#1 of 22 #1 fantasy movie of 1989
1989 · Action, Adventure
$215.4M worldwide · 32% of the chart's total
$112.5M US & Canada · 52% $102.9M elsewhere · 48%
Fantasy box office · 1989
Fantasy Box Office 1989: Highest-Grossing Fantasy Movies
Ghostbusters II (1989) is the highest-grossing fantasy movie released in 1989, with $215.4M worldwide, ahead of The Little Mermaid (1989) at $211.3M and Field of Dreams (1989) at $84.5M. 22 fantasy films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $678.8M in all, 61% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 16% on 1988, whose releases took $805.7M. By language, English leads with $666.4M across 18 fantasy releases.
- 1989 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $678.8M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1988
- −16%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Fantasy Hits of 1989?
Ghostbusters II (1989) leads with $215.4M, 32% of the total. The top 5 together took $607.6M, 90% of what all 22 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 Fantasy 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 16, 1989 US and Canada: $112.5M Rest of the world: $102.9M Worldwide: $215.4M
- 2 Nov 15, 1989 US and Canada: $111.5M Rest of the world: $99.8M Worldwide: $211.3M
- 3 Apr 21, 1989 US and Canada: $64.5M Rest of the world: $20M Worldwide: $84.5M
- 4 Dec 22, 1989 US and Canada: $43.9M Rest of the world: $30.3M Worldwide: $74.1M
- 5 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)Aug 11, 1989 US and Canada: $22.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.2M
Aug 11, 1989 · English · Fantasy, Horror $22.2M worldwide - 6
Nov 17, 1989 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.6M - 7
Mar 10, 1989 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M - 8
Jul 29, 1989 US and Canada: $1M Rest of the world: $9.4M Worldwide: $10.4M - 9
May 1, 1989 US and Canada: $9.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.1M - 10
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989)Mar 10, 1989 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.1M Mar 10, 1989 · English · Action, Adventure, Drama $8.1M worldwide - 11
Sep 1, 1989 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 12
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989)Jul 15, 1989 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M
Jul 15, 1989 · Japanese · Fantasy, Family, Animation $1.4M worldwide - 13
Jul 28, 1989 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 14
Aug 25, 1989 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 15
Aug 25, 1989 US and Canada: $793.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $793.8K - 16
Jun 2, 1989 US and Canada: $725.1K Rest of the world: $2.9K Worldwide: $728K - 17
Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan (1989)Mar 11, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $521.9K Mar 11, 1989 · Japanese · Animation, Fantasy, Adventure $521.9K worldwide - 18
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)Mar 30, 1989 US and Canada: $418.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $418.1K Mar 30, 1989 · English · Comedy, Drama, Fantasy $418.1K worldwide - 19
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)Mar 30, 1989 US and Canada: $418.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $418.1K Mar 30, 1989 · English · Comedy, Drama, Fantasy $418.1K worldwide - 20
Mobile Suit SD Gundam’s Counterattack (1989)Jul 15, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $150K Jul 15, 1989 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action $150K worldwide - 21
May 15, 1989 US and Canada: $67.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.9K - 22
Apr 28, 1989 US and Canada: $27.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.8K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1989?
Of the top 10, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) made 90% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $415.8M (61%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Ghostbusters II (1989) $215.4M $112.5M US & Canada · 52% $102.9M elsewhere · 48%
- 2 The Little Mermaid (1989) $211.3M $111.5M US & Canada · 53% $99.8M elsewhere · 47%
- 3 Field of Dreams (1989) $84.5M $64.5M US & Canada · 76% $20M elsewhere · 24%
- 4 Always (1989) $74.1M $43.9M US & Canada · 59% $30.3M elsewhere · 41%
- 5 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) $22.2M $22.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Prancer (1989) $18.6M $18.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Chances Are (1989) $16.3M $16.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) $10.4M $1M US & Canada · 10% $9.4M elsewhere · 90%
- 9 Warlock (1989) $9.1M $9.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989) $8.1M $8.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1989 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 22 films crossed $100M and took $426.7M between them, 63% of the total. 14 films, 64% of the list, earned under $10M.
63% 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, 9% of the list $426.7M · 63% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 6 films, 27% of the list $226.1M · 33% of the gross
- Under $10M 14 films, 64% of the list $26M · 4% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1989 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $229.9M from 2 films, led by The Little Mermaid (1989). September was the quietest month ($1.9M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Chances Are (1989) $25.7M Chances Are (1989)
- April Apr Field of Dreams (1989) $84.6M Field of Dreams (1989)
- May May Warlock (1989) $9.2M Warlock (1989)
- June Jun Ghostbusters II (1989) $216.1M Ghostbusters II (1989)
- July Jul Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) $13.2M Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
- August Aug A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) $24.1M A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
- September Sep Erik the Viking (1989) $1.9M Erik the Viking (1989)
- October Oct No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- November Nov The Little Mermaid (1989) $229.9M The Little Mermaid (1989)
- December Dec Always (1989) $74.1M Always (1989)
Last 10 years
How Does 1989 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1988 earned the most: $805.7M from 22 films, led by Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). 1989 took $678.8M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 9 films | 9 | $75.3M | – | Xanadu (1980) $22.8M |
| 1981 7 films · +133% | 7 | $175.2M | +133% | Time Bandits (1981) $42.4M |
| 1982 12 films · +50% | 12 | $262.9M | +50% | Conan the Barbarian (1982) $68.9M |
| 1983 13 films · +164% | 13 | $694.5M | +164% | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M |
| 1984 11 films · −6% | 11 | $651.5M | −6% | Ghostbusters (1984) $296.6M |
| 1985 24 films · −55% | 24 | $295.4M | −55% | Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) $41M |
| 1986 18 films · −19% | 18 | $240.7M | −19% | The Golden Child (1986) $79.8M |
| 1987 30 films · +117% | 30 | $521.8M | +117% | *batteries not included (1987) $65.1M |
| 1988 22 films · +54% | 22 | $805.7M | +54% | Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) $329.8M |
| 1989 22 films · −16% | 22 | $678.8M | −16% | Ghostbusters II (1989) $215.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Fantasy Movies Speak in 1989?
English-language fantasy films took $666.4M across 18 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language fantasy films ($12.4M).
Archive
Fantasy Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1921 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $15.7B, led by Avengers: Endgame (2019).
2020s 7 years · $40.9B
2010s 10 years · $90B
- 2019 $15.7B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $8.2B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $13.4B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $10.4B #1 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- 2015 $7.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $6.9B #1 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- 2013 $8.2B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $6.7B #1 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- 2011 $5.8B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $7.4B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $46.3B
- 2009 $8.5B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $4B #1 Hancock (2008)
- 2007 $7.3B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $3.8B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- 2005 $4.8B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $4.2B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $4.3B #1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- 2002 $3B #1 Spider-Man (2002)
- 2001 $4.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $2.1B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $11.9B
- 1999 $3.5B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $987.9M #1 City of Angels (1998)
- 1997 $736.5M #1 Liar Liar (1997)
- 1996 $770.2M #1 Phenomenon (1996)
- 1995 $1.9B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $764.7M #1 The Mask (1994)
- 1993 $645.5M #1 Last Action Hero (1993)
- 1992 $600.2M #1 Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
- 1991 $1.2B #1 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 1990 $791.6M #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $4.4B
- 1989 $678.8M #1 Ghostbusters II (1989)
- 1988 $805.7M #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $521.8M #1 *batteries not included (1987)
- 1986 $240.7M #1 The Golden Child (1986)
- 1985 $295.4M #1 Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
- 1984 $651.5M #1 Ghostbusters (1984)
- 1983 $694.5M #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $262.9M #1 Conan the Barbarian (1982)
- 1981 $175.2M #1 Time Bandits (1981)
- 1980 $75.3M #1 Xanadu (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.2B
- 1979 $49.8M #1 All That Jazz (1979)
- 1978 $169.9M #1 Heaven Can Wait (1978)
- 1977 $954.3M #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $21.8K #1 Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
- 1975 $14.2M #1 The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1975)
- 1974 $38.2M #1 Herbie Rides Again (1974)
- 1973 $345K #1 The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
- 1972 $356.8K #1 The Master and Margarita (1972)
- 1971 $688.6K #1 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
- 1970 $61.6K #1 Donkey Skin (1970)
1960s 10 years · $125.1M
- 1969 $1.1M #1 Satyricon (1969)
- 1968 $8.8M #1 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
- 1967 $4.2K #1 Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
- 1966 $3.3K #1 The Hawks and the Sparrows (1966)
- 1965 $33K #1 Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
- 1964 $103.1M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $12M #1 The Sword in the Stone (1963)
- 1962 $31.9K #1 Pitfall (1962)
- 1961 $90 #1 Mothra (1961)
- 1960 $3K #1 Testament of Orpheus (1960)
1950s 7 years · $236M
1940s 8 years · $171.6M
- 1948 $44 #1 The Bishop's Wife (1948)
- 1947 $11.6M #1 It's a Wonderful Life (1947)
- 1946 $38M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $2.7K #1 Anchors Aweigh (1945)
- 1944 $306 #1 The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
- 1942 $27 #1 I Married a Witch (1942)
- 1941 $112.6K #1 Dumbo (1941)
- 1940 $121.9M #1 Pinocchio (1940)
1930s 4 years · $210.7M
1920s 1 year · $12.2K
FAQ
Fantasy 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 22 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing fantasy movie in 1989?
Ghostbusters II (1989) leads with $215.4M worldwide, $112.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Little Mermaid (1989) at $211.3M and Field of Dreams (1989) at $84.5M.
How much did fantasy movies released in 1989 earn?
22 fantasy films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $678.8M in all, or $30.9M per film on average. 1988 releases took $805.7M.
How many fantasy movies released in 1989 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Ghostbusters II (1989) with $215.4M.
How is the 1989 fantasy 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 fantasy 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.