#1 of 24 #1 drama movie of 1970
1970 · Action, Drama
$100.5M worldwide · 44% of the chart's total
$100.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Drama box office · 1970
Drama Box Office 1970: Highest-Grossing Drama Movies
Airport (1970) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in 1970, with $100.5M worldwide, ahead of Patton (1970) at $61.7M and Little Big Man (1970) at $31.6M. 24 drama films released in 1970 report a worldwide gross, $229.2M in all, 99% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 40% on 1969, whose releases took $164M. By language, English leads with $126.3M across 12 drama releases.
- 1970 releases with a gross
- 24
- combined worldwide
- $229.2M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1969
- +40%
#1 of 24 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of 1970?
Airport (1970) leads with $100.5M, 44% of the total. The top 5 together took $226.4M, 99% of what all 24 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 1970, 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 1970.
- 1 Mar 5, 1970 US and Canada: $100.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $100.5M
- 2 Feb 18, 1970 US and Canada: $61.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $61.7M
- 3 Dec 23, 1970 US and Canada: $31.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.6M
- 4 Jul 15, 1970 US and Canada: $19.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.3M
- 5 May 13, 1970 US and Canada: $13.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.3M
- 6
Oct 22, 1970 US and Canada: $238.8K Rest of the world: $487.6K Worldwide: $726.4K - 7
Oct 22, 1970 US and Canada: $238.8K Rest of the world: $422.7K Worldwide: $661.5K - 8
Oct 19, 1970 US and Canada: $432.8K Rest of the world: $72.3K Worldwide: $505.1K - 9
Aug 1, 1970 US and Canada: $211.5K Rest of the world: $100.4K Worldwide: $311.8K - 10
Dec 18, 1970 US and Canada: $80.3K Rest of the world: $81.6K Worldwide: $161.9K - 11
Aug 21, 1970 US and Canada: $51.7K Rest of the world: $57K Worldwide: $108.7K - 12
Aug 3, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $93.4K - 13
Feb 9, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $84.9K - 14
Sep 11, 1970 US and Canada: $65.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $65.6K - 15
Dec 21, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $32.2K - 16
Mar 28, 1970 US and Canada: $14.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.6K - 17
Jul 24, 1970 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $264 Worldwide: $8.4K - 18
Dec 11, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1K - 19
Mar 13, 1970 US and Canada: $5.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1K - 20
Dec 8, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7K - 21
Mar 17, 1970 US and Canada: $2.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7K - 22
Oct 31, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $981 - 23
Sep 12, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $127 - 24
Jun 17, 1970 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $52
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1970?
Of the top 10, Airport (1970) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Conformist (1970) made 67% of its gross abroad. Across all 24 films, $227.8M (99%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Airport (1970) $100.5M $100.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 2 Patton (1970) $61.7M $61.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 Little Big Man (1970) $31.6M $31.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Joe (1970) $19.3M $19.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Getting Straight (1970) $13.3M $13.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 The Conformist (1970) $726.4K $238.8K US & Canada · 33% $487.6K elsewhere · 67%
- 7 The Conformist (1970) $661.5K $238.8K US & Canada · 36% $422.7K elsewhere · 64%
- 8 Le Cercle Rouge (1970) $505.1K $432.8K US & Canada · 86% $72.3K elsewhere · 14%
- 9 La Piscine (1970) $311.8K $211.5K US & Canada · 68% $100.4K elsewhere · 32%
- 10 El Topo (1970) $161.9K $80.3K US & Canada · 50% $81.6K elsewhere · 50%
Gross bands
How Many 1970 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 24 films crossed $100M and took $100.5M between them, 44% of the total. 19 films, 79% of the list, earned under $10M.
44% 55%
- $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 1 film, 4% of the list $100.5M · 44% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 4 films, 17% of the list $125.9M · 55% of the gross
- Under $10M 19 films, 79% of the list $2.8M · 1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1970 Earned the Most?
March releases took the most, $100.5M from 4 films, led by Airport (1970). June was the quietest month ($52). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Patton (1970) $61.8M Patton (1970)
- March Mar Airport (1970) $100.5M Airport (1970)
- April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- May May Getting Straight (1970) $13.3M Getting Straight (1970)
- June Jun A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970) $52 A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970)
- July Jul Joe (1970) $19.3M Joe (1970)
- August Aug La Piscine (1970) $513.9K La Piscine (1970)
- September Sep The Wild Child (1970) $65.7K The Wild Child (1970)
- October Oct The Conformist (1970) $1.9M The Conformist (1970)
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Little Big Man (1970) $31.8M Little Big Man (1970)
Last 10 years
How Does 1970 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1965 earned the most: $272.6M from 21 films, led by The Sound of Music (1965). 1970 took $229.2M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 28 films | 28 | $6.5M | – | Mother and a Guest (1961) $3.7M |
| 1962 34 films · −9% | 34 | $6M | −9% | The Manchurian Candidate (1962) $2.8M |
| 1963 15 films · +963% | 15 | $63.5M | +963% | Cleopatra (1963) $57.8M |
| 1964 19 films · +18% | 19 | $74.9M | +18% | My Fair Lady (1964) $72.7M |
| 1965 21 films · +264% | 21 | $272.6M | +264% | The Sound of Music (1965) $159.5M |
| 1966 24 films · −89% | 24 | $29.7M | −89% | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) $28M |
| 1967 23 films · +461% | 23 | $166.8M | +461% | The Graduate (1967) $105M |
| 1968 24 films · −65% | 24 | $59.2M | −65% | Funny Girl (1968) $52.2M |
| 1969 33 films · +177% | 33 | $164M | +177% | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) $102.3M |
| 1970 24 films · +40% | 24 | $229.2M | +40% | Airport (1970) $100.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in 1970?
English-language drama films took $126.3M across 12 films, 55% of the total, ahead of Italian-language drama films ($1.4M) and French-language drama films ($580.8K).
1970 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 1970: 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 24 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing drama movie in 1970?
Airport (1970) leads with $100.5M worldwide, $100.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Patton (1970) at $61.7M and Little Big Man (1970) at $31.6M.
How much did drama movies released in 1970 earn?
24 drama films released in 1970 report a worldwide gross, $229.2M in all, or $9.6M per film on average. 1969 releases took $164M.
How many drama movies released in 1970 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Airport (1970) with $100.5M.
How is the 1970 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 1970. 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 1970 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.