#1 of 37 #1 comedy movie of 1979
1979 · Action, Comedy
$92.5M worldwide · 11% of the chart's total
$31.8M US & Canada · 34% $60.7M elsewhere · 66%
Comedy box office · 1979
Comedy Box Office 1979: Highest-Grossing Comedy Movies
1941 (1979) is the highest-grossing comedy movie released in 1979, with $92.5M worldwide, ahead of 10 (1979) at $74.9M and The Jerk (1979) at $73.7M. 37 comedy films released in 1979 report a worldwide gross, $823.9M in all, 93% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 45% on 1978, whose releases took $568.8M. By language, English leads with $692.9M across 32 comedy releases.
- 1979 releases with a gross
- 37
- combined worldwide
- $823.9M
- 1941 (1979), the #1
- $92.5M
- vs 1978
- +45%
#1 of 37 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Comedy Hits of 1979?
1941 (1979) leads with $92.5M, 11% of the total. The top 5 together took $369.3M, 45% of what all 37 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Comedy Release of 1979, 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 1979.
- 1 Dec 14, 1979 US and Canada: $31.8M Rest of the world: $60.7M Worldwide: $92.5M
- 2 Oct 5, 1979 US and Canada: $74.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $74.9M
- 3 Dec 14, 1979 US and Canada: $73.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $73.7M
- 4 Jun 22, 1979 US and Canada: $66.5M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $66.5M
- 5 Dec 21, 1979 US and Canada: $61.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $61.8M
- 6
Apr 27, 1979 US and Canada: $43.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $43.9M - 7
Jun 29, 1979 US and Canada: $43M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $43M - 8
Jun 22, 1979 US and Canada: $42.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $42.8M - 9
Mar 14, 1979 US and Canada: $39.9M Rest of the world: $247.3K Worldwide: $40.2M - 10
Oct 5, 1979 US and Canada: $35.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $35.6M - 11
Dec 19, 1979 US and Canada: $30.2M Rest of the world: $1.9K Worldwide: $30.2M - 12
Dec 25, 1979 US and Canada: $26.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.9M - 13
Aug 3, 1979 US and Canada: $26.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.1M - 14
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)Jun 27, 1979 US and Canada: $20.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.9M
Jun 27, 1979 · English · Comedy, Western, Family $20.9M worldwide - 15
Aug 17, 1979 US and Canada: $20.2M Rest of the world: $626.6K Worldwide: $20.8M - 16
May 13, 1979 US and Canada: $20.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.4M - 17
Jul 20, 1979 US and Canada: $16.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.4M - 18
Mar 14, 1979 US and Canada: $15.3M Rest of the world: $29.6K Worldwide: $15.3M - 19
Aug 3, 1979 US and Canada: $15M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15M - 20
Dec 21, 1979 US and Canada: $13.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.3M - 21
Jul 13, 1979 US and Canada: $9.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.3M - 22
Nov 6, 1979 US and Canada: $8.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.3M - 23
Aug 17, 1979 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M - 24
Aug 10, 1979 US and Canada: $6.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.2M - 25
Jun 15, 1979 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1M - 26
Aug 10, 1979 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 27
Aug 17, 1979 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 28
May 11, 1979 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: $462 Worldwide: $1.2M - 29
Sep 28, 1979 US and Canada: $683.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $683.4K - 30
May 1, 1979 US and Canada: $444.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $444.3K - 31
Mar 2, 1979 US and Canada: $364.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $364.6K - 32
Aug 28, 1979 US and Canada: $89.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $89.1K - 33
Apr 27, 1979 US and Canada: $85.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $85.5K - 34
May 9, 1979 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $923 - 35
Sep 4, 1979 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $633 - 36
Jan 24, 1979 US and Canada: $509 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $509 - 37
Nov 1, 1979 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $81
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1979?
Of the top 10, 10 (1979) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while 1941 (1979) made 66% of its gross abroad. Across all 37 films, $762.2M (93%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 1941 (1979) $92.5M $31.8M US & Canada · 34% $60.7M elsewhere · 66%
- 2 10 (1979) $74.9M $74.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 The Jerk (1979) $73.7M $73.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 The Muppet Movie (1979) $66.5M $66.5M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 The Electric Horseman (1979) $61.8M $61.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Love at First Bite (1979) $43.9M $43.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Meatballs (1979) $43M $43M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Main Event (1979) $42.8M $42.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Manhattan (1979) $40.2M $39.9M US & Canada · 99% $247.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 10 Starting Over (1979) $35.6M $35.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1979 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 37 films reached $100M. 17 films, 46% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $823.9M 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 20 films, 54% of the list $780.2M · 95% of the gross
- Under $10M 17 films, 46% of the list $43.7M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1979 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $298.3M from 6 films, led by 1941 (1979). January was the quietest month ($509). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Love on the Run (1979) $509 Love on the Run (1979)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Manhattan (1979) $55.9M Manhattan (1979)
- April Apr Love at First Bite (1979) $44M Love at First Bite (1979)
- May May La Cage aux Folles (1979) $22M La Cage aux Folles (1979)
- June Jun The Muppet Movie (1979) $178.4M The Muppet Movie (1979)
- July Jul Breaking Away (1979) $25.8M Breaking Away (1979)
- August Aug North Dallas Forty (1979) $80.1M North Dallas Forty (1979)
- September Sep A Man, a Woman and a Bank (1979) $684K A Man, a Woman and a Bank (1979)
- October Oct 10 (1979) $110.5M 10 (1979)
- November Nov The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) $8.3M The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979)
- December Dec 1941 (1979) $298.3M 1941 (1979)
Last 10 years
How Does 1979 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1979 earned the most: $823.9M from 37 films, led by 1941 (1979).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 11 films | 11 | $209.7M | – | 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 |
| 1979 37 films · +45% | 37 | $823.9M | +45% | 1941 (1979) $92.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Comedy Movies Speak in 1979?
English-language comedy films took $692.9M across 32 films, 84% of the total, ahead of French-language comedy films ($20.4M).
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 1979: 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 37 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing comedy movie in 1979?
1941 (1979) leads with $92.5M worldwide, $31.8M of it in the US & Canada. Next come 10 (1979) at $74.9M and The Jerk (1979) at $73.7M.
How much did comedy movies released in 1979 earn?
37 comedy films released in 1979 report a worldwide gross, $823.9M in all, or $22.3M per film on average. 1978 releases took $568.8M.
How many comedy movies released in 1979 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, 1941 (1979), earned $92.5M.
How is the 1979 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 1979. 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 1979 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.