#1 of 126 #1 comedy movie of 1998
There's Something About Mary (1998)
1998 · Comedy, Romance
$369.9M worldwide · 9% of the chart's total
$176.5M US & Canada · 48% $193.4M elsewhere · 52%
Comedy box office · 1998
Comedy Box Office 1998: Highest-Grossing Comedy Movies
There's Something About Mary (1998) is the highest-grossing comedy movie released in 1998, with $369.9M worldwide, ahead of A Bug's Life (1998) at $363.3M and Dr. Dolittle (1998) at $294.5M. 126 comedy films released in 1998 report a worldwide gross, $4.2B in all, 62% of it from the US & Canada. 12 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 15% on 1997, whose releases took $3.6B. By language, English leads with $3.6B across 109 comedy releases.
- 1998 releases with a gross
- 126
- combined worldwide
- $4.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 12
- vs 1997
- +15%
#1 of 126 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Comedy Hits of 1998?
There's Something About Mary (1998) leads with $369.9M, 9% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.6B, 38% of what all 126 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 1998, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 126. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1998.
- 1 Jul 15, 1998 US and Canada: $176.5M Rest of the world: $193.4M Worldwide: $369.9M
- 2 Nov 25, 1998 US and Canada: $162.8M Rest of the world: $200.5M Worldwide: $363.3M
- 3 Jun 26, 1998 US and Canada: $144.2M Rest of the world: $150.3M Worldwide: $294.5M
- 4 Dec 11, 1998 US and Canada: $100.3M Rest of the world: $189M Worldwide: $289.3M
- 5 Dec 18, 1998 US and Canada: $115.8M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $250.8M
- 6
Sep 18, 1998 US and Canada: $141.2M Rest of the world: $103.5M Worldwide: $244.7M - 7
Dec 25, 1998 US and Canada: $135M Rest of the world: $67.3M Worldwide: $202.3M - 8
Nov 6, 1998 US and Canada: $161.5M Rest of the world: $24.5M Worldwide: $186M - 9
Oct 2, 1998 US and Canada: $90.8M Rest of the world: $81M Worldwide: $171.8M - 10
Dec 25, 1998 US and Canada: $91.1M Rest of the world: $68.6M Worldwide: $159.7M - 11
Nov 20, 1998 US and Canada: $100.5M Rest of the world: $40.4M Worldwide: $140.9M - 12
Feb 13, 1998 US and Canada: $80.2M Rest of the world: $43.1M Worldwide: $123.3M - 13
Jul 31, 1998 US and Canada: $65.7M Rest of the world: $32.3M Worldwide: $98M - 14
Jul 29, 1998 US and Canada: $66.3M Rest of the world: $25.8M Worldwide: $92.1M - 15
Jun 26, 1998 US and Canada: $37.6M Rest of the world: $40.2M Worldwide: $77.7M - 16
Nov 25, 1998 US and Canada: $18.3M Rest of the world: $50.8M Worldwide: $69.1M - 17
Nov 20, 1998 US and Canada: $24.8M Rest of the world: $30.5M Worldwide: $55.3M - 18
Jul 10, 1998 US and Canada: $54.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $54.7M - 19
Mar 20, 1998 US and Canada: $39M Rest of the world: $13.1M Worldwide: $52.1M - 20
Oct 16, 1998 US and Canada: $32.4M Rest of the world: $18.3M Worldwide: $50.7M - 21
Oct 23, 1998 US and Canada: $40.6M Rest of the world: $9.2M Worldwide: $49.8M - 22
Mar 6, 1998 US and Canada: $19.5M Rest of the world: $28.8M Worldwide: $48.3M - 23
Apr 17, 1998 US and Canada: $29.2M Rest of the world: $17.7M Worldwide: $46.9M - 24
Oct 16, 1998 US and Canada: $46.7M Rest of the world: $1K Worldwide: $46.7M - 25
Dec 11, 1998 US and Canada: $34.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.6M - 26
Oct 2, 1998 US and Canada: $30.3M Rest of the world: $575 Worldwide: $30.3M - 27
Jul 10, 1998 US and Canada: $30M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30M - 28
Jan 23, 1998 US and Canada: $29.3M Rest of the world: $12.8K Worldwide: $29.4M - 29
May 19, 1998 US and Canada: $26.5M Rest of the world: $2.7M Worldwide: $29.2M - 30
Apr 24, 1998 US and Canada: $27M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27M - 31
Apr 17, 1998 US and Canada: $26.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.9M - 32
Jun 12, 1998 US and Canada: $25.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.6M - 33
Apr 8, 1998 US and Canada: $23M Rest of the world: $213.5K Worldwide: $23.3M - 34
Apr 9, 1998 US and Canada: $18.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.9M - 35
Sep 11, 1998 US and Canada: $18.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.3M - 36
Jan 16, 1998 US and Canada: $17.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.5M - 37
Dec 11, 1998 US and Canada: $17.1M Rest of the world: $93.3K Worldwide: $17.2M - 38
Oct 30, 1998 US and Canada: $12.9M Rest of the world: $2.7M Worldwide: $15.6M - 39
Aug 21, 1998 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 40
Feb 5, 1998 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.1M - 41
Feb 20, 1998 US and Canada: $12.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.9M - 42
Apr 3, 1998 US and Canada: $12.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.2M - 43
Nov 13, 1998 US and Canada: $12.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.2M - 44
Oct 9, 1998 US and Canada: $12.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.1M - 45
Apr 24, 1998 US and Canada: $11.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.8M - 46
Nov 25, 1998 US and Canada: $10.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.5M - 47
May 27, 1998 US and Canada: $10.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.3M - 48
Aug 14, 1998 US and Canada: $10.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.2M - 49
Jun 12, 1998 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10M - 50
Nov 25, 1998 US and Canada: $9.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.9M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1998?
Of the top 10, The Waterboy (1998) earned the biggest share at home (87% in the US & Canada), while Shakespeare in Love (1998) made 65% of its gross abroad. Across all 126 films, $2.6B (62%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 There's Something About Mary (1998) $369.9M $176.5M US & Canada · 48% $193.4M elsewhere · 52%
- 2 A Bug's Life (1998) $363.3M $162.8M US & Canada · 45% $200.5M elsewhere · 55%
- 3 Dr. Dolittle (1998) $294.5M $144.2M US & Canada · 49% $150.3M elsewhere · 51%
- 4 Shakespeare in Love (1998) $289.3M $100.3M US & Canada · 35% $189M elsewhere · 65%
- 5 You've Got Mail (1998) $250.8M $115.8M US & Canada · 46% $135M elsewhere · 54%
- 6 Rush Hour (1998) $244.7M $141.2M US & Canada · 58% $103.5M elsewhere · 42%
- 7 Patch Adams (1998) $202.3M $135M US & Canada · 67% $67.3M elsewhere · 33%
- 8 The Waterboy (1998) $186M $161.5M US & Canada · 87% $24.5M elsewhere · 13%
- 9 Antz (1998) $171.8M $90.8M US & Canada · 53% $81M elsewhere · 47%
- 10 Stepmom (1998) $159.7M $91.1M US & Canada · 57% $68.6M elsewhere · 43%
Gross bands
How Many 1998 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
12 of 126 films crossed $100M and took $2.8B between them, 67% of the total. 77 films, 61% of the list, earned under $10M.
67% 29%
- $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 12 films, 10% of the list $2.8B · 67% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 37 films, 29% of the list $1.2B · 29% of the gross
- Under $10M 77 films, 61% of the list $160.3M · 4% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1998 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $958.6M from 8 films, led by Shakespeare in Love (1998). August was the quietest month ($39M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Spice World (1998) $49.7M Spice World (1998)
- February Feb The Wedding Singer (1998) $162.2M The Wedding Singer (1998)
- March Mar Primary Colors (1998) $113.3M Primary Colors (1998)
- April Apr The Object of My Affection (1998) $183.1M The Object of My Affection (1998)
- May May Bulworth (1998) $68.5M Bulworth (1998)
- June Jun Dr. Dolittle (1998) $420.9M Dr. Dolittle (1998)
- July Jul There's Something About Mary (1998) $663.4M There's Something About Mary (1998)
- August Aug Dead Man on Campus (1998) $39M Dead Man on Campus (1998)
- September Sep Rush Hour (1998) $269.2M Rush Hour (1998)
- October Oct Antz (1998) $383.8M Antz (1998)
- November Nov A Bug's Life (1998) $861.6M A Bug's Life (1998)
- December Dec Shakespeare in Love (1998) $958.6M Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Last 10 years
How Does 1998 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1998 earned the most: $4.2B from 126 films, led by There's Something About Mary (1998).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 110 films | 110 | $3.1B | – | Back to the Future Part II (1989) $332.9M |
| 1990 91 films · +13% | 91 | $3.5B | +13% | Ghost (1990) $505.7M |
| 1991 108 films · −33% | 108 | $2.4B | −33% | Hook (1991) $300.9M |
| 1992 76 films · −10% | 76 | $2.1B | −10% | Sister Act (1992) $231.6M |
| 1993 90 films · +27% | 90 | $2.7B | +27% | Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) $441.3M |
| 1994 118 films · +32% | 118 | $3.6B | +32% | True Lies (1994) $378.9M |
| 1995 109 films · −15% | 109 | $3B | −15% | Toy Story (1995) $394.4M |
| 1996 120 films · +4% | 120 | $3.2B | +4% | 101 Dalmatians (1996) $320.7M |
| 1997 109 films · +15% | 109 | $3.6B | +15% | Men in Black (1997) $589.4M |
| 1998 126 films · +15% | 126 | $4.2B | +15% | There's Something About Mary (1998) $369.9M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Comedy Movies Speak in 1998?
English-language comedy films took $3.6B across 109 films, 87% of the total, ahead of French-language comedy films ($27.2M) and Russian-language comedy films ($2.6M).
1998 Comedy Box Office by Language
-
English $3.6B109 films · #1 There's Something About Mary (1998) -
French $27.2M2 films · #1 The Big Hit (1998) -
Russian $2.6M2 films · #1 The Barber of Siberia (1998) -
Spanish $82K1 film · #1 Wind with the Gone (1998) -
Turkish $52.1K1 film · #1 Everything’s Gonna Be Great (1998) -
Italian $15.1K2 films · #1 Toto Who Lived Twice (1998) -
Hindi $10.5K1 film · #1 Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) -
Danish $2.8K1 film · #1 The Idiots (1998)
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 1998: 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 126 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing comedy movie in 1998?
There's Something About Mary (1998) leads with $369.9M worldwide, $176.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come A Bug's Life (1998) at $363.3M and Dr. Dolittle (1998) at $294.5M.
How much did comedy movies released in 1998 earn?
126 comedy films released in 1998 report a worldwide gross, $4.2B in all, or $33.1M per film on average. 1997 releases took $3.6B.
How many comedy movies released in 1998 made $1 billion?
None. 12 films crossed $100 million, led by There's Something About Mary (1998) with $369.9M.
How is the 1998 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 1998. 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 1998 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.