#1 of 10 #1 history movie of 1985
1985 · Drama, History
$34.7M worldwide · 47% of the chart's total
$34.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
History box office · 1985
History Box Office 1985: Highest-Grossing History Movies
The Killing Fields (1985) is the highest-grossing history movie released in 1985, with $34.7M worldwide, ahead of A Passage to India (1985) at $33M and King David (1985) at $5.1M. 10 history films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $73.7M in all, 92% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 16% on 1984, whose releases took $63.8M. By language, English leads with $73.6M across 7 history releases.
- 1985 releases with a gross
- 10
- combined worldwide
- $73.7M
- The Killing Fields (1985), the #1
- $34.7M
- vs 1984
- +16%
#1 of 10 Top 5
What Were the Biggest History Hits of 1985?
The Killing Fields (1985) leads with $34.7M, 47% of the total. The top 5 together took $73.5M, almost all of what the 10 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 History Release of 1985, 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 1985.
- 1 Feb 1, 1985 US and Canada: $34.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.7M
- 2 Feb 1, 1985 US and Canada: $27.2M Rest of the world: $5.8M Worldwide: $33M
- 3 Mar 29, 1985 US and Canada: $5.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.1M
- 4 Dec 25, 1985 US and Canada: $358.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $358.6K
- 5 Nov 1, 1985 US and Canada: $305.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $305.1K
- 6
Oct 4, 1985 US and Canada: $147.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $147.1K - 7
Apr 3, 1985 US and Canada: $29.4K Rest of the world: $40.4K Worldwide: $69.8K - 8
Apr 21, 1985 US and Canada: $20.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.2K - 9
Jun 27, 1985 US and Canada: $18.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.7K - 10
Mar 29, 1985 US and Canada: $2.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1985?
Of the top 10, The Killing Fields (1985) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Official Story (1985) made 58% of its gross abroad. Across all 10 films, $67.9M (92%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 The Killing Fields (1985) $34.7M $34.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 2 A Passage to India (1985) $33M $27.2M US & Canada · 82% $5.8M elsewhere · 18%
- 3 King David (1985) $5.1M $5.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Revolution (1985) $358.6K $358.6K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Eleni (1985) $305.1K $305.1K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 The Doctor and the Devils (1985) $147.1K $147.1K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 The Official Story (1985) $69.8K $29.4K US & Canada · 42% $40.4K elsewhere · 58%
- 8 Shoah (1985) $20.2K $20.2K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Before Stonewall (1985) $18.7K $18.7K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Colonel Redl (1985) $2.4K $2.4K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1985 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 10 films reached $100M. 8 films, 80% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $73.7M total.
92% 8%
- $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 2 films, 20% of the list $67.7M · 92% of the gross
- Under $10M 8 films, 80% of the list $6M · 8% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1985 Earned the Most?
February releases took the most, $67.7M from 2 films, led by The Killing Fields (1985). June was the quietest month ($18.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb The Killing Fields (1985) $67.7M The Killing Fields (1985)
- March Mar King David (1985) $5.1M King David (1985)
- April Apr The Official Story (1985) $90K The Official Story (1985)
- May May No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- June Jun Before Stonewall (1985) $18.7K Before Stonewall (1985)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct The Doctor and the Devils (1985) $147.1K The Doctor and the Devils (1985)
- November Nov Eleni (1985) $305.1K Eleni (1985)
- December Dec Revolution (1985) $358.6K Revolution (1985)
Last 10 years
How Does 1985 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1981 earned the most: $83.5M from 7 films, led by Reds (1981). 1985 took $73.7M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 3 films | 3 | $70.8M | – | All the President's Men (1976) $70.6M |
| 1977 2 films · −28% | 2 | $50.8M | −28% | A Bridge Too Far (1977) $50.8M |
| 1978 6 films · −69% | 6 | $15.9M | −69% | American Hot Wax (1978) $7.9M |
| 1979 3 films · −88% | 3 | $1.9M | −88% | Zulu Dawn (1979) $1.9M |
| 1980 2 films · +114% | 2 | $4M | +114% | Kagemusha (1980) $4M |
| 1981 7 films · +1977% | 7 | $83.5M | +1977% | Reds (1981) $40.4M |
| 1982 7 films · −36% | 7 | $53.3M | −36% | Quest for Fire (1982) $21M |
| 1983 3 films · +39% | 3 | $74M | +39% | Gandhi (1983) $52.8M |
| 1984 3 films · −14% | 3 | $63.8M | −14% | Amadeus (1984) $52.3M |
| 1985 10 films · +16% | 10 | $73.7M | +16% | The Killing Fields (1985) $34.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest History Movies Speak in 1985?
English-language history films took $73.6M across 7 films, 100% of the total, ahead of Spanish-language history films ($69.8K) and French-language history films ($20.2K).
Archive
History Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1918 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $2.8B, led by Oppenheimer (2023).
2020s 7 years · $6.8B
2010s 10 years · $11.6B
- 2019 $1.8B #1 My People, My Country (2019)
- 2018 $1.2B #1 Green Book (2018)
- 2017 $1.7B #1 Dunkirk (2017)
- 2016 $1.8B #1 Dangal (2016)
- 2015 $1.1B #1 Everest (2015)
- 2014 $528.3M #1 Unbroken (2014)
- 2013 $969.9M #1 American Hustle (2013)
- 2012 $1.2B #1 Lincoln (2012)
- 2011 $413.7M #1 Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)
- 2010 $881.6M #1 The King's Speech (2010)
2000s 10 years · $6.7B
- 2009 $638.5M #1 Public Enemies (2009)
- 2008 $943.6M #1 Australia (2008)
- 2007 $426.8M #1 Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
- 2006 $744.1M #1 World Trade Center (2006)
- 2005 $796.9M #1 Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- 2004 $1.2B #1 The Passion of the Christ (2004)
- 2003 $666.9M #1 The Last Samurai (2003)
- 2002 $630M #1 Gangs of New York (2002)
- 2001 $103.7M #1 Enemy at the Gates (2001)
- 2000 $565.8M #1 Gladiator (2000)
1990s 10 years · $2.6B
- 1999 $183.1M #1 Anna and the King (1999)
- 1998 $353.8M #1 The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
- 1997 $207.8M #1 Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
- 1996 $40.4M #1 Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
- 1995 $980.4M #1 Apollo 13 (1995)
- 1994 $52.8M #1 Quiz Show (1994)
- 1993 $420M #1 Schindler's List (1993)
- 1992 $58M #1 Malcolm X (1992)
- 1991 $223M #1 JFK (1991)
- 1990 $42.6M #1 Glory (1990)
1980s 10 years · $628.2M
- 1989 $24.8M #1 Henry V (1989)
- 1988 $70.4M #1 Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
- 1987 $157.2M #1 The Untouchables (1987)
- 1986 $23.6M #1 The Mission (1986)
- 1985 $73.7M #1 The Killing Fields (1985)
- 1984 $63.8M #1 Amadeus (1984)
- 1983 $74M #1 Gandhi (1983)
- 1982 $53.3M #1 Quest for Fire (1982)
- 1981 $83.5M #1 Reds (1981)
- 1980 $4M #1 Kagemusha (1980)
1970s 9 years · $171.8M
- 1979 $1.9M #1 Zulu Dawn (1979)
- 1978 $15.9M #1 American Hot Wax (1978)
- 1977 $50.8M #1 A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- 1976 $70.8M #1 All the President's Men (1976)
- 1975 $416.1K #1 Barry Lyndon (1975)
- 1974 $103.4K #1 Edvard Munch (1974)
- 1972 $37.8K #1 Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)
- 1971 $3.1K #1 The Devils (1971)
- 1970 $31.9M #1 Little Big Man (1970)
1960s 10 years · $108.7M
- 1969 $1M #1 Army of Shadows (1969)
- 1968 $20.1K #1 The Lion in Winter (1968)
- 1967 $316 #1 In Cold Blood (1967)
- 1966 $1.1M #1 The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- 1965 $162.9K #1 War and Peace (1965)
- 1964 $149.3K #1 Becket (1964)
- 1963 $58M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $46M #1 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- 1961 $350K #1 The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
- 1960 $1.9M #1 Spartacus (1960)
1950s 9 years · $177.5M
- 1959 $74.6M #1 Ben-Hur (1959)
- 1958 $38.4K #1 The Vikings (1958)
- 1957 $68K #1 Throne of Blood (1957)
- 1956 $65.5M #1 The Ten Commandments (1956)
- 1955 $911.1K #1 The Dam Busters (1955)
- 1954 $26.6K #1 Knights of the Round Table (1954)
- 1953 $36M #1 The Robe (1953)
- 1952 $280.5K #1 Les Miserables (1952)
- 1950 $10.9K #1 The Flame and the Arrow (1950)
1940s 5 years · $402.5M
1930s 4 years · $29.1K
1920s 3 years · $124.9K
1910s 1 year · $9.7K
FAQ
History Box Office 1985: 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 10 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing history movie in 1985?
The Killing Fields (1985) leads with $34.7M worldwide, $34.7M of it in the US & Canada. Next come A Passage to India (1985) at $33M and King David (1985) at $5.1M.
How much did history movies released in 1985 earn?
10 history films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $73.7M in all, or $7.4M per film on average. 1984 releases took $63.8M.
How many history movies released in 1985 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, The Killing Fields (1985), earned $34.7M.
How is the 1985 history 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 1985. 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 1985 history 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.