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. 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 1988 Gross
Infl. adj.		 Tickets Sold
1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Jun 22, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $441,352,422 36,902,376
2 Coming to America Jun 29, 1988 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $372,920,078 31,180,608
3 Good Morning Vietnam Dec 23, 1987 Black Comedy $354,001,351 29,598,775
4 Big Jun 3, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $327,532,806 27,385,686
5 Crocodile Dundee 2 May 25, 1988 Paramount Pictures Action $318,078,412 26,595,184
6 3 Men and a Baby Nov 25, 1987 Walt Disney Comedy $233,065,012 19,487,041
7 Cocktail Jul 29, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $227,626,308 19,032,300
8 Moonstruck Dec 16, 1987 Romantic Comedy $224,216,884 18,747,231
9 Die Hard Jul 15, 1988 20th Century Fox Action $222,052,785 18,566,286
10 Beetlejuice Mar 30, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $221,485,960 18,518,892
11 Twins Dec 9, 1988 Universal Comedy $212,716,771 17,785,683
12 Oliver & Company Nov 18, 1988 Walt Disney Adventure $188,982,020 15,801,172
13 A Fish Called Wanda Jul 15, 1988 MGM Comedy $184,763,085 15,448,418
14 Willow May 20, 1988 Sony Pictures Adventure $166,653,908 13,934,273
15 The Naked Gun: From the Files… Dec 2, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $160,018,093 13,379,439
16 Scrooged Nov 23, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $159,805,932 13,361,699
17 Rambo III May 25, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $156,311,121 13,069,491
18 Bull Durham Jun 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $148,084,963 12,381,685
19 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: … Aug 19, 1988 New Line Horror $143,665,205 12,012,140
20 Rain Man Dec 16, 1988 MGM Comedy $137,280,648 11,478,315
21 Colors Apr 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Action $135,651,621 11,342,108
22 Young Guns Aug 12, 1988 20th Century Fox Western $130,153,446 10,882,395
23 Biloxi Blues Mar 25, 1988 Universal Comedy $125,666,711 10,507,250
24 The Great Outdoors Jun 17, 1988 Universal Comedy $120,633,711 10,086,430
25 Big Business Jun 10, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $116,836,940 9,768,974
26 The Land Before Time Nov 18, 1988 Universal Adventure $116,812,115 9,766,899
27 Midnight Run Jul 20, 1988 Universal Action $111,782,659 9,346,376
28 The Dead Pool Jul 13, 1988 Warner Bros. Action $110,296,808 9,222,141
29 Red Heat Jun 17, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $101,833,574 8,514,512
30 The Last Emperor Nov 20, 1987 Sony Pictures Drama $101,063,318 8,450,110
31 The Accused Oct 14, 1988 Paramount Pictures Drama $93,347,125 7,804,943
32 Tequila Sunrise Dec 2, 1988 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $87,948,576 7,353,559
33 Shoot to Kill Feb 12, 1988 Walt Disney Action $85,262,287 7,128,953
34 Child’s Play Nov 9, 1988 United Artists Horror $83,627,565 6,992,271
35 Ernest Saves Christmas Nov 11, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $82,067,451 6,861,827
36 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Dec 14, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $81,153,567 6,785,415
37 Broadcast News Dec 16, 1987 20th Century Fox Comedy $76,538,142 6,399,510
38 Betrayed Aug 26, 1988 United Artists Thriller/Suspense $75,124,336 6,281,299
39 Funny Farm Jun 3, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $74,312,692 6,213,435
40 Alien Nation Oct 7, 1988 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $73,378,654 6,135,338
41 Gorillas in the Mist Sep 23, 1988 Universal Drama $71,935,992 6,014,715
42 License to Drive Jul 6, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $65,283,194 5,458,461
43 Married to the Mob Aug 19, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $62,525,940 5,227,921
44 Punchline Sep 30, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $61,202,608 5,117,274
45 Short Circuit 2 Jul 6, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $60,766,112 5,080,778
46 Action Jackson Feb 12, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Action $58,447,458 4,886,911
47 The Presidio Jun 10, 1988 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $58,304,273 4,874,939
48 The Serpent and the Rainbow Feb 5, 1988 Universal Horror $57,020,973 4,767,639
49 Police Academy 5: Assignment:… Mar 18, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $56,773,625 4,746,958
50 Bambi Aug 13, 1942 Walt Disney Adventure $55,979,027 4,680,520
51 Friday the 13th Part VII: The… May 13, 1988 Paramount Pictures Horror $55,784,236 4,664,233
52 Fatal Attraction Sep 18, 1987 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $55,565,982 4,645,985
53 The Seventh Sign Apr 1, 1988 Sony/TriStar Horror $54,925,823 4,592,460
54 Above the Law Apr 8, 1988 Warner Bros. Action $54,910,167 4,591,151
55 Working Girl Dec 20, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $54,779,809 4,580,251
56 Halloween 4: The Return of Mi… Oct 1, 1988 Galaxy Internatio… Horror $51,706,651 4,323,298
57 Frantic Feb 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $51,323,241 4,291,240
58 Johnny Be Good Mar 25, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $50,925,735 4,258,004
59 For Keeps? Jan 15, 1988 Sony/TriStar Drama $49,469,586 4,136,253
60 Mississippi Burning Dec 9, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $47,572,402 3,977,625
61 Bright Lights, Big City Apr 1, 1988 United Artists Drama $46,903,212 3,921,673
62 She's Having a Baby Feb 5, 1988 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $46,651,877 3,900,658
63 Masquerade Mar 11, 1988 MGM Thriller/Suspense $46,140,074 3,857,865
64 Throw Momma From the Train Dec 11, 1987 Orion Pictures Black Comedy $45,867,793 3,835,099
65 Big Top Pee-Wee Jul 22, 1988 Paramount Pictures Adventure $44,005,595 3,679,397
66 Arthur 2: On the Rocks Jul 8, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $42,721,912 3,572,066
67 School Daze Feb 12, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $42,328,052 3,539,134
68 Tucker: The Man and His Dream Aug 12, 1988 Paramount Pictures Drama $41,915,938 3,504,677
69 Poltergeist III Jun 10, 1988 MGM Horror $41,071,397 3,434,063
70 Stand and Deliver Apr 1, 1988 Drama $40,724,877 3,405,090
71 The Milagro Beanfield War Mar 18, 1988 Universal Comedy $40,232,724 3,363,940
72 Return to Snowy River Apr 15, 1988 Walt Disney Western $39,828,916 3,330,176
73 Vice Versa Mar 11, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $39,762,082 3,324,588
74 They Live Nov 4, 1988 Universal Thriller/Suspense $37,855,664 3,165,189
75 Cocoon: The Return Nov 23, 1988 20th Century Fox Adventure $37,601,527 3,143,940
76 D.O.A. Mar 18, 1988 Walt Disney Thriller/Suspense $36,975,542 3,091,600
77 Everybody’s All-American Nov 4, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $36,777,128 3,075,010
78 Eddie Murphy: Raw Dec 18, 1987 Paramount Pictures Concert/Performance $36,336,919 3,038,203
79 Casual Sex? Apr 22, 1988 Universal Comedy $35,726,051 2,987,127
80 Bloodsport Feb 26, 1988 Cannon Action $34,355,519 2,872,535
81 Caddyshack II Jul 22, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $34,332,772 2,870,633
82 Crossing Delancey Aug 24, 1988 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $34,102,866 2,851,410
83 Moon Over Parador Sep 9, 1988 Universal Romantic Comedy $33,302,355 2,784,477
84 Wall Street Dec 11, 1987 20th Century Fox Drama $33,122,431 2,769,434
85 The Couch Trip Jan 15, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $32,025,167 2,677,689
86 Moving Mar 4, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $31,472,487 2,631,478
87 Planes, Trains & Automobiles Nov 25, 1987 Paramount Pictures Comedy $30,368,299 2,539,155
88 Shakedown May 6, 1988 Universal Action $29,297,749 2,449,644
89 The Unbearable Lightness of B… Feb 5, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $29,117,217 2,434,549
90 Iron Eagle II Nov 11, 1988 Sony/TriStar Action $29,099,757 2,433,090
91 Mystic Pizza Oct 21, 1988 Samuel Goldwyn Fi… Comedy $28,703,724 2,399,976
92 Return of the Living Dead Par… Jan 15, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Horror $26,789,015 2,239,884
93 Dead Ringers Sep 23, 1988 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $26,581,851 2,222,562
94 Bad Dreams Apr 8, 1988 20th Century Fox Horror $26,189,781 2,189,781
95 Switching Channels Mar 4, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $26,189,781 2,189,781
96 Clean and Sober Aug 10, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $25,241,400 2,110,484
97 The Accidental Tourist Dec 23, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $25,066,979 2,095,901
98 U2: Rattle and Hum Nov 4, 1988 Paramount Pictures Concert/Performance $25,028,186 2,092,657
99 High Spirits Nov 18, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $24,962,443 2,087,160
100 The Last Temptation of Christ Aug 12, 1988 Universal Drama $24,366,929 2,037,368
101 Satisfaction Feb 12, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $24,016,387 2,008,059
102 The Blob Aug 5, 1988 Sony/TriStar Horror $24,001,313 2,006,798
103 *batteries not included Dec 18, 1987 Universal Comedy $23,481,129 1,963,305
104 Salsa May 6, 1988 Cannon Drama $23,279,805 1,946,472
105 Without a Clue Oct 21, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $23,279,805 1,946,472
106 A New Life Mar 25, 1988 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $22,470,399 1,878,795
107 Overboard Dec 18, 1987 MGM/UA Classics Romantic Comedy $21,816,687 1,824,137
108 Stealing Home Aug 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $21,730,255 1,816,910
109 Hellbound: Hellraiser II Dec 23, 1988 New World Horror $21,598,695 1,805,910
110 Phantasm II Jul 8, 1988 Universal Horror $21,192,919 1,771,983
111 Off Limits Mar 11, 1988 20th Century Fox Action $21,074,146 1,762,052
112 A Cry in the Dark Nov 11, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $20,104,431 1,680,972
113 Hairspray Feb 26, 1988 Musical $19,412,762 1,623,140
114 Fresh Horses Nov 18, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $19,323,245 1,615,655
115 A Night in the Life of Jimmy … Feb 26, 1988 20th Century Fox Drama $18,228,256 1,524,101
116 Braddock: Missing in Action I… Jan 22, 1988 Cannon Action $17,459,854 1,459,854
117 Hot to Trot Aug 26, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $17,459,854 1,459,854
118 Mac and Me Aug 12, 1988 Orion Pictures Adventure $17,459,854 1,459,854
119 The Unholy Apr 22, 1988 Vestron Horror $17,459,854 1,459,854
120 1969 Nov 18, 1988 Atlantic Drama $17,398,777 1,454,747
121 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Dec 14, 1988 MGM/UA Classics Comedy $17,207,888 1,438,786
122 The Rescue Aug 5, 1988 Walt Disney Action $17,039,048 1,424,669
123 Eight Men Out Sep 1, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $16,530,160 1,382,120
124 Heartbreak Hotel Sep 30, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $16,032,269 1,340,490
125 Empire of the Sun Dec 9, 1987 Warner Bros. Drama $15,774,227 1,318,915
126 Clara's Heart Jan 1, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $15,115,842 1,263,866
127 My Stepmother Is an Alien Dec 9, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $15,069,836 1,260,019
128 Dirty Dancing Aug 21, 1987 Vestron Drama $14,874,480 1,243,685
129 Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Sep 30, 1988 New World Comedy $14,549,878 1,216,545
130 Hero and the Terror Jan 1, 1988 Cannon Action $14,549,878 1,216,545
131 Monkey Shines Jan 1, 1988 Horror $14,549,878 1,216,545
132 The Good Mother Nov 4, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $13,864,888 1,159,271
133 Sunset Apr 29, 1988 Sony/TriStar Comedy $13,371,338 1,118,004
134 Mujeres al borde de un ataque… Nov 11, 1988 Sony Pictures Cla… Black Comedy $13,142,370 1,098,860
135 Bat*21 Oct 21, 1988 Sony/TriStar Drama $11,541,708 965,025
136 Memories of Me Sep 28, 1988 MGM Comedy $11,538,054 964,720
137 Nuts Nov 20, 1987 Warner Bros. Drama $11,467,175 958,793
138 Sweet Hearts Dance Sep 23, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $11,030,242 922,261
139 Imagine: John Lennon Oct 7, 1988 Warner Bros. Documentary $10,923,982 913,376
140 Dead Heat May 6, 1988 New World Action $10,442,814 873,145
141 Bagdad Cafe Apr 29, 1988 MGM Drama $10,438,964 872,823
142 The New Adventures of Pippi L… Jan 1, 1988 $10,388,436 868,598
143 Madame Sousatzka Oct 14, 1988 Universal $10,325,286 863,318
144 Things Change Oct 1, 1988 Sony Pictures $10,266,062 858,366
145 White Mischief Apr 22, 1988 Drama $9,041,294 755,961
146 Dominick and Eugene Mar 18, 1988 Drama $8,951,175 748,426
147 Messenger of Death Jan 1, 1988 $8,947,247 748,097
148 Critters 2: The Main Course Apr 29, 1988 New Line Comedy $8,729,927 729,927
149 Feds Oct 28, 1988 Warner Bros. Comedy $8,729,927 729,927
150 Le grand bleu Aug 22, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $8,494,789 710,266
151 Running on Empty Jan 1, 1988 Drama $8,250,119 689,809
152 Ironweed Dec 18, 1987 Drama $7,813,599 653,310
153 Torch Song Trilogy Dec 14, 1988 New Line Comedy $7,759,299 648,770
154 Baby Boom Oct 7, 1987 MGM Romantic Comedy $7,695,853 643,465
155 18 Again! Jan 1, 1988 New World Comedy $7,470,196 624,598
156 Mitt liv som hund May 1, 1987 Skouras Drama $7,026,311 587,484
157 Hope and Glory Oct 16, 1987 Sony Pictures Comedy $6,987,925 584,274
158 Barfly Oct 16, 1987 Drama $6,782,475 567,096
159 Beaches Dec 21, 1988 Walt Disney Drama $6,380,875 533,518
160 Bird Oct 1, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $6,347,489 530,726
161 Cinderella Feb 15, 1950 Walt Disney Musical $6,331,860 529,419
162 Jean de Florette Jun 26, 1987 Orion Classics Drama $6,215,682 519,705
163 Manon des sources Nov 16, 1987 Orion Classics Drama $5,970,621 499,215
164 House of Games Oct 1, 1987 Thriller/Suspense $5,947,184 497,256
165 Dangerous Liaisons Dec 21, 1988 Warner Bros. Drama $5,925,196 495,417
166 The Moderns Apr 15, 1988 $5,853,407 489,415
167 Kansas Sep 23, 1988 Trans World Enter… Thriller/Suspense $5,819,951 486,618
168 Spellbinder Jan 1, 1988 Thriller/Suspense $5,639,675 471,544
169 Permanent Record Jan 1, 1988 Paramount Pictures $5,508,584 460,583
170 Cop Mar 1, 1988 $5,483,311 458,470
171 Vibes Aug 5, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $5,481,844 458,348
172 Stormy Monday May 1, 1988 Drama $5,212,721 435,846
173 Little Nikita Jan 1, 1988 Drama $5,043,192 421,671
174 The Running Man Nov 13, 1987 Sony/TriStar Action $4,968,620 415,436
175 Lady in White Apr 22, 1988 New Century Vista… Horror $4,961,913 414,875
176 Cry Freedom Nov 6, 1987 Universal Drama $4,769,919 398,822
177 Pelle erobreren Dec 21, 1988 Miramax Drama $4,630,749 387,186
178 Another Woman Oct 14, 1988 Orion Pictures Drama $4,547,562 380,230
179 A Handful of Dust Jul 1, 1988 New Line $4,541,599 379,732
180 Two Moon Junction May 1, 1988 Lorimar Motion Pi… Thriller/Suspense $4,502,888 376,495
181 Platoon Leader Oct 31, 1988 Cannon Drama $3,924,891 328,168
182 A Time of Destiny Apr 1, 1988 Sony Pictures Drama $3,528,308 295,009
183 The Lair of the White Worm Oct 21, 1988 Comedy $3,460,878 289,371
184 The Wrong Guys Jan 1, 1988 Comedy $3,354,579 280,483
185 High Season Mar 25, 1988 Hemdale Comedy $3,273,723 273,722
186 The Thin Blue Line Aug 25, 1988 Miramax Documentary $3,198,875 267,464
187 Aria Jan 1, 1988 Miramax Comedy $2,993,431 250,286
188 Little Dorrit Oct 21, 1988 $2,982,725 249,391
189 Five Corners Jan 22, 1988 Cineplex/Odeon Drama $2,819,766 235,766
190 The Dead Dec 17, 1987 Vestron Drama $2,797,726 233,923
191 Appointment with Death Jan 1, 1988 Cannon Thriller/Suspense $2,793,693 233,586
192 Watchers Dec 31, 1988 Universal Action $2,735,881 228,752
193 Giulia e Giulia Feb 5, 1988 $2,621,888 219,221
194 Waxwork Jun 17, 1988 $2,351,592 196,621
195 Bulletproof Jan 1, 1988 Action $2,351,106 196,580
196 Shy People May 31, 1988 Cannon Drama $2,238,118 187,133
197 The Girl in a Swing Dec 31, 1988 Millimeter Films Drama $2,173,790 181,754
198 Sister, Sister Feb 9, 1988 $2,163,407 180,886
199 Split Decisions Jan 1, 1988 Drama $2,024,825 169,299
200 Housekeeping Nov 30, 1987 Sony Pictures Drama $1,884,262 157,546
201 Spike of Bensonhurst Nov 11, 1988 FilmDallas Pictur… Comedy $1,813,241 151,608
202 Da Jan 1, 1988 $1,759,173 147,088
203 Pumpkinhead Oct 14, 1988 United Artists Horror $1,683,267 140,741
204 Buster Nov 18, 1988 Hemdale Comedy $1,571,387 131,386
205 Apprentice to Murder Jan 1, 1988 New World Thriller/Suspense $1,357,908 113,537
206 Talk Radio Dec 1, 1988 Universal Thriller/Suspense $1,349,455 112,830
207 The House on Carroll Street Jan 1, 1988 $1,338,077 111,879
208 Track 29 Jan 1, 1988 $1,248,461 104,386
209 Last Rites Nov 18, 1988 MGM Thriller/Suspense $1,242,458 103,884
210 Some Girls Sep 9, 1988 MGM $1,168,125 97,669
211 Full Moon in Blue Water Nov 18, 1988 Trans World Enter… Comedy $1,152,481 96,361
212 Gandahar Jan 28, 1988 Adventure $1,078,722 90,194
213 Prison Mar 4, 1988 Empire Pictures Horror $1,032,180 86,302
214 The Deceivers Jan 1, 1988 Drama $1,008,976 84,362
215 It Takes Two Jul 13, 1988 Romantic Comedy $1,002,123 83,789
216 Tapeheads Oct 1, 1988 $1,000,409 83,646
217 Promised Land Jan 1, 1988 $920,131 76,934
218 The Chocolate War Nov 18, 1988 Drama $883,538 73,874
219 Rent-A-Cop Jan 1, 1988 $858,443 71,776
220 Plain Clothes Apr 15, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $840,983 70,316
221 Maurice Jan 1, 1987 Drama $777,467 65,005
222 Illegally Yours Jan 1, 1988 Comedy $753,739 63,021
223 Call Me Jan 1, 1988 Vestron Thriller/Suspense $732,787 61,269
224 I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singi… Sep 11, 1987 Miramax Comedy $676,159 56,535
225 Judgment in Berlin Jan 1, 1988 $666,384 55,717
226 Miles from Home Sep 1, 1988 Action $549,881 45,976
227 Rocket Gibraltar Sep 2, 1988 Sony Pictures $545,181 45,583
228 Seven Hours to Judgment Sep 16, 1988 Trans World Enter… Action $517,452 43,265
229 My Best Friend Is a Vampire May 31, 1988 Romantic Comedy $507,442 42,428
230 Pass the Ammo Jan 1, 1988 New Century Vista… $494,070 41,310
231 Taffin Feb 26, 1988 Action $465,506 38,921
232 Far North Jan 1, 1988 Drama $428,447 35,823
233 Freeway Sep 2, 1988 Anchor Bay Entert… Thriller/Suspense $416,127 34,793
234 Hanna's War Nov 23, 1988 Cannon Drama $406,803 34,013
235 Rikky and Pete May 20, 1988 United Artists Comedy $372,474 31,143
236 Biggles Jan 29, 1988 New Century Vista… Adventure $326,301 27,282
237 Stars and Bars Jun 10, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $325,879 27,247
238 Hôtel Terminus Oct 7, 1988 Samuel Goldwyn Fi… Documentary $306,380 25,617
239 Eat the Rich Apr 22, 1988 New Line Comedy $123,528 10,328
240 When the Wind Blows Mar 11, 1988 King’s Road Enter… Multiple Genres $15,347 1,283
241 The Courier Jan 1, 1988 Drama $14,550 1,216
242 Je hais les acteurs Apr 29, 1988 Galaxy Internatio… Comedy $10,956 916
243 Walker Dec 4, 1987 $9,097 760
244 State Park Apr 22, 1988 Atlantic Comedy $946 79