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Animation box office · 1986

Animation Box Office 1986: Highest-Grossing Animation Movies

An American Tail (1986) is the highest-grossing animation movie released in 1986, with $84.5M worldwide, ahead of The Great Mouse Detective (1986) at $38.6M and Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) at $8.5M. 12 animation films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $149.6M in all, 75% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 117% on 1985, whose releases took $68.9M. By language, English leads with $148.8M across 10 animation releases.

1986 releases with a gross
12
combined worldwide
$149.6M
An American Tail (1986), the #1
$84.5M
vs 1985
+117%
An American Tail (1986) movie poster #1 of 12
#1 animation movie of 1986

An American Tail (1986)

1986 · Drama, Comedy

$84.5M worldwide · 57% of the chart's total

$47.5M US & Canada · 56% $37.1M elsewhere · 44%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Animation Hits of 1986?

An American Tail (1986) leads with $84.5M, 57% of the total. The top 5 together took $143.5M, 96% of what all 12 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. An American Tail (1986) movie poster Number 1
    $84.5M An American Tail (1986)
    $47.5M US & Canada · 56% $37.1M elsewhere · 44%
  2. The Great Mouse Detective (1986) movie poster Number 2
    $38.6M The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
    $38.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  3. Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) movie poster Number 3
    $8.5M Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986)
    $8.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  4. My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) movie poster Number 4
    $6M My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)
    $6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  5. The Transformers: The Movie (1986) movie poster Number 5
    $5.9M The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
    $5.8M US & Canada · 100% $12.9K elsewhere · <1%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Animation Release of 1986, 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 1986.

  1. 1 An American Tail (1986) movie poster
    An American Tail (1986) Nov 21, 1986 · English · Drama, Comedy, Animation $84.5M worldwide
    Nov 21, 1986 US and Canada: $47.5M Rest of the world: $37.1M Worldwide: $84.5M
  2. 2 The Great Mouse Detective (1986) movie poster
    The Great Mouse Detective (1986) Jul 2, 1986 · English · Adventure, Mystery, Animation $38.6M worldwide
    Jul 2, 1986 US and Canada: $38.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.6M
  3. 3 Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) movie poster
    Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) Mar 21, 1986 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy $8.5M worldwide
    Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: $8.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.5M
  4. 4 My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) movie poster
    My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) Jun 6, 1986 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Animation $6M worldwide
    Jun 6, 1986 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M
  5. 5 The Transformers: The Movie (1986) movie poster
    The Transformers: The Movie (1986) Aug 8, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $5.9M worldwide
    Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: $12.9K Worldwide: $5.9M
  6. 6 Heathcliff: The Movie (1986) movie poster
    Heathcliff: The Movie (1986) Jan 17, 1986 · English · Comedy, Family, Animation $2.6M worldwide
    Jan 17, 1986 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.6M
  7. 7 GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) movie poster
    GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) Mar 21, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $1.3M worldwide
    Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M
  8. 8 The Adventures of the American Rabbit (1986) movie poster
    The Adventures of the American Rabbit (1986) Jan 17, 1986 · English · Fantasy, Animation, Family $1.3M worldwide
    Jan 17, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M
  9. 9 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1986) movie poster
    The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1986) 1986 · Animation $849.9K worldwide
    1986 US and Canada: $849.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $849.9K
  10. 10 Cat City (1986) movie poster
    Cat City (1986) Oct 2, 1986 · Hungarian · Adventure, Comedy, Animation $15.3K worldwide
    Oct 2, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15.3K
  11. 11 When the Wind Blows (1986) movie poster
    When the Wind Blows (1986) Oct 24, 1986 · English · War, Sci-Fi, Animation $5.3K worldwide
    Oct 24, 1986 US and Canada: $5.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3K
  12. 12 Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) movie poster
    Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) Apr 9, 1986 · English · Animation, Comedy $1.2K worldwide
    Apr 9, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2K
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1986?

Of the top 10, The Great Mouse Detective (1986) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while An American Tail (1986) made 44% of its gross abroad. Across all 12 films, $112.5M (75%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.

  1. 1 An American Tail (1986) $84.5M
    $47.5M US & Canada · 56% $37.1M elsewhere · 44%
  2. 2 The Great Mouse Detective (1986) $38.6M
    $38.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  3. 3 Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) $8.5M
    $8.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  4. 4 My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) $6M
    $6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  5. 5 The Transformers: The Movie (1986) $5.9M
    $5.8M US & Canada · 100% $12.9K elsewhere · <1%
  6. 6 Heathcliff: The Movie (1986) $2.6M
    $2.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  7. 7 GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) $1.3M
    $1.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  8. 8 The Adventures of the American Rabbit (1986) $1.3M
    $1.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1986) $849.9K
    $849.9K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  10. 10 Cat City (1986) $15.3K
    No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands

How Many 1986 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 12 films reached $100M. 10 films, 83% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $149.6M total.

  • $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $10M to $100M 2 films, 17% of the list $123.2M · 82% of the gross
  • Under $10M 10 films, 83% of the list $26.5M · 18% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 1986 Earned the Most?

November releases took the most, $84.5M from 1 film, led by An American Tail (1986). April was the quietest month ($1.2K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Heathcliff: The Movie (1986) $4.7M Heathcliff: The Movie (1986)
  2. February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  3. March Mar Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) $9.9M Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986)
  4. April Apr Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) $1.2K Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986)
  5. May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  6. June Jun My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) $6M My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)
  7. July Jul The Great Mouse Detective (1986) $38.6M The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
  8. August Aug The Transformers: The Movie (1986) $5.9M The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
  9. September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  10. October Oct Cat City (1986) $20.5K Cat City (1986)
  11. November Nov An American Tail (1986) $84.5M An American Tail (1986)
  12. December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years

How Does 1986 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1986 earned the most: $149.6M from 12 films, led by An American Tail (1986).

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1977 2 films 2 $74.4M – The Rescuers (1977) $71.2M
1978 3 films · −59% 3 $30.5M −59% The Lord of the Rings (1978) $30.5M
1979 1 film · −99% 1 $439.5K −99% Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979) $439.5K
1980 2 films · +396% 2 $2.2M +396% Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) (1980) $2M
1981 2 films · +2835% 2 $64M +2835% The Fox and the Hound (1981) $63.5M
1982 5 films · −47% 5 $34M −47% Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) $22.3M
1983 3 films · −98% 3 $791.3K −98% Fire and Ice (1983) $760.9K
1984 No films 0 – – –
1985 9 films 9 $68.9M – The Care Bears Movie (1985) $22.9M
1986 12 films · +117% 12 $149.6M +117% An American Tail (1986) $84.5M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Animation Movies Speak in 1986?

English-language animation films took $148.8M across 10 films, 99% of the total, ahead of Hungarian-language animation films ($15.3K).

1986 Animation Box Office by Language

  1. English $148.8M
    10 films · #1 An American Tail (1986)
  2. Hungarian $15.3K
    1 film · #1 Cat City (1986)
Archive

Animation Box Office Year by Year

Every year from 1938 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $7.5B, led by The Lion King (2019).

2020s 7 years · $23.8B
2010s 10 years · $51.2B
2000s 10 years · $24.1B
1990s 10 years · $5.6B
1980s 9 years · $1.1B
1970s 9 years · $311.5M
1960s 5 years · $221.6M
1950s 9 years · $329.5M
1940s 8 years · $428.3M
1930s 1 year · $185.1M
FAQ

Animation Box Office 1986: 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 12 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing animation movie in 1986?

An American Tail (1986) leads with $84.5M worldwide, $47.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Great Mouse Detective (1986) at $38.6M and Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986) at $8.5M.

How much did animation movies released in 1986 earn?

12 animation films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $149.6M in all, or $12.5M per film on average. 1985 releases took $68.9M.

How many animation movies released in 1986 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, An American Tail (1986), earned $84.5M.

How much of the 1986 Animation box office came from the US and Canada?

$112.5M of the $149.6M total, or 75%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 2 films of the 12 report no domestic figure.

How is the 1986 animation 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 1986. 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 1986 animation 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.