#1 of 44 #1 action movie of 1988
1988 · Action, Adventure
$239.6M worldwide · 20% of the chart's total
$109.3M US & Canada · 46% $130.3M elsewhere · 54%
Action box office · 1988
Action Box Office 1988: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Crocodile Dundee II (1988) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1988, with $239.6M worldwide, ahead of Rambo III (1988) at $189M and Die Hard (1988) at $143.7M. 44 action films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, 68% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 13% on 1987, whose releases took $1B. By language, English leads with $1.1B across 38 action releases.
- 1988 releases with a gross
- 44
- combined worldwide
- $1.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 3
- vs 1987
- +13%
#1 of 44 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1988?
Crocodile Dundee II (1988) leads with $239.6M, 20% of the total. The top 5 together took $732.6M, 62% of what all 44 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 $78.8M The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)$78.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Action Release of 1988, 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 1988.
- 1 May 25, 1988 US and Canada: $109.3M Rest of the world: $130.3M Worldwide: $239.6M
- 2 May 25, 1988 US and Canada: $53.7M Rest of the world: $135.3M Worldwide: $189M
- 3 Jul 15, 1988 US and Canada: $85.9M Rest of the world: $57.8M Worldwide: $143.7M
- 4 Jul 20, 1988 US and Canada: $38.4M Rest of the world: $43.2M Worldwide: $81.6M
- 5 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)Dec 2, 1988 US and Canada: $78.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $78.8M
Dec 2, 1988 · English · Action, Comedy, Romance $78.8M worldwide - 6
May 20, 1988 US and Canada: $57.3M Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $57.3M - 7
Aug 12, 1988 US and Canada: $45.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45.7M - 8
Dec 2, 1988 US and Canada: $41.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.3M - 9
Jul 13, 1988 US and Canada: $37.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $37.9M - 10
Jun 17, 1988 US and Canada: $35M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $35M - 11
Oct 7, 1988 US and Canada: $25.2M Rest of the world: $6.9M Worldwide: $32.2M - 12
Feb 12, 1988 US and Canada: $29.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.3M - 13
Jun 10, 1988 US and Canada: $20.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.3M - 14
Feb 12, 1988 US and Canada: $20.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.3M - 15
Apr 22, 1988 US and Canada: $18.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.9M - 16
Nov 4, 1988 US and Canada: $13.4M Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $13.5M - 17
Dec 14, 1988 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13M - 18
Apr 29, 1988 US and Canada: $11.8M Rest of the world: $1.5K Worldwide: $11.8M - 19
May 6, 1988 US and Canada: $10.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.1M - 20
Jul 9, 1988 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.7M - 21
Jul 8, 1988 US and Canada: $7.3M Rest of the world: $915 Worldwide: $7.3M - 22
Mar 11, 1988 US and Canada: $7.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.2M - 23
Jan 22, 1988 US and Canada: $6.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.2M - 24
Aug 5, 1988 US and Canada: $5.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.9M - 25
Aug 26, 1988 US and Canada: $5.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3M - 26
Oct 25, 1988 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.2M - 27
Sep 26, 1988 US and Canada: $3.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.6M - 28
Sep 16, 1988 US and Canada: $3.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.1M - 29
Aug 5, 1988 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 30
Oct 1, 1988 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 31
The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988)Sep 16, 1988 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M Sep 16, 1988 · English · Fantasy, Mystery, Action $1.3M worldwide - 32
May 13, 1988 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 33
Apr 20, 1988 US and Canada: $807.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $807.9K - 34
May 13, 1988 US and Canada: $671.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $671.4K - 35
Sep 15, 1988 US and Canada: $657.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $657.2K - 36
Apr 15, 1988 US and Canada: $289.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $289.3K - 37
May 17, 1988 US and Canada: $191.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $191.1K - 38
May 18, 1988 US and Canada: $189K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $189K - 39
Sep 16, 1988 US and Canada: $177.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $177.8K - 40
Apr 22, 1988 US and Canada: $161.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $161.4K - 41
Feb 26, 1988 US and Canada: $160K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $160K - 42
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)Mar 12, 1988 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $150K
Mar 12, 1988 · Japanese · Action, Sci-Fi, Animation $150K worldwide - 43
Feb 11, 1988 US and Canada: $98K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $98K - 44
Oct 12, 1988 US and Canada: $64.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $64.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1988?
Of the top 10, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Rambo III (1988) made 72% of its gross abroad. Across all 44 films, $797.4M (68%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Crocodile Dundee II (1988) $239.6M $109.3M US & Canada · 46% $130.3M elsewhere · 54%
- 2 Rambo III (1988) $189M $53.7M US & Canada · 28% $135.3M elsewhere · 72%
- 3 Die Hard (1988) $143.7M $85.9M US & Canada · 60% $57.8M elsewhere · 40%
- 4 Midnight Run (1988) $81.6M $38.4M US & Canada · 47% $43.2M elsewhere · 53%
- 5 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) $78.8M $78.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Willow (1988) $57.3M $57.3M US & Canada · 100% $2.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Young Guns (1988) $45.7M $45.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Tequila Sunrise (1988) $41.3M $41.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 The Dead Pool (1988) $37.9M $37.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Red Heat (1988) $35M $35M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1988 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
3 of 44 films crossed $100M and took $572.3M between them, 48% of the total. 25 films, 57% of the list, earned under $10M.
48% 46%
- $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, 7% of the list $572.3M · 48% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 16 films, 36% of the list $546.8M · 46% of the gross
- Under $10M 25 films, 57% of the list $61.8M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1988 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $498.2M from 8 films, led by Crocodile Dundee II (1988). January was the quietest month ($6.2M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) $6.2M Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988)
- February Feb Shoot to Kill (1988) $49.8M Shoot to Kill (1988)
- March Mar Off Limits (1988) $7.4M Off Limits (1988)
- April Apr Above the Law (1988) $31.9M Above the Law (1988)
- May May Crocodile Dundee II (1988) $498.2M Crocodile Dundee II (1988)
- June Jun Red Heat (1988) $55.3M Red Heat (1988)
- July Jul Die Hard (1988) $280.2M Die Hard (1988)
- August Aug Young Guns (1988) $58.7M Young Guns (1988)
- September Sep Tougher Than Leather (1988) $8.8M Tougher Than Leather (1988)
- October Oct Alien Nation (1988) $37.8M Alien Nation (1988)
- November Nov They Live (1988) $13.5M They Live (1988)
- December Dec The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) $133.1M The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Last 10 years
How Does 1988 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). 1988 took $1.2B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 15 films | 15 | $524.3M | – | 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 |
| 1987 52 films · −4% | 52 | $1B | −4% | Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) $300M |
| 1988 44 films · +13% | 44 | $1.2B | +13% | Crocodile Dundee II (1988) $239.6M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1988?
English-language action films took $1.1B across 38 films, 93% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language action films ($9.9M) and Dutch-language action films ($98K).
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 1988: 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 44 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1988?
Crocodile Dundee II (1988) leads with $239.6M worldwide, $109.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Rambo III (1988) at $189M and Die Hard (1988) at $143.7M.
How much did action movies released in 1988 earn?
44 action films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, or $26.8M per film on average. 1987 releases took $1B.
How many action movies released in 1988 made $1 billion?
None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by Crocodile Dundee II (1988) with $239.6M.
How is the 1988 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 1988. 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 1988 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.