#1 of 42 #1 comedy movie of 1981
1981 · Comedy, Romance
$95.5M worldwide · 13% of the chart's total
$95.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Comedy box office · 1981
Comedy Box Office 1981: Highest-Grossing Comedy Movies
Arthur (1981) is the highest-grossing comedy movie released in 1981, with $95.5M worldwide, ahead of Stripes (1981) at $85.3M and The Cannonball Run (1981) at $72.2M. 42 comedy films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $752.2M in all, 100% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 34% on 1980, whose releases took $1.1B. By language, English leads with $725.9M across 38 comedy releases.
- 1981 releases with a gross
- 42
- combined worldwide
- $752.2M
- Arthur (1981), the #1
- $95.5M
- vs 1980
- −34%
#1 of 42 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Comedy Hits of 1981?
Arthur (1981) leads with $95.5M, 13% of the total. The top 5 together took $345.7M, 46% of what all 42 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 1981, 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 1981.
- 1 Jul 17, 1981 US and Canada: $95.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $95.5M
- 2 Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $85.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $85.3M
- 3 Jun 19, 1981 US and Canada: $72.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $72.2M
- 4 May 22, 1981 US and Canada: $50.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $50.4M
- 5 Nov 6, 1981 US and Canada: $42.4M Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $42.4M
- 6
Jun 12, 1981 US and Canada: $31.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.7M - 7
May 22, 1981 US and Canada: $31.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.3M - 8
Jun 26, 1981 US and Canada: $31.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.2M - 9
Dec 18, 1981 US and Canada: $29.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.9M - 10
Aug 28, 1981 US and Canada: $26.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.3M - 11
Dec 25, 1981 US and Canada: $26.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.2M - 12
Sep 25, 1981 US and Canada: $25.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.5M - 13
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)Jan 30, 1981 US and Canada: $20.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.3M
Jan 30, 1981 · English · Sci-Fi, Family, Comedy $20.3M worldwide - 14
Oct 2, 1981 US and Canada: $18.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.8M - 15
Jul 31, 1981 US and Canada: $18.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.8M - 16
Apr 24, 1981 US and Canada: $17.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.6M - 17
Mar 6, 1981 US and Canada: $16M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16M - 18
Apr 17, 1981 US and Canada: $16M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16M - 19
Sep 18, 1981 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M - 20
Jul 1, 1981 US and Canada: $14.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.9M - 21
Aug 21, 1981 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.5M - 22
Mar 13, 1981 US and Canada: $11.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.8M - 23
Aug 6, 1981 US and Canada: $9.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.6M - 24
Apr 2, 1981 US and Canada: $7.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.3M - 25
Apr 10, 1981 US and Canada: $5.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.5M - 26
Aug 7, 1981 US and Canada: $5.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.2M - 27
Mar 6, 1981 US and Canada: $4.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.5M - 28
Jul 24, 1981 US and Canada: $2.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.9M - 29
Mar 13, 1981 US and Canada: $2.9M Rest of the world: $582 Worldwide: $2.9M - 30
Dec 18, 1981 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.2M - 31
Aug 21, 1981 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 32
Dec 10, 1981 US and Canada: $237K Rest of the world: $286 Worldwide: $237.3K - 33
Oct 30, 1981 US and Canada: $110K Rest of the world: $401 Worldwide: $110.4K - 34
Mar 6, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $31.2K - 35
Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure (1981)Dec 9, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20K
Dec 9, 1981 · Italian · Action, Adventure, Comedy $20K worldwide - 36
May 8, 1981 US and Canada: $19.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.5K - 37
Oct 7, 1981 US and Canada: $17.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.1K - 38
Oct 11, 1981 US and Canada: $5.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1K - 39
May 29, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1K - 40
Mar 4, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $923 - 41
Oct 31, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $645 - 42
Oct 23, 1981 US and Canada: $560 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $560
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1981?
Of the top 10, Arthur (1981) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Time Bandits (1981) made <1% of its gross abroad. Across all 42 films, $752.2M (100%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Arthur (1981) $95.5M $95.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 2 Stripes (1981) $85.3M $85.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 The Cannonball Run (1981) $72.2M $72.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 The Four Seasons (1981) $50.4M $50.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Time Bandits (1981) $42.4M $42.4M US & Canada · 100% $2.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 History of the World: Part I (1981) $31.7M $31.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Bustin’ Loose (1981) $31.3M $31.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Great Muppet Caper (1981) $31.2M $31.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Neighbors (1981) $29.9M $29.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Private Lessons (1981) $26.3M $26.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1981 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 42 films reached $100M. 20 films, 48% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $752.2M total.
94%
- $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 22 films, 52% of the list $709.9M · 94% of the gross
- Under $10M 20 films, 48% of the list $42.3M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1981 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $220.4M from 4 films, led by Stripes (1981). October was the quietest month ($19M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) $20.3M The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) $35.2M The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)
- April Apr Take This Job and Shove It (1981) $46.3M Take This Job and Shove It (1981)
- May May The Four Seasons (1981) $81.7M The Four Seasons (1981)
- June Jun Stripes (1981) $220.4M Stripes (1981)
- July Jul Arthur (1981) $132M Arthur (1981)
- August Aug Private Lessons (1981) $55.5M Private Lessons (1981)
- September Sep Only When I Laugh (1981) $41.1M Only When I Laugh (1981)
- October Oct Paternity (1981) $19M Paternity (1981)
- November Nov Time Bandits (1981) $42.4M Time Bandits (1981)
- December Dec Neighbors (1981) $58.5M Neighbors (1981)
Last 10 years
How Does 1981 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1980 earned the most: $1.1B from 54 films, led by The Blues Brothers (1980). 1981 took $752.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 11 films | 11 | $19.3M | – | 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 |
| 1980 54 films · +38% | 54 | $1.1B | +38% | The Blues Brothers (1980) $115.2M |
| 1981 42 films · −34% | 42 | $752.2M | −34% | Arthur (1981) $95.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Comedy Movies Speak in 1981?
English-language comedy films took $725.9M across 38 films, 97% of the total, ahead of Italian-language comedy films ($20K) and French-language comedy films ($18K).
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 1981: 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 42 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing comedy movie in 1981?
Arthur (1981) leads with $95.5M worldwide, $95.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Stripes (1981) at $85.3M and The Cannonball Run (1981) at $72.2M.
How much did comedy movies released in 1981 earn?
42 comedy films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $752.2M in all, or $17.9M per film on average. 1980 releases took $1.1B.
How many comedy movies released in 1981 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Arthur (1981), earned $95.5M.
How is the 1981 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 1981. 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 1981 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.