#1 of 51 #1 action movie of 1990
1990 · Action, Adventure
$261.3M worldwide · 11% of the chart's total
$119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
Action box office · 1990
Action Box Office 1990: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Total Recall (1990) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1990, with $261.3M worldwide, ahead of Die Hard 2 (1990) at $240M and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) at $202.1M. 51 action films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $2.5B in all, 62% of it from the US & Canada. 10 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 35% on 1989, whose releases took $1.8B. By language, English leads with $2.4B across 44 action releases.
- 1990 releases with a gross
- 51
- combined worldwide
- $2.5B
- films crossed $100M
- 10
- vs 1989
- +35%
#1 of 51 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1990?
Total Recall (1990) leads with $261.3M, 11% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.1B, 45% of what all 51 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 1990, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 51. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1990.
- 1 Jun 1, 1990 US and Canada: $119.4M Rest of the world: $141.9M Worldwide: $261.3M
- 2 Jul 2, 1990 US and Canada: $117.5M Rest of the world: $122.5M Worldwide: $240M
- 3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)Mar 30, 1990 US and Canada: $135.4M Rest of the world: $66.7M Worldwide: $202.1M
Mar 30, 1990 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $202.1M worldwide - 4 Dec 21, 1990 US and Canada: $91.5M Rest of the world: $110.5M Worldwide: $202M
- 5 The Hunt for Red October (1990)Mar 2, 1990 US and Canada: $122M Rest of the world: $78.5M Worldwide: $200.5M Mar 2, 1990 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $200.5M worldwide
- 6
Jun 15, 1990 US and Canada: $103.7M Rest of the world: $59M Worldwide: $162.7M - 7
Jun 27, 1990 US and Canada: $82.7M Rest of the world: $75.3M Worldwide: $157.9M - 8
Jun 8, 1990 US and Canada: $80.8M Rest of the world: $72.7M Worldwide: $153.5M - 9
May 18, 1990 US and Canada: $71M Rest of the world: $67.7M Worldwide: $138.7M - 10
Dec 25, 1990 US and Canada: $66.8M Rest of the world: $70.1M Worldwide: $136.9M - 11
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $46M Rest of the world: $11.9M Worldwide: $58M - 12
Nov 21, 1990 US and Canada: $30.7M Rest of the world: $26.5M Worldwide: $57.1M - 13
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $33.9M Rest of the world: $15M Worldwide: $48.9M - 14
Feb 9, 1990 US and Canada: $47.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47.4M - 15
Jun 22, 1990 US and Canada: $45.7M Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $45.7M - 16
Aug 1, 1990 US and Canada: $44.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.1M - 17
Aug 10, 1990 US and Canada: $31.1M Rest of the world: $2.4M Worldwide: $33.5M - 18
Oct 12, 1990 US and Canada: $27.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.4M - 19
Jul 20, 1990 US and Canada: $25.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.1M - 20
Dec 7, 1990 US and Canada: $21.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.6M - 21
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)Jul 11, 1990 US and Canada: $21.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.4M Jul 11, 1990 · English · Action, Adventure, Comedy $21.4M worldwide - 22
Oct 19, 1990 US and Canada: $21.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.4M - 23
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $16.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.9M - 24
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $16.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.2M - 25
Feb 16, 1990 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M - 26
May 25, 1990 US and Canada: $14.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8M - 27
Sep 21, 1990 US and Canada: $10.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.9M - 28
Feb 16, 1990 US and Canada: $8.9M Rest of the world: $607.3K Worldwide: $9.5M - 29
Jan 12, 1990 US and Canada: $8.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.5M - 30
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.2M - 31
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $6.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.7M - 32
Feb 2, 1990 US and Canada: $6.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.5M - 33
Feb 9, 1990 US and Canada: $5.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.6M - 34
Jan 26, 1990 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 35
May 4, 1990 US and Canada: $4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4M - 36
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 37
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 38
May 11, 1990 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.5M - 39
Jan 12, 1990 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M - 40
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 41
Sep 1, 1990 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.7M - 42
Jan 19, 1990 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M - 43
Oct 12, 1990 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 44
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)Mar 10, 1990 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1M
Mar 10, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $1M worldwide - 45
Feb 23, 1990 US and Canada: $855.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $855.8K - 46
Nov 9, 1990 US and Canada: $610.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $610.4K - 47
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990)Oct 17, 1990 US and Canada: $270.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $270.4K Oct 17, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $270.4K worldwide - 48
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990)Oct 17, 1990 US and Canada: $270.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $270.4K Oct 17, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $270.4K worldwide - 49
Oct 1, 1990 US and Canada: $139.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $139.2K - 50
Feb 8, 1990 US and Canada: $83.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $83.9K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1990?
Of the top 10, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) earned the biggest share at home (67% in the US & Canada), while Kindergarten Cop (1990) made 55% of its gross abroad. Across all 51 films, $1.5B (62%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Total Recall (1990) $261.3M $119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
- 2 Die Hard 2 (1990) $240M $117.5M US & Canada · 49% $122.5M elsewhere · 51%
- 3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $202.1M $135.4M US & Canada · 67% $66.7M elsewhere · 33%
- 4 Kindergarten Cop (1990) $202M $91.5M US & Canada · 45% $110.5M elsewhere · 55%
- 5 The Hunt for Red October (1990) $200.5M $122M US & Canada · 61% $78.5M elsewhere · 39%
- 6 Dick Tracy (1990) $162.7M $103.7M US & Canada · 64% $59M elsewhere · 36%
- 7 Days of Thunder (1990) $157.9M $82.7M US & Canada · 52% $75.3M elsewhere · 48%
- 8 Another 48 Hrs. (1990) $153.5M $80.8M US & Canada · 53% $72.7M elsewhere · 47%
- 9 Bird on a Wire (1990) $138.7M $71M US & Canada · 51% $67.7M elsewhere · 49%
- 10 The Godfather: Part III (1990) $136.9M $66.8M US & Canada · 49% $70.1M elsewhere · 51%
Gross bands
How Many 1990 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
10 of 51 films crossed $100M and took $1.9B between them, 76% of the total. 24 films, 47% of the list, earned under $10M.
76% 21%
- $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 10 films, 20% of the list $1.9B · 76% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 17 films, 33% of the list $526M · 21% of the gross
- Under $10M 24 films, 47% of the list $73.3M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1990 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $781.2M from 5 films, led by Total Recall (1990). January was the quietest month ($16.7M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Ski Patrol (1990) $16.7M Ski Patrol (1990)
- February Feb Hard to Kill (1990) $85.5M Hard to Kill (1990)
- March Mar Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $414.5M Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- May May Bird on a Wire (1990) $159.9M Bird on a Wire (1990)
- June Jun Total Recall (1990) $781.2M Total Recall (1990)
- July Jul Die Hard 2 (1990) $286.5M Die Hard 2 (1990)
- August Aug Darkman (1990) $149.4M Darkman (1990)
- September Sep Death Warrant (1990) $31.3M Death Warrant (1990)
- October Oct Marked for Death (1990) $111.5M Marked for Death (1990)
- November Nov Predator 2 (1990) $57.7M Predator 2 (1990)
- December Dec Kindergarten Cop (1990) $360.5M Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Last 10 years
How Does 1990 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1990 earned the most: $2.5B from 51 films, led by Total Recall (1990).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 18 films | 18 | $544.5M | – | 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 |
| 1989 55 films · +54% | 55 | $1.8B | +54% | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) $474.2M |
| 1990 51 films · +35% | 51 | $2.5B | +35% | Total Recall (1990) $261.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1990?
English-language action films took $2.4B across 44 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Hebrew-language action films ($14.8M) and Japanese-language action films ($1.6M).
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 1990: 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 51 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1990?
Total Recall (1990) leads with $261.3M worldwide, $119.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Die Hard 2 (1990) at $240M and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) at $202.1M.
How much did action movies released in 1990 earn?
51 action films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $2.5B in all, or $48.1M per film on average. 1989 releases took $1.8B.
How many action movies released in 1990 made $1 billion?
None. 10 films crossed $100 million, led by Total Recall (1990) with $261.3M.
How is the 1990 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 1990. 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 1990 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.