#1 of 33 #1 drama movie of 1971
1971 · Action, Crime
$51.7M worldwide · 39% of the chart's total
$51.7M US & Canada · 100% $8.9K elsewhere · <1%
Drama box office · 1971
Drama Box Office 1971: Highest-Grossing Drama Movies
The French Connection (1971) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in 1971, with $51.7M worldwide, ahead of The Last Picture Show (1971) at $29.1M and A Clockwork Orange (1971) at $27M. 33 drama films released in 1971 report a worldwide gross, $133.4M in all, 91% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 42% on 1970, whose releases took $229.2M. By language, English leads with $122.7M across 24 drama releases.
- 1971 releases with a gross
- 33
- combined worldwide
- $133.4M
- The French Connection (1971), the #1
- $51.7M
- vs 1970
- −42%
#1 of 33 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of 1971?
The French Connection (1971) leads with $51.7M, 39% of the total. The top 5 together took $128.9M, 97% of what all 33 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 1971, 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 1971.
- 1 Oct 7, 1971 US and Canada: $51.7M Rest of the world: $8.9K Worldwide: $51.7M
- 2 Oct 22, 1971 US and Canada: $29.1M Rest of the world: $13.7K Worldwide: $29.1M
- 3 Dec 20, 1971 US and Canada: $26.6M Rest of the world: $416.6K Worldwide: $27M
- 4 Dec 13, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.6M
- 5 Nov 3, 1971 US and Canada: $10.4M Rest of the world: $3.6K Worldwide: $10.4M
- 6
Mar 11, 1971 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 7
Mar 31, 1971 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $13.1K Worldwide: $1.1M - 8
Jul 29, 1971 US and Canada: $432.8K Rest of the world: $41.1K Worldwide: $473.9K - 9
May 12, 1971 US and Canada: $50.4K Rest of the world: $218.9K Worldwide: $269.3K - 10
May 13, 1971 US and Canada: $56.6K Rest of the world: $15.5K Worldwide: $72.1K - 11
Jun 24, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34.3K - 12
Jun 30, 1971 US and Canada: $33.7K Rest of the world: $321 Worldwide: $34K - 13
Oct 1, 1971 US and Canada: $31.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.4K - 14
Mar 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $14.1K - 15
Aug 28, 1971 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $1.2K Worldwide: $9.4K - 16
Nov 5, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.7K - 17
Jul 14, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.4K - 18
Apr 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.1K - 19
Dec 20, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5K - 20
Aug 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.2K - 21
Jun 16, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.4K - 22
Aug 4, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7K - 23
Dec 22, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3K - 24
Jul 16, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3K - 25
Jul 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9K - 26
Jan 24, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6K - 27
May 28, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1K - 28
Jun 28, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $839 - 29
Aug 27, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $823 - 30
Nov 18, 1971 US and Canada: $509 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $509 - 31
Jul 7, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $115 - 32
Mar 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $47 - 33
Jul 1, 1971 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1971?
Of the top 10, THX 1138 (1971) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Wake in Fright (1971) made 81% of its gross abroad. Across all 33 films, $122M (91%) came from the US & Canada. 1 film of the top 10 reports no US & Canada figure.
- 1 The French Connection (1971) $51.7M $51.7M US & Canada · 100% $8.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 The Last Picture Show (1971) $29.1M $29.1M US & Canada · 100% $13.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 3 A Clockwork Orange (1971) $27M $26.6M US & Canada · 98% $416.6K elsewhere · 2%
- 4 Gentlemen of Fortune (1971) $10.6M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Fiddler on the Roof (1971) $10.4M $10.4M US & Canada · 100% $3.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 THX 1138 (1971) $2.4M $2.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 The Beguiled (1971) $1.1M $1.1M US & Canada · 99% $13.1K elsewhere · 1%
- 8 The Red Tent (1971) $473.9K $432.8K US & Canada · 91% $41.1K elsewhere · 9%
- 9 Wake in Fright (1971) $269.3K $50.4K US & Canada · 19% $218.9K elsewhere · 81%
- 10 Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971) $72.1K $56.6K US & Canada · 79% $15.5K elsewhere · 21%
Gross bands
How Many 1971 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 33 films reached $100M. 28 films, 85% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $133.4M total.
97%
- $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 5 films, 15% of the list $128.9M · 97% of the gross
- Under $10M 28 films, 85% of the list $4.5M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1971 Earned the Most?
October releases took the most, $80.9M from 3 films, led by The French Connection (1971). January was the quietest month ($1.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan The Music Lovers (1971) $1.6K The Music Lovers (1971)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar THX 1138 (1971) $3.6M THX 1138 (1971)
- April Apr Woman of Fire (1971) $6.1K Woman of Fire (1971)
- May May Wake in Fright (1971) $342.4K Wake in Fright (1971)
- June Jun McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) $72.5K McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
- July Jul The Red Tent (1971) $484.7K The Red Tent (1971)
- August Aug Beware of a Holy Whore (1971) $17.1K Beware of a Holy Whore (1971)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct The French Connection (1971) $80.9M The French Connection (1971)
- November Nov Fiddler on the Roof (1971) $10.4M Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
- December Dec A Clockwork Orange (1971) $37.6M A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Last 10 years
How Does 1971 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1965 earned the most: $272.6M from 21 films, led by The Sound of Music (1965). 1971 took $133.4M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 34 films | 34 | $6M | – | 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 |
| 1971 33 films · −42% | 33 | $133.4M | −42% | The French Connection (1971) $51.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in 1971?
English-language drama films took $122.7M across 24 films, 92% of the total, ahead of Russian-language drama films ($10.6M) and French-language drama films ($72.6K).
1971 Drama Box Office by Language
-
English $122.7M24 films · #1 The French Connection (1971) -
Russian $10.6M3 films · #1 Gentlemen of Fortune (1971) -
French $72.6K2 films · #1 Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971) -
German $9.4K1 film · #1 Beware of a Holy Whore (1971) -
Swedish $6.4K1 film · #1 The Touch (1971) -
Korean $6.1K1 film · #1 Woman of Fire (1971) -
Italian $8391 film · #1 The Decameron (1971)
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 1971: 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 33 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing drama movie in 1971?
The French Connection (1971) leads with $51.7M worldwide, $51.7M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Last Picture Show (1971) at $29.1M and A Clockwork Orange (1971) at $27M.
How much did drama movies released in 1971 earn?
33 drama films released in 1971 report a worldwide gross, $133.4M in all, or $4M per film on average. 1970 releases took $229.2M.
How many drama movies released in 1971 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The French Connection (1971), earned $51.7M.
How is the 1971 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 1971. 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 1971 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.