#1 of 43 #1 crime movie of 1989
1989 · Thriller, Crime
$411.6M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total
$251.4M US & Canada · 61% $160.2M elsewhere · 39%
Crime box office · 1989
Crime Box Office 1989: Highest-Grossing Crime Movies
Batman (1989) is the highest-grossing crime movie released in 1989, with $411.6M worldwide, ahead of Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) at $227.9M and Black Rain (1989) at $134.2M. 43 crime films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, 73% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 29% on 1988, whose releases took $1.2B. By language, English leads with $1.6B across 41 crime releases.
- 1989 releases with a gross
- 43
- combined worldwide
- $1.6B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs 1988
- +29%
#1 of 43 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Crime Hits of 1989?
Batman (1989) leads with $411.6M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $962.8M, 61% of what all 43 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 Crime Release of 1989, 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 1989.
- 1 Jun 23, 1989 US and Canada: $251.4M Rest of the world: $160.2M Worldwide: $411.6M
- 2 Jul 7, 1989 US and Canada: $147.3M Rest of the world: $80.6M Worldwide: $227.9M
- 3 Sep 22, 1989 US and Canada: $46.2M Rest of the world: $88M Worldwide: $134.2M
- 4 Sep 15, 1989 US and Canada: $58.6M Rest of the world: $52.3M Worldwide: $110.9M
- 5 Apr 28, 1989 US and Canada: $43.2M Rest of the world: $35M Worldwide: $78.2M
- 6
Jul 28, 1989 US and Canada: $71.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $71.1M - 7
Dec 22, 1989 US and Canada: $63.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $63.4M - 8
Nov 17, 1989 US and Canada: $60.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.9M - 9
May 12, 1989 US and Canada: $46.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $46.9M - 10
Mar 17, 1989 US and Canada: $35.2M Rest of the world: $4.3M Worldwide: $39.5M - 11
Jan 27, 1989 US and Canada: $34.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.6M - 12
Jul 5, 1989 US and Canada: $30.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.2M - 13
Apr 7, 1989 US and Canada: $28.9M Rest of the world: $16.9K Worldwide: $28.9M - 14
Aug 4, 1989 US and Canada: $22.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.1M - 15
Oct 6, 1989 US and Canada: $20M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20M - 16
Feb 3, 1989 US and Canada: $18.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.7M - 17
Aug 18, 1989 US and Canada: $18.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.7M - 18
Oct 20, 1989 US and Canada: $15.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.9M - 19
Dec 15, 1989 US and Canada: $12.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.2M - 20
May 26, 1989 US and Canada: $12.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.1M - 21
Mar 10, 1989 US and Canada: $11.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.6M - 22
Aug 25, 1989 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6M - 23
Dec 15, 1989 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6M - 24
Jun 2, 1989 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9M - 25
Feb 17, 1989 US and Canada: $8.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.7M - 26
Mar 24, 1989 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.1M - 27
Apr 14, 1989 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M - 28
Sep 29, 1989 US and Canada: $7.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.2M - 29
Aug 30, 1989 US and Canada: $7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7M - 30
Oct 6, 1989 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: $274 Worldwide: $4.7M - 31
Jan 13, 1989 US and Canada: $4.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6M - 32
Feb 17, 1989 US and Canada: $4.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6M - 33
Jan 27, 1989 US and Canada: $3.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.6M - 34
Feb 3, 1989 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.4M - 35
Mar 17, 1989 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 36
Oct 13, 1989 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 37
May 11, 1989 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 38
Nov 17, 1989 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: $33.7K Worldwide: $1.6M - 39
May 24, 1989 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 40
Mar 31, 1989 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $59.8K Worldwide: $1.2M - 41
Oct 27, 1989 US and Canada: $283.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $283.7K - 42
Nov 29, 1989 US and Canada: $59.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $59.4K - 43
Mar 3, 1989 US and Canada: $4.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1989?
Of the top 10, Turner & Hooch (1989) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Black Rain (1989) made 66% of its gross abroad. Across all 43 films, $1.1B (73%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Batman (1989) $411.6M $251.4M US & Canada · 61% $160.2M elsewhere · 39%
- 2 Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) $227.9M $147.3M US & Canada · 65% $80.6M elsewhere · 35%
- 3 Black Rain (1989) $134.2M $46.2M US & Canada · 34% $88M elsewhere · 66%
- 4 Sea of Love (1989) $110.9M $58.6M US & Canada · 53% $52.3M elsewhere · 47%
- 5 K-9 (1989) $78.2M $43.2M US & Canada · 55% $35M elsewhere · 45%
- 6 Turner & Hooch (1989) $71.1M $71.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Tango & Cash (1989) $63.4M $63.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Harlem Nights (1989) $60.9M $60.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) $46.9M $46.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Fletch Lives (1989) $39.5M $35.2M US & Canada · 89% $4.3M elsewhere · 11%
Gross bands
How Many 1989 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 43 films crossed $100M and took $884.5M between them, 56% of the total. 20 films, 47% of the list, earned under $10M.
56% 39%
- $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 4 films, 9% of the list $884.5M · 56% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 19 films, 44% of the list $606.3M · 39% of the gross
- Under $10M 20 films, 47% of the list $79M · 5% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1989 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $420.6M from 2 films, led by Batman (1989). February was the quietest month ($35.4M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Mississippi Burning (1989) $42.8M Mississippi Burning (1989)
- February Feb Her Alibi (1989) $35.4M Her Alibi (1989)
- March Mar Fletch Lives (1989) $62.4M Fletch Lives (1989)
- April Apr K-9 (1989) $114.9M K-9 (1989)
- May May See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) $62.3M See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
- June Jun Batman (1989) $420.6M Batman (1989)
- July Jul Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) $329.2M Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
- August Aug Lock Up (1989) $58.4M Lock Up (1989)
- September Sep Black Rain (1989) $252.3M Black Rain (1989)
- October Oct An Innocent Man (1989) $42.9M An Innocent Man (1989)
- November Nov Harlem Nights (1989) $62.5M Harlem Nights (1989)
- December Dec Tango & Cash (1989) $86.2M Tango & Cash (1989)
Last 10 years
How Does 1989 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1989 earned the most: $1.6B from 43 films, led by Batman (1989).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 15 films | 15 | $373M | – | The Blues Brothers (1980) $115.2M |
| 1981 23 films · −34% | 23 | $247.4M | −34% | Sharky's Machine (1981) $35.6M |
| 1982 19 films · −4% | 19 | $236.6M | −4% | 48 Hrs. (1982) $78.9M |
| 1983 24 films · +46% | 24 | $344.3M | +46% | Sudden Impact (1983) $67.6M |
| 1984 23 films · +93% | 23 | $664.2M | +93% | Beverly Hills Cop (1984) $316.4M |
| 1985 21 films · −61% | 21 | $257M | −61% | Fletch (1985) $59.6M |
| 1986 40 films · +87% | 40 | $480.9M | +87% | Legal Eagles (1986) $93.2M |
| 1987 55 films · +123% | 55 | $1.1B | +123% | Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) $300M |
| 1988 49 films · +13% | 49 | $1.2B | +13% | Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) $329.8M |
| 1989 43 films · +29% | 43 | $1.6B | +29% | Batman (1989) $411.6M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Crime Movies Speak in 1989?
English-language crime films took $1.6B across 41 films, 99% of the total, ahead of French-language crime films ($1.4M).
Archive
Crime Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1920 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2013 leads with $6.1B, led by Despicable Me 2 (2013).
2020s 7 years · $16.4B
2010s 10 years · $37.4B
- 2019 $4.9B #1 Joker (2019)
- 2018 $3.7B #1 Skyscraper (2018)
- 2017 $3.8B #1 The Fate of the Furious (2017)
- 2016 $3.9B #1 Zootopia (2016)
- 2015 $4.1B #1 Furious 7 (2015)
- 2014 $2.1B #1 22 Jump Street (2014)
- 2013 $6.1B #1 Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- 2012 $4.9B #1 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- 2011 $1.7B #1 Fast Five (2011)
- 2010 $2.2B #1 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2010)
2000s 10 years · $28.4B
- 2009 $3.2B #1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)
- 2008 $3.5B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $3.4B #1 Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
- 2006 $2.5B #1 The Departed (2006)
- 2005 $2.7B #1 Batman Begins (2005)
- 2004 $2.1B #1 Ocean's Twelve (2004)
- 2003 $3.1B #1 Bad Boys II (2003)
- 2002 $2.6B #1 Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- 2001 $3.3B #1 Ocean's Eleven (2001)
- 2000 $2B #1 Charlie's Angels (2000)
1990s 10 years · $19.3B
- 1999 $2.5B #1 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
- 1998 $1.7B #1 Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
- 1997 $2.1B #1 Face/Off (1997)
- 1996 $1.8B #1 Ransom (1996)
- 1995 $2.5B #1 Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
- 1994 $1.9B #1 The Mask (1994)
- 1993 $1.3B #1 The Fugitive (1993)
- 1992 $1.7B #1 Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
- 1991 $1.7B #1 The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- 1990 $2.1B #1 Home Alone (1990)
1980s 10 years · $6.5B
- 1989 $1.6B #1 Batman (1989)
- 1988 $1.2B #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $1.1B #1 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
- 1986 $480.9M #1 Legal Eagles (1986)
- 1985 $257M #1 Fletch (1985)
- 1984 $664.2M #1 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- 1983 $344.3M #1 Sudden Impact (1983)
- 1982 $236.6M #1 48 Hrs. (1982)
- 1981 $247.4M #1 Sharky's Machine (1981)
- 1980 $373M #1 The Blues Brothers (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.6B
- 1979 $132M #1 Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
- 1978 $151.3M #1 Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
- 1977 $42.2M #1 The Gauntlet (1977)
- 1976 $192.9M #1 Silver Streak (1976)
- 1975 $145.7M #1 Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- 1974 $199.1M #1 The Godfather: Part II (1974)
- 1973 $281.5M #1 The Sting (1973)
- 1972 $250.4M #1 The Godfather (1972)
- 1971 $140.3M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $20.4M #1 Joe (1970)
1960s 10 years · $174M
- 1969 $102.7M #1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- 1968 $3.7M #1 Coogan’s Bluff (1968)
- 1967 $6.5M #1 The War Wagon (1967)
- 1966 $143.5K #1 Made in U.S.A (1966)
- 1965 $186.8K #1 Pierrot le Fou (1965)
- 1964 $10.9M #1 The Pink Panther (1964)
- 1963 $46.4M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $2.5M #1 Copacabana Palace (1962)
- 1961 $3.8K #1 Accattone (1961)
- 1960 $1M #1 Breathless (1960)
1950s 10 years · $13.7M
- 1959 $27.6K #1 The Law (1959)
- 1958 $2.7M #1 Touch of Evil (1958)
- 1957 $3.7K #1 12 Angry Men (1957)
- 1956 $76.3K #1 The Ladykillers (1956)
- 1955 $1.5M #1 Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
- 1954 $6.4M #1 An Inspector Calls (1954)
- 1953 $7.5K #1 The Big Heat (1953)
- 1952 $8.9K #1 Deadline - U.S.A. (1952)
- 1951 $1.9M #1 The Girl on the Bridge (1951)
- 1950 $994.2K #1 Shadow on the Wall (1950)
1940s 7 years · $667K
1930s 7 years · $3.3M
FAQ
Crime Box Office 1989: 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 43 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing crime movie in 1989?
Batman (1989) leads with $411.6M worldwide, $251.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) at $227.9M and Black Rain (1989) at $134.2M.
How much did crime movies released in 1989 earn?
43 crime films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $1.6B in all, or $36.5M per film on average. 1988 releases took $1.2B.
How many crime movies released in 1989 made $1 billion?
None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Batman (1989) with $411.6M.
How is the 1989 crime 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 1989. 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 1989 crime 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.