80BloodsportFeb 26, 1988CannonAction$34,355,5192,872,535
81Caddyshack IIJul 22, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$34,332,7722,870,633
82Crossing DelanceyAug 24, 1988Warner Bros.Romantic Comedy$34,102,8662,851,410
83Moon Over ParadorSep 9, 1988UniversalRomantic Comedy$33,302,3552,784,477
84Wall StreetDec 11, 198720th Century FoxDrama$33,122,4312,769,434
85The Couch TripJan 15, 1988Orion PicturesComedy$32,025,1672,677,689
86MovingMar 4, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$31,472,4872,631,478
87Planes, Trains & AutomobilesNov 25, 1987Paramount PicturesComedy$30,368,2992,539,155
88ShakedownMay 6, 1988UniversalAction$29,297,7492,449,644
89The Unbearable Lightness of B…Feb 5, 1988Orion PicturesDrama$29,117,2172,434,549
90Iron Eagle IINov 11, 1988Sony/TriStarAction$29,099,7572,433,090
91Mystic PizzaOct 21, 1988Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Comedy$28,703,7242,399,976
92Return of the Living Dead Par…Jan 15, 1988Lorimar Motion Pi…Horror$26,789,0152,239,884
93Dead RingersSep 23, 198820th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$26,581,8512,222,562
94Bad DreamsApr 8, 198820th Century FoxHorror$26,189,7812,189,781
95Switching ChannelsMar 4, 1988Sony/TriStarComedy$26,189,7812,189,781
96Clean and SoberAug 10, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$25,241,4002,110,484
97The Accidental TouristDec 23, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$25,066,9792,095,901
98U2: Rattle and HumNov 4, 1988Paramount PicturesConcert/Performance$25,028,1862,092,657
99High SpiritsNov 18, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$24,962,4432,087,160
100The Last Temptation of ChristAug 12, 1988UniversalDrama$24,366,9292,037,368
101SatisfactionFeb 12, 198820th Century FoxComedy$24,016,3872,008,059
102The BlobAug 5, 1988Sony/TriStarHorror$24,001,3132,006,798
103*batteries not includedDec 18, 1987UniversalComedy$23,481,1291,963,305
104SalsaMay 6, 1988CannonDrama$23,279,8051,946,472
105Without a ClueOct 21, 1988Orion PicturesComedy$23,279,8051,946,472
106A New LifeMar 25, 1988Paramount PicturesRomantic Comedy$22,470,3991,878,795
107OverboardDec 18, 1987MGM/UA ClassicsRomantic Comedy$21,816,6871,824,137
108Stealing HomeAug 26, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$21,730,2551,816,910
109Hellbound: Hellraiser IIDec 23, 1988New WorldHorror$21,598,6951,805,910
110Phantasm IIJul 8, 1988UniversalHorror$21,192,9191,771,983
111Off LimitsMar 11, 198820th Century FoxAction$21,074,1461,762,052
112A Cry in the DarkNov 11, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$20,104,4311,680,972
113HairsprayFeb 26, 1988Musical$19,412,7621,623,140
114Fresh HorsesNov 18, 1988Sony PicturesDrama$19,323,2451,615,655
115A Night in the Life of Jimmy …Feb 26, 198820th Century FoxDrama$18,228,2561,524,101
116Braddock: Missing in Action I…Jan 22, 1988CannonAction$17,459,8541,459,854
117Hot to TrotAug 26, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$17,459,8541,459,854
118Mac and MeAug 12, 1988Orion PicturesAdventure$17,459,8541,459,854
119The UnholyApr 22, 1988VestronHorror$17,459,8541,459,854
1201969Nov 18, 1988AtlanticDrama$17,398,7771,454,747
121I'm Gonna Git You SuckaDec 14, 1988MGM/UA ClassicsComedy$17,207,8881,438,786
122The RescueAug 5, 1988Walt DisneyAction$17,039,0481,424,669
123Eight Men OutSep 1, 1988Orion PicturesDrama$16,530,1601,382,120
124Heartbreak HotelSep 30, 1988Walt DisneyComedy$16,032,2691,340,490
125Empire of the SunDec 9, 1987Warner Bros.Drama$15,774,2271,318,915
126Clara's HeartJan 1, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$15,115,8421,263,866
127My Stepmother Is an AlienDec 9, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$15,069,8361,260,019
128Dirty DancingAug 21, 1987VestronDrama$14,874,4801,243,685
129Elvira, Mistress of the DarkSep 30, 1988New WorldComedy$14,549,8781,216,545
130Hero and the TerrorJan 1, 1988CannonAction$14,549,8781,216,545
131Monkey ShinesJan 1, 1988Horror$14,549,8781,216,545
132The Good MotherNov 4, 1988Walt DisneyDrama$13,864,8881,159,271
133SunsetApr 29, 1988Sony/TriStarComedy$13,371,3381,118,004
134Mujeres al borde de un ataque…Nov 11, 1988Sony Pictures Cla…Black Comedy$13,142,3701,098,860
135Bat*21Oct 21, 1988Sony/TriStarDrama$11,541,708965,025
136Memories of MeSep 28, 1988MGMComedy$11,538,054964,720
137NutsNov 20, 1987Warner Bros.Drama$11,467,175958,793
138Sweet Hearts DanceSep 23, 1988Sony PicturesDrama$11,030,242922,261
139Imagine: John LennonOct 7, 1988Warner Bros.Documentary$10,923,982913,376
140Dead HeatMay 6, 1988New WorldAction$10,442,814873,145
141Bagdad CafeApr 29, 1988MGMDrama$10,438,964872,823
142The New Adventures of Pippi L…Jan 1, 1988$10,388,436868,598
143Madame SousatzkaOct 14, 1988Universal$10,325,286863,318
144Things ChangeOct 1, 1988Sony Pictures$10,266,062858,366
145White MischiefApr 22, 1988Drama$9,041,294755,961
146Dominick and EugeneMar 18, 1988Drama$8,951,175748,426
147Messenger of DeathJan 1, 1988$8,947,247748,097
148Critters 2: The Main CourseApr 29, 1988New LineComedy$8,729,927729,927
149FedsOct 28, 1988Warner Bros.Comedy$8,729,927729,927
150Le grand bleuAug 22, 1988Sony PicturesDrama$8,494,789710,266
151Running on EmptyJan 1, 1988Drama$8,250,119689,809
152IronweedDec 18, 1987Drama$7,813,599653,310
153Torch Song TrilogyDec 14, 1988New LineComedy$7,759,299648,770
154Baby BoomOct 7, 1987MGMComedy$7,695,853643,465
15518 Again!Jan 1, 1988New WorldComedy$7,470,196624,598
156Mitt liv som hundMay 1, 1987SkourasDrama$7,026,311587,484
157Hope and GloryOct 16, 1987Sony PicturesComedy$6,987,925584,274
158BarflyOct 16, 1987Drama$6,782,475567,096
159BeachesDec 21, 1988Walt DisneyDrama$6,380,875533,518
160BirdOct 1, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$6,347,489530,726
161CinderellaFeb 15, 1950Walt DisneyMusical$6,331,860529,419
162Jean de FloretteJun 26, 1987Orion ClassicsDrama$6,215,682519,705
163Manon des sourcesNov 16, 1987Orion ClassicsDrama$5,970,621499,215
164House of GamesOct 1, 1987Thriller/Suspense$5,947,184497,256
165Dangerous LiaisonsDec 21, 1988Warner Bros.Drama$5,925,196495,417
166The ModernsApr 15, 1988$5,853,407489,415
167KansasSep 23, 1988Trans World Enter…Thriller/Suspense$5,819,951486,618
168SpellbinderJan 1, 1988Thriller/Suspense$5,639,675471,544
169Permanent RecordJan 1, 1988Paramount Pictures$5,508,584460,583
170CopMar 1, 1988$5,483,311458,470
171VibesAug 5, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$5,481,844458,348
172Stormy MondayMay 1, 1988Drama$5,212,721435,846
173Little NikitaJan 1, 1988Drama$5,043,192421,671
174The Running ManNov 13, 1987Sony/TriStarAction$4,968,620415,436
175Lady in WhiteApr 22, 1988New Century Vista…Horror$4,961,913414,875
176Cry FreedomNov 6, 1987UniversalDrama$4,769,919398,822
177Pelle erobrerenDec 21, 1988MiramaxDrama$4,630,749387,186
178Another WomanOct 14, 1988Orion PicturesDrama$4,547,562380,230
179A Handful of DustJul 1, 1988New Line$4,541,599379,732
180Two Moon JunctionMay 1, 1988Lorimar Motion Pi…Thriller/Suspense$4,502,888376,495
181Platoon LeaderOct 31, 1988CannonDrama$3,924,891328,168
182A Time of DestinyApr 1, 1988Sony PicturesDrama$3,528,308295,009
183The Lair of the White WormOct 21, 1988Comedy$3,460,878289,371
184The Wrong GuysJan 1, 1988Comedy$3,354,579280,483
185High SeasonMar 25, 1988HemdaleComedy$3,273,723273,722
186The Thin Blue LineAug 25, 1988MiramaxDocumentary$3,198,875267,464
187AriaJan 1, 1988MiramaxComedy$2,993,431250,286
188Little DorritOct 21, 1988$2,982,725249,391
189Five CornersJan 22, 1988Cineplex/OdeonDrama$2,819,766235,766
190The DeadDec 17, 1987VestronDrama$2,797,726233,923
191Appointment with DeathJan 1, 1988CannonThriller/Suspense$2,793,693233,586
192WatchersDec 31, 1988UniversalAction$2,735,881228,752
193Giulia e GiuliaFeb 5, 1988$2,621,888219,221
194WaxworkJun 17, 1988$2,351,592196,621
195BulletproofJan 1, 1988Action$2,351,106196,580
196Shy PeopleMay 31, 1988CannonDrama$2,238,118187,133
197The Girl in a SwingDec 31, 1988Millimeter FilmsDrama$2,173,790181,754
198Sister, SisterFeb 9, 1988$2,163,407180,886
199Split DecisionsJan 1, 1988Drama$2,024,825169,299
200HousekeepingNov 30, 1987Sony PicturesDrama$1,884,262157,546
201Spike of BensonhurstNov 11, 1988FilmDallas Pictur…Comedy$1,813,241151,608
202DaJan 1, 1988$1,759,173147,088
203PumpkinheadOct 14, 1988United ArtistsHorror$1,683,267140,741
204BusterNov 18, 1988HemdaleComedy$1,571,387131,386
205Apprentice to MurderJan 1, 1988New WorldThriller/Suspense$1,357,908113,537
206Talk RadioDec 1, 1988UniversalThriller/Suspense$1,349,455112,830
207The House on Carroll StreetJan 1, 1988$1,338,077111,879
208Track 29Jan 1, 1988$1,248,461104,386
209Last RitesNov 18, 1988MGMThriller/Suspense$1,242,458103,884
210Some GirlsSep 9, 1988MGM$1,168,12597,669
211Full Moon in Blue WaterNov 18, 1988Trans World Enter…Comedy$1,152,48196,361
212GandaharJan 28, 1988Adventure$1,078,72290,194
213PrisonMar 4, 1988Empire PicturesHorror$1,032,18086,302
214The DeceiversJan 1, 1988Drama$1,008,97684,362
215It Takes TwoJul 13, 1988Romantic Comedy$1,002,12383,789
216TapeheadsOct 1, 1988$1,000,40983,646
217Promised LandJan 1, 1988$920,13176,934
218The Chocolate WarNov 18, 1988Drama$883,53873,874
219Rent-A-CopJan 1, 1988$858,44371,776
220Plain ClothesApr 15, 1988Paramount PicturesComedy$840,98370,316
221MauriceJan 1, 1987Drama$777,46765,005
222Illegally YoursJan 1, 1988Comedy$753,73963,021
223Call MeJan 1, 1988VestronThriller/Suspense$732,78761,269
224I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singi…Sep 11, 1987MiramaxComedy$676,15956,535
225Judgment in BerlinJan 1, 1988$666,38455,717
226Miles from HomeSep 1, 1988Action$549,88145,976
227Rocket GibraltarSep 2, 1988Sony Pictures$545,18145,583
228Seven Hours to JudgmentSep 16, 1988Trans World Enter…Action$517,45243,265
229My Best Friend Is a VampireMay 31, 1988Romantic Comedy$507,44242,428
230Pass the AmmoJan 1, 1988New Century Vista…$494,07041,310
231TaffinFeb 26, 1988Action$465,50638,921
232Far NorthJan 1, 1988Drama$428,44735,823
233FreewaySep 2, 1988Anchor Bay Entert…Thriller/Suspense$416,12734,793
234Hanna's WarNov 23, 1988CannonDrama$406,80334,013
235Rikky and PeteMay 20, 1988United ArtistsComedy$372,47431,143
236BigglesJan 29, 1988New Century Vista…Adventure$326,30127,282
237Stars and BarsJun 10, 1988Sony PicturesComedy$325,87927,247
238Hôtel TerminusOct 7, 1988Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Documentary$306,38025,617
239Eat the RichApr 22, 1988New LineComedy$123,52810,328
240When the Wind BlowsMar 11, 1988King’s Road Enter…Multiple Genres$15,3471,283
241The CourierJan 1, 1988Drama$14,5501,216
242Je hais les acteursApr 29, 1988Galaxy Internatio…Comedy$10,956916
243WalkerDec 4, 1987$9,097760
244State ParkApr 22, 1988AtlanticComedy$94679