Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

Jacob’s Ladder
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $25,983,963Details
OpusData ID: 20800100
Further financial details...

Synopsis

Jacob Singer is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post-Vietnam experience in 1970s New York, where he feels consistently traumatized, but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son. Though well educated, Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co-workers, Jezzie, after divorcing his wife. Soon, Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him; he is nearly run over by a subway train, pursued by faceless demons in cars, and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality, or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis, a kindly chiropractor, as his ex-wife Sarah, fellow Vietnam vet Paul, and enigmatic stranger Michael all try to help the tortured soul.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,500,760 (28.9% of total gross)
Legs:3.46 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:1,052 opening theaters/1,264 max. theaters, 6.5 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $69,589,039

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,353 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,934 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,135 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,524 $25,983,963

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 2nd, 1990 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
October 3rd, 2025 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures (4K Restoration)
Video Release: September 14th, 2010 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 113 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Donnie Darko
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Surprise Twist, Vietnam War, Psychological Thriller
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Thriller/Suspense
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Fantasy
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 377 $5,319,224 Nov 23, 1990 24
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 173 $5,085,860 Nov 9, 1990 10
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 128 $14,112,658 Nov 9, 1990 10

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,353 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,501-2,600) 2,574 $69,589,039
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 2,701-2,800) 2,726 $25,983,963
Top-grossing movies at the domestic box office first released in 1990 46 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,735 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,910 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Fantasy Movies (Rank 201-300) 224 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 301-400) 308 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,135 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 454 $25,983,963

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 2, 1990 1 $7,500,760   1,052 $7,130   $7,500,760 1
Nov 9, 1990 2 $5,085,860 -32% 1,262 $4,030   $14,911,540 2
Nov 16, 1990 6 $2,825,040 -44% 1,264 $2,235   $19,257,290 3
Nov 23, 1990 9 $1,903,914 -33% 1,083 $1,758   $22,433,386 4
Nov 30, 1990 10 $825,970 -57% 1,094 $755   $23,717,465 5
Dec 7, 1990 11 $429,730 -48% 877 $490   $24,416,319 6
Dec 14, 1990 12 $246,528 -43% 576 $428   $24,847,894 7
Dec 21, 1990 14 $118,600 -52% 200 $593   $25,094,366 8
Dec 28, 1990 14 $223,296 +88% 192 $1,163   $25,361,862 9
Jan 4, 1991 12 $155,184 -31% 212 $732   $25,563,702 10
Jan 11, 1991 12 $108,900 -30% 180 $605   $25,737,686 11
Jan 18, 1991 13 $72,030 -34% 105 $686   $25,848,776 12
Jan 25, 1991 12 $43,512 -40% 74 $588   $25,910,348 13
Feb 1, 1991 12 $28,652 -34% 58 $494   $25,954,762 14
Feb 8, 1991 13 $7,752 -73% 19 $408   $25,972,896 15
Oct 3, 2025 - $4,965   1 $4,965   $25,977,861 1,823
Oct 10, 2025 - $1,710 -66% 1 $1,710   $25,983,543 1,824
Oct 17, 2025 - $582 -66% 2 $291   $25,984,992 1,825
Oct 24, 2025 - $2,686 +362% 3 $895   $25,990,737 1,826
Oct 31, 2025 - $249 -91% 1 $249   $25,990,986 1,827
Nov 14, 2025 - $385   1 $385   $25,991,371 1,829
Nov 21, 2025 - $701 +82% 1 $701   $25,992,336 1,830

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Oct 3, 2025 - $906     1 $906   $25,973,802 12,755
Oct 4, 2025 - $1,152 +27%   1 $1,152   $25,974,954 12,756
Oct 5, 2025 - $2,907 +152%   1 $2,907   $25,977,861 12,757
Oct 6, 2025 - $942 -68%   1 $942   $25,978,803 12,758
Oct 7, 2025 - $1,059 +12%   1 $1,059   $25,979,862 12,759
Oct 8, 2025 - $978 -8%   1 $978   $25,980,840 12,760
Oct 9, 2025 - $993 +2%   1 $993   $25,981,833 12,761
Oct 10, 2025 - $399 -60% -56% 1 $399   $25,982,232 12,762
Oct 11, 2025 - $858 +115% -26% 1 $858   $25,983,090 12,763
Oct 12, 2025 - $453 -47% -84% 1 $453   $25,983,543 12,764
Oct 13, 2025 - $420 -7% -55% 1 $420   $25,983,963 12,765
Oct 14, 2025 - $279 -34% -74% 1 $279   $25,984,242 12,766
Oct 15, 2025 - $132 -53% -87% 1 $132   $25,984,374 12,767
Oct 16, 2025 - $36 -73% -96% 1 $36   $25,984,410 12,768
Oct 17, 2025 - $273 +658% -32% 2 $137   $25,984,683 12,769
Oct 18, 2025 - $309 +13% -64% 1 $309   $25,984,992 12,770
Oct 19, 2025 - $942 +205% +108% 1 $942   $25,985,934 12,771
Oct 20, 2025 - $225 -76% -46% 1 $225   $25,986,159 12,772
Oct 21, 2025 - $1,266 +463% +354% 1 $1,266   $25,987,425 12,773
Oct 22, 2025 - $60 -95% -55% 1 $60   $25,987,485 12,774
Oct 23, 2025 - $566 +843% +1,472% 2 $283   $25,988,051 12,775
Oct 24, 2025 - $2,101 +271% +670% 3 $700   $25,990,152 12,776
Oct 25, 2025 - $585 -72% +89% 2 $293   $25,990,737 12,777
Oct 31, 2025 - $249   -88% 1 $249   $25,990,986 12,783
Nov 15, 2025 - $385     1 $385   $25,991,371 12,798
Nov 19, 2025 - $264     1 $264   $25,991,635 12,802
Nov 22, 2025 - $701   +82% 1 $701   $25,992,336 12,805
Nov 24, 2025 - $293     1 $293   $25,992,629 12,807

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 2, 1990 1 $9,825,680   1,052 $9,340   $9,825,680 1
Nov 9, 1990 2 $6,606,570 -33% 1,262 $5,235   $16,432,250 2
Nov 16, 1990 7 $4,097,222 -38% 1,264 $3,241   $20,529,472 3
Nov 23, 1990 9 $2,362,023 -42% 1,083 $2,181   $22,891,495 4
Nov 30, 1990 10 $1,095,094 -54% 1,094 $1,001   $23,986,589 5
Dec 7, 1990 8 $614,777 -44% 877 $701   $24,601,366 6
Dec 14, 1990 10 $374,400 -39% 576 $650   $24,975,766 7
Dec 21, 1990 14 $162,800 -57% 200 $814   $25,138,566 8
Dec 28, 1990 13 $269,952 +66% 192 $1,406   $25,408,518 9
Jan 4, 1991 9 $220,268 -18% 212 $1,039   $25,628,786 10
Jan 11, 1991 9 $147,960 -33% 180 $822   $25,776,746 11
Jan 18, 1991 11 $90,090 -39% 105 $858   $25,866,836 12
Jan 25, 1991 10 $59,274 -34% 74 $801   $25,926,110 13
Feb 1, 1991 10 $39,034 -34% 58 $673   $25,965,144 14
Feb 8, 1991 10 $7,752 -80% 19 $408   $25,972,896 15
Oct 3, 2025 39 $8,937   1 $8,937   $25,981,833 1,823
Oct 10, 2025 48 $2,577 -71% 1 $2,577   $25,984,410 1,824
Oct 17, 2025 52 $3,641 +41% 2 $1,821   $25,988,051 1,825
Oct 24, 2025 57 $2,686 -26% 1 $2,686   $25,990,737 1,826
Oct 31, 2025 70 $249 -91% 1 $249   $25,990,986 1,827
Nov 14, 2025 65 $649   1 $649   $25,991,635 1,829
Nov 21, 2025 48 $994 +53% 1 $994   $25,992,629 1,830
Nov 28, 2025 48 $378 -62% 1 $378   $25,993,007 1,831

Leading Cast

Tim Robbins    Jacob Singer

Supporting Cast

Elizabeth Peña    Jezebel
Danny Aiello    Louis
Matt Craven    Michael
Christopher John Fields    Field Medic
Lewis Black    Jacob’s Doctor
Pruitt Taylor Vince    Paul
Eriq La Salle    Frank
Macaulay Culkin    Gabe
Ving Rhames    George
Jason Alexander    Geary

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Adrian Lyne    Director
Alan Marshall    Producer
Bruce Joel Rubin    Screenwriter
Mario Kassar    Executive Producer
Andrew G. Vajna    Executive Producer
Jeffrey Kimball    Director of Photography
Tom Rolf    Editor
Maurice Jarre    Composer
Bruce Joel Rubin    Associate Producer

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Synopsis

Jacob Singer is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post-Vietnam experience in 1970s New York, where he feels consistently traumatized, but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son. Though well educated, Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co-workers, Jezzie, after divorcing his wife. Soon, Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him; he is nearly run over by a subway train, pursued by faceless demons in cars, and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality, or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis, a kindly chiropractor, as his ex-wife Sarah, fellow Vietnam vet Paul, and enigmatic stranger Michael all try to help the tortured soul.

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,500,760 (28.9% of total gross)
Legs:3.46 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:1,052 opening theaters/1,264 max. theaters, 6.5 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $69,589,039

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,353 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,934 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,135 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,524 $25,983,963

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 2nd, 1990 (Wide) by Sony Pictures
October 3rd, 2025 (Limited) by Rialto Pictures (4K Restoration)
Video Release: September 14th, 2010 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 113 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Donnie Darko
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Surprise Twist, Vietnam War, Psychological Thriller
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Thriller/Suspense
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Fantasy
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Thanksgiving (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 377 $5,319,224 Nov 23, 1990 24
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 173 $5,085,860 Nov 9, 1990 10
Veterans Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 128 $14,112,658 Nov 9, 1990 10

Leading Cast

Tim Robbins    Jacob Singer

Supporting Cast

Elizabeth Peña    Jezebel
Danny Aiello    Louis
Matt Craven    Michael
Christopher John Fields    Field Medic
Lewis Black    Jacob’s Doctor
Pruitt Taylor Vince    Paul
Eriq La Salle    Frank
Macaulay Culkin    Gabe
Ving Rhames    George
Jason Alexander    Geary

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Adrian Lyne    Director
Alan Marshall    Producer
Bruce Joel Rubin    Screenwriter
Mario Kassar    Executive Producer
Andrew G. Vajna    Executive Producer
Jeffrey Kimball    Director of Photography
Tom Rolf    Editor
Maurice Jarre    Composer
Bruce Joel Rubin    Associate Producer

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,353 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,501-2,600) 2,574 $69,589,039
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 2,701-2,800) 2,726 $25,983,963
Top-grossing movies at the domestic box office first released in 1990 46 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,735 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,910 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Fantasy Movies (Rank 201-300) 224 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 301-400) 308 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,135 $25,983,963
All Time Domestic Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 454 $25,983,963

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 2, 1990 1 $7,500,760   1,052 $7,130   $7,500,760 1
Nov 9, 1990 2 $5,085,860 -32% 1,262 $4,030   $14,911,540 2
Nov 16, 1990 6 $2,825,040 -44% 1,264 $2,235   $19,257,290 3
Nov 23, 1990 9 $1,903,914 -33% 1,083 $1,758   $22,433,386 4
Nov 30, 1990 10 $825,970 -57% 1,094 $755   $23,717,465 5
Dec 7, 1990 11 $429,730 -48% 877 $490   $24,416,319 6
Dec 14, 1990 12 $246,528 -43% 576 $428   $24,847,894 7
Dec 21, 1990 14 $118,600 -52% 200 $593   $25,094,366 8
Dec 28, 1990 14 $223,296 +88% 192 $1,163   $25,361,862 9
Jan 4, 1991 12 $155,184 -31% 212 $732   $25,563,702 10
Jan 11, 1991 12 $108,900 -30% 180 $605   $25,737,686 11
Jan 18, 1991 13 $72,030 -34% 105 $686   $25,848,776 12
Jan 25, 1991 12 $43,512 -40% 74 $588   $25,910,348 13
Feb 1, 1991 12 $28,652 -34% 58 $494   $25,954,762 14
Feb 8, 1991 13 $7,752 -73% 19 $408   $25,972,896 15
Oct 3, 2025 - $4,965   1 $4,965   $25,977,861 1,823
Oct 10, 2025 - $1,710 -66% 1 $1,710   $25,983,543 1,824
Oct 17, 2025 - $582 -66% 2 $291   $25,984,992 1,825
Oct 24, 2025 - $2,686 +362% 3 $895   $25,990,737 1,826
Oct 31, 2025 - $249 -91% 1 $249   $25,990,986 1,827
Nov 14, 2025 - $385   1 $385   $25,991,371 1,829
Nov 21, 2025 - $701 +82% 1 $701   $25,992,336 1,830

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Oct 3, 2025 - $906     1 $906   $25,973,802 12,755
Oct 4, 2025 - $1,152 +27%   1 $1,152   $25,974,954 12,756
Oct 5, 2025 - $2,907 +152%   1 $2,907   $25,977,861 12,757
Oct 6, 2025 - $942 -68%   1 $942   $25,978,803 12,758
Oct 7, 2025 - $1,059 +12%   1 $1,059   $25,979,862 12,759
Oct 8, 2025 - $978 -8%   1 $978   $25,980,840 12,760
Oct 9, 2025 - $993 +2%   1 $993   $25,981,833 12,761
Oct 10, 2025 - $399 -60% -56% 1 $399   $25,982,232 12,762
Oct 11, 2025 - $858 +115% -26% 1 $858   $25,983,090 12,763
Oct 12, 2025 - $453 -47% -84% 1 $453   $25,983,543 12,764
Oct 13, 2025 - $420 -7% -55% 1 $420   $25,983,963 12,765
Oct 14, 2025 - $279 -34% -74% 1 $279   $25,984,242 12,766
Oct 15, 2025 - $132 -53% -87% 1 $132   $25,984,374 12,767
Oct 16, 2025 - $36 -73% -96% 1 $36   $25,984,410 12,768
Oct 17, 2025 - $273 +658% -32% 2 $137   $25,984,683 12,769
Oct 18, 2025 - $309 +13% -64% 1 $309   $25,984,992 12,770
Oct 19, 2025 - $942 +205% +108% 1 $942   $25,985,934 12,771
Oct 20, 2025 - $225 -76% -46% 1 $225   $25,986,159 12,772
Oct 21, 2025 - $1,266 +463% +354% 1 $1,266   $25,987,425 12,773
Oct 22, 2025 - $60 -95% -55% 1 $60   $25,987,485 12,774
Oct 23, 2025 - $566 +843% +1,472% 2 $283   $25,988,051 12,775
Oct 24, 2025 - $2,101 +271% +670% 3 $700   $25,990,152 12,776
Oct 25, 2025 - $585 -72% +89% 2 $293   $25,990,737 12,777
Oct 31, 2025 - $249   -88% 1 $249   $25,990,986 12,783
Nov 15, 2025 - $385     1 $385   $25,991,371 12,798
Nov 19, 2025 - $264     1 $264   $25,991,635 12,802
Nov 22, 2025 - $701   +82% 1 $701   $25,992,336 12,805
Nov 24, 2025 - $293     1 $293   $25,992,629 12,807

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 2, 1990 1 $9,825,680   1,052 $9,340   $9,825,680 1
Nov 9, 1990 2 $6,606,570 -33% 1,262 $5,235   $16,432,250 2
Nov 16, 1990 7 $4,097,222 -38% 1,264 $3,241   $20,529,472 3
Nov 23, 1990 9 $2,362,023 -42% 1,083 $2,181   $22,891,495 4
Nov 30, 1990 10 $1,095,094 -54% 1,094 $1,001   $23,986,589 5
Dec 7, 1990 8 $614,777 -44% 877 $701   $24,601,366 6
Dec 14, 1990 10 $374,400 -39% 576 $650   $24,975,766 7
Dec 21, 1990 14 $162,800 -57% 200 $814   $25,138,566 8
Dec 28, 1990 13 $269,952 +66% 192 $1,406   $25,408,518 9
Jan 4, 1991 9 $220,268 -18% 212 $1,039   $25,628,786 10
Jan 11, 1991 9 $147,960 -33% 180 $822   $25,776,746 11
Jan 18, 1991 11 $90,090 -39% 105 $858   $25,866,836 12
Jan 25, 1991 10 $59,274 -34% 74 $801   $25,926,110 13
Feb 1, 1991 10 $39,034 -34% 58 $673   $25,965,144 14
Feb 8, 1991 10 $7,752 -80% 19 $408   $25,972,896 15
Oct 3, 2025 39 $8,937   1 $8,937   $25,981,833 1,823
Oct 10, 2025 48 $2,577 -71% 1 $2,577   $25,984,410 1,824
Oct 17, 2025 52 $3,641 +41% 2 $1,821   $25,988,051 1,825
Oct 24, 2025 57 $2,686 -26% 1 $2,686   $25,990,737 1,826
Oct 31, 2025 70 $249 -91% 1 $249   $25,990,986 1,827
Nov 14, 2025 65 $649   1 $649   $25,991,635 1,829
Nov 21, 2025 48 $994 +53% 1 $994   $25,992,629 1,830
Nov 28, 2025 48 $378 -62% 1 $378   $25,993,007 1,831

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,934 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,001-4,100) 4,097 $25,983,963
Top 1990 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 46 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,666 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,201-4,300) 4,298 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Fantasy Movies (Rank 301-400) 364 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 401-500) 464 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,524 $25,983,963
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 501-600) 519 $25,983,963