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Action box office · 1980

Action Box Office 1980: Highest-Grossing Action Movies

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1980, with $550M worldwide, ahead of The Blues Brothers (1980) at $115.2M and Any Which Way You Can (1980) at $70.7M. 20 action films released in 1980 report a worldwide gross, $1B in all, 69% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 92% on 1979, whose releases took $524.3M. By language, English leads with $991.5M across 18 action releases.

1980 releases with a gross
20
combined worldwide
$1B
films crossed $100M
2
vs 1979
+92%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1980?

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) leads with $550M, 55% of the total. The top 5 together took $843.7M, 84% of what all 20 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) movie poster Number 1
    $550M Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    $292.8M US & Canada · 53% $257.3M elsewhere · 47%
  2. The Blues Brothers (1980) movie poster Number 2
    $115.2M The Blues Brothers (1980)
    $57.2M US & Canada · 50% $58M elsewhere · 50%
  3. Any Which Way You Can (1980) movie poster Number 3
    $70.7M Any Which Way You Can (1980)
    $70.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  4. Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) movie poster Number 4
    $66.1M Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
    $66.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  5. Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980) movie poster Number 5
    $41.7M Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980)
    $41.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Action Release of 1980, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1980.

  1. 1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) movie poster
    Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) May 21, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $550M worldwide
    May 21, 1980 US and Canada: $292.8M Rest of the world: $257.3M Worldwide: $550M
  2. 2 The Blues Brothers (1980) movie poster
    The Blues Brothers (1980) Jun 16, 1980 · English · Action, Music, Comedy $115.2M worldwide
    Jun 16, 1980 US and Canada: $57.2M Rest of the world: $58M Worldwide: $115.2M
  3. 3 Any Which Way You Can (1980) movie poster
    Any Which Way You Can (1980) Dec 17, 1980 · English · Action, Comedy $70.7M worldwide
    Dec 17, 1980 US and Canada: $70.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $70.7M
  4. 4 Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) movie poster
    Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) Aug 15, 1980 · English · Action, Comedy $66.1M worldwide
    Aug 15, 1980 US and Canada: $66.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $66.1M
  5. 5 Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980) movie poster
    Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980) Jul 18, 1980 · English · Action, Comedy, Adventure $41.7M worldwide
    Jul 18, 1980 US and Canada: $41.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.7M
  6. 6 Flash Gordon (1980) movie poster
    Flash Gordon (1980) Dec 5, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $27.2M worldwide
    Dec 5, 1980 US and Canada: $27.1M Rest of the world: $78.6K Worldwide: $27.2M
  7. 7 Bronco Billy (1980) movie poster
    Bronco Billy (1980) Jun 11, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $24.3M worldwide
    Jun 11, 1980 US and Canada: $24.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $24.3M
  8. 8 The Octagon (1980) movie poster
    The Octagon (1980) Aug 15, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $19M worldwide
    Aug 15, 1980 US and Canada: $19M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19M
  9. 9 The Final Countdown (1980) movie poster
    The Final Countdown (1980) Aug 1, 1980 · English · Action, Sci-Fi $16.6M worldwide
    Aug 1, 1980 US and Canada: $16.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.6M
  10. 10 The Hunter (1980) movie poster
    The Hunter (1980) Aug 1, 1980 · Action, Biography, Drama $16.3M worldwide
    Aug 1, 1980 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M
  11. 11 Hero at Large (1980) movie poster
    Hero at Large (1980) Feb 8, 1980 · English · Comedy, Drama, Action $15.9M worldwide
    Feb 8, 1980 US and Canada: $15.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.9M
  12. 12 The Nude Bomb (1980) movie poster
    The Nude Bomb (1980) May 9, 1980 · English · Crime, Comedy, Action $14.7M worldwide
    May 9, 1980 US and Canada: $14.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.7M
  13. 13 Mad Max (1980) movie poster
    Mad Max (1980) Feb 15, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $8.8M worldwide
    Feb 15, 1980 US and Canada: $8.8M Rest of the world: $24K Worldwide: $8.8M
  14. 14 The Big Red One (1980) movie poster
    The Big Red One (1980) Jul 18, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, War $7.2M worldwide
    Jul 18, 1980 US and Canada: $7.2M Rest of the world: $603 Worldwide: $7.2M
  15. 15 The Stunt Man (1980) movie poster
    The Stunt Man (1980) Jun 27, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $7.1M worldwide
    Jun 27, 1980 US and Canada: $7.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.1M
  16. 16 When Time Ran Out... (1980) movie poster
    When Time Ran Out... (1980) Mar 28, 1980 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $3.8M worldwide
    Mar 28, 1980 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M
  17. 17 North Sea Hijack (1980) movie poster
    North Sea Hijack (1980) Feb 18, 1980 · English · Action $3M worldwide
    Feb 18, 1980 US and Canada: $3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3M
  18. 18 The Sea Wolves (1980) movie poster
    The Sea Wolves (1980) Jul 3, 1980 · English · War, Thriller, Action $220.2K worldwide
    Jul 3, 1980 US and Canada: $220.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $220.2K
  19. 19 Night of the Juggler (1980) movie poster
    Night of the Juggler (1980) Jun 6, 1980 · English · Action, Drama, Crime $52.4K worldwide
    Jun 6, 1980 US and Canada: $52.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $52.4K
  20. 20 Murattu Kaalai (1980) movie poster
    Murattu Kaalai (1980) Dec 20, 1980 · Tamil · Action, Romance $6.5K worldwide
    Dec 20, 1980 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1980?

Of the top 10, Any Which Way You Can (1980) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Blues Brothers (1980) made 50% of its gross abroad. Across all 20 films, $692.4M (69%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $550M
    $292.8M US & Canada · 53% $257.3M elsewhere · 47%
  2. 2 The Blues Brothers (1980) $115.2M
    $57.2M US & Canada · 50% $58M elsewhere · 50%
  3. 3 Any Which Way You Can (1980) $70.7M
    $70.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  4. 4 Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) $66.1M
    $66.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  5. 5 Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980) $41.7M
    $41.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  6. 6 Flash Gordon (1980) $27.2M
    $27.1M US & Canada · 100% $78.6K elsewhere · <1%
  7. 7 Bronco Billy (1980) $24.3M
    $24.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  8. 8 The Octagon (1980) $19M
    $19M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 The Final Countdown (1980) $16.6M
    $16.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  10. 10 The Hunter (1980) $16.3M
    $16.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands

How Many 1980 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

2 of 20 films crossed $100M and took $665.2M between them, 66% of the total. 8 films, 40% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $500M to $1B 1 film, 5% of the list $550M · 55% of the gross
  • $100M to $500M 1 film, 5% of the list $115.2M · 11% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 10 films, 50% of the list $312.4M · 31% of the gross
  • Under $10M 8 films, 40% of the list $30.1M · 3% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 1980 Earned the Most?

May releases took the most, $564.7M from 2 films, led by Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). March was the quietest month ($3.8M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  2. February Feb Hero at Large (1980) $27.7M Hero at Large (1980)
  3. March Mar When Time Ran Out... (1980) $3.8M When Time Ran Out... (1980)
  4. April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  5. May May Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $564.7M Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  6. June Jun The Blues Brothers (1980) $146.6M The Blues Brothers (1980)
  7. July Jul Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980) $49.1M Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980)
  8. August Aug Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) $118M Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
  9. September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  10. October Oct No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  11. November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  12. December Dec Any Which Way You Can (1980) $97.9M Any Which Way You Can (1980)
Last 10 years

How Does 1980 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1980 earned the most: $1B from 20 films, led by Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1971 6 films 6 $112.6M – The French Connection (1971) $51.7M
1972 8 films · −16% 8 $94.5M −16% The Poseidon Adventure (1972) $84.6M
1973 10 films · −11% 10 $84.1M −11% Magnum Force (1973) $39.8M
1974 11 films · +184% 11 $238.7M +184% The Towering Inferno (1974) $116M
1975 8 films · −88% 8 $28.9M −88% The Eiger Sanction (1975) $14.2M
1976 8 films · +262% 8 $104.8M +262% Silver Streak (1976) $51.1M
1977 8 films · +858% 8 $1B +858% Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) $775.4M
1978 12 films · −49% 12 $509.4M −49% Superman (1978) $300.5M
1979 15 films · +3% 15 $524.3M +3% Moonraker (1979) $210.3M
1980 20 films · +92% 20 $1B +92% Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $550M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1980?

English-language action films took $991.5M across 18 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Tamil-language action films ($6.5K).

1980 Action Box Office by Language

  1. English $991.5M
    18 films · #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  2. Tamil $6.5K
    1 film · #1 Murattu Kaalai (1980)
Archive

Action Box Office Year by Year

Every year from 1924 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2017 leads with $20.6B, led by Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017).

2020s 7 years · $61.4B
2010s 10 years · $152.6B
2000s 10 years · $73.2B
1990s 10 years · $32.6B
1980s 10 years · $10.7B
1970s 10 years · $2.8B
1960s 10 years · $286.3M
1950s 7 years · $3.2M
1940s 2 years · $2.3M
1930s 2 years · $5.8K
1920s 2 years · $1.8K
FAQ

Action Box Office 1980: Questions & Answers

The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 20 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1980?

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) leads with $550M worldwide, $292.8M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Blues Brothers (1980) at $115.2M and Any Which Way You Can (1980) at $70.7M.

How much did action movies released in 1980 earn?

20 action films released in 1980 report a worldwide gross, $1B in all, or $50.4M per film on average. 1979 releases took $524.3M.

How many action movies released in 1980 made $1 billion?

None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) with $550M.

How much of the 1980 Action box office came from the US and Canada?

$692.4M of the $1B total, or 69%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 1 film of the 20 report no domestic figure.

How is the 1980 action box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?

Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 1980. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.

How often is the 1980 action box office chart updated?

Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.