#1 of 48 #1 action movie of 1991
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
1991 · Action, Sci-Fi
$517.8M worldwide · 25% of the chart's total
$205.9M US & Canada · 40% $311.9M elsewhere · 60%
Action box office · 1991
Action Box Office 1991: Highest-Grossing Action Movies
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) is the highest-grossing action movie released in 1991, with $517.8M worldwide, ahead of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) at $390.5M and Hot Shots! (1991) at $181.1M. 48 action films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $2.1B in all, 60% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 16% on 1990, whose releases took $2.5B. By language, English leads with $2B across 44 action releases.
- 1991 releases with a gross
- 48
- combined worldwide
- $2.1B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs 1990
- −16%
#1 of 48 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Action Hits of 1991?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) leads with $517.8M, 25% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.3B, 65% of what all 48 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 1991, 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 1991.
- 1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)Jul 3, 1991 US and Canada: $205.9M Rest of the world: $311.9M Worldwide: $517.8M
Jul 3, 1991 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller $517.8M worldwide - 2 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)Jun 14, 1991 US and Canada: $165.5M Rest of the world: $225M Worldwide: $390.5M Jun 14, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $390.5M worldwide
- 3 Jul 31, 1991 US and Canada: $69.5M Rest of the world: $111.6M Worldwide: $181.1M
- 4 May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $77.9M Rest of the world: $74.5M Worldwide: $152.4M
- 5 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)Dec 6, 1991 US and Canada: $74.9M Rest of the world: $22M Worldwide: $96.9M Dec 6, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $96.9M worldwide
- 6
Jul 12, 1991 US and Canada: $43.2M Rest of the world: $40.3M Worldwide: $83.5M - 7
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)Mar 22, 1991 US and Canada: $78.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $78.7M Mar 22, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $78.7M worldwide - 8
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $25.9M Rest of the world: $39.7M Worldwide: $65.6M - 9
Dec 13, 1991 US and Canada: $59.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.5M - 10
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $47.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $47.6M - 11
Jun 21, 1991 US and Canada: $46.7M Rest of the world: $850 Worldwide: $46.7M - 12
Apr 12, 1991 US and Canada: $39.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $39.7M - 13
Aug 9, 1991 US and Canada: $30.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.1M - 14
Jan 11, 1991 US and Canada: $24.1M Rest of the world: $193K Worldwide: $24.3M - 15
Oct 4, 1991 US and Canada: $21.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.8M - 16
May 10, 1991 US and Canada: $21.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.1M - 17
Jul 26, 1991 US and Canada: $20.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.2M - 18
May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $17.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.2M - 19
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)Nov 1, 1991 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M Nov 1, 1991 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $15.6M worldwide - 20
Apr 26, 1991 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 21
Jan 18, 1991 US and Canada: $14.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.6M - 22
Mar 15, 1991 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.1M - 23
Apr 5, 1991 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.5M - 24
May 3, 1991 US and Canada: $11.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.3M - 25
May 17, 1991 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.2M - 26
Aug 9, 1991 US and Canada: $8.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.7M - 27
Mar 9, 1991 US and Canada: $7.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.8M - 28
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $7.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4M Aug 23, 1991 · English · Action, Drama, Thriller $7.4M worldwide - 29
Oct 4, 1991 US and Canada: $6.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.9M - 30
Jan 18, 1991 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5M - 31
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $5M Rest of the world: $633 Worldwide: $5M - 32
May 1, 1991 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 33
Feb 1, 1991 US and Canada: $4.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.4M - 34
Oct 10, 1991 US and Canada: $3.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.1M - 35
Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M - 36
Sep 6, 1991 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M - 37
Jan 30, 1991 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 38
Sep 10, 1991 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 39
Oct 10, 1991 US and Canada: $939.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $939.3K - 40
Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991)Jun 8, 1991 US and Canada: $869.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $869.3K Jun 8, 1991 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi $869.3K worldwide - 41
Dec 25, 1991 US and Canada: $829.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $829.6K - 42
Oct 11, 1991 US and Canada: $789.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $789.1K - 43
Sep 20, 1991 US and Canada: $456.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $456.1K - 44
Nov 30, 1991 US and Canada: $384.8K Rest of the world: $2.1K Worldwide: $386.8K - 45
Mar 8, 1991 US and Canada: $358K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $358K - 46
Apr 27, 1991 US and Canada: $261.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $261.7K - 47
Nov 21, 1991 US and Canada: $26.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.1K - 48
Nov 5, 1991 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1991?
Of the top 10, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Hot Shots! (1991) made 62% of its gross abroad. Across all 48 films, $1.2B (60%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $517.8M $205.9M US & Canada · 40% $311.9M elsewhere · 60%
- 2 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) $390.5M $165.5M US & Canada · 42% $225M elsewhere · 58%
- 3 Hot Shots! (1991) $181.1M $69.5M US & Canada · 38% $111.6M elsewhere · 62%
- 4 Backdraft (1991) $152.4M $77.9M US & Canada · 51% $74.5M elsewhere · 49%
- 5 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) $96.9M $74.9M US & Canada · 77% $22M elsewhere · 23%
- 6 Point Break (1991) $83.5M $43.2M US & Canada · 52% $40.3M elsewhere · 48%
- 7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) $78.7M $78.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Hard Way (1991) $65.6M $25.9M US & Canada · 39% $39.7M elsewhere · 61%
- 9 The Last Boy Scout (1991) $59.5M $59.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 New Jack City (1991) $47.6M $47.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1991 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 48 films crossed $100M and took $1.2B between them, 61% of the total. 24 films, 50% of the list, earned under $10M.
25% 35% 36%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 1 film, 2% of the list $517.8M · 25% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 3 films, 6% of the list $724M · 35% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 20 films, 42% of the list $735.9M · 36% of the gross
- Under $10M 24 films, 50% of the list $73.8M · 4% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1991 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $802.7M from 4 films, led by Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). September was the quietest month ($3.1M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Lionheart (1991) $45.6M Lionheart (1991)
- February Feb Run (1991) $4.4M Run (1991)
- March Mar Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) $219.1M Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
- April Apr Out for Justice (1991) $67.5M Out for Justice (1991)
- May May Backdraft (1991) $215.8M Backdraft (1991)
- June Jun Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) $438.1M Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- July Jul Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $802.7M Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- August Aug Double Impact (1991) $48.5M Double Impact (1991)
- September Sep Company Business (1991) $3.1M Company Business (1991)
- October Oct Ricochet (1991) $33.5M Ricochet (1991)
- November Nov Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) $16M Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
- December Dec Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) $157.2M Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Last 10 years
How Does 1991 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1990 earned the most: $2.5B from 51 films, led by Total Recall (1990). 1991 took $2.1B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 24 films | 24 | $653.6M | – | 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 |
| 1991 48 films · −16% | 48 | $2.1B | −16% | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $517.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Action Movies Speak in 1991?
English-language action films took $2B across 44 films, 97% of the total, ahead of French-language action films ($5M) and Spanish-language action films ($789.1K).
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 1991: 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 48 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing action movie in 1991?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) leads with $517.8M worldwide, $205.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) at $390.5M and Hot Shots! (1991) at $181.1M.
How much did action movies released in 1991 earn?
48 action films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $2.1B in all, or $42.7M per film on average. 1990 releases took $2.5B.
How many action movies released in 1991 made $1 billion?
None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) with $517.8M.
How is the 1991 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 1991. 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 1991 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.