#1 of 22 #1 adventure movie of 1981
1981 · Action, Adventure
$216.4M worldwide · 37% of the chart's total
$108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
Adventure box office · 1981
Adventure Box Office 1981: Highest-Grossing Adventure Movies
Superman II (1981) is the highest-grossing adventure movie released in 1981, with $216.4M worldwide, ahead of The Fox and the Hound (1981) at $63.5M and For Your Eyes Only (1981) at $54.8M. 22 adventure films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $590.1M in all, 82% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 23% on 1980, whose releases took $763.7M. By language, English leads with $590.1M across 21 adventure releases.
- 1981 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $590.1M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1980
- −23%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Adventure Hits of 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M, 37% of the total. The top 5 together took $418.1M, 71% of what all 22 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 1981, 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 1981.
- 1 Jun 19, 1981 US and Canada: $108.2M Rest of the world: $108.2M Worldwide: $216.4M
- 2 Jul 10, 1981 US and Canada: $63.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $63.5M
- 3 Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $54.8M Rest of the world: $24.9K Worldwide: $54.8M
- 4 Nov 6, 1981 US and Canada: $42.4M Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $42.4M
- 5 Jun 12, 1981 US and Canada: $41.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.1M
- 6
Jul 24, 1981 US and Canada: $36.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $36.6M - 7
Apr 10, 1981 US and Canada: $35M Rest of the world: $3.7K Worldwide: $35M - 8
Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $31.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.2M - 9
Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.1M - 10
The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)Aug 6, 1981 US and Canada: $12.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.6M
Aug 6, 1981 · English · Adventure, Action, Western $12.6M worldwide - 11
Mar 13, 1981 US and Canada: $11.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.8M - 12
Jun 12, 1981 US and Canada: $11M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11M - 13
Aug 28, 1981 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $6K Worldwide: $5.7M - 14
Feb 13, 1981 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5M - 15
The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981)Nov 13, 1981 US and Canada: $3.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.7M Nov 13, 1981 · English · Adventure, Thriller, Crime $3.7M worldwide - 16
Feb 11, 1981 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 17
Oct 23, 1981 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 18
Aug 7, 1981 US and Canada: $546.5K Rest of the world: $1K Worldwide: $547.6K - 19
Mar 20, 1981 US and Canada: $469.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $469.8K - 20
Oct 30, 1981 US and Canada: $110K Rest of the world: $401 Worldwide: $110.4K - 21
Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure (1981)Dec 9, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20K
Dec 9, 1981 · Italian · Action, Adventure, Comedy $20K worldwide - 22
Aug 14, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1981?
Of the top 10, The Fox and the Hound (1981) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Superman II (1981) made 50% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $481.9M (82%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Superman II (1981) $216.4M $108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
- 2 The Fox and the Hound (1981) $63.5M $63.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 For Your Eyes Only (1981) $54.8M $54.8M US & Canada · 100% $24.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Time Bandits (1981) $42.4M $42.4M US & Canada · 100% $2.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Clash of the Titans (1981) $41.1M $41.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Tarzan the Ape Man (1981) $36.6M $36.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Excalibur (1981) $35M $35M US & Canada · 100% $3.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 8 The Great Muppet Caper (1981) $31.2M $31.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Dragonslayer (1981) $14.1M $14.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) $12.6M $12.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1981 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 22 films crossed $100M and took $216.4M between them, 37% of the total. 10 films, 45% of the list, earned under $10M.
37% 60%
- $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 1 film, 5% of the list $216.4M · 37% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 11 films, 50% of the list $354M · 60% of the gross
- Under $10M 10 films, 45% of the list $19.7M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1981 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $368.6M from 6 films, led by Superman II (1981). December was the quietest month ($20K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb The Dogs of War (1981) $7.5M The Dogs of War (1981)
- March Mar Back Roads (1981) $12.3M Back Roads (1981)
- April Apr Excalibur (1981) $35M Excalibur (1981)
- May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- June Jun Superman II (1981) $368.6M Superman II (1981)
- July Jul The Fox and the Hound (1981) $100M The Fox and the Hound (1981)
- August Aug The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) $18.9M The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct Silence of the North (1981) $1.7M Silence of the North (1981)
- November Nov Time Bandits (1981) $46.1M Time Bandits (1981)
- December Dec Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure (1981) $20K Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure (1981)
Last 10 years
How Does 1981 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). 1981 took $590.1M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 7 films | 7 | $85.5M | – | 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 |
| 1979 11 films · −24% | 11 | $450.6M | −24% | Moonraker (1979) $210.3M |
| 1980 15 films · +69% | 15 | $763.7M | +69% | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $550M |
| 1981 22 films · −23% | 22 | $590.1M | −23% | Superman II (1981) $216.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Adventure Movies Speak in 1981?
English-language adventure films took $590.1M across 21 films, 100% of the total, ahead of Italian-language adventure films ($20K).
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 1981: 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 22 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing adventure movie in 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M worldwide, $108.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Fox and the Hound (1981) at $63.5M and For Your Eyes Only (1981) at $54.8M.
How much did adventure movies released in 1981 earn?
22 adventure films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $590.1M in all, or $26.8M per film on average. 1980 releases took $763.7M.
How many adventure movies released in 1981 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Superman II (1981) with $216.4M.
How is the 1981 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 1981. 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 1981 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.