Market Charts > 1990 > Movie Chart

North America (US and Canada) Domestic Movie Chart for 1990

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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. 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.

See Top 1990 Movies at the Domestic Box Office for the total domestic box office for the top 100 movies released in 1990, and Movie Index 1990 for an overview of all movies released in 1990.

Top Grossing Movies of 1990

RankMovieRelease
Date		DistributorGenre1990 GrossTickets Sold
1 Ghost Jul 13, 1990 Paramount Pictures Drama $217,631,306 51,571,399
2 Pretty Woman Mar 23, 1990 Walt Disney Romantic Comedy $178,406,268 42,276,366
3 Home Alone Nov 16, 1990 20th Century Fox Comedy $176,954,863 41,932,431
4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mar 30, 1990 New Line Adventure $135,265,915 32,053,534
5 The Hunt for Red October Mar 2, 1990 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $120,709,866 28,604,233
6 Total Recall Jun 1, 1990 Sony Pictures Action $119,383,540 28,289,938
7 Die Hard 2 Jul 3, 1990 20th Century Fox Action $117,323,878 27,801,866
8 Dick Tracy Jun 15, 1990 Walt Disney Action $103,738,726 24,582,636
9 Driving Miss Daisy Dec 13, 1989 Warner Bros. Drama $102,007,676 24,172,435
10 Back to the Future Part III May 24, 1990 Universal Western $88,055,283 20,866,180
11 Presumed Innocent Jul 27, 1990 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $86,303,188 20,450,992
12 Days of Thunder Jun 27, 1990 Paramount Pictures Action $82,670,733 19,590,221
13 Dances with Wolves Nov 9, 1990 Orion Pictures Western $80,160,886 18,995,470
14 Another 48 Hrs. Jun 8, 1990 Paramount Pictures Action $80,047,413 18,968,581
15 Bird on a Wire May 18, 1990 Universal Action $70,978,012 16,819,434
16 Born on the Fourth of July Dec 20, 1989 Universal Drama $65,220,845 15,455,176
17 Flatliners Aug 10, 1990 Sony Pictures Horror $61,308,153 14,527,998
18 3 Men and a Little Lady Nov 21, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $58,980,240 13,976,360
19 Problem Child Jul 27, 1990 Universal Black Comedy $53,470,891 12,670,827
20 Arachnophobia Jul 18, 1990 Walt Disney Horror $53,208,180 12,608,573
21 Kindergarten Cop Dec 21, 1990 Universal Comedy $47,391,750 11,230,272
22 Hard To Kill Feb 9, 1990 Warner Bros. Action $47,381,386 11,227,816
23 RoboCop 2 Jun 22, 1990 Orion Pictures Action $45,681,173 10,824,922
24 Misery Nov 30, 1990 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $45,211,319 10,713,582
25 Edward Scissorhands Dec 7, 1990 20th Century Fox Drama $44,856,044 10,629,394
26 The Godfather: Part III Dec 25, 1990 Paramount Pictures Drama $44,680,408 10,587,774
27 Young Guns II Aug 1, 1990 20th Century Fox Western $44,143,410 10,460,523
28 Look Who's Talking Too Dec 14, 1990 Sony Pictures Comedy $43,455,441 10,297,497
29 Marked for Death Oct 5, 1990 20th Century Fox Action $43,224,499 10,242,772
30 Gremlins 2: The New Batch Jun 15, 1990 Warner Bros. Comedy $41,476,097 9,828,459
31 Rocky V Nov 16, 1990 MGM Action $40,946,358 9,702,928
32 Tango & Cash Dec 22, 1989 Warner Bros. Action $39,959,761 9,469,137
33 The War of the Roses Dec 8, 1989 20th Century Fox Black Comedy $39,893,643 9,453,469
34 Joe Versus the Volcano Mar 9, 1990 Warner Bros. Comedy $39,381,963 9,332,218
35 Postcards from the Edge Sep 12, 1990 Sony Pictures Comedy $37,963,281 8,996,038
36 Goodfellas Sep 19, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $33,910,019 8,035,549
37 Steel Magnolias Nov 15, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $32,970,127 7,812,826
38 Darkman Aug 24, 1990 Universal Action $32,942,739 7,806,336
39 Mermaids Dec 14, 1990 Orion Pictures Comedy $31,713,557 7,515,060
40 Air America Aug 10, 1990 Sony Pictures Action $30,506,847 7,229,110
41 The Little Mermaid Nov 15, 1989 Walt Disney Musical $29,779,381 7,056,725
42 Pacific Heights Sep 28, 1990 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $29,381,956 6,962,548
43 The Rescuers Down Under Nov 16, 1990 Walt Disney Adventure $27,931,461 6,618,829
44 Internal Affairs Jan 12, 1990 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $27,661,878 6,554,947
45 Predator 2 Nov 21, 1990 20th Century Fox Action $27,418,015 6,497,159
46 Memphis Belle Oct 12, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $27,385,582 6,489,474
47 Cadillac Man May 18, 1990 Orion Pictures Comedy $27,257,086 6,459,025
48 Child's Play 2 Nov 9, 1990 Universal Horror $26,874,812 6,368,438
49 Glory Dec 13, 1989 Sony Pictures Drama $26,429,138 6,262,828
50 House Party Mar 9, 1990 New Line Comedy $26,385,627 6,252,518
51 Jacob’s Ladder Nov 2, 1990 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $25,965,144 6,152,877
52 Ernest Goes to Jail Apr 6, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $25,029,569 5,931,177
53 The Exorcist III Aug 17, 1990 20th Century Fox Horror $25,011,739 5,926,952
54 Navy SEALs Jul 20, 1990 Orion Pictures Action $24,824,126 5,882,494
55 My Blue Heaven Aug 17, 1990 Warner Bros. Comedy $23,591,472 5,590,396
56 Ghost Dad Jun 29, 1990 Universal Comedy $23,007,150 5,451,931
57 The Russia House Dec 17, 1990 MGM Thriller/Suspense $22,998,000 5,449,763
58 Fantasia Oct 5, 1990 Walt Disney Musical $22,348,367 5,295,821
59 The Rookie Dec 7, 1990 Sony Pictures Action $21,633,874 5,126,510
60 Quigley Down Under Oct 19, 1990 MGM Western $21,413,105 5,074,195
61 The First Power Apr 6, 1990 Orion Pictures Horror $21,365,321 5,062,872
62 The Freshman Jul 20, 1990 Sony Pictures Comedy $21,289,527 5,044,911
63 The Jungle Book Jul 13, 1990 Walt Disney Musical $20,479,504 4,852,963
64 Madhouse Feb 16, 1990 Orion Pictures Black Comedy $20,438,179 4,843,170
65 The Adventures of Ford Fair… Jul 11, 1990 20th Century Fox Comedy $20,423,389 4,839,665
66 Stella Feb 2, 1990 Walt Disney Drama $20,062,347 4,754,110
67 Taking Care of Business Aug 17, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $20,005,435 4,740,624
68 Always Dec 22, 1989 Universal Drama $19,833,095 4,699,785
69 Betsy's Wedding Jun 22, 1990 Walt Disney Romantic Comedy $19,740,070 4,677,741
70 Look Who's Talking Oct 13, 1989 Sony Pictures Comedy $19,679,337 4,663,350
71 Jetsons: The Movie Jul 6, 1990 Universal Comedy $19,543,985 4,631,276
72 DuckTales: The Movie - Trea… Aug 3, 1990 Walt Disney Adventure $18,075,331 4,283,253
73 Sibling Rivalry Oct 26, 1990 Sony Pictures Black Comedy $17,854,933 4,231,026
74 White Palace Oct 19, 1990 Universal Drama $17,487,531 4,143,964
75 Tremors Jan 19, 1990 Universal Comedy $16,667,084 3,949,545
76 Tales from the Darkside: Th… May 4, 1990 Paramount Pictures Horror $16,324,573 3,868,382
77 Mo' Better Blues Aug 3, 1990 Universal Drama $16,153,000 3,827,725
78 Men At Work Aug 24, 1990 Triumph Releasing Comedy $16,151,032 3,827,258
79 The Guardian Apr 27, 1990 Universal Horror $16,140,440 3,824,748
80 Avalon Oct 5, 1990 Sony Pictures Drama $15,702,685 3,721,015
81 I Love You to Death Apr 6, 1990 Sony Pictures Black Comedy $15,600,149 3,696,717
82 Revenge Feb 16, 1990 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $15,535,771 3,681,462
83 The Bonfire of the Vanities Dec 19, 1990 Warner Bros. Comedy $15,432,314 3,656,946
84 Death Warrant Sep 14, 1990 MGM Action $15,394,200 3,647,914
85 Mr. Destiny Oct 12, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $15,379,253 3,644,372
86 Quick Change Jul 13, 1990 Warner Bros. Comedy $15,260,154 3,616,150
87 Spaced Invaders Apr 27, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $15,000,000 3,554,502
88 Fire Birds May 24, 1990 Walt Disney Action $14,760,451 3,497,737
89 Back to the Future Part II Nov 22, 1989 Universal Adventure $14,623,166 3,465,205
90 Wild at Heart Aug 17, 1990 Goldwyn Entertain… Black Comedy $14,560,000 3,450,236
91 Lord of the Flies Mar 16, 1990 Sony Pictures Adventure $13,812,230 3,273,040
92 Crazy People Apr 11, 1990 Paramount Pictures Comedy $13,204,459 3,129,018
93 Bad Influence Mar 9, 1990 Triumph Releasing Thriller/Suspense $12,626,043 2,991,953
94 Cinema Paradiso Feb 2, 1990 Miramax Drama $11,985,152 2,840,083
95 Graveyard Shift Oct 26, 1990 Paramount Pictures Horror $11,578,883 2,743,811
96 Pump Up the Volume Aug 22, 1990 New Line Drama $11,541,758 2,735,013
97 Opportunity Knocks Mar 30, 1990 Universal Comedy $11,359,129 2,691,736
98 Q & A Apr 27, 1990 Sony/TriStar Thriller/Suspense $11,207,000 2,655,687
99 Henry & June Oct 5, 1990 Universal Drama $11,011,903 2,609,455
100 Wild Orchid Apr 27, 1990 Triumph Releasing Thriller/Suspense $11,000,000 2,606,635
101 Nuns on the Run Mar 16, 1990 20th Century Fox Comedy $10,959,015 2,596,922
102 Narrow Margin Sep 21, 1990 Sony Pictures Thriller/Suspense $10,873,237 2,576,596
103 The Witches Feb 16, 1990 Warner Bros. Horror $10,360,553 2,455,107
104 The Two Jakes Aug 10, 1990 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $10,005,969 2,371,082
105 My Left Foot: The Story of … Nov 10, 1989 Miramax Drama $9,712,396 2,301,515
106 Miami Blues Apr 20, 1990 Orion Pictures Black Comedy $9,654,290 2,287,746
107 Reversal of Fortune Oct 17, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $9,507,150 2,252,879
108 National Lampoon’s Christma… Dec 1, 1989 Warner Bros. Comedy $9,431,880 2,235,042
109 Havana Dec 12, 1990 Universal Drama $9,200,339 2,180,175
110 Funny About Love Sep 21, 1990 Paramount Pictures Romantic Comedy $8,128,773 1,926,249
111 Nightbreed Feb 16, 1990 20th Century Fox Horror $8,000,000 1,895,734
112 Ski Patrol Jan 12, 1990 Comedy $8,000,000 1,895,734
113 Cry-Baby Apr 6, 1990 Warner Bros. Romantic Comedy $7,735,790 1,833,125
114 Blue Steel Mar 16, 1990 MGM Action $7,701,707 1,825,049
115 The Cook, The Thief, His Wi… Apr 6, 1990 Miramax Drama $7,407,995 1,755,449
116 Enemies: A Love Story Dec 13, 1989 20th Century Fox Comedy $7,366,217 1,745,549
117 Alice Dec 25, 1990 Orion Pictures Romantic Comedy $7,331,647 1,737,357
118 Almost An Angel Dec 19, 1990 Paramount Pictures Comedy $6,633,976 1,572,032
119 Flashback Feb 2, 1990 Paramount Pictures Action $6,476,134 1,534,628
120 Roger & Me Dec 20, 1989 Warner Bros. Documentary $6,341,608 1,502,750
121 The Gods Must be Crazy II Apr 13, 1990 Sony Pictures Comedy $6,291,444 1,490,863
122 Delta Force 2 Aug 24, 1990 MGM Action $6,154,944 1,458,517
123 Men Don't Leave Feb 2, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $6,050,018 1,433,653
124 The Grifters Dec 7, 1990 Miramax Thriller/Suspense $5,990,532 1,419,557
125 Night of the Living Dead Oct 19, 1990 Sony Pictures Horror $5,835,247 1,382,759
126 Stanley & Iris Feb 9, 1990 MGM Drama $5,820,015 1,379,150
127 Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw… Jan 12, 1990 Horror $5,697,588 1,350,139
128 Hardware Sep 14, 1990 Millimeter Films Action $5,649,801 1,338,815
129 Henry V Nov 8, 1989 Goldwyn Entertain… Drama $5,632,504 1,334,716
130 Harlem Nights Nov 17, 1989 Paramount Pictures Comedy $5,114,263 1,211,910
131 The Handmaid's Tale Mar 9, 1990 Cinecom Drama $4,960,385 1,175,446
132 Miller's Crossing Sep 22, 1990 20th Century Fox Thriller/Suspense $4,693,759 1,112,265
133 Longtime Companion May 11, 1990 Goldwyn Entertain… $4,609,953 1,092,405
134 Graffiti Bridge Nov 2, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $4,562,778 1,081,227
135 Loose Cannons Feb 9, 1990 Sony Pictures Comedy $4,463,085 1,057,603
136 Dark Angel Sep 28, 1990 Triumph Releasing Action $4,372,561 1,036,151
137 Lambada Mar 16, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $4,248,622 1,006,782
138 Heart Condition Feb 2, 1990 New Line Comedy $4,134,992 979,855
139 Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! May 1, 1990 Miramax Black Comedy $4,087,000 968,483
140 Lisa Apr 20, 1990 MGM Thriller/Suspense $4,067,725 963,915
141 Mountains of the Moon Feb 23, 1990 Sony Pictures Adventure $4,011,793 950,661
142 Short Time May 4, 1990 20th Century Fox Comedy $4,010,647 950,390
143 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Oct 12, 1990 Paramount Pictures Drama $3,989,297 945,331
144 A Shock to the System Mar 23, 1990 Corsair Black Comedy $3,417,056 809,728
145 The Lemon Sisters Aug 31, 1990 Miramax $3,399,773 805,633
146 Blaze Dec 13, 1989 Walt Disney Drama $3,154,722 747,564
147 The Adventures of Milo and … Jun 15, 1990 Sony Pictures Adventure $3,131,784 742,128
148 Metropolitan Aug 3, 1990 Comedy $2,915,716 690,927
149 After Dark, My Sweet Aug 24, 1990 Drama $2,678,414 634,695
150 Desperate Hours Oct 5, 1990 MGM Thriller/Suspense $2,624,629 621,950
151 Impulse Apr 6, 1990 Warner Bros. Thriller/Suspense $2,531,528 599,888
152 King of New York Sep 28, 1990 New Line Action $2,389,850 566,315
153 Blind Fury Mar 16, 1990 Sony Pictures Action $2,345,628 555,836
154 White Hunter, Black Heart Jan 1, 1990 Warner Bros. Adventure $2,319,124 549,555
155 The Nasty Girl Oct 26, 1990 Miramax Drama $2,281,569 540,656
156 Texasville Sep 28, 1990 Sony Pictures Drama $2,268,181 537,483
157 Vincent & Theo Jan 1, 1990 Drama $2,231,274 528,737
158 Def by Temptation May 11, 1990 Shapiro Horror $2,218,579 525,729
159 Downtown Jan 12, 1990 20th Century Fox $2,205,486 522,627
160 The Sheltering Sky Jan 1, 1990 $2,075,084 491,726
161 The Krays Nov 9, 1990 Miramax $2,035,562 482,360
162 Dreams Aug 24, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $1,963,207 465,214
163 State of Grace Sep 14, 1990 Orion Pictures Drama $1,911,542 452,972
164 Camille Claudel Dec 21, 1989 Orion Classics Drama $1,872,341 443,682
165 Tune in Tomorrow Jan 1, 1990 Comedy $1,794,000 425,118
166 The Forbidden Dance Mar 16, 1990 Sony Pictures Drama $1,719,538 407,473
167 Brain Dead Jan 19, 1990 Concorde Horror $1,627,955 385,771
168 Mister Johnson Jan 1, 1990 $1,464,000 346,919
169 Class of 1999 May 11, 1990 Taurus Adventure $1,400,149 331,788
170 The Last of the Finest Mar 9, 1990 Orion Pictures Action $1,395,694 330,733
171 Courage Mountain Feb 16, 1990 Drama $1,393,610 330,239
172 Book of Love Oct 31, 1990 New Line Comedy $1,382,259 327,549
173 Daddy's Dyin'… Who's Got th… Jan 1, 1990 Comedy $1,373,728 325,527
174 The Fourth War Mar 23, 1990 Cannon Drama $1,305,888 309,452
175 Everybody Wins Jan 19, 1990 Orion Pictures $1,299,327 307,897
176 Bloodfist II Oct 12, 1990 Concorde Action $1,292,323 306,237
177 Vital Signs Apr 13, 1990 Drama $1,224,605 290,190
178 Love at Large Mar 9, 1990 Orion Pictures Thriller/Suspense $1,214,295 287,747
179 The Hot Spot Oct 12, 1990 Orion Pictures Thriller/Suspense $1,206,153 285,818
180 Don't Tell Her it's Me Jan 1, 1990 Comedy $1,171,762 277,668
181 To Sleep With Anger Oct 12, 1990 Samuel Goldwyn Films Drama $1,161,135 275,150
182 Where the Heart Is Feb 23, 1990 Walt Disney Comedy $1,106,475 262,197
183 An Angel at My Table Sep 20, 1990 Fine Line Drama $1,054,638 249,914
184 Hidden Agenda Nov 21, 1990 Hemdale Drama $992,452 235,178
185 The Blood of Heroes Feb 23, 1990 New Line Action $882,290 209,073
186 Come See The Paradise Dec 23, 1990 20th Century Fox Drama $865,660 205,132
187 Angel Town Feb 23, 1990 Taurus $855,810 202,798
188 Streets Jan 19, 1990 Concorde Action $808,730 191,642
189 Waiting for the Light Nov 2, 1990 Triumph Releasing Comedy $808,690 191,632
190 Listen Up: Quincy Jones Oct 5, 1990 Warner Bros. $765,909 181,495
191 Last Exit to Brooklyn May 4, 1990 $678,680 160,824
192 The Return of Superfly Jan 1, 1990 $610,402 144,645
193 Henry: Portrait of a Serial… Jan 5, 1990 $609,939 144,535
194 Mr. & Mrs. Bridge Nov 23, 1990 Miramax Drama $603,687 143,053
195 The Haunting of Morella Feb 9, 1990 Concorde Horror $599,951 142,168
196 Coupe De Ville Mar 9, 1990 Universal Comedy $592,089 140,305
197 The Tall Guy Sep 21, 1990 Romantic Comedy $510,000 120,853
198 Side Out Mar 30, 1990 Comedy $450,000 106,635
199 Frankenstein Unbound Jan 1, 1990 Horror $334,000 79,146
200 Awakenings Dec 19, 1990 Sony Pictures Drama $329,639 78,113
201 Body Chemistry Mar 9, 1990 Sony/TriStar Thriller/Suspense $323,908 76,755
202 Triumph of the Spirit Dec 8, 1989 Drama $281,481 66,701
203 Chattahoochee Apr 20, 1990 Hemdale Drama $259,486 61,489
204 Hamlet Dec 19, 1990 Warner Bros. Drama $222,254 52,666
205 When Harry Met Sally… Jul 14, 1989 Columbia Romantic Comedy $187,829 44,509
206 A Show of Force May 11, 1990 Paramount Pictures Thriller/Suspense $152,982 36,251
207 Frankenhooker Jun 1, 1990 Shapiro Comedy $146,931 34,817
208 The End of Innocence Jan 1, 1990 $115,000 27,251
209 Torrents of Spring Feb 9, 1990 Millimeter Films Drama $111,747 26,480
210 Life is Cheap… But Toilet P… Jan 1, 1990 $108,392 25,685
211 Happy Together May 4, 1990 Romantic Comedy $100,000 23,696
212 Why Me? Jan 1, 1990 Comedy $84,000 19,905
213 Fools of Fortune Jan 1, 1990 Drama $83,000 19,668
214 Far Out Man May 11, 1990 New Line Comedy $82,000 19,431
215 Prisoners of the Sun Jan 1, 1990 $53,000 12,559
216 The Spirit of '76 Jan 1, 1990 Comedy $52,000 12,322
217 Freeze Die Come to Life Dec 7, 1990 International Fil… Drama $42,214 10,003
218 Mister Frost Jan 1, 1990 $32,000 7,582
219 Ghosts Can’t Do It Jun 1, 1990 Triumph Releasing Comedy $25,000 5,924
220 Shaking the Tree Jan 1, 1990 $15,000 3,554
221 Convicts Jan 1, 1990 $13,000 3,080
222 Any Man’s Death May 11, 1990 Film Ventures Int… Drama $5,433 1,287
223 Elliot Fauman, Ph.D Mar 23, 1990 Taurus Romantic Comedy $3,128 741
224 Genuine Risk Dec 7, 1990 IRS Releasing Thriller/Suspense $2,900 687
Total Gross of All Movies$4,392,768,804
Total Tickets Sold1,040,940,369

Our Theatrical Market pages are based on the Domestic Theatrical Market performance only. The Domestic Market is defined as the North American movie territory (consisting of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam).

The yearly amounts on our Theatrical Market pages are based on box office years. Each box office year starts on the first Monday of the year, so the previous year ends on the Sunday before the first Monday. For example, the "2017 box office year" started on January 2, 2017 so the "2016 box office year" ended on Sunday, January 1, 2017.