Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $25,983,963 | Details |
| 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 |
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 |
| MPA Rating: | R |
| Running Time: | 113 minutes |
| Plot point: | Surprise Twist |
| Social setting: | Vietnam War |
| Subgenre: | Psychological Thriller |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Thriller/Suspense |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Fantasy |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 49 | $2,577 | -71% | 1 | $2,577 | $25,984,410 | 1,824 |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 54 | $3,641 | +41% | 2 | $1,821 | $25,988,051 | 1,825 |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 60 | $2,686 | -26% | 1 | $2,686 | $25,990,737 | 1,826 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 73 | $249 | -91% | 1 | $249 | $25,990,986 | 1,827 |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 69 | $649 | 1 | $649 | $25,991,635 | 1,829 | |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 50 | $994 | +53% | 1 | $994 | $25,992,629 | 1,830 |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 50 | $378 | -62% | 1 | $378 | $25,993,007 | 1,831 |
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 |
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 |
| MPA Rating: | R |
| Running Time: | 113 minutes |
| Plot point: | Surprise Twist |
| Social setting: | Vietnam War |
| Subgenre: | Psychological Thriller |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Thriller/Suspense |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Fantasy |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 49 | $2,577 | -71% | 1 | $2,577 | $25,984,410 | 1,824 |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 54 | $3,641 | +41% | 2 | $1,821 | $25,988,051 | 1,825 |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 60 | $2,686 | -26% | 1 | $2,686 | $25,990,737 | 1,826 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 73 | $249 | -91% | 1 | $249 | $25,990,986 | 1,827 |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 69 | $649 | 1 | $649 | $25,991,635 | 1,829 | |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 50 | $994 | +53% | 1 | $994 | $25,992,629 | 1,830 |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 50 | $378 | -62% | 1 | $378 | $25,993,007 | 1,831 |