Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $169,100,479 | Details |
| International Box Office | $171,700,000 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $340,800,479 | |
| Domestic Physical Disc Sales | ||
| Blu-ray Sales (estimated) | $1,650,712 | |
| Total | $1,650,712 | |
| OpusData ID: 1510100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Metrics
| Legs: | 31.43 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 49.6% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $20,000,000 (worldwide box office is 17.0 times production budget) |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $845,819,617 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | November 16th, 1977 (Wide) by Columbia September 1st, 2017 (Limited) by Sony Pictures 2020 (Canceled) by Fathom Events, released as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) |
| International Releases: | May 27th, 2016 (Limited), released as Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Director's Cut (Re: 2016) (United Kingdom)
June 25th, 2020 (Wide) (New Zealand) November 12th, 2020 (Wide) (Australia) March 18th, 2021 (Limited) (New Zealand) January 26th, 2026 (Limited), released as Incontri ravvicinati del terzo tipo (Re-release) (Italy) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | May 29th, 2001 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | PG |
| Running Time: | 134 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Visual Effects |
| Plot point: | Alien Encounters, Dysfunctional Family, First Contact, Friendly Alien on Earth |
| Subgenre: | Mystery Drama |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Science Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Columbia Pictures, EMI, Phillips, Steven Spielberg |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 1977 | 1 | $5,379,460 | 270 | $19,924 | $5,379,460 | 5 | |
| Sep 1, 2017 | 14 | $1,767,758 | 901 | $1,962 | $167,767,758 | 2,077 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 23 | $309,268 | -83% | 787 | $393 | $168,890,338 | 2,078 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | 43 | $44,181 | -86% | 138 | $320 | $169,077,585 | 2,079 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 1977 | 1 | $3,026,558 | 571 | $5,300 | $8,406,018 | 41 | ||
| Sep 1, 2017 | 12 | $483,575 | 901 | $537 | $166,483,575 | 14,535 | ||
| Sep 2, 2017 | 15 | $652,514 | +35% | 901 | $724 | $167,136,089 | 14,536 | |
| Sep 3, 2017 | - | $631,669 | -3% | 901 | $701 | $167,767,758 | 14,537 | |
| Sep 4, 2017 | 15 | $453,199 | -28% | 901 | $503 | $168,220,957 | 14,538 | |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 11 | $148,480 | -67% | 901 | $165 | $168,369,437 | 14,539 | |
| Sep 6, 2017 | 10 | $135,852 | -9% | 901 | $151 | $168,505,289 | 14,540 | |
| Sep 7, 2017 | 12 | $75,781 | -44% | 901 | $84 | $168,581,070 | 14,541 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | - | $87,686 | +16% | -82% | 787 | $111 | $168,668,756 | 14,542 |
| Sep 9, 2017 | - | $136,481 | +56% | -79% | 787 | $173 | $168,805,237 | 14,543 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | - | $85,101 | -38% | -87% | 787 | $108 | $168,890,338 | 14,544 |
| Sep 11, 2017 | - | $31,874 | -63% | -93% | 787 | $41 | $168,922,212 | 14,545 |
| Sep 12, 2017 | - | $42,476 | +33% | -71% | 787 | $54 | $168,964,688 | 14,546 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | - | $38,369 | -10% | -72% | 787 | $49 | $169,003,057 | 14,547 |
| Sep 14, 2017 | - | $30,347 | -21% | -60% | 787 | $39 | $169,033,404 | 14,548 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | - | $11,529 | -62% | -87% | 138 | $84 | $169,044,933 | 14,549 |
| Sep 16, 2017 | - | $20,387 | +77% | -85% | 138 | $148 | $169,065,320 | 14,550 |
| Sep 17, 2017 | - | $12,265 | -40% | -86% | 138 | $89 | $169,077,585 | 14,551 |
| Sep 18, 2017 | - | $4,992 | -59% | -84% | 138 | $36 | $169,082,577 | 14,552 |
| Sep 19, 2017 | - | $6,091 | +22% | -86% | 138 | $44 | $169,088,668 | 14,553 |
| Sep 20, 2017 | - | $5,817 | -4% | -85% | 138 | $42 | $169,094,485 | 14,554 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | - | $5,994 | +3% | -80% | 138 | $43 | $169,100,479 | 14,555 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | 14 | $2,581,070 | 901 | $2,865 | $168,581,070 | 2,078 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 25 | $452,334 | -82% | 787 | $575 | $169,033,404 | 2,079 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | 40 | $67,075 | -85% | 138 | $486 | $169,100,479 | 2,080 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 11/12/2020 | $282 | 1 | 21 | 22 | $1,548 | 12/11/2020 | |||
| New Zealand | 6/25/2020 | $1,027 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $1,499 | 6/8/2026 | |||
| United Kingdom | 5/27/2016 | $9,363 | 1 | 1 | 1 | $9,363 | 6/9/2016 | |||
| Rest of World | $171,687,590 | |||||||||
| International Total | $171,700,000 | 6/8/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Richard Dreyfuss | Roy Neary | |
| Teri Garr | Ronnie Neary | |
| Melinda Dillon | Jillian Guiler |
Supporting
| François Truffaut | Claude Lacombe | |
| Cary Guffey | Barry Guiler | |
| Bob Balaban | David Laughlin | |
| J. Patrick McNamara | Project Leader | |
| Warren Kemmerling | Wild Bill | |
| Roberts Blossom | Farmer | |
| Phillip Dodds | Jean Claude | |
| Shawn Bishop | Brad Neary | |
| Adrienne Campbell | Silvia Neary | |
| Justin Dreyfuss | Toby Neary | |
| Lance Henriksen | Robert | |
| Merrill Connally | Team Leader | |
| George DiCenzo | Major Benchley | |
| Amy Douglass | Implantee | |
| Alexander Lockwood | Implantee | |
| Gene Dynarski | Ike | |
| Mary Gafrey | Mrs. Harris | |
| Norman Bartold | Ohio Tolls |
Cameo
| Michael J. Dyer | Himself |
Supporting
| Robert Ernest | Highway Patrolman | |
| Carl Weathers | Military Police | |
| F.J. O'Neil | ARP Project Member | |
| Phil Dodds | ARP Musician | |
| Randy Herman | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| Hal Barwood | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| Matthew Robbins | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| David Anderson | Air Traffic Controller | |
| Richard L. Hawkins | Air Traffic Controller | |
| Craig Sheeve | Air Traffic | |
| Bill Thurman | Air Traffic | |
| Roy E. Richards | Air East Pilot | |
| Gene Rader | Hawker | |
| Eumenio Blanco | Federale | |
| Daniel Nunez | Federale | |
| Chuy Franco | Luis Contreras | |
| James Keane | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Dennis McMullen | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Cy Young | Robert Telescope Team | |
| Tom Howard | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Richard Stuart | Truck Despatcher | |
| Bob Westmoreland | Load Dispatcher | |
| Matt Emery | Support Leader | |
| Galen Thompson | Special Forces | |
| John Dennis Johnston | Special Forces | |
| John Ewing | Dirty Tricks | |
| Robert Broyles | Dirty Tricks | |
| Kirk Raymond | Dirty Tricks |
Production and Technical Credits
| Steven Spielberg | Director | |
| Steven Spielberg | Screenwriter | |
| Julia Phillips | Producer | |
| Michael Phillips | Producer | |
| Vilmos Zsigmond | Director of Photography | |
| Douglas Trumbull | Visual Effects Designer | |
| John Williams | Composer | |
| Clark Paylow | Associate Producer | |
| Chuck Myers | Assistant Director | |
| Clark Paylow | Unit Production Manager | |
| Joe Alves | Production Designer | |
| Dan Lomino | Art Director | |
| Phil Abramson | Set Decorator | |
| William A. Fraker | Director of Photography Additional American Scenes | |
| Douglas Slocombe | Director of Photography India Sequences | |
| Allen Daviau | Director of Photography Additional Material, Special Edition | |
| Steven Poster | Second Unit Camera | |
| John A. Alonzo | Additional Photography | |
| Laszlo Kovacs | Additional Photography | |
| Frank Stanley | Additional Photography | |
| Roy Arbogast | Special Effects | |
| Matthew Yuricich | Matte Artist | |
| Gregory Jein | Chief Model Maker | |
| Richard Yuricich | Director of Photography Special Effects | |
| Michael Kahn | Editor | |
| Gene Contamessa | Sound Mixer | |
| Robert Knudson | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Don MacDougall | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Robert J. Glass | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Frank E. Warner | Supervising Sound Effects Editor | |
| Richard Oswald | Sound Effects Editor | |
| David M. Horton | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Sam Gemette | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Gary S. Gerlich | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Chet Slomka | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Neil Burrow | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Jack Schrader | Supervising Dialogue Editor | |
| Dick Friedman | Dialogue Editor | |
| Ken Wannberg | Music Editor | |
| Bob Westmoreland | Makeup | |
| Edie Panda | Hairstylist | |
| Shari Rhodes | Casting | |
| Juliet Taylor | Casting | |
| Sally Dennison | Additional Casting |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.
Metrics
| Legs: | 31.43 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 49.6% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $20,000,000 (worldwide box office is 17.0 times production budget) |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $845,819,617 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | November 16th, 1977 (Wide) by Columbia September 1st, 2017 (Limited) by Sony Pictures 2020 (Canceled) by Fathom Events, released as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) |
| International Releases: | May 27th, 2016 (Limited), released as Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Director's Cut (Re: 2016) (United Kingdom)
June 25th, 2020 (Wide) (New Zealand) November 12th, 2020 (Wide) (Australia) March 18th, 2021 (Limited) (New Zealand) January 26th, 2026 (Limited), released as Incontri ravvicinati del terzo tipo (Re-release) (Italy) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | May 29th, 2001 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |
| MPA Rating: | PG |
| Running Time: | 134 minutes |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Visual Effects |
| Plot point: | Alien Encounters, Dysfunctional Family, First Contact, Friendly Alien on Earth |
| Subgenre: | Mystery Drama |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Science Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Columbia Pictures, EMI, Phillips, Steven Spielberg |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 1977 | 1 | $5,379,460 | 270 | $19,924 | $5,379,460 | 5 | |
| Sep 1, 2017 | 14 | $1,767,758 | 901 | $1,962 | $167,767,758 | 2,077 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 23 | $309,268 | -83% | 787 | $393 | $168,890,338 | 2,078 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | 43 | $44,181 | -86% | 138 | $320 | $169,077,585 | 2,079 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 1977 | 1 | $3,026,558 | 571 | $5,300 | $8,406,018 | 41 | ||
| Sep 1, 2017 | 12 | $483,575 | 901 | $537 | $166,483,575 | 14,535 | ||
| Sep 2, 2017 | 15 | $652,514 | +35% | 901 | $724 | $167,136,089 | 14,536 | |
| Sep 3, 2017 | - | $631,669 | -3% | 901 | $701 | $167,767,758 | 14,537 | |
| Sep 4, 2017 | 15 | $453,199 | -28% | 901 | $503 | $168,220,957 | 14,538 | |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 11 | $148,480 | -67% | 901 | $165 | $168,369,437 | 14,539 | |
| Sep 6, 2017 | 10 | $135,852 | -9% | 901 | $151 | $168,505,289 | 14,540 | |
| Sep 7, 2017 | 12 | $75,781 | -44% | 901 | $84 | $168,581,070 | 14,541 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | - | $87,686 | +16% | -82% | 787 | $111 | $168,668,756 | 14,542 |
| Sep 9, 2017 | - | $136,481 | +56% | -79% | 787 | $173 | $168,805,237 | 14,543 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | - | $85,101 | -38% | -87% | 787 | $108 | $168,890,338 | 14,544 |
| Sep 11, 2017 | - | $31,874 | -63% | -93% | 787 | $41 | $168,922,212 | 14,545 |
| Sep 12, 2017 | - | $42,476 | +33% | -71% | 787 | $54 | $168,964,688 | 14,546 |
| Sep 13, 2017 | - | $38,369 | -10% | -72% | 787 | $49 | $169,003,057 | 14,547 |
| Sep 14, 2017 | - | $30,347 | -21% | -60% | 787 | $39 | $169,033,404 | 14,548 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | - | $11,529 | -62% | -87% | 138 | $84 | $169,044,933 | 14,549 |
| Sep 16, 2017 | - | $20,387 | +77% | -85% | 138 | $148 | $169,065,320 | 14,550 |
| Sep 17, 2017 | - | $12,265 | -40% | -86% | 138 | $89 | $169,077,585 | 14,551 |
| Sep 18, 2017 | - | $4,992 | -59% | -84% | 138 | $36 | $169,082,577 | 14,552 |
| Sep 19, 2017 | - | $6,091 | +22% | -86% | 138 | $44 | $169,088,668 | 14,553 |
| Sep 20, 2017 | - | $5,817 | -4% | -85% | 138 | $42 | $169,094,485 | 14,554 |
| Sep 21, 2017 | - | $5,994 | +3% | -80% | 138 | $43 | $169,100,479 | 14,555 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | 14 | $2,581,070 | 901 | $2,865 | $168,581,070 | 2,078 | |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 25 | $452,334 | -82% | 787 | $575 | $169,033,404 | 2,079 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | 40 | $67,075 | -85% | 138 | $486 | $169,100,479 | 2,080 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 11/12/2020 | $282 | 1 | 21 | 22 | $1,548 | 12/11/2020 | |||
| New Zealand | 6/25/2020 | $1,027 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $1,499 | 6/8/2026 | |||
| United Kingdom | 5/27/2016 | $9,363 | 1 | 1 | 1 | $9,363 | 6/9/2016 | |||
| Rest of World | $171,687,590 | |||||||||
| International Total | $171,700,000 | 6/8/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Richard Dreyfuss | Roy Neary | |
| Teri Garr | Ronnie Neary | |
| Melinda Dillon | Jillian Guiler |
Supporting
| François Truffaut | Claude Lacombe | |
| Cary Guffey | Barry Guiler | |
| Bob Balaban | David Laughlin | |
| J. Patrick McNamara | Project Leader | |
| Warren Kemmerling | Wild Bill | |
| Roberts Blossom | Farmer | |
| Phillip Dodds | Jean Claude | |
| Shawn Bishop | Brad Neary | |
| Adrienne Campbell | Silvia Neary | |
| Justin Dreyfuss | Toby Neary | |
| Lance Henriksen | Robert | |
| Merrill Connally | Team Leader | |
| George DiCenzo | Major Benchley | |
| Amy Douglass | Implantee | |
| Alexander Lockwood | Implantee | |
| Gene Dynarski | Ike | |
| Mary Gafrey | Mrs. Harris | |
| Norman Bartold | Ohio Tolls |
Cameo
| Michael J. Dyer | Himself |
Supporting
| Robert Ernest | Highway Patrolman | |
| Carl Weathers | Military Police | |
| F.J. O'Neil | ARP Project Member | |
| Phil Dodds | ARP Musician | |
| Randy Herman | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| Hal Barwood | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| Matthew Robbins | Flight 19 Returnee | |
| David Anderson | Air Traffic Controller | |
| Richard L. Hawkins | Air Traffic Controller | |
| Craig Sheeve | Air Traffic | |
| Bill Thurman | Air Traffic | |
| Roy E. Richards | Air East Pilot | |
| Gene Rader | Hawker | |
| Eumenio Blanco | Federale | |
| Daniel Nunez | Federale | |
| Chuy Franco | Luis Contreras | |
| James Keane | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Dennis McMullen | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Cy Young | Robert Telescope Team | |
| Tom Howard | Radio Telescope Team | |
| Richard Stuart | Truck Despatcher | |
| Bob Westmoreland | Load Dispatcher | |
| Matt Emery | Support Leader | |
| Galen Thompson | Special Forces | |
| John Dennis Johnston | Special Forces | |
| John Ewing | Dirty Tricks | |
| Robert Broyles | Dirty Tricks | |
| Kirk Raymond | Dirty Tricks |
Production and Technical Credits
| Steven Spielberg | Director | |
| Steven Spielberg | Screenwriter | |
| Julia Phillips | Producer | |
| Michael Phillips | Producer | |
| Vilmos Zsigmond | Director of Photography | |
| Douglas Trumbull | Visual Effects Designer | |
| John Williams | Composer | |
| Clark Paylow | Associate Producer | |
| Chuck Myers | Assistant Director | |
| Clark Paylow | Unit Production Manager | |
| Joe Alves | Production Designer | |
| Dan Lomino | Art Director | |
| Phil Abramson | Set Decorator | |
| William A. Fraker | Director of Photography Additional American Scenes | |
| Douglas Slocombe | Director of Photography India Sequences | |
| Allen Daviau | Director of Photography Additional Material, Special Edition | |
| Steven Poster | Second Unit Camera | |
| John A. Alonzo | Additional Photography | |
| Laszlo Kovacs | Additional Photography | |
| Frank Stanley | Additional Photography | |
| Roy Arbogast | Special Effects | |
| Matthew Yuricich | Matte Artist | |
| Gregory Jein | Chief Model Maker | |
| Richard Yuricich | Director of Photography Special Effects | |
| Michael Kahn | Editor | |
| Gene Contamessa | Sound Mixer | |
| Robert Knudson | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Don MacDougall | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Robert J. Glass | Re-recording Mixer | |
| Frank E. Warner | Supervising Sound Effects Editor | |
| Richard Oswald | Sound Effects Editor | |
| David M. Horton | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Sam Gemette | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Gary S. Gerlich | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Chet Slomka | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Neil Burrow | Sound Effects Editor | |
| Jack Schrader | Supervising Dialogue Editor | |
| Dick Friedman | Dialogue Editor | |
| Ken Wannberg | Music Editor | |
| Bob Westmoreland | Makeup | |
| Edie Panda | Hairstylist | |
| Shari Rhodes | Casting | |
| Juliet Taylor | Casting | |
| Sally Dennison | Additional Casting |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.