#1 of 24 #1 comedy movie of 1978
Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
1978 · Action, Comedy
$85.2M worldwide · 15% of the chart's total
$85.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Comedy box office · 1978
Comedy Box Office 1978: Highest-Grossing Comedy Movies
Every Which Way But Loose (1978) is the highest-grossing comedy movie released in 1978, with $85.2M worldwide, ahead of Heaven Can Wait (1978) at $81.6M and Hooper (1978) at $78M. 24 comedy films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $568.8M in all, 100% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 12% on 1977, whose releases took $509.1M. By language, English leads with $441.9M across 19 comedy releases.
- 1978 releases with a gross
- 24
- combined worldwide
- $568.8M
- Every Which Way But Loose (1978), the #1
- $85.2M
- vs 1977
- +12%
#1 of 24 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Comedy Hits of 1978?
Every Which Way But Loose (1978) leads with $85.2M, 15% of the total. The top 5 together took $339.4M, 60% of what all 24 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 Comedy 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 20, 1978 US and Canada: $85.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $85.2M
- 2 Jun 28, 1978 US and Canada: $81.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $81.6M
- 3 Jul 28, 1978 US and Canada: $78M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $78M
- 4 Jul 19, 1978 US and Canada: $49.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $49.6M
- 5 Jul 14, 1978 US and Canada: $45M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45M
- 6
May 10, 1978 US and Canada: $44.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.9M - 7
Sep 15, 1978 US and Canada: $44.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $44.4M - 8
Mar 15, 1978 US and Canada: $28.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.5M - 9
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 - 10
Apr 23, 1978 US and Canada: $19.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.7M - 11
Feb 3, 1978 US and Canada: $16.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.9M - 12
Jun 2, 1978 US and Canada: $15.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.5M - 13
Oct 6, 1978 US and Canada: $13.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.1M - 14
Dec 8, 1978 US and Canada: $7.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.9M - 15
Oct 6, 1978 US and Canada: $7.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4M - 16
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978)Jun 30, 1978 US and Canada: $7.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.1M Jun 30, 1978 · English · Sport, Comedy, Family $7.1M worldwide - 17
Apr 1, 1978 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 18
Mar 5, 1978 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 19
Apr 14, 1978 US and Canada: $306.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $306.1K - 20
Sep 28, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2K - 21
Aug 11, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.4K - 22
Nov 8, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K - 23
Aug 3, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $321 - 24
May 19, 1978 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $134
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1978?
Of the top 10, Every Which Way But Loose (1978) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Same Time, Next Year (1978) made 0% of its gross abroad. Across all 24 films, $568.8M (100%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Every Which Way But Loose (1978) $85.2M $85.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 2 Heaven Can Wait (1978) $81.6M $81.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 Hooper (1978) $78M $78M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) $49.6M $49.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Foul Play (1978) $45M $45M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 The End (1978) $44.9M $44.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Up in Smoke (1978) $44.4M $44.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 House Calls (1978) $28.5M $28.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) $20.4M $20.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Same Time, Next Year (1978) $19.7M $19.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1978 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 24 films reached $100M. 11 films, 46% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $568.8M total.
95%
- $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 13 films, 54% of the list $542.7M · 95% of the gross
- Under $10M 11 films, 46% of the list $26M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1978 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $193M from 4 films, led by Hooper (1978). November was the quietest month ($1.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb The One and Only (1978) $16.9M The One and Only (1978)
- March Mar House Calls (1978) $29.8M House Calls (1978)
- April Apr Same Time, Next Year (1978) $22M Same Time, Next Year (1978)
- May May The End (1978) $44.9M The End (1978)
- June Jun Heaven Can Wait (1978) $104.2M Heaven Can Wait (1978)
- July Jul Hooper (1978) $193M Hooper (1978)
- August Aug Girlfriends (1978) $8.7K Girlfriends (1978)
- September Sep Up in Smoke (1978) $44.4M Up in Smoke (1978)
- October Oct The Big Fix (1978) $20.5M The Big Fix (1978)
- November Nov Mountain Pass (1978) $1.7K Mountain Pass (1978)
- December Dec Every Which Way But Loose (1978) $93.1M Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
Last 10 years
How Does 1978 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1978 earned the most: $568.8M from 24 films, led by Every Which Way But Loose (1978).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 8 films | 8 | $66.3M | – | The Love Bug (1969) $51.3M |
| 1970 11 films · +216% | 11 | $209.7M | +216% | The Aristocats (1970) $191M |
| 1971 8 films · −95% | 8 | $10.7M | −95% | Gentlemen of Fortune (1971) $10.6M |
| 1972 11 films · +80% | 11 | $19.3M | +80% | Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972) $18.1M |
| 1973 13 films · +1521% | 13 | $313.5M | +1521% | The Sting (1973) $156M |
| 1974 11 films · −1% | 11 | $309.1M | −1% | Blazing Saddles (1974) $119.6M |
| 1975 13 films · −2% | 13 | $301.6M | −2% | The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) $115.8M |
| 1976 12 films · −40% | 12 | $181.6M | −40% | Silver Streak (1976) $51.1M |
| 1977 24 films · +180% | 24 | $509.1M | +180% | Smokey and the Bandit (1977) $126.8M |
| 1978 24 films · +12% | 24 | $568.8M | +12% | Every Which Way But Loose (1978) $85.2M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Comedy Movies Speak in 1978?
English-language comedy films took $441.9M across 19 films, 78% of the total, ahead of German-language comedy films ($306.1K) and Italian-language comedy films ($17.2K).
Archive
Comedy Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1921 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $16.1B, led by The Lion King (2019).
2020s 7 years · $40.8B
2010s 10 years · $118B
- 2019 $16.1B #1 The Lion King (2019)
- 2018 $11.8B #1 Incredibles 2 (2018)
- 2017 $12.9B #1 Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- 2016 $12.4B #1 Finding Dory (2016)
- 2015 $14.3B #1 Minions (2015)
- 2014 $9.3B #1 Big Hero 6 (2014)
- 2013 $10.7B #1 Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- 2012 $10.2B #1 Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- 2011 $9.8B #1 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
- 2010 $10.4B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $79.4B
- 2009 $9.2B #1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- 2008 $9.3B #1 Mamma Mia! (2008)
- 2007 $10.3B #1 Shrek the Third (2007)
- 2006 $8.4B #1 Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- 2005 $8B #1 Madagascar (2005)
- 2004 $7.5B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $8.1B #1 Finding Nemo (2003)
- 2002 $6.4B #1 Men in Black II (2002)
- 2001 $6.6B #1 Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- 2000 $5.7B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $33.7B
- 1999 $5.4B #1 Toy Story 2 (1999)
- 1998 $4.2B #1 There's Something About Mary (1998)
- 1997 $3.6B #1 Men in Black (1997)
- 1996 $3.2B #1 101 Dalmatians (1996)
- 1995 $3B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $3.6B #1 True Lies (1994)
- 1993 $2.7B #1 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- 1992 $2.1B #1 Sister Act (1992)
- 1991 $2.4B #1 Hook (1991)
- 1990 $3.5B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $17.5B
- 1989 $3.1B #1 Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- 1988 $3B #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $2.1B #1 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
- 1986 $2B #1 Crocodile Dundee (1986)
- 1985 $1.5B #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $1.9B #1 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- 1983 $979.6M #1 Terms of Endearment (1983)
- 1982 $1.1B #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $752.2M #1 Arthur (1981)
- 1980 $1.1B #1 The Blues Brothers (1980)
1970s 10 years · $3.2B
- 1979 $823.9M #1 1941 (1979)
- 1978 $568.8M #1 Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
- 1977 $509.1M #1 Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
- 1976 $181.6M #1 Silver Streak (1976)
- 1975 $301.6M #1 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
- 1974 $309.1M #1 Blazing Saddles (1974)
- 1973 $313.5M #1 The Sting (1973)
- 1972 $19.3M #1 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972)
- 1971 $10.7M #1 Gentlemen of Fortune (1971)
- 1970 $209.7M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 10 years · $554.7M
- 1969 $66.3M #1 The Love Bug (1969)
- 1968 $98.4M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $162.1M #1 The Graduate (1967)
- 1966 $177.9K #1 Made in U.S.A (1966)
- 1965 $364.7K #1 Do Not Disturb (1965)
- 1964 $143.3M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $61.9M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $1.8M #1 Copacabana Palace (1962)
- 1961 $1.4M #1 Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
- 1960 $19.1M #1 The Apartment (1960)
1950s 10 years · $162M
- 1959 $231.6K #1 Some Like It Hot (1959)
- 1958 $2.1M #1 Paris Holiday (1958)
- 1957 $46.4K #1 Ali Baba Bunny (1957)
- 1956 $51.1M #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- 1955 $94M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $3.1M #1 White Christmas (1954)
- 1953 $9M #1 Father of Four (1953)
- 1952 $2.2M #1 Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- 1951 $56.4K #1 The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
- 1950 $16K #1 Rabbit of Seville (1950)
1940s 10 years · $188M
- 1949 $217.9K #1 Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
- 1948 $29.7K #1 Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948)
- 1947 $1.1M #1 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
- 1946 $37.7M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $21.9M #1 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- 1944 $31.7K #1 What’s Cookin’ Doc? (1944)
- 1943 $1.3M #1 The Marry-Go-Round (1943)
- 1942 $723 #1 The Palm Beach Story (1942)
- 1941 $2.3M #1 Charley’s Aunt (1941)
- 1940 $123.3M #1 Pinocchio (1940)
1930s 10 years · $31.5M
- 1939 $26.1M #1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- 1938 $18K #1 Bringing Up Baby (1938)
- 1937 $19.3K #1 Stage Door (1937)
- 1936 $4.7M #1 After the Thin Man (1936)
- 1935 $532K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $43.5K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $108.6K #1 Duck Soup (1933)
- 1932 $12.2K #1 Fanny (1932)
- 1931 $8.3K #1 Marius (1931)
- 1930 $1K #1 Madam Satan (1930)
FAQ
Comedy 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 24 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing comedy movie in 1978?
Every Which Way But Loose (1978) leads with $85.2M worldwide, $85.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Heaven Can Wait (1978) at $81.6M and Hooper (1978) at $78M.
How much did comedy movies released in 1978 earn?
24 comedy films released in 1978 report a worldwide gross, $568.8M in all, or $23.7M per film on average. 1977 releases took $509.1M.
How many comedy movies released in 1978 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Every Which Way But Loose (1978), earned $85.2M.
How is the 1978 comedy 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 comedy 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.