#1 of 41 #1 drama movie of 1977
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
1977 · Adventure, Sci-Fi
$306.9M worldwide · 37% of the chart's total
$135.2M US & Canada · 44% $171.7M elsewhere · 56%
Drama box office · 1977
Drama Box Office 1977: Highest-Grossing Drama Movies
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in 1977, with $306.9M worldwide, ahead of Saturday Night Fever (1977) at $237.1M and A Bridge Too Far (1977) at $50.8M. 41 drama films released in 1977 report a worldwide gross, $832.1M in all, 62% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 120% on 1976, whose releases took $378.6M. By language, English leads with $774.9M across 27 drama releases.
- 1977 releases with a gross
- 41
- combined worldwide
- $832.1M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1976
- +120%
#1 of 41 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of 1977?
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) leads with $306.9M, 37% of the total. The top 5 together took $656.3M, 79% of what all 41 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 1977, 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 1977.
- 1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)Nov 16, 1977 US and Canada: $135.2M Rest of the world: $171.7M Worldwide: $306.9M
Nov 16, 1977 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama $306.9M worldwide - 2 Dec 16, 1977 US and Canada: $94.2M Rest of the world: $142.9M Worldwide: $237.1M
- 3 Jun 15, 1977 US and Canada: $50.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $50.8M
- 4 Nov 17, 1977 US and Canada: $33.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $33.5M
- 5 Feb 25, 1977 US and Canada: $28M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28M
- 6
Nov 18, 1977 US and Canada: $25.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.9M - 7
Jun 8, 1977 US and Canada: $24.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $24.7M - 8
Oct 19, 1977 US and Canada: $22.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.5M - 9
Oct 2, 1977 US and Canada: $20.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.7M - 10
Jun 10, 1977 US and Canada: $17.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.7M - 11
Jun 21, 1977 US and Canada: $16.4M Rest of the world: $658 Worldwide: $16.4M - 12
Mar 11, 1977 US and Canada: $15.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.8M - 13
Jul 22, 1977 US and Canada: $14.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.7M - 14
Sep 29, 1977 US and Canada: $9.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.3M - 15
Mar 9, 1977 US and Canada: $5.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.6M - 16
Sep 8, 1977 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1M - 17
May 18, 1977 US and Canada: $815.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $815.5K - 18
Mar 21, 1977 US and Canada: $290.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $290.7K - 19
Dec 15, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $144.4K - 20
Nov 18, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $45.1K - 21
Oct 28, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.2K - 22
Dec 25, 1977 US and Canada: $23.5K Rest of the world: $8.7K Worldwide: $32.2K - 23
Jun 15, 1977 US and Canada: $26.8K Rest of the world: $2.3K Worldwide: $29.2K - 24
Mar 9, 1977 US and Canada: $19.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.9K - 25
Apr 27, 1977 US and Canada: $15.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4K - 26
Jun 24, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.9K - 27
Jul 31, 1977 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $264 Worldwide: $8.4K - 28
Sep 24, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4K - 29
Oct 30, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8K - 30
Sep 28, 1977 US and Canada: $3.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.5K - 31
May 20, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5K - 32
Aug 17, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1K - 33
Nov 5, 1977 US and Canada: $957 Rest of the world: $705 Worldwide: $1.7K - 34
Nov 4, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1K - 35
Sep 30, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $333 - 36
May 20, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $201 - 37
May 5, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $197 - 38
Aug 25, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $166 - 39
Oct 14, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $115 - 40
Jun 27, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $105 - 41
Oct 8, 1977 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $57
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1977?
Of the top 10, A Bridge Too Far (1977) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Saturday Night Fever (1977) made 60% of its gross abroad. Across all 41 films, $517.2M (62%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) $306.9M $135.2M US & Canada · 44% $171.7M elsewhere · 56%
- 2 Saturday Night Fever (1977) $237.1M $94.2M US & Canada · 40% $142.9M elsewhere · 60%
- 3 A Bridge Too Far (1977) $50.8M $50.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Heroes (1977) $33.5M $33.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Slap Shot (1977) $28M $28M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 The Turning Point (1977) $25.9M $25.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 The Other Side of Midnight (1977) $24.7M $24.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) $22.5M $22.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Julia (1977) $20.7M $20.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 For the Love of Benji (1977) $17.7M $17.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1977 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 41 films crossed $100M and took $544M between them, 65% of the total. 28 films, 68% of the list, earned under $10M.
65% 33%
- $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 2 films, 5% of the list $544M · 65% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 11 films, 27% of the list $270.7M · 33% of the gross
- Under $10M 28 films, 68% of the list $17.4M · 2% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1977 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $366.4M from 6 films, led by Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). August was the quietest month ($3.3K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Slap Shot (1977) $28M Slap Shot (1977)
- March Mar Black Sunday (1977) $21.7M Black Sunday (1977)
- April Apr Between the Lines (1977) $15.4K Between the Lines (1977)
- May May Citizens Band (1977) $819.4K Citizens Band (1977)
- June Jun A Bridge Too Far (1977) $109.6M A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- July Jul Orca (1977) $14.7M Orca (1977)
- August Aug That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) $3.3K That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)
- September Sep Bobby Deerfield (1977) $10.3M Bobby Deerfield (1977)
- October Oct Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) $43.3M Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)
- November Nov Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) $366.4M Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- December Dec Saturday Night Fever (1977) $237.3M Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Last 10 years
How Does 1977 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1973 earned the most: $869.6M from 34 films, led by The Exorcist (1973). 1977 took $832.1M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 24 films | 24 | $59.2M | – | 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 |
| 1972 29 films · +153% | 29 | $337M | +153% | The Godfather (1972) $250.3M |
| 1973 34 films · +158% | 34 | $869.6M | +158% | The Exorcist (1973) $430.9M |
| 1974 34 films · −49% | 34 | $439.5M | −49% | The Towering Inferno (1974) $116M |
| 1975 30 films · −31% | 30 | $303.6M | −31% | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) $109.1M |
| 1976 27 films · +25% | 27 | $378.6M | +25% | Rocky (1976) $117.3M |
| 1977 41 films · +120% | 41 | $832.1M | +120% | Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) $306.9M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in 1977?
English-language drama films took $774.9M across 27 films, 93% of the total, ahead of French-language drama films ($52.2K) and Turkish-language drama films ($45.1K).
1977 Drama Box Office by Language
- English $774.9M27 films · #1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
-
French $52.2K3 films · #1 The Devil, Probably (1977) -
Turkish $45.1K1 film · #1 The Girl with the Red Scarf (1977) -
German $19.6K4 films · #1 The Stationmaster’s Wife (1977) -
Italian $1.1K1 film · #1 1900 (1977) -
Japanese $571 film · #1 Proof of the Man (1977)
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 1977: 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 41 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing drama movie in 1977?
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) leads with $306.9M worldwide, $135.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Saturday Night Fever (1977) at $237.1M and A Bridge Too Far (1977) at $50.8M.
How much did drama movies released in 1977 earn?
41 drama films released in 1977 report a worldwide gross, $832.1M in all, or $20.3M per film on average. 1976 releases took $378.6M.
How many drama movies released in 1977 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) with $306.9M.
How is the 1977 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 1977. 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 1977 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.