#1 of 21 #1 adventure movie of 1983
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
1983 · Action, Adventure
$482.5M worldwide · 49% of the chart's total
$316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
Adventure box office · 1983
Adventure Box Office 1983: Highest-Grossing Adventure Movies
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) is the highest-grossing adventure movie released in 1983, with $482.5M worldwide, ahead of Jaws 3-D (1983) at $88M and Superman III (1983) at $80.3M. 21 adventure films released in 1983 report a worldwide gross, $990M in all, 77% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 109% on 1982, whose releases took $474.1M. By language, English leads with $990M across 21 adventure releases.
- 1983 releases with a gross
- 21
- combined worldwide
- $990M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1982
- +109%
#1 of 21 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Adventure Hits of 1983?
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) leads with $482.5M, 49% of the total. The top 5 together took $780M, 79% of what all 21 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $482.5M Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)$316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Adventure Release of 1983, 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 1983.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)May 25, 1983 US and Canada: $316.6M Rest of the world: $165.9M Worldwide: $482.5M
May 25, 1983 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $482.5M worldwide - 2 Jul 22, 1983 US and Canada: $45.5M Rest of the world: $42.5M Worldwide: $88M
- 3 Jun 17, 1983 US and Canada: $60M Rest of the world: $20.3M Worldwide: $80.3M
- 4 Jun 10, 1983 US and Canada: $67.9M Rest of the world: $23.7K Worldwide: $67.9M
- 5 National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)Jul 29, 1983 US and Canada: $61.4M Rest of the world: $299 Worldwide: $61.4M Jul 29, 1983 · English · Adventure, Comedy, Romance $61.4M worldwide
- 6
Oct 7, 1983 US and Canada: $55.4M Rest of the world: $344 Worldwide: $55.4M - 7
Oct 7, 1983 US and Canada: $29.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.6M - 8
Mar 18, 1983 US and Canada: $28.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.4M - 9
Oct 21, 1983 US and Canada: $21.2M Rest of the world: $213 Worldwide: $21.2M - 10
Jul 29, 1983 US and Canada: $16.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.9M - 11
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)May 20, 1983 US and Canada: $16.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.5M May 20, 1983 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi $16.5M worldwide - 12
Mar 25, 1983 US and Canada: $12M Rest of the world: $406 Worldwide: $12M - 13
Sep 16, 1983 US and Canada: $11.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.9M - 14
Aug 12, 1983 US and Canada: $10.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.7M - 15
Jun 24, 1983 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 16
Dec 1, 1983 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 17
Aug 26, 1983 US and Canada: $760.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $760.9K - 18
Apr 21, 1983 US and Canada: $724.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $724.9K - 19
Apr 15, 1983 US and Canada: $30.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.4K - 20
May 14, 1983 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K - 21
Dec 29, 1983 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $328
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1983?
Of the top 10, Never Cry Wolf (1983) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Jaws 3-D (1983) made 48% of its gross abroad. Across all 21 films, $761.3M (77%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M $316.6M US & Canada · 66% $165.9M elsewhere · 34%
- 2 Jaws 3-D (1983) $88M $45.5M US & Canada · 52% $42.5M elsewhere · 48%
- 3 Superman III (1983) $80.3M $60M US & Canada · 75% $20.3M elsewhere · 25%
- 4 Octopussy (1983) $67.9M $67.9M US & Canada · 100% $23.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) $61.4M $61.4M US & Canada · 100% $299 elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Never Say Never Again (1983) $55.4M $55.4M US & Canada · 100% $344 elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Never Cry Wolf (1983) $29.6M $29.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 High Road to China (1983) $28.4M $28.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 The Right Stuff (1983) $21.2M $21.2M US & Canada · 100% $213 elsewhere · <1%
- 10 Krull (1983) $16.9M $16.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1983 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 21 films crossed $100M and took $482.5M between them, 49% of the total. 7 films, 33% of the list, earned under $10M.
49% 51%
- $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 $482.5M · 49% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 13 films, 62% of the list $500.3M · 51% of the gross
- Under $10M 7 films, 33% of the list $7.2M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1983 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $498.9M from 3 films, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). April was the quietest month ($755.3K). 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 High Road to China (1983) $40.5M High Road to China (1983)
- April Apr The Wicked Lady (1983) $755.3K The Wicked Lady (1983)
- May May Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $498.9M Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- June Jun Superman III (1983) $152.5M Superman III (1983)
- July Jul Jaws 3-D (1983) $166.3M Jaws 3-D (1983)
- August Aug Hercules (1983) $11.4M Hercules (1983)
- September Sep Deathstalker (1983) $11.9M Deathstalker (1983)
- October Oct Never Say Never Again (1983) $106.2M Never Say Never Again (1983)
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Sahara (1983) $1.4M Sahara (1983)
Last 10 years
How Does 1983 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). 1983 took $990M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 8 films | 8 | $60.5M | – | 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 |
| 1982 15 films · −20% | 15 | $474.1M | −20% | First Blood (1982) $125.2M |
| 1983 21 films · +109% | 21 | $990M | +109% | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M |
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 1983: 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 21 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing adventure movie in 1983?
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) leads with $482.5M worldwide, $316.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Jaws 3-D (1983) at $88M and Superman III (1983) at $80.3M.
How much did adventure movies released in 1983 earn?
21 adventure films released in 1983 report a worldwide gross, $990M in all, or $47.1M per film on average. 1982 releases took $474.1M.
How many adventure movies released in 1983 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) with $482.5M.
How is the 1983 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 1983. 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 1983 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.