1989 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1989. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1989. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1988 will most likely earn money in 1988 and 1989. 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 1989 Gross
Infl. adj.		 Tickets Sold
1 Batman Jun 23, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $752,937,226 63,263,185
2 Indiana Jones and the Last Cr… May 24, 1989 Paramount Pictures Adventure $591,021,253 49,416,492
3 Lethal Weapon 2 Jul 7, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $441,392,900 36,905,760
4 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Jun 23, 1989 Walt Disney Adventure $391,844,886 32,762,950
5 Rain Man Dec 16, 1988 MGM Comedy $376,633,769 31,491,117
6 Look Who’s Talking Oct 13, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $360,926,650 30,177,813
7 Ghostbusters II Jun 16, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $337,202,272 28,194,169
8 Back to the Future Part II Nov 22, 1989 Universal Adventure $310,137,611 25,931,238
9 Parenthood Aug 2, 1989 Universal Comedy $299,892,744 25,074,644
10 Dead Poets Society Jun 2, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $287,340,097 24,025,091
11 When Harry Met Sally… Jul 14, 1989 Columbia Romantic Comedy $276,646,526 23,130,980
12 Turner & Hooch Jul 28, 1989 Walt Disney Comedy $213,061,600 17,814,515
13 Uncle Buck Aug 16, 1989 Universal Comedy $200,108,299 16,731,463
14 Field of Dreams Apr 21, 1989 Universal Drama $193,133,392 16,148,276
15 National Lampoon’s Christmas … Dec 1, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $178,345,835 14,911,859
16 Sea of Love Sep 15, 1989 Universal Thriller/Suspense $175,567,743 14,679,577
17 Pet Sematary Apr 21, 1989 Paramount Pictures Horror $172,263,504 14,403,303
18 Harlem Nights Nov 17, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $167,089,290 13,970,676
19 Beaches Dec 21, 1988 Drama $164,409,855 13,746,643
20 The Abyss Aug 9, 1989 20th Century Fox Adventure $162,593,427 13,594,768
21 To the Limit Nov 15, 1989 Documentary $158,867,168 13,283,208
22 Star Trek V: The Final Fronti… Jun 9, 1989 Paramount Pictures Action $156,499,295 13,085,225
23 The Little Mermaid Nov 15, 1989 Walt Disney Musical $153,129,641 12,803,481
24 Steel Magnolias Nov 15, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $152,239,601 12,729,063
25 Major League Apr 7, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $149,254,367 12,479,462
26 See No Evil, Hear No Evil May 12, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $140,582,456 11,754,385
27 Black Rain Sep 22, 1989 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $137,561,618 11,501,807
28 Working Girl Dec 20, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $134,812,778 11,271,971
29 The War of the Roses Dec 8, 1989 20th Century Fox Black Comedy $131,308,414 10,978,964
30 Three Fugitives Jan 27, 1989 Walt Disney Comedy $121,668,271 10,172,932
31 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Advent… Feb 17, 1989 Orion Pictures Adventure $121,353,651 10,146,626
32 K-9 Apr 28, 1989 Universal Comedy $116,480,176 9,739,145
33 Twins Dec 9, 1988 Universal Comedy $116,414,354 9,733,641
34 The Karate Kid, Part III Jun 30, 1989 Sony Pictures Action $116,282,608 9,722,626
35 The ‘Burbs Feb 17, 1989 Universal Black Comedy $106,058,061 8,867,730
36 Licence to Kill Jul 14, 1989 MGM Action $103,914,160 8,688,474
37 Fletch Lives Mar 17, 1989 Universal Comedy $99,717,201 8,337,558
38 Dangerous Liaisons Dec 21, 1988 Drama $97,909,635 8,186,424
39 Weekend at Bernie's Jul 5, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $90,579,426 7,573,530
40 Road House May 19, 1989 United Artists Action $90,074,771 7,531,335
41 Lean on Me Mar 3, 1989 Warner Bros. Drama $89,394,675 7,474,471
42 L'Ours Oct 25, 1989 Sony/TriStar Adventure $88,619,317 7,409,641
43 The Dream Team Apr 7, 1989 Universal Comedy $80,313,798 6,715,200
44 All Dogs Go To Heaven Nov 17, 1989 MGM Adventure $78,596,915 6,571,648
45 Do the Right Thing Jun 30, 1989 Universal Drama $77,946,905 6,517,299
46 Sex, Lies, and Videotape Aug 4, 1989 Miramax Drama $74,162,992 6,200,919
47 The Accidental Tourist Dec 23, 1988 Drama $71,993,343 6,019,510
48 Tango & Cash Dec 22, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $70,287,790 5,876,905
49 The Naked Gun: From the Files… Dec 2, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $69,099,227 5,777,527
50 A Nightmare On Elm Street: Th… Aug 11, 1989 New Line Horror $66,449,517 5,555,979
51 Lock Up Aug 4, 1989 Sony Pictures Action $66,244,153 5,538,808
52 Always Dec 22, 1989 Universal Drama $65,976,441 5,516,424
53 Cousins Feb 10, 1989 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $65,067,304 5,440,410
54 Say Anything… Apr 14, 1989 20th Century Fox Drama $60,059,994 5,021,738
55 Dad Oct 27, 1989 Universal Comedy $59,164,576 4,946,870
56 The Fly II Feb 10, 1989 20th Century Fox Horror $58,275,858 4,872,563
57 An Innocent Man Oct 6, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $58,144,925 4,861,615
58 Skin Deep Mar 3, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $56,952,381 4,761,904
59 Casualties of War Aug 18, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $55,359,854 4,628,750
60 Mississippi Burning Dec 9, 1988 Drama $54,719,125 4,575,177
61 Crimes and Misdemeanors Oct 13, 1989 Orion Pictures Comedy $54,718,355 4,575,113
62 The Fabulous Baker Boys Oct 13, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $54,318,474 4,541,678
63 Her Alibi Feb 3, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $51,542,055 4,309,536
64 Shocker Oct 27, 1989 Universal Horror $49,622,607 4,149,047
65 Prancer Nov 17, 1989 Orion Pictures Drama $48,305,805 4,038,946
66 No Holds Barred Jun 2, 1989 New Line Action $48,240,618 4,033,496
67 Next of Kin Oct 20, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $47,787,928 3,995,646
68 Chances Are Mar 10, 1989 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $47,779,040 3,994,903
69 Blaze Dec 13, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $47,645,178 3,983,710
70 Leviathan Mar 17, 1989 MGM Horror $46,052,175 3,850,516
71 She-Devil Dec 8, 1989 20th Century Fox Black Comedy $46,015,788 3,847,473
72 Kickboxer Sep 8, 1989 Cannon Action $43,564,618 3,642,526
73 Friday the 13th Part VIII: Ja… Jul 28, 1989 Paramount Pictures Horror $42,995,978 3,594,981
74 The Wizard Dec 15, 1989 Universal Adventure $42,800,913 3,578,671
75 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Dec 14, 1988 Orion Pictures Comedy $42,417,363 3,546,602
76 Great Balls of Fire! Jun 30, 1989 Orion Pictures Drama $41,040,335 3,431,466
77 Peter Pan Feb 5, 1953 RKO Radio Pictures Adventure $40,351,253 3,373,850
78 Pink Cadillac May 26, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $36,400,017 3,043,479
79 She's Out of Control Apr 14, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $36,167,436 3,024,033
80 Physical Evidence Jan 27, 1989 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $35,969,925 3,007,518
81 Halloween 5: The Revenge of M… Oct 13, 1989 Galaxy Internatio… Horror $34,897,583 2,917,858
82 Police Academy 6: City Under … Mar 10, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $34,672,010 2,898,997
83 Young Einstein Aug 4, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $34,580,883 2,891,378
84 Gross Anatomy Oct 20, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $34,010,121 2,843,655
85 Family Business Dec 15, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $33,133,801 2,770,384
86 Who's Harry Crumb? Feb 3, 1989 Sony/TriStar Comedy $32,919,567 2,752,472
87 New York Stories Mar 1, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $32,263,431 2,697,611
88 The Package Aug 25, 1989 Orion Pictures Action $31,914,972 2,668,475
89 We're No Angels Dec 15, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $31,639,589 2,645,450
90 Koneko monogatari Aug 25, 1989 Sony Pictures Adventure $30,478,411 2,548,362
91 Cyborg Apr 7, 1989 Cannon Action $30,067,485 2,514,003
92 Tequila Sunrise Dec 2, 1988 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $28,417,128 2,376,014
93 Criminal Law Apr 28, 1989 Hemdale Thriller/Suspense $28,306,982 2,366,804
94 Oliver & Company Nov 18, 1988 Walt Disney Adventure $27,602,505 2,307,901
95 Tap Feb 10, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $27,321,262 2,284,386
96 Renegades Jun 2, 1989 Universal Action $27,022,898 2,259,439
97 Scandal Apr 28, 1989 Miramax Drama $26,377,945 2,205,513
98 True Believer Feb 17, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $26,204,090 2,190,977
99 My Stepmother Is an Alien Dec 9, 1988 Sony Pictures Comedy $26,004,214 2,174,265
100 The Land Before Time Nov 18, 1988 Universal Adventure $24,132,253 2,017,746
101 The Adventures of Baron Munch… Mar 10, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $24,099,874 2,015,039
102 Cheetah Aug 18, 1989 Walt Disney Adventure $23,626,995 1,975,501
103 Deepstar Six Jan 13, 1989 Sony Pictures Horror $23,155,180 1,936,051
104 Disorganized Crime Apr 14, 1989 Walt Disney Comedy $21,612,376 1,807,054
105 Troop Beverly Hills Mar 22, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $21,553,494 1,802,131
106 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Dec 14, 1988 Comedy $21,332,096 1,783,620
107 Dead Calm Apr 7, 1989 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $21,081,119 1,762,635
108 Relentless Aug 29, 1989 New Line Thriller/Suspense $20,940,488 1,750,876
109 Shag Jul 1, 1989 $20,856,486 1,743,853
110 Dead Bang Mar 24, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $20,788,267 1,738,149
111 Johnny Handsome Sep 29, 1989 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $19,850,797 1,659,765
112 Die Hard Jul 15, 1988 20th Century Fox Action $19,485,487 1,629,221
113 Music Box Dec 25, 1989 Sony/TriStar Thriller/Suspense $18,775,950 1,569,895
114 UHF Jul 21, 1989 Comedy $18,456,040 1,543,147
115 Cocoon: The Return Nov 23, 1988 20th Century Fox Adventure $17,994,926 1,504,592
116 Immediate Family Oct 27, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $17,509,218 1,463,981
117 Millennium Aug 25, 1989 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $17,161,710 1,434,925
118 Dream a Little Dream Mar 3, 1989 Vestron Romantic Comedy $15,501,326 1,296,097
119 Second Sight Nov 3, 1989 Warner Bros. Black Comedy $14,987,469 1,253,132
120 Let it Ride Aug 18, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $14,900,805 1,245,886
121 See You in the Morning Apr 21, 1989 Warner Bros. Drama $14,373,009 1,201,756
122 Born on the Fourth of July Dec 20, 1989 Universal Drama $14,330,577 1,198,208
123 Drugstore Cowboy Oct 6, 1989 Avenue Pictures P… Drama $14,176,203 1,185,301
124 January Man Jan 13, 1989 MGM Comedy $13,821,629 1,155,654
125 Driving Miss Daisy Dec 13, 1989 Warner Bros. Drama $13,745,367 1,149,278
126 Crossing Delancey Aug 24, 1988 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $13,616,727 1,138,522
127 Scrooged Nov 23, 1988 Paramount Pictures Comedy $13,589,935 1,136,282
128 Henry V Nov 8, 1989 Goldwyn Entertain… Drama $13,574,435 1,134,986
129 Child’s Play Nov 9, 1988 United Artists Horror $13,508,053 1,129,435
130 The Rescuers Jun 22, 1977 Walt Disney Adventure $13,241,944 1,107,185
131 Staying Together Nov 10, 1989 Hemdale Comedy $13,033,178 1,089,730
132 Lawrence of Arabia Dec 16, 1962 Adventure $12,992,730 1,086,348
133 My Left Foot: The Story of Ch… Nov 10, 1989 Miramax Drama $12,976,021 1,084,951
134 Red Scorpion Apr 19, 1989 Action $12,565,494 1,050,626
135 Hellbound: Hellraiser II Dec 23, 1988 New World Horror $12,558,267 1,050,022
136 Listen to Me May 5, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $12,521,874 1,046,979
137 The Mighty Quinn Feb 16, 1989 MGM Thriller/Suspense $11,967,254 1,000,606
138 The Phantom of the Opera Nov 3, 1989 Sony Pictures Horror $11,851,326 990,913
139 Earth Girls are Easy May 12, 1989 Vestron Romantic Comedy $11,739,094 981,529
140 Loverboy Apr 28, 1989 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $11,653,812 974,398
141 Pumpkinhead Oct 14, 1988 Horror $11,411,665 954,152
142 Worth Winning Oct 27, 1989 20th Century Fox Romantic Comedy $11,061,735 924,894
143 Old Gringo Oct 6, 1989 Adventure $10,713,810 895,803
144 Fat Man and Little Boy Oct 20, 1989 Paramount Pictures Drama $10,673,901 892,466
145 In Country Sep 15, 1989 Warner Bros. Drama $10,587,061 885,205
146 A Dry White Season Sep 20, 1989 MGM Thriller/Suspense $9,840,442 822,779
147 Rude Awakening Aug 16, 1989 $9,501,213 794,415
148 Kinjite Feb 3, 1989 Cannon Action $9,256,518 773,956
149 Speed Zone! Apr 21, 1989 Orion Pictures Comedy $9,223,471 771,193
150 Talk Radio Dec 1, 1988 Thriller/Suspense $9,006,983 753,092
151 976-Evil Mar 22, 1989 New Line Horror $8,860,343 740,831
152 Mystic Pizza Oct 21, 1988 Samuel Goldwyn Fi… Comedy $8,780,582 734,162
153 Night of the Demons Oct 14, 1988 Paragon Pictures Horror $8,536,583 713,761
154 Mujeres al borde de un ataque… Nov 11, 1988 Black Comedy $7,981,379 667,339
155 Gleaming the Cube Jan 13, 1989 20th Century Fox Action $7,357,618 615,185
156 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Jun 22, 1988 Walt Disney Comedy $7,325,050 612,462
157 Big Jun 3, 1988 20th Century Fox Comedy $7,234,763 604,913
158 Farewell to the King Mar 3, 1989 Orion Pictures $7,077,478 591,762
159 Fright Night Part 2 May 19, 1989 New Century Vista… Horror $7,044,977 589,044
160 Sing Mar 31, 1989 $6,776,182 566,570
161 Torch Song Trilogy Dec 14, 1988 Comedy $6,593,134 551,265
162 Scenes from the Class Struggl… Jan 1, 1989 Comedy $6,464,008 540,468
163 Jacknife Mar 10, 1989 $6,144,170 513,726
164 Rooftops Jan 1, 1989 $6,126,544 512,252
165 Winter People Apr 14, 1989 Sony Pictures $6,064,775 507,088
166 Erik the Viking Sep 22, 1989 Comedy $5,793,082 484,371
167 Communion Jan 1, 1989 Horror $5,752,190 480,952
168 Miss Firecracker Apr 28, 1989 Corsair Comedy $5,553,322 464,324
169 Breaking In Oct 13, 1989 Goldwyn Entertain… Comedy $5,428,719 453,906
170 Bloodfist Sep 22, 1989 Concorde Action $5,305,810 443,629
171 Cookie Aug 23, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $5,262,040 439,969
172 The Horror Show Jan 1, 1989 $5,212,333 435,813
173 Best of the Best Nov 10, 1989 20th Century Fox Action $5,095,739 426,065
174 The Stepfather 2 Nov 3, 1989 Millimeter Films Thriller/Suspense $4,555,579 380,901
175 Camille Claudel Dec 21, 1989 Orion Classics Drama $4,373,211 365,653
176 The Navigator: A Medieval Ody… Mar 3, 1989 $3,996,795 334,180
177 Babar The Movie Jul 28, 1989 New Line Adventure $3,912,290 327,115
178 Gone with the Wind Dec 15, 1939 MGM Drama $3,728,780 311,771
179 High Hopes Feb 24, 1989 Skouras Comedy $3,573,978 298,827
180 Valmont Nov 1, 1989 Orion Pictures Drama $3,393,163 283,709
181 Heart of Dixie Aug 25, 1989 Orion Pictures Drama $3,276,294 273,937
182 Miracle Mile May 19, 1989 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $3,275,727 273,890
183 Welcome Home Sep 29, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $3,086,885 258,100
184 Lost Angels May 5, 1989 Orion Pictures Drama $3,038,317 254,039
185 Wired Jan 1, 1989 $2,997,494 250,626
186 Heathers Mar 31, 1989 New World Comedy $2,779,018 232,359
187 Queen of Hearts Sep 20, 1989 Cinecom Comedy $2,751,160 230,030
188 American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt Feb 24, 1989 Cannon Action $2,703,739 226,065
189 Parents Jan 27, 1989 Vestron Black Comedy $2,609,414 218,178
190 Vampire's Kiss Jun 2, 1989 Hemdale Horror $2,173,576 181,737
191 How I Got Into College May 19, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $1,953,916 163,370
192 Cage Sep 1, 1989 New Century Vista… Action $1,852,985 154,931
193 Rosalie Goes Shopping Jan 1, 1989 $1,720,801 143,879
194 The Time Guardian Aug 4, 1989 Action $1,642,627 137,343
195 Little Monsters Aug 25, 1989 MGM Comedy $1,627,456 136,074
196 Eddie and the Cruisers II Aug 18, 1989 Musical $1,618,647 135,338
197 Crack House Nov 10, 1989 Cannon Action $1,458,946 121,985
198 Fast Food Jan 1, 1989 $1,415,836 118,380
199 Slaves of New York Mar 17, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $1,390,753 116,283
200 Pelle erobreren Dec 21, 1988 Drama $1,357,859 113,533
201 Enemies: A Love Story Dec 13, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $1,346,432 112,577
202 Out of the Dark May 5, 1989 Cinetel Horror $1,257,233 105,119
203 Glory Dec 13, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $1,196,680 100,056
204 Mystery Train Nov 17, 1989 Orion Classics Comedy $1,102,715 92,200
205 Roger & Me Dec 20, 1989 Warner Bros. Documentary $1,093,366 91,418
206 Night Game Sep 15, 1989 Thriller/Suspense $1,012,589 84,664
207 Crusoe Mar 31, 1989 $945,472 79,052
208 Out Cold Mar 3, 1989 $882,060 73,750
209 Cold Feet May 19, 1989 Avenue Pictures P… Comedy $869,198 72,675
210 Kill Me Again Oct 27, 1989 MGM Thriller/Suspense $850,371 71,101
211 Eat a Bowl of Tea Jul 21, 1989 Sony Pictures Romantic Comedy $693,689 58,000
212 Fist Fighter May 12, 1989 Taurus Action $662,935 55,429
213 A Chorus of Disapproval Aug 18, 1989 Comedy $647,459 54,135
214 The Return of Swamp Thing May 12, 1989 Millimeter Films Horror $577,965 48,324
215 For Queen & Country May 19, 1989 Atlantic Action $572,674 47,882
216 The Experts Jan 13, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $507,185 42,406
217 84C MoPic Apr 7, 1989 New Century Vista… Drama $462,405 38,662
218 Triumph of the Spirit Dec 8, 1989 Drama $381,755 31,919
219 The Big Picture Sep 15, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $352,095 29,439
220 Heart of Midnight Mar 3, 1989 Horror $338,717 28,320
221 The Thin Blue Line Aug 25, 1988 Miramax Documentary $331,424 27,711
222 No Retreat, No Surrender 2 Jan 27, 1989 Action $324,191 27,106
223 Edge of Sanity Jan 1, 1989 Millimeter Films Horror $306,401 25,618
224 Race for Glory Aug 11, 1989 New Century Vista… Action $300,727 25,144
225 Signs of Life May 5, 1989 Drama $287,759 24,060
226 Full Moon in Blue Water Nov 18, 1988 Trans World Enter… Comedy $163,906 13,704
227 Warm Nights on a Slow Moving … Mar 31, 1989 Miramax Drama $163,226 13,647
228 Bloodhounds of Broadway Nov 3, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $131,890 11,027
229 Checking Out Apr 21, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $92,922 7,769
230 To Kill a Priest Oct 13, 1989 Columbia Drama $89,925 7,518
231 Bye Bye Baby May 19, 1989 Prism Entertainme… Comedy $88,621 7,409
232 The Toxic Avenger Part II Feb 24, 1989 Troma Entertainme… Black Comedy $86,777 7,255
233 On the Black Hill Jul 21, 1989 Roxie Releasing Drama $55,723 4,659
234 Valentino Returns Jul 21, 1989 Skouras Drama $47,822 3,998
235 Far From Home Jun 30, 1989 Vestron Thriller/Suspense $35,970 3,007
236 Haunted Summer Jul 5, 1989 Cannon Drama $29,975 2,506
237 Ich und er Aug 4, 1989 Columbia Comedy $24,774 2,071
238 Heaven Becomes Hell Mar 30, 1989 Taurus Horror $22,196 1,855
239 Fear, Anxiety and Depression Dec 8, 1989 Samuel Goldwyn Fi… Comedy $12,625 1,055