#1 of 11 #1 adventure movie of 1978
1978 · Action, Adventure
$300.5M worldwide · 50% of the chart's total
$134.5M US & Canada · 45% $166M elsewhere · 55%
Adventure box office · 1978
Adventure Box Office 1978: Highest-Grossing Adventure Movies
Superman (1978) is the highest-grossing adventure movie released in 1978, with $300.5M worldwide, ahead of Jaws 2 (1978) at $187.9M and The Lord of the Rings (1978) at $30.5M. 11 adventure films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $596.2M in all, 54% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 56% on 1977, whose releases took $1.4B. By language, English leads with $270.7M across 7 adventure releases.
- 1978 releases with a gross
- 11
- combined worldwide
- $596.2M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1977
- −56%
#1 of 11 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Adventure Hits of 1978?
Superman (1978) leads with $300.5M, 50% of the total. The top 5 together took $560.3M, 94% of what all 11 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 Adventure Release of 1978, 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 1978.
- 1 Dec 15, 1978 US and Canada: $134.5M Rest of the world: $166M Worldwide: $300.5M
- 2 Jun 16, 1978 US and Canada: $81.8M Rest of the world: $106.1M Worldwide: $187.9M
- 3 The Lord of the Rings (1978)Nov 15, 1978 US and Canada: $30.5M Rest of the world: $5.8K Worldwide: $30.5M
Nov 15, 1978 · English · Fantasy, Adventure, Animation $30.5M worldwide - 4 Oct 24, 1978 US and Canada: $21M Rest of the world: $594 Worldwide: $21M
- 5 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)Jul 24, 1978 US and Canada: $20.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.4M Jul 24, 1978 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy $20.4M worldwide
- 6
Return from Witch Mountain (1978)Mar 10, 1978 US and Canada: $16.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.4M Mar 10, 1978 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy $16.4M worldwide - 7
Jun 2, 1978 US and Canada: $15.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.5M - 8
Nov 2, 1978 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.9M - 9
Oct 4, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.1K - 10
Nov 1, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.9K - 11
Jun 2, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $402
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1978?
Of the top 10, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Jaws 2 (1978) made 56% of its gross abroad. Across all 11 films, $324M (54%) came from the US & Canada. 2 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Superman (1978) $300.5M $134.5M US & Canada · 45% $166M elsewhere · 55%
- 2 Jaws 2 (1978) $187.9M $81.8M US & Canada · 44% $106.1M elsewhere · 56%
- 3 The Lord of the Rings (1978) $30.5M $30.5M US & Canada · 100% $5.8K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 The Wiz (1978) $21M $21M US & Canada · 100% $594 elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) $20.4M $20.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Return from Witch Mountain (1978) $16.4M $16.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Corvette Summer (1978) $15.5M $15.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Caravans (1978) $3.9M $3.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 The Song of Roland (1978) $24.1K No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Watership Down (1978) $21.9K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 1978 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 11 films crossed $100M and took $488.4M between them, 82% of the total. 4 films, 36% of the list, earned under $10M.
82% 17%
- $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 2 films, 18% of the list $488.4M · 82% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 5 films, 45% of the list $103.8M · 17% of the gross
- Under $10M 4 films, 36% of the list $4M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1978 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $300.5M from 1 film, led by Superman (1978). March was the quietest month ($16.4M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Return from Witch Mountain (1978) $16.4M Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
- April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- June Jun Jaws 2 (1978) $203.4M Jaws 2 (1978)
- July Jul Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) $20.4M Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
- August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct The Wiz (1978) $21.1M The Wiz (1978)
- November Nov The Lord of the Rings (1978) $34.4M The Lord of the Rings (1978)
- December Dec Superman (1978) $300.5M Superman (1978)
Last 10 years
How Does 1978 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1977 earned the most: $1.4B from 15 films, led by Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). 1978 took $596.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 7 films | 7 | $133.6M | – | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) $102.3M |
| 1970 6 films · +89% | 6 | $251.8M | +89% | The Aristocats (1970) $191M |
| 1971 3 films · −100% | 3 | $476.6K | −100% | The Red Tent (1971) $473.9K |
| 1972 7 films · +17845% | 7 | $85.5M | +17845% | The Poseidon Adventure (1972) $84.6M |
| 1973 3 films · −58% | 3 | $35.5M | −58% | Live and Let Die (1973) $35.4M |
| 1974 8 films · +71% | 8 | $60.5M | +71% | Benji (1974) $39.6M |
| 1975 9 films · +747% | 9 | $513.1M | +747% | Jaws (1975) $477.9M |
| 1976 1 film · −90% | 1 | $52.6M | −90% | King Kong (1976) $52.6M |
| 1977 15 films · +2502% | 15 | $1.4B | +2502% | Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) $775.4M |
| 1978 11 films · −56% | 11 | $596.2M | −56% | Superman (1978) $300.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Adventure Movies Speak in 1978?
English-language adventure films took $270.7M across 7 films, 45% of the total, ahead of French-language adventure films ($24.1K).
Archive
Adventure Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1923 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $20.5B, led by Avengers: Endgame (2019).
2020s 7 years · $64.6B
2010s 10 years · $150.8B
- 2019 $20.5B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $17.2B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $18.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $17.6B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $18.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $13.1B #1 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
- 2013 $13.7B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $15.4B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $8.2B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $8.6B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $71.5B
- 2009 $11.9B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $7.7B #1 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
- 2007 $7.9B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $7.1B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $7.3B #1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- 2004 $6B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $7.2B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $5.9B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $5.9B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $4.4B #1 Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1990s 10 years · $23B
- 1999 $4.6B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $3.1B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $2.7B #1 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
- 1996 $3.5B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $2.9B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $2B #1 The Lion King (1994)
- 1993 $1.1B #1 Cliffhanger (1993)
- 1992 $427.5M #1 Forever Young (1992)
- 1991 $1.1B #1 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- 1990 $1.6B #1 Dances with Wolves (1990)
1980s 10 years · $8.9B
- 1989 $1.7B #1 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- 1988 $819.3M #1 Crocodile Dundee II (1988)
- 1987 $429.9M #1 Predator (1987)
- 1986 $841.3M #1 Crocodile Dundee (1986)
- 1985 $1.4B #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $810.9M #1 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- 1983 $990M #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $474.1M #1 First Blood (1982)
- 1981 $590.1M #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $763.7M #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1970s 10 years · $3.4B
- 1979 $450.6M #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $596.2M #1 Superman (1978)
- 1977 $1.4B #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $52.6M #1 King Kong (1976)
- 1975 $513.1M #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $60.5M #1 Benji (1974)
- 1973 $35.5M #1 Live and Let Die (1973)
- 1972 $85.5M #1 The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
- 1971 $476.6K #1 The Red Tent (1971)
- 1970 $251.8M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 10 years · $759.7M
- 1969 $133.6M #1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- 1968 $44.6M #1 Planet of the Apes (1968)
- 1967 $274.2M #1 The Jungle Book (1967)
- 1966 $16.1K #1 The Ghost of Monk’s Island (1966)
- 1965 $115.4M #1 Thunderball (1965)
- 1964 $27.3M #1 From Russia with Love (1964)
- 1963 $74.7M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $47.3M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1961 $370.7K #1 The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
- 1960 $42.2M #1 Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
1950s 10 years · $325.9M
- 1959 $74.6M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $172.8K #1 The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
- 1957 $27.2M #1 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- 1956 $42M #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- 1955 $93.9M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $43.9K #1 Knights of the Round Table (1954)
- 1953 $87.5M #1 Peter Pan (1953)
- 1952 $352.2K #1 Les Miserables (1952)
- 1951 $1.2K #1 Alice in Wonderland (1951)
- 1950 $7.7K #1 The Flame and the Arrow (1950)
1940s 6 years · $5.3M
1930s 5 years · $25.7M
FAQ
Adventure Box Office 1978: 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 11 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing adventure movie in 1978?
Superman (1978) leads with $300.5M worldwide, $134.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Jaws 2 (1978) at $187.9M and The Lord of the Rings (1978) at $30.5M.
How much did adventure movies released in 1978 earn?
11 adventure films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $596.2M in all, or $54.2M per film on average. 1977 releases took $1.4B.
How many adventure movies released in 1978 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Superman (1978) with $300.5M.
How is the 1978 adventure 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 1978. 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 1978 adventure 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.