1990 Top-Grossing Movies (Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Note: This chart ranks movies by the amount they earned during 1990. It includes movies released in previous years that earned money during 1990. For example, a movie released over Thanksgiving in 1989 will most likely earn money in 1989 and 1990.

To see the top movies released in 1990 (ranked by their total cumulative gross across all years), click the “Released in 1990” button below.

Inflation-adjusted figures are based on ticket sale estimates.

← 1989
Show ActualsReleased in 1990
1991 →
RankMovieRelease DateDistributorGenre1990 Gross
Infl. adj.		Tickets Sold
1GhostJul 13, 1990Paramount PicturesDrama$616,793,93851,571,399
2Pretty WomanMar 23, 1990Walt DisneyRomantic Comedy$505,625,34742,276,366
3Home AloneNov 16, 199020th Century FoxComedy$501,511,88741,932,431
4Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesMar 30, 1990New LineAdventure$383,360,27132,053,534
5The Hunt for Red OctoberMar 2, 1990Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$342,106,63428,604,233
6Total RecallJun 1, 1990Sony PicturesAction$338,347,66328,289,938
7Die Hard 2Jul 3, 199020th Century FoxAction$332,510,32727,801,866
8Dick TracyJun 15, 1990Walt DisneyAction$294,008,33224,582,636
9Driving Miss DaisyDec 13, 1989Warner Bros.Drama$289,102,32324,172,435
10Back to the Future Part IIIMay 24, 1990UniversalWestern$249,559,52220,866,180
11Presumed InnocentJul 27, 1990Warner Bros.Thriller/Suspense$244,593,86920,450,992
12Days of ThunderJun 27, 1990Paramount PicturesAction$234,299,04419,590,221
13Dances with WolvesNov 9, 1990Orion PicturesWestern$227,185,82918,995,470
14Another 48 Hrs.Jun 8, 1990Paramount PicturesAction$226,864,23218,968,581
15Bird on a WireMay 18, 1990UniversalAction$201,160,43216,819,434
16Born on the Fourth of JulyDec 20, 1989UniversalDrama$184,843,91115,455,176
17FlatlinersAug 10, 1990Sony PicturesHorror$173,754,86014,527,998
183 Men and a Little LadyNov 21, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$167,157,26813,976,360
19Problem ChildJul 27, 1990UniversalBlack Comedy$151,543,09412,670,827
20ArachnophobiaJul 18, 1990Walt DisneyHorror$150,798,53912,608,573
21Kindergarten CopDec 21, 1990UniversalComedy$134,314,05911,230,272
22Hard To KillFeb 9, 1990Warner Bros.Action$134,284,68611,227,816
23RoboCop 2Jun 22, 1990Orion PicturesAction$129,466,07310,824,922
24MiseryNov 30, 1990Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$128,134,44910,713,582
25Edward ScissorhandsDec 7, 199020th Century FoxDrama$127,127,55610,629,394
26The Godfather: Part IIIDec 25, 1990Paramount PicturesDrama$126,629,78210,587,774
27The Jungle BookOct 18, 1967Walt DisneyMusical$126,531,1864,852,963
28Young Guns IIAug 1, 199020th Century FoxWestern$125,107,86310,460,523
29Look Who’s Talking TooDec 14, 1990Sony PicturesComedy$123,158,07410,297,497
30Marked for DeathApr 18, 199020th Century FoxAction$122,503,55610,242,772
31Gremlins 2: The New BatchJun 15, 1990Warner Bros.Comedy$117,548,3709,828,459
32Rocky VNov 16, 1990MGMAction$116,047,0249,702,928
33Tango & CashDec 22, 1989Warner Bros.Action$113,250,8879,469,137
34The War of the RosesDec 8, 198920th Century FoxBlack Comedy$113,063,5009,453,469
35Joe Versus the VolcanoMar 9, 1990Warner Bros.Comedy$111,613,3369,332,218
36Postcards from the EdgeSep 12, 1990Sony PicturesComedy$107,592,6168,996,038
37GoodfellasSep 19, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$96,105,1728,035,549
38Steel MagnoliasNov 15, 1989Sony PicturesComedy$93,441,4037,812,826
39DarkmanAug 24, 1990UniversalAction$93,363,7827,806,336
40MermaidsDec 14, 1990Orion PicturesComedy$89,880,1287,515,060
41Air AmericaAug 10, 1990Sony PicturesAction$86,460,1647,229,110
42The Little MermaidNov 15, 1989Walt DisneyMusical$84,398,4357,056,725
43Pacific HeightsSep 28, 199020th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$83,272,0846,962,548
44The Rescuers Down UnderNov 16, 1990Walt DisneyAdventure$79,161,2026,618,829
45Internal AffairsJan 12, 1990Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$78,397,1716,554,947
46Predator 2Nov 21, 199020th Century FoxAction$77,706,0336,497,159
47Memphis BelleOct 12, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$77,614,1146,489,474
48Cadillac ManMay 18, 1990Orion PicturesComedy$77,249,9406,459,025
49Child's Play 2Nov 9, 1990UniversalHorror$76,166,5296,368,438
50GloryDec 13, 1989Sony PicturesDrama$74,903,4346,262,828
51House PartyMar 9, 1990New LineComedy$74,780,1186,252,518
52Jacob’s LadderNov 2, 1990Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$71,878,6426,152,877
53Ernest Goes to JailApr 6, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$70,936,8835,931,177
54The Exorcist IIIAug 17, 199020th Century FoxHorror$70,886,3505,926,952
55Navy SEALsJul 20, 1990Orion PicturesAction$70,354,6325,882,494
56My Blue HeavenAug 17, 1990Warner Bros.Comedy$66,861,1395,590,396
57Ghost DadJun 29, 1990UniversalComedy$65,205,0985,451,931
58The Russia HouseDec 17, 1990MGMThriller/Suspense$65,179,1665,449,763
59FantasiaNov 13, 1940Walt DisneyMusical$63,338,0265,295,821
60The RookieDec 7, 1990Sony PicturesAction$61,313,0655,126,510
61Quigley Down UnderOct 19, 1990MGMWestern$60,687,3785,074,195
62The First PowerApr 6, 1990Orion PicturesHorror$60,551,9525,062,872
63The FreshmanJul 20, 1990Sony PicturesComedy$60,337,1435,044,911
64MadhouseFeb 16, 1990Orion PicturesBlack Comedy$57,924,3184,843,170
65The Adventures of Ford Fairla…Jul 11, 199020th Century FoxComedy$57,882,4014,839,665
66StellaFeb 2, 1990Walt DisneyDrama$56,859,1644,754,110
67Taking Care of BusinessAug 17, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$56,697,8684,740,624
68AlwaysDec 22, 1989UniversalDrama$56,209,4354,699,785
69Betsy's WeddingJun 22, 1990Walt DisneyRomantic Comedy$55,945,7914,677,741
70Look Who’s TalkingOct 13, 1989Sony PicturesComedy$55,773,6664,663,350
71Jetsons: The MovieJul 6, 1990UniversalComedy$55,390,0624,631,276
72DuckTales: The Movie - Treasu…Aug 3, 1990Walt DisneyAdventure$51,227,7154,283,253
73Sibling RivalryOct 26, 1990Sony PicturesBlack Comedy$50,603,0804,231,026
74White PalaceOct 19, 1990UniversalDrama$49,561,8184,143,964
75TremorsJan 19, 1990UniversalComedy$47,236,5703,949,545
76Tales from the Darkside: The …May 4, 1990Paramount PicturesHorror$46,265,8513,868,382
77Mo’ Better BluesAug 3, 1990UniversalDrama$45,779,5923,827,725
78Men At WorkAug 24, 1990Triumph ReleasingComedy$45,774,0153,827,258
79The GuardianApr 27, 1990UniversalHorror$45,743,9963,824,748
80AvalonOct 5, 1990Sony PicturesDrama$44,503,3443,721,015
81I Love You to DeathApr 6, 1990Sony PicturesBlack Comedy$44,212,7453,696,717
82RevengeFeb 16, 1990Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$44,030,2893,681,462
83The Bonfire of the VanitiesDec 19, 1990Warner Bros.Comedy$43,737,0793,656,946
84Death WarrantSep 14, 1990MGMAction$43,629,0603,647,914
85Mr. DestinyOct 12, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$43,586,6983,644,372
86Quick ChangeJul 13, 1990Warner Bros.Comedy$43,249,1573,616,150
87Spaced InvadersApr 27, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$42,511,8483,554,502
88Fire BirdsMay 24, 1990Walt DisneyAction$41,832,9373,497,737
89Back to the Future Part IINov 22, 1989UniversalAdventure$41,443,8543,465,205
90Wild at HeartAug 17, 1990Goldwyn Entertain…Black Comedy$41,264,8343,450,236
91Lord of the FliesMar 16, 1990Sony PicturesAdventure$39,145,5623,273,040
92Crazy PeopleApr 11, 1990Paramount PicturesComedy$37,423,0643,129,018
93Bad InfluenceMar 9, 1990Triumph ReleasingThriller/Suspense$35,783,7622,991,953
94Nuovo cinema ParadisoFeb 2, 1990MiramaxDrama$33,967,3982,840,083
95Graveyard ShiftOct 26, 1990Paramount PicturesHorror$32,815,9812,743,811
96Pump Up the VolumeAug 22, 1990New LineDrama$32,710,7642,735,013
97Opportunity KnocksMar 30, 1990UniversalComedy$32,193,1712,691,736
98Q & AApr 27, 1990Sony/TriStarThriller/Suspense$31,762,0192,655,687
99Henry & JuneOct 5, 1990UniversalDrama$31,209,0902,609,455
100Wild OrchidApr 27, 1990Triumph ReleasingThriller/Suspense$31,175,3552,606,635
101Nuns on the RunMar 16, 199020th Century FoxComedy$31,059,1992,596,922
102Narrow MarginSep 21, 1990Sony PicturesThriller/Suspense$30,816,0932,576,596
103The WitchesFeb 16, 1990Warner Bros.Horror$29,363,0842,455,107
104The Two JakesAug 10, 1990Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$28,358,1492,371,082
105My Left Foot: The Story of Ch…Nov 10, 1989MiramaxDrama$27,526,1272,301,515
106Miami BluesApr 20, 1990Orion PicturesBlack Comedy$27,361,4472,287,746
107Reversal of FortuneOct 17, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$26,944,4352,252,879
108National Lampoon’s Christmas …Dec 1, 1989Warner Bros.Comedy$26,731,1102,235,042
109HavanaDec 12, 1990UniversalDrama$26,074,8942,180,175
110Funny About LoveSep 21, 1990Paramount PicturesRomantic Comedy$23,037,9441,926,249
111NightbreedFeb 16, 199020th Century FoxHorror$22,672,9861,895,734
112Ski PatrolJan 12, 1990Comedy$22,672,9861,895,734
113Cry-BabyApr 6, 1990Warner Bros.Romantic Comedy$21,924,1821,833,125
114Blue SteelMar 16, 1990MGMAction$21,827,5871,825,049
115The Cook, The Thief, His Wife…Apr 6, 1990MiramaxDrama$20,995,1711,755,449
116Enemies: A Love StoryDec 13, 198920th Century FoxComedy$20,876,7671,745,549
117AliceDec 25, 1990Orion PicturesRomantic Comedy$20,778,7911,737,357
118Almost An AngelDec 19, 1990Paramount PicturesComedy$18,801,5051,572,032
119FlashbackFeb 2, 1990Paramount PicturesAction$18,354,1621,534,628
120Roger & MeDec 20, 1989Warner Bros.Documentary$17,972,8991,502,750
121The Gods Must be Crazy IIApr 13, 1990Sony PicturesComedy$17,830,7281,490,863
122Delta Force 2Aug 24, 1990MGMAction$17,443,8701,458,517
123Men Don’t LeaveFeb 2, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$17,146,4971,433,653
124The GriftersDec 7, 1990MiramaxThriller/Suspense$16,977,9061,419,557
125Night of the Living DeadOct 19, 1990Sony PicturesHorror$16,537,8091,382,759
126Stanley & IrisFeb 9, 1990MGMDrama$16,494,6401,379,150
127Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw M…Jan 12, 1990Horror$16,147,6661,350,139
128HardwareSep 14, 1990Millimeter FilmsAction$16,012,2321,338,815
129Henry VNov 8, 1989Goldwyn Entertain…Drama$15,963,2101,334,716
130Harlem NightsNov 17, 1989Paramount PicturesComedy$14,494,4521,211,910
131The Handmaid\'s TaleMar 9, 1990CinecomDrama$14,058,3421,175,446
132Miller's CrossingSep 22, 199020th Century FoxThriller/Suspense$13,302,6911,112,265
133Longtime CompanionMay 11, 1990Goldwyn Entertain…Drama$13,065,1751,092,405
134Graffiti BridgeNov 2, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$12,931,4751,081,227
135Loose CannonsFeb 9, 1990Sony PicturesComedy$12,648,9331,057,603
136Dark AngelSep 28, 1990Triumph ReleasingAction$12,392,3771,036,151
137LambadaMar 16, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$12,041,1181,006,782
138Heart ConditionFeb 2, 1990New LineComedy$11,719,077979,855
139¡Átame!May 1, 1990MiramaxBlack Comedy$11,583,062968,483
140LisaApr 20, 1990MGMThriller/Suspense$11,528,434963,915
141Mountains of the MoonFeb 23, 1990Sony PicturesAdventure$11,369,916950,661
142Short TimeMay 4, 199020th Century FoxComedy$11,366,668950,390
143Welcome Home, Roxy CarmichaelOct 12, 1990Paramount PicturesDrama$11,306,159945,331
144A Shock to the SystemMar 23, 1990CorsairBlack Comedy$9,684,358809,728
145The Lemon SistersAug 31, 1990Miramax$9,635,376805,633
146BlazeDec 13, 1989Walt DisneyDrama$8,940,871747,564
147Koneko monogatariAug 25, 1989Sony PicturesAdventure$8,875,862742,128
148MetropolitanAug 3, 1990Comedy$8,263,498690,927
149After Dark, My SweetAug 24, 1990Drama$7,590,955634,695
150Desperate HoursOct 5, 1990MGMThriller/Suspense$7,438,522621,950
151ImpulseApr 6, 1990Warner Bros.Thriller/Suspense$7,174,662599,888
152King of New YorkSep 28, 1990New LineAction$6,773,129566,315
153Blind FuryMar 16, 1990Sony PicturesAction$6,647,799555,836
154White Hunter, Black HeartJan 1, 1990Warner Bros.Adventure$6,572,683549,555
155The Nasty GirlOct 26, 1990MiramaxDrama$6,466,248540,656
156TexasvilleSep 28, 1990Sony PicturesDrama$6,428,304537,483
157Vincent & TheoJan 1, 1990Drama$6,323,705528,737
158Def by TemptationMay 11, 1990ShapiroHorror$6,287,726525,729
159DowntownJan 12, 199020th Century FoxComedy$6,250,619522,627
160The Sheltering SkyJan 1, 1990Adventure$5,881,044491,726
161The KraysNov 9, 1990Miramax$5,769,034482,360
162YumeAug 24, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$5,563,971465,214
163State of GraceSep 14, 1990Orion PicturesDrama$5,417,546452,972
164Camille ClaudelDec 21, 1989Orion ClassicsDrama$5,306,445443,682
165Tune in TomorrowJan 1, 1990Comedy$5,084,417425,118
166The Forbidden DanceMar 16, 1990Sony PicturesDrama$4,873,383407,473
167Brain DeadJan 19, 1990ConcordeHorror$4,613,825385,771
168Mister JohnsonJan 1, 1990$4,149,156346,919
169Class of 1999May 11, 1990TaurusAdventure$3,968,195331,788
170The Last of the FinestMar 9, 1990Orion PicturesAction$3,955,569330,733
171Courage MountainFeb 16, 1990Drama$3,949,662330,239
172Book of LoveOct 31, 1990New LineComedy$3,917,492327,549
173Daddy's Dyin'… Who's Got the …Jan 1, 1990Comedy$3,893,314325,527
174The Fourth WarMar 23, 1990CannonDrama$3,701,048309,452
175Everybody WinsJan 19, 1990Orion PicturesThriller/Suspense$3,682,453307,897
176Bloodfist IIOct 12, 1990ConcordeAction$3,662,603306,237
177Vital SignsApr 13, 1990Drama$3,470,681290,190
178Love at LargeMar 9, 1990Orion PicturesThriller/Suspense$3,441,462287,747
179The Hot SpotOct 12, 1990Orion PicturesThriller/Suspense$3,418,386285,818
180Don't Tell Her it's MeJan 1, 1990Comedy$3,320,918277,668
181To Sleep With AngerOct 12, 1990Samuel Goldwyn Fi…Drama$3,290,800275,150
182Where the Heart IsFeb 23, 1990Walt DisneyComedy$3,135,886262,197
183An Angel at My TableSep 20, 1990Fine LineDrama$2,988,974249,914
184Hidden AgendaNov 21, 1990HemdaleDrama$2,812,731235,178
185The Blood of HeroesFeb 23, 1990New LineAction$2,500,519209,073
186Come See The ParadiseDec 23, 199020th Century FoxDrama$2,453,387205,132
187Angel TownFeb 23, 1990Taurus$2,425,471202,798
188StreetsJan 19, 1990ConcordeAction$2,292,040191,642
189Waiting for the LightNov 2, 1990Triumph ReleasingComedy$2,291,927191,632
190Listen Up: Quincy JonesOct 5, 1990Warner Bros.$2,170,680181,495
191Last Exit to BrooklynMay 4, 1990$1,923,463160,824
192The Return of SuperflyJan 1, 1990$1,729,954144,645
193Henry: Portrait of a Serial K…Jan 5, 1990Horror$1,728,642144,535
194Mr. & Mrs. BridgeNov 23, 1990MiramaxDrama$1,710,923143,053
195The Haunting of MorellaFeb 9, 1990ConcordeHorror$1,700,335142,168
196Coupe De VilleMar 9, 1990UniversalComedy$1,678,053140,305
197The Tall GuySep 21, 1990Romantic Comedy$1,445,403120,853
198Side OutMar 30, 1990Comedy$1,275,355106,635
199Frankenstein UnboundJan 1, 1990Horror$946,59779,146
200AwakeningsDec 19, 1990Sony PicturesDrama$934,23878,113
201Body ChemistryMar 9, 1990Sony/TriStarThriller/Suspense$917,99576,755
202Triumph of the SpiritDec 8, 1989Drama$797,75266,701
203ChattahoocheeApr 20, 1990HemdaleDrama$735,41561,489
204HamletDec 19, 1990Warner Bros.Drama$629,89552,666
205When Harry Met Sally…Jul 14, 1989ColumbiaRomantic Comedy$532,33144,509
206A Show of ForceMay 11, 1990Paramount PicturesThriller/Suspense$433,57036,251
207FrankenhookerJun 1, 1990ShapiroComedy$416,42134,817
208The End of InnocenceJan 1, 1990$325,92427,251
209Torrents of SpringFeb 9, 1990Millimeter FilmsDrama$316,70526,480
210Life is Cheap… But Toilet Pap…Jan 1, 1990$307,19625,685
211Happy TogetherMay 4, 1990Romantic Comedy$283,41223,696
212Why Me?Jan 1, 1990Comedy$238,06619,905
213Fools of FortuneJan 1, 1990Drama$235,23219,668
214Far Out ManMay 11, 1990New LineComedy$232,39819,431
215Prisoners of the SunJan 1, 1990$150,20912,559
216The Spirit of '76Jan 1, 1990Comedy$147,37412,322
217Zamri, umri, voskresni!Dec 7, 1990International Fil…Drama$119,64010,003
218Mister FrostJan 1, 1990$90,6927,582
219Ghosts Can’t Do ItJun 1, 1990Triumph ReleasingComedy$70,8535,924
220Shaking the TreeJan 1, 1990$42,5123,554
221ConvictsJan 1, 1990$36,8443,080
222Any Man’s DeathMay 11, 1990Film Ventures Int…Drama$15,3981,287
223Elliot Fauman, Ph.DMar 23, 1990TaurusRomantic Comedy$8,865741
224Genuine RiskDec 7, 1990IRS ReleasingThriller/Suspense$8,219687