#1 of 47 #1 action movie of 1986
1986 · Action, Drama
$357.3M worldwide · 33% of the chart's total
$180.3M US & Canada · 50% $177M elsewhere · 50%
Action box office · 1986
Action Box Office 1986: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Top Gun (1986) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1986, with $357.3M worldwide, ahead of Aliens (1986) at $131.1M and The Karate Kid Part II (1986) at $115.1M. 47 action films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $1.1B in all, 77% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 17% on 1985, whose releases took $931.7M. By language, English leads with $1B across 43 action releases.
- 1986 releases with a gross
- 47
- combined worldwide
- $1.1B
- films crossed $100M
- 3
- vs 1985
- +17%
#1 of 47 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1986?
Top Gun (1986) leads with $357.3M, 33% of the total. The top 5 together took $732.3M, 67% of what all 47 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 1986, 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 1986.
- 1 May 16, 1986 US and Canada: $180.3M Rest of the world: $177M Worldwide: $357.3M
- 2 Jul 18, 1986 US and Canada: $85.2M Rest of the world: $45.9M Worldwide: $131.1M
- 3 Jun 20, 1986 US and Canada: $115.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $115.1M
- 4 Dec 12, 1986 US and Canada: $79.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $79.8M
- 5 May 23, 1986 US and Canada: $49M Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $49M
- 6
Dec 5, 1986 US and Canada: $42.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $42.7M - 7
Jun 27, 1986 US and Canada: $38.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.5M - 8
Aug 1, 1986 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: $21.7M Worldwide: $38M - 9
Jan 17, 1986 US and Canada: $24.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $24.2M - 10
Feb 7, 1986 US and Canada: $20.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.6M - 11
Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $17.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.8M - 12
Jun 6, 1986 US and Canada: $16.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.2M - 13
Aug 15, 1986 US and Canada: $15.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.9M - 14
Nov 21, 1986 US and Canada: $11.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.9M - 15
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)Jul 2, 1986 US and Canada: $11.1M Rest of the world: $7.7K Worldwide: $11.1M
Jul 2, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $11.1M worldwide - 16
Apr 18, 1986 US and Canada: $9.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.9M - 17
Jan 17, 1986 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M - 18
Jul 25, 1986 US and Canada: $7.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4M - 19
May 2, 1986 US and Canada: $6.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.9M - 20
Jan 10, 1986 US and Canada: $6.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.6M - 21
Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M - 22
Mar 7, 1986 US and Canada: $5.9M Rest of the world: $2.5K Worldwide: $5.9M - 23
The Transformers: The Movie (1986)Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: $12.9K Worldwide: $5.9M Aug 8, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $5.9M worldwide - 24
Jul 25, 1986 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1M - 25
Aug 2, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5M - 26
Apr 11, 1986 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.9M - 27
Dec 19, 1986 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 28
Sep 12, 1986 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 29
May 2, 1986 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 30
Jan 31, 1986 US and Canada: $4.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6M - 31
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986)Dec 17, 1986 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M Dec 17, 1986 · English · Mystery, Comedy, Action $3.8M worldwide - 32
Nov 21, 1986 US and Canada: $3.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.5M - 33
Aug 29, 1986 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.4M - 34
Mar 1, 1986 US and Canada: $3.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.1M - 35
Aug 29, 1986 US and Canada: $3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3M - 36
Apr 1, 1986 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.5M - 37
May 9, 1986 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 38
May 30, 1986 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 39
Nov 26, 1986 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 40
GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986)Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M Mar 21, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $1.3M worldwide - 41
Apr 25, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 42
Jun 12, 1986 US and Canada: $796.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $796.4K - 43
Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $601.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $601.5K - 44
Oct 1, 1986 US and Canada: $351.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $351.6K - 45
Aug 1, 1986 US and Canada: $136.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $136.2K - 46
Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $12K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12K - 47
Aug 13, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1986?
Of the top 10, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Howard the Duck (1986) made 57% of its gross abroad. Across all 47 films, $839.4M (77%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Top Gun (1986) $357.3M $180.3M US & Canada · 50% $177M elsewhere · 50%
- 2 Aliens (1986) $131.1M $85.2M US & Canada · 65% $45.9M elsewhere · 35%
- 3 The Karate Kid Part II (1986) $115.1M $115.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 The Golden Child (1986) $79.8M $79.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Cobra (1986) $49M $49M US & Canada · 100% $2.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Heartbreak Ridge (1986) $42.7M $42.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Running Scared (1986) $38.5M $38.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Howard the Duck (1986) $38M $16.3M US & Canada · 43% $21.7M elsewhere · 57%
- 9 Iron Eagle (1986) $24.2M $24.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 F/X (1986) $20.6M $20.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1986 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
3 of 47 films crossed $100M and took $603.5M between them, 55% of the total. 32 films, 68% of the list, earned under $10M.
55% 34% 11%
- $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 3 films, 6% of the list $603.5M · 55% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 12 films, 26% of the list $365.8M · 34% of the gross
- Under $10M 32 films, 68% of the list $119.8M · 11% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1986 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $422.3M from 6 films, led by Top Gun (1986). October was the quietest month ($351.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Iron Eagle (1986) $43.1M Iron Eagle (1986)
- February Feb F/X (1986) $39M F/X (1986)
- March Mar Highlander (1986) $10.4M Highlander (1986)
- April Apr Murphy’s Law (1986) $18.6M Murphy’s Law (1986)
- May May Top Gun (1986) $422.3M Top Gun (1986)
- June Jun The Karate Kid Part II (1986) $170.6M The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
- July Jul Aliens (1986) $154.7M Aliens (1986)
- August Aug Howard the Duck (1986) $77.3M Howard the Duck (1986)
- September Sep Avenging Force (1986) $4.7M Avenging Force (1986)
- October Oct Weekend Warriors (1986) $351.6K Weekend Warriors (1986)
- November Nov Firewalker (1986) $17M Firewalker (1986)
- December Dec The Golden Child (1986) $131M The Golden Child (1986)
Last 10 years
How Does 1986 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1984 earned the most: $1.4B from 37 films, led by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). 1986 took $1.1B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 8 films | 8 | $1B | – | 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 |
| 1984 37 films · +35% | 37 | $1.4B | +35% | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) $333.1M |
| 1985 46 films · −34% | 46 | $931.7M | −34% | Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) $300.4M |
| 1986 47 films · +17% | 47 | $1.1B | +17% | Top Gun (1986) $357.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1986?
English-language action films took $1B across 43 films, 94% of the total, ahead of French-language action films ($5.1M) and Cantonese-language action films ($5M).
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 1986: 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 47 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1986?
Top Gun (1986) leads with $357.3M worldwide, $180.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Aliens (1986) at $131.1M and The Karate Kid Part II (1986) at $115.1M.
How much did action movies released in 1986 earn?
47 action films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $1.1B in all, or $23.2M per film on average. 1985 releases took $931.7M.
How many action movies released in 1986 made $1 billion?
None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by Top Gun (1986) with $357.3M.
How is the 1986 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 1986. 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 1986 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.