#1 of 28 #1 drama movie of 1960
1960 · Drama, Comedy
$18.8M worldwide · 86% of the chart's total
$18.6M US & Canada · 99% $183.8K elsewhere · <1%
Drama box office · 1960
Drama Box Office 1960: Highest-Grossing Drama Movies
The Apartment (1960) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in 1960, with $18.8M worldwide, ahead of Spartacus (1960) at $1.9M and Breathless (1960) at $596.1K. 28 drama films released in 1960 report a worldwide gross, $21.9M in all, 96% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 71% on 1959, whose releases took $75M. By language, English leads with $2M across 12 drama releases.
- 1960 releases with a gross
- 28
- combined worldwide
- $21.9M
- The Apartment (1960), the #1
- $18.8M
- vs 1959
- −71%
#1 of 28 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of 1960?
The Apartment (1960) leads with $18.8M, 86% of the total. The top 5 together took $21.6M, 98% of what all 28 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 Drama Release of 1960, 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 1960.
- 1 Jun 15, 1960 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: $183.8K Worldwide: $18.8M
- 2 Oct 19, 1960 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $24.8K Worldwide: $1.9M
- 3 Mar 16, 1960 US and Canada: $414.2K Rest of the world: $181.9K Worldwide: $596.1K
- 4 Mar 10, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $227.2K
- 5 Apr 7, 1960 US and Canada: $36.6K Rest of the world: $62.1K Worldwide: $98.7K
- 6
Jan 11, 1960 US and Canada: $58.6K Rest of the world: $4.2K Worldwide: $62.8K - 7
Jan 15, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $51.8K - 8
Sep 19, 1960 US and Canada: $46.8K Rest of the world: $215 Worldwide: $47K - 9
May 15, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.2K - 10
Sep 6, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22K - 11
Oct 21, 1960 US and Canada: $21.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.1K - 12
Nov 13, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.8K - 13
Nov 23, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.7K - 14
Dec 22, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.1K - 15
Dec 15, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6K - 16
1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.8K - 17
Nov 4, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.7K - 18
Feb 8, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.8K - 19
Jun 29, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.3K - 20
May 25, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3K - 21
Jun 3, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5K - 22
Jan 27, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2K - 23
Apr 4, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K - 24
Feb 1, 1960 US and Canada: $1.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.7K - 25
Sep 5, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5K - 26
Oct 27, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $370 - 27
Jun 18, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $84 - 28
Jun 29, 1960 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $64
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1960?
Of the top 10, The Bad Sleep Well (1960) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Peeping Tom (1960) made 63% of its gross abroad. Across all 28 films, $21M (96%) came from the US & Canada. 4 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 The Apartment (1960) $18.8M $18.6M US & Canada · 99% $183.8K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 Spartacus (1960) $1.9M $1.8M US & Canada · 99% $24.8K elsewhere · 1%
- 3 Breathless (1960) $596.1K $414.2K US & Canada · 69% $181.9K elsewhere · 31%
- 4 Purple Noon (1960) $227.2K No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Peeping Tom (1960) $98.7K $36.6K US & Canada · 37% $62.1K elsewhere · 63%
- 6 Eyes Without a Face (1960) $62.8K $58.6K US & Canada · 93% $4.2K elsewhere · 7%
- 7 When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960) $51.8K No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 The Bad Sleep Well (1960) $47K $46.8K US & Canada · 100% $215 elsewhere · <1%
- 9 L’Avventura (1960) $39.2K No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Rocco and His Brothers (1960) $22K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 1960 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 28 films reached $100M. 27 films, 96% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $21.9M total.
86% 14%
- $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 1 film, 4% of the list $18.8M · 86% of the gross
- Under $10M 27 films, 96% of the list $3.1M · 14% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1960 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $18.8M from 5 films, led by The Apartment (1960). February was the quietest month ($9.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Eyes Without a Face (1960) $126.4K Eyes Without a Face (1960)
- February Feb The Virgin Spring (1960) $9.4K The Virgin Spring (1960)
- March Mar Breathless (1960) $823.3K Breathless (1960)
- April Apr Peeping Tom (1960) $100.4K Peeping Tom (1960)
- May May L’Avventura (1960) $42.2K L’Avventura (1960)
- June Jun The Apartment (1960) $18.8M The Apartment (1960)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- September Sep The Bad Sleep Well (1960) $70.5K The Bad Sleep Well (1960)
- October Oct Spartacus (1960) $1.9M Spartacus (1960)
- November Nov Late Autumn (1960) $41.2K Late Autumn (1960)
- December Dec Two Women (1960) $26.7K Two Women (1960)
Last 10 years
How Does 1960 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1956 earned the most: $119.9M from 27 films, led by The Ten Commandments (1956). 1960 took $21.9M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 16 films | 16 | $4.5M | – | Ace in the Hole (1951) $2.3M |
| 1952 20 films · +708% | 20 | $36.5M | +708% | The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) $36M |
| 1953 18 films · +1% | 18 | $36.8M | +1% | The Robe (1953) $36M |
| 1954 26 films · −11% | 26 | $32.7M | −11% | The Caine Mutiny (1954) $21.8M |
| 1955 22 films · +193% | 22 | $95.8M | +193% | Lady and the Tramp (1955) $93.9M |
| 1956 27 films · +25% | 27 | $119.9M | +25% | The Ten Commandments (1956) $65.5M |
| 1957 24 films · −73% | 24 | $32.5M | −73% | The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) $27.2M |
| 1958 21 films · −90% | 21 | $3.3M | −90% | Touch of Evil (1958) $2.3M |
| 1959 18 films · +2173% | 18 | $75M | +2173% | Ben-Hur (1959) $74.4M |
| 1960 28 films · −71% | 28 | $21.9M | −71% | The Apartment (1960) $18.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in 1960?
English-language drama films took $2M across 12 films, 9% of the total, ahead of French-language drama films ($907.2K) and Japanese-language drama films ($135.8K).
1960 Drama Box Office by Language
Archive
Drama Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1919 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $13.9B, led by The Lion King (2019).
2020s 7 years · $50.1B
2010s 10 years · $113.6B
- 2019 $13.9B #1 The Lion King (2019)
- 2018 $12.7B #1 Black Panther (2018)
- 2017 $12.5B #1 Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)
- 2016 $11.1B #1 The Jungle Book (2016)
- 2015 $11.6B #1 Inside Out (2015)
- 2014 $10.3B #1 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
- 2013 $12.1B #1 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- 2012 $12B #1 The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- 2011 $7.8B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
- 2010 $9.6B #1 Inception (2010)
2000s 10 years · $70.7B
- 2009 $9.9B #1 2012 (2009)
- 2008 $10.6B #1 The Dark Knight (2008)
- 2007 $7.6B #1 I Am Legend (2007)
- 2006 $7.5B #1 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
- 2005 $8.1B #1 War of the Worlds (2005)
- 2004 $6.4B #1 The Passion of the Christ (2004)
- 2003 $5B #1 Bruce Almighty (2003)
- 2002 $5.2B #1 Signs (2002)
- 2001 $4.6B #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
- 2000 $5.8B #1 Gladiator (2000)
1990s 10 years · $42.3B
- 1999 $5.2B #1 The Sixth Sense (1999)
- 1998 $4.9B #1 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- 1997 $5.9B #1 Titanic (1997)
- 1996 $4.5B #1 Twister (1996)
- 1995 $4.8B #1 Apollo 13 (1995)
- 1994 $4.3B #1 The Lion King (1994)
- 1993 $4.7B #1 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- 1992 $2.9B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $2.4B #1 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- 1990 $2.7B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $14.2B
- 1989 $2B #1 Dead Poets Society (1989)
- 1988 $2.1B #1 Rain Man (1988)
- 1987 $1.7B #1 Fatal Attraction (1987)
- 1986 $1.4B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $1.5B #1 Rocky IV (1985)
- 1984 $1.4B #1 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- 1983 $1.1B #1 Terms of Endearment (1983)
- 1982 $1.3B #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $889.5M #1 On Golden Pond (1981)
- 1980 $674.6M #1 Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
1970s 10 years · $5B
- 1979 $919.3M #1 Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
- 1978 $585M #1 Jaws 2 (1978)
- 1977 $832.1M #1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- 1976 $378.6M #1 Rocky (1976)
- 1975 $303.6M #1 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
- 1974 $439.5M #1 The Towering Inferno (1974)
- 1973 $869.6M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $337M #1 The Godfather (1972)
- 1971 $133.4M #1 The French Connection (1971)
- 1970 $229.2M #1 Airport (1970)
1960s 10 years · $865.1M
- 1969 $164M #1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- 1968 $59.2M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $166.8M #1 The Graduate (1967)
- 1966 $29.7M #1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
- 1965 $272.6M #1 The Sound of Music (1965)
- 1964 $74.9M #1 My Fair Lady (1964)
- 1963 $63.5M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $6M #1 The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- 1961 $6.5M #1 Mother and a Guest (1961)
- 1960 $21.9M #1 The Apartment (1960)
1950s 10 years · $438.7M
- 1959 $75M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $3.3M #1 Touch of Evil (1958)
- 1957 $32.5M #1 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- 1956 $119.9M #1 The Ten Commandments (1956)
- 1955 $95.8M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $32.7M #1 The Caine Mutiny (1954)
- 1953 $36.8M #1 The Robe (1953)
- 1952 $36.5M #1 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- 1951 $4.5M #1 Ace in the Hole (1951)
- 1950 $1.5M #1 Shadow on the Wall (1950)
1940s 10 years · $775.9M
- 1949 $164.2K #1 Stray Dog (1949)
- 1948 $6.2M #1 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
- 1947 $11.1M #1 It's a Wonderful Life (1947)
- 1946 $54.6M #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- 1945 $22M #1 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- 1944 $102.5K #1 Henry V (1944)
- 1943 $4.9M #1 Casablanca (1943)
- 1942 $270.1M #1 Bambi (1942)
- 1941 $1.8M #1 Citizen Kane (1941)
- 1940 $404.9M #1 Gone with the Wind (1940)
1930s 10 years · $2.8M
- 1939 $1.1M #1 Wuthering Heights (1939)
- 1938 $47.4K #1 Port of Shadows (1938)
- 1937 $19.3K #1 Stage Door (1937)
- 1936 $536.4K #1 Modern Times (1936)
- 1935 $516K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $13.2K #1 L’Atalante (1934)
- 1933 $451.3K #1 Baby Face (1933)
- 1932 $47.1K #1 The Old Dark House (1932)
- 1931 $46.6K #1 M (1931)
- 1930 $5.1K #1 The Blue Angel (1930)
1920s 8 years · $10.4M
- 1929 $89.2K #1 Pandora’s Box (1929)
- 1928 $40.9K #1 The Air Circus (1928)
- 1927 $161.5K #1 Sunrise (1927)
- 1926 $720.7K #1 Flesh and the Devil (1926)
- 1925 $82.5K #1 The Gold Rush (1925)
- 1923 $12.9K #1 A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923)
- 1921 $9.2M #1 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)
- 1920 $9.3K #1 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
1910s 1 year · $160
FAQ
Drama Box Office 1960: 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 28 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing drama movie in 1960?
The Apartment (1960) leads with $18.8M worldwide, $18.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Spartacus (1960) at $1.9M and Breathless (1960) at $596.1K.
How much did drama movies released in 1960 earn?
28 drama films released in 1960 report a worldwide gross, $21.9M in all, or $782.5K per film on average. 1959 releases took $75M.
How many drama movies released in 1960 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The Apartment (1960), earned $18.8M.
How is the 1960 drama 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 1960. 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 1960 drama 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.