#1 of 22 #1 adventure movie of 1990
1990 · Adventure, Drama
$424.2M worldwide · 27% of the chart's total
$184.2M US & Canada · 43% $240M elsewhere · 57%
Adventure box office · 1990
Adventure Box Office 1990: Highest-Grossing Adventure Movies
Dances with Wolves (1990) is the highest-grossing adventure movie released in 1990, with $424.2M worldwide, ahead of Total Recall (1990) at $261.3M and Back to the Future Part III (1990) at $245.1M. 22 adventure films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, 55% of it from the US & Canada. 5 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 10% on 1989, whose releases took $1.7B. By language, English leads with $1.5B across 15 adventure releases.
- 1990 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $1.6B
- films crossed $100M
- 5
- vs 1989
- −10%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Adventure Hits of 1990?
Dances with Wolves (1990) leads with $424.2M, 27% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.3B, 86% 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 1990, 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 1990.
- 1 Nov 9, 1990 US and Canada: $184.2M Rest of the world: $240M Worldwide: $424.2M
- 2 Jun 1, 1990 US and Canada: $119.4M Rest of the world: $141.9M Worldwide: $261.3M
- 3 Back to the Future Part III (1990)May 25, 1990 US and Canada: $88.3M Rest of the world: $156.8M Worldwide: $245.1M
May 25, 1990 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy $245.1M worldwide - 4 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
- 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
Oct 5, 1990 US and Canada: $46M Rest of the world: $11.9M Worldwide: $58M - 7
Jul 20, 1990 US and Canada: $25.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.1M - 8
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 - 9
Oct 19, 1990 US and Canada: $21.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.4M - 10
DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)Aug 3, 1990 US and Canada: $18.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.1M Aug 3, 1990 · English · Family, Fantasy, Adventure $18.1M worldwide - 11
Apr 27, 1990 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4M - 12
Oct 3, 1990 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 13
May 25, 1990 US and Canada: $14.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.8M - 14
Mar 16, 1990 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14M - 15
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $10.4M Rest of the world: $2.8K Worldwide: $10.4M - 16
Feb 16, 1990 US and Canada: $4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4M - 17
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M - 18
Oct 25, 1990 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.1M - 19
Aug 29, 1990 US and Canada: $1.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.7M - 20
Oct 26, 1990 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M - 21
Doraemon: Nobita and the Animal Planet (1990)Mar 10, 1990 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $521.9K
Mar 10, 1990 · Japanese · Fantasy, Animation, Family $521.9K worldwide - 22
Feb 1, 1990 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1990?
Of the top 10, Navy Seals (1990) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Back to the Future Part III (1990) made 64% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $862.5M (55%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Dances with Wolves (1990) $424.2M $184.2M US & Canada · 43% $240M elsewhere · 57%
- 2 Total Recall (1990) $261.3M $119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
- 3 Back to the Future Part III (1990) $245.1M $88.3M US & Canada · 36% $156.8M elsewhere · 64%
- 4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $202.1M $135.4M US & Canada · 67% $66.7M elsewhere · 33%
- 5 The Hunt for Red October (1990) $200.5M $122M US & Canada · 61% $78.5M elsewhere · 39%
- 6 Marked for Death (1990) $58M $46M US & Canada · 79% $11.9M elsewhere · 21%
- 7 Navy Seals (1990) $25.1M $25.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) $21.4M $21.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Quigley Down Under (1990) $21.4M $21.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) $18.1M $18.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1990 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
5 of 22 films crossed $100M and took $1.3B between them, 86% of the total. 7 films, 32% of the list, earned under $10M.
86% 14%
- $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 5 films, 23% of the list $1.3B · 86% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 10 films, 45% of the list $213.6M · 14% of the gross
- Under $10M 7 films, 32% of the list $12.2M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1990 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $424.2M from 1 film, led by Dances with Wolves (1990). September was the quietest month ($2.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Mountains of the Moon (1990) $4M Mountains of the Moon (1990)
- March Mar Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $417.1M Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- April Apr Spaced Invaders (1990) $15.4M Spaced Invaders (1990)
- May May Back to the Future Part III (1990) $259.8M Back to the Future Part III (1990)
- June Jun Total Recall (1990) $261.3M Total Recall (1990)
- July Jul Navy Seals (1990) $46.5M Navy Seals (1990)
- August Aug DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) $30.2M DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
- September Sep White Hunter Black Heart (1990) $2.3M White Hunter Black Heart (1990)
- October Oct Marked for Death (1990) $98M Marked for Death (1990)
- November Nov Dances with Wolves (1990) $424.2M Dances with Wolves (1990)
- December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years
How Does 1990 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1989 earned the most: $1.7B from 28 films, led by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). 1990 took $1.6B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 22 films | 22 | $590.1M | – | 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 |
| 1984 23 films · −18% | 23 | $810.9M | −18% | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) $333.1M |
| 1985 36 films · +77% | 36 | $1.4B | +77% | Back to the Future (1985) $385.1M |
| 1986 33 films · −42% | 33 | $841.3M | −42% | Crocodile Dundee (1986) $328.2M |
| 1987 27 films · −49% | 27 | $429.9M | −49% | Predator (1987) $98.3M |
| 1988 20 films · +91% | 20 | $819.3M | +91% | Crocodile Dundee II (1988) $239.6M |
| 1989 28 films · +111% | 28 | $1.7B | +111% | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) $474.2M |
| 1990 22 films · −10% | 22 | $1.6B | −10% | Dances with Wolves (1990) $424.2M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Adventure Movies Speak in 1990?
English-language adventure films took $1.5B across 15 films, 97% of the total, ahead of Norwegian-language adventure films ($15.1M) and Hebrew-language adventure films ($14.8M).
1990 Adventure Box Office by Language
- English $1.5B15 films · #1 Dances with Wolves (1990)
-
Norwegian $15.1M1 film · #1 Shipwrecked (1990) -
Hebrew $14.8M1 film · #1 Fire Birds (1990) -
French $3.2M2 films · #1 My Father’s Glory (1990) - Japanese $521.9K1 film · #1 Doraemon: Nobita and the Animal Planet (1990)
-
Italian $23.2K1 film · #1 The Voice of the Moon (1990)
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 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 22 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing adventure movie in 1990?
Dances with Wolves (1990) leads with $424.2M worldwide, $184.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Total Recall (1990) at $261.3M and Back to the Future Part III (1990) at $245.1M.
How much did adventure movies released in 1990 earn?
22 adventure films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, or $70.9M per film on average. 1989 releases took $1.7B.
How many adventure movies released in 1990 made $1 billion?
None. 5 films crossed $100 million, led by Dances with Wolves (1990) with $424.2M.
How is the 1990 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 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 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.