#1 of 28 #1 action movie of 1983
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
1983 · Action, Adventure
$482.5M worldwide · 46% of the chart's total
$316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
Action box office · 1983
Action Box Office 1983: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1983, with $482.5M worldwide, ahead of Superman III (1983) at $80.3M and Octopussy (1983) at $67.9M. 28 action films released in 1983 report a worldwide gross, $1.1B in all, 80% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 61% on 1982, whose releases took $653.6M. By language, English leads with $1B across 26 action releases.
- 1983 releases with a gross
- 28
- combined worldwide
- $1.1B
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1982
- +61%
#1 of 28 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1983?
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) leads with $482.5M, 46% of the total. The top 5 together took $764.7M, 73% of what all 28 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $482.5M Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)$316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Action Release of 1983, 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 1983.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)May 25, 1983 US and Canada: $316.6M Rest of the world: $165.9M Worldwide: $482.5M
May 25, 1983 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $482.5M worldwide - 2 Jun 17, 1983 US and Canada: $60M Rest of the world: $20.3M Worldwide: $80.3M
- 3 Jun 10, 1983 US and Canada: $67.9M Rest of the world: $23.7K Worldwide: $67.9M
- 4 Dec 9, 1983 US and Canada: $67.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.6M
- 5 Dec 1, 1983 US and Canada: $46M Rest of the world: $20.5M Worldwide: $66.4M
- 6
Oct 7, 1983 US and Canada: $55.4M Rest of the world: $344 Worldwide: $55.4M - 7
May 13, 1983 US and Canada: $42.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $42.3M - 8
Dec 16, 1983 US and Canada: $30.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.5M - 9
Oct 7, 1983 US and Canada: $29.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.6M - 10
May 13, 1983 US and Canada: $19.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.9M - 11
Jul 29, 1983 US and Canada: $16.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.9M - 12
Dec 16, 1983 US and Canada: $16.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.1M - 13
Sep 16, 1983 US and Canada: $13.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.2M - 14
Jul 1, 1983 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13M - 15
Apr 15, 1983 US and Canada: $12.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.2M - 16
Aug 12, 1983 US and Canada: $10.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.7M - 17
Oct 14, 1983 US and Canada: $6.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.5M - 18
May 27, 1983 US and Canada: $6.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.1M - 19
Jun 24, 1983 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 20
Aug 12, 1983 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 21
Apr 14, 1983 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 22
Sep 2, 1983 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.7M - 23
Dec 1, 1983 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 24
Mar 23, 1983 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 25
Apr 8, 1983 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 26
Dec 1, 1983 US and Canada: $108.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $108.1K - 27
Feb 17, 1983 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K - 28
May 28, 1983 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $87
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1983?
Of the top 10, Sudden Impact (1983) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) made 34% of its gross abroad. Across all 28 films, $845.5M (80%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M $316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
- 2 Superman III (1983) $80.3M $60M US & Canada · 75% $20.3M elsewhere · 25%
- 3 Octopussy (1983) $67.9M $67.9M US & Canada · 100% $23.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Sudden Impact (1983) $67.6M $67.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Scarface (1983) $66.4M $46M US & Canada · 69% $20.5M elsewhere · 31%
- 6 Never Say Never Again (1983) $55.4M $55.4M US & Canada · 100% $344 elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Blue Thunder (1983) $42.3M $42.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Uncommon Valor (1983) $30.5M $30.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Never Cry Wolf (1983) $29.6M $29.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Breathless (1983) $19.9M $19.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1983 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 28 films crossed $100M and took $482.5M between them, 46% of the total. 12 films, 43% of the list, earned under $10M.
46% 52%
- $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, 4% of the list $482.5M · 46% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 15 films, 54% of the list $542.1M · 52% of the gross
- Under $10M 12 films, 43% of the list $27.6M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1983 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $550.8M from 5 films, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). February was the quietest month ($1.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Midnite Spares (1983) $1.7K Midnite Spares (1983)
- March Mar Eddie Macon’s Run (1983) $1.3M Eddie Macon’s Run (1983)
- April Apr Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) $15.9M Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
- May May Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $550.8M Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- June Jun Superman III (1983) $152.5M Superman III (1983)
- July Jul Krull (1983) $29.9M Krull (1983)
- August Aug Hercules (1983) $13.1M Hercules (1983)
- September Sep Revenge of the Ninja (1983) $14.9M Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
- October Oct Never Say Never Again (1983) $91.5M Never Say Never Again (1983)
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Sudden Impact (1983) $182.2M Sudden Impact (1983)
Last 10 years
How Does 1983 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1983 earned the most: $1.1B from 28 films, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 11 films | 11 | $238.7M | – | 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 |
| 1982 24 films · +20% | 24 | $653.6M | +20% | First Blood (1982) $125.2M |
| 1983 28 films · +61% | 28 | $1.1B | +61% | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1983?
English-language action films took $1B across 26 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language action films ($87).
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 1983: 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 28 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1983?
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) leads with $482.5M worldwide, $316.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Superman III (1983) at $80.3M and Octopussy (1983) at $67.9M.
How much did action movies released in 1983 earn?
28 action films released in 1983 report a worldwide gross, $1.1B in all, or $37.6M per film on average. 1982 releases took $653.6M.
How many action movies released in 1983 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) with $482.5M.
How is the 1983 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 1983. 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 1983 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.