#1 of 18 #1 action movie of 1981
1981 · Action, Adventure
$216.4M worldwide · 40% of the chart's total
$108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
Action box office · 1981
Action Box Office 1981: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Superman II (1981) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1981, with $216.4M worldwide, ahead of The Cannonball Run (1981) at $72.2M and For Your Eyes Only (1981) at $54.8M. 18 action films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $544.5M in all, 79% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 46% on 1980, whose releases took $1B. By language, English leads with $544.3M across 15 action releases.
- 1981 releases with a gross
- 18
- combined worldwide
- $544.5M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1980
- −46%
#1 of 18 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M, 40% of the total. The top 5 together took $420.1M, 77% of what all 18 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Action Release of 1981, 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 1981.
- 1 Jun 19, 1981 US and Canada: $108.2M Rest of the world: $108.2M Worldwide: $216.4M
- 2 Jun 19, 1981 US and Canada: $72.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $72.2M
- 3 Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $54.8M Rest of the world: $24.9K Worldwide: $54.8M
- 4 Jun 12, 1981 US and Canada: $41.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.1M
- 5 Dec 18, 1981 US and Canada: $35.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $35.6M
- 6
Jul 10, 1981 US and Canada: $25.2M Rest of the world: $32K Worldwide: $25.3M - 7
Apr 10, 1981 US and Canada: $14.9M Rest of the world: $5M Worldwide: $19.9M - 8
May 22, 1981 US and Canada: $17.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.4M - 9
Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.1M - 10
The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)Aug 6, 1981 US and Canada: $12.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.6M
Aug 6, 1981 · English · Adventure, Action, Western $12.6M worldwide - 11
Mar 27, 1981 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $11.5M - 12
Jun 12, 1981 US and Canada: $11M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11M - 13
Dec 11, 1981 US and Canada: $6.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.9M - 14
Feb 13, 1981 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5M - 15
Mar 11, 1981 US and Canada: $183.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $183.4K - 16
Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure (1981)Dec 9, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20K
Dec 9, 1981 · Italian · Action, Adventure, Comedy $20K worldwide - 17
Jan 26, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.2K - 18
Aug 14, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1981?
Of the top 10, The Cannonball Run (1981) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Superman II (1981) made 50% of its gross abroad. Across all 18 films, $431.2M (79%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Superman II (1981) $216.4M $108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
- 2 The Cannonball Run (1981) $72.2M $72.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 For Your Eyes Only (1981) $54.8M $54.8M US & Canada · 100% $24.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Clash of the Titans (1981) $41.1M $41.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Sharky's Machine (1981) $35.6M $35.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Escape from New York (1981) $25.3M $25.2M US & Canada · 100% $32K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Nighthawks (1981) $19.9M $14.9M US & Canada · 75% $5M elsewhere · 25%
- 8 Outland (1981) $17.4M $17.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Dragonslayer (1981) $14.1M $14.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) $12.6M $12.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1981 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 18 films crossed $100M and took $216.4M between them, 40% of the total. 6 films, 33% of the list, earned under $10M.
40% 58%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 1 film, 6% of the list $216.4M · 40% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 11 films, 61% of the list $315.5M · 58% of the gross
- Under $10M 6 films, 33% of the list $12.6M · 2% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1981 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $409.6M from 6 films, led by Superman II (1981). January was the quietest month ($11.2K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Thee (1981) $11.2K Thee (1981)
- February Feb The Dogs of War (1981) $5.5M The Dogs of War (1981)
- March Mar Thief (1981) $11.7M Thief (1981)
- April Apr Nighthawks (1981) $19.9M Nighthawks (1981)
- May May Outland (1981) $17.4M Outland (1981)
- June Jun Superman II (1981) $409.6M Superman II (1981)
- July Jul Escape from New York (1981) $25.3M Escape from New York (1981)
- August Aug The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) $12.6M The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Sharky's Machine (1981) $42.5M Sharky's Machine (1981)
Last 10 years
How Does 1981 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). 1981 took $544.5M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 8 films | 8 | $94.5M | – | 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 |
| 1981 18 films · −46% | 18 | $544.5M | −46% | Superman II (1981) $216.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1981?
English-language action films took $544.3M across 15 films, 100% of the total, ahead of French-language action films ($183.4K) and Italian-language action films ($20K).
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
- 2026 so far $6B #1 Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
- 2025 $11.9B #1 Zootopia 2 (2025)
- 2024 $8.7B #1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- 2023 $10B #1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- 2022 $11.2B #1 Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
- 2021 $10.3B #1 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- 2020 $3.4B #1 The Eight Hundred (2020)
2010s 10 years · $152.6B
- 2019 $16.5B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $19.7B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $20.6B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $16.5B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $16.7B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $16.1B #1 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
- 2013 $12.5B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $13.8B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $10.7B #1 Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
- 2010 $9.3B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010)
2000s 10 years · $73.2B
- 2009 $12.5B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $9.7B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $7.5B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
- 2006 $6.7B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $5.5B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $6.8B #1 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- 2003 $8.7B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $5.6B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $5.5B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- 2000 $4.7B #1 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1990s 10 years · $32.6B
- 1999 $4.4B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $4.3B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $5.1B #1 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
- 1996 $4.2B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $3.6B #1 Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
- 1994 $2.9B #1 True Lies (1994)
- 1993 $1.6B #1 The Fugitive (1993)
- 1992 $2B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $2.1B #1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- 1990 $2.5B #1 Total Recall (1990)
1980s 10 years · $10.7B
- 1989 $1.8B #1 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- 1988 $1.2B #1 Crocodile Dundee II (1988)
- 1987 $1B #1 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
- 1986 $1.1B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $931.7M #1 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
- 1984 $1.4B #1 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- 1983 $1.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $653.6M #1 First Blood (1982)
- 1981 $544.5M #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $1B #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1970s 10 years · $2.8B
- 1979 $524.3M #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $509.4M #1 Superman (1978)
- 1977 $1B #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $104.8M #1 Silver Streak (1976)
- 1975 $28.9M #1 The Eiger Sanction (1975)
- 1974 $238.7M #1 The Towering Inferno (1974)
- 1973 $84.1M #1 Magnum Force (1973)
- 1972 $94.5M #1 The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
- 1971 $112.6M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $119.5M #1 Airport (1970)
1960s 10 years · $286.3M
- 1969 $30.7M #1 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
- 1968 $3.6M #1 Coogan’s Bluff (1968)
- 1967 $49.1M #1 You Only Live Twice (1967)
- 1966 $31.4K #1 Django (1966)
- 1965 $115.3M #1 Thunderball (1965)
- 1964 $24.8M #1 From Russia with Love (1964)
- 1963 $62.5M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $88.9K #1 Sanjuro (1962)
- 1961 $88.8K #1 Yojimbo (1961)
- 1960 $13.1K #1 Exodus (1960)
1950s 7 years · $3.2M
1940s 2 years · $2.3M
1930s 2 years · $5.8K
1920s 2 years · $1.8K
FAQ
Action Box Office 1981: 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 18 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M worldwide, $108.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Cannonball Run (1981) at $72.2M and For Your Eyes Only (1981) at $54.8M.
How much did action movies released in 1981 earn?
18 action films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $544.5M in all, or $30.2M per film on average. 1980 releases took $1B.
How many action movies released in 1981 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Superman II (1981) with $216.4M.
How is the 1981 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 1981. 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 1981 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.