#1 of 22 #1 horror movie of 1982
1982 · Horror
$77.2M worldwide · 27% of the chart's total
$77.2M US & Canada · 100% $55.8K elsewhere · <1%
Horror box office · 1982
Horror Box Office 1982: Highest-Grossing Horror Movies
Poltergeist (1982) is the highest-grossing horror movie released in 1982, with $77.2M worldwide, ahead of The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) at $39.1M and Friday the 13th Part III (1982) at $36.7M. 22 horror films released in 1982 report a worldwide gross, $289M in all, 100% of it from the US & Canada. That is up 38% on 1981, whose releases took $209.9M. By language, English leads with $260.5M across 20 horror releases.
- 1982 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $289M
- Poltergeist (1982), the #1
- $77.2M
- vs 1981
- +38%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Horror Hits of 1982?
Poltergeist (1982) leads with $77.2M, 27% of the total. The top 5 together took $194.9M, 67% 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 Horror Release of 1982, 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 1982.
- 1 Jun 4, 1982 US and Canada: $77.2M Rest of the world: $55.8K Worldwide: $77.2M
- 2 The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)Apr 30, 1982 US and Canada: $39.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $39.1M
Apr 30, 1982 · English · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $39.1M worldwide - 3 Aug 13, 1982 US and Canada: $36.7M Rest of the world: $6.6K Worldwide: $36.7M
- 4 Nov 12, 1982 US and Canada: $21M Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $21M
- 5 Jun 25, 1982 US and Canada: $20.1M Rest of the world: $774.7K Worldwide: $20.8M
- 6
May 21, 1982 US and Canada: $13.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.3M - 7
Jan 22, 1982 US and Canada: $13.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.3M - 8
Sep 24, 1982 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.5M - 9
Apr 2, 1982 US and Canada: $10.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.5M - 10
Oct 29, 1982 US and Canada: $10.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.1M - 11
Feb 12, 1982 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M - 12
Apr 2, 1982 US and Canada: $7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7M - 13
Nov 19, 1982 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M - 14
May 7, 1982 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 15
Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again (1982)Nov 10, 1982 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M Nov 10, 1982 · English · Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror $3.8M worldwide - 16
Oct 28, 1982 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.5M - 17
Mar 25, 1982 US and Canada: $1.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.4M - 18
Oct 22, 1982 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 19
May 13, 1982 US and Canada: $667.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $667.9K - 20
Jun 1, 1982 US and Canada: $46.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $46.5K - 21
Nov 19, 1982 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1K - 22
Mar 12, 1982 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1982?
Of the top 10, The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Thing (1982) made 4% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $288.2M (100%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Poltergeist (1982) $77.2M $77.2M US & Canada · 100% $55.8K elsewhere · <1%
- 2 The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) $39.1M $39.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 Friday the 13th Part III (1982) $36.7M $36.7M US & Canada · 100% $6.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 Creepshow (1982) $21M $21M US & Canada · 100% $2.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 The Thing (1982) $20.8M $20.1M US & Canada · 96% $774.7K elsewhere · 4%
- 6 Visiting Hours (1982) $13.3M $13.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Vice Squad (1982) $13.3M $13.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Amityville II: The Possession (1982) $12.5M $12.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Silent Rage (1982) $10.5M $10.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Class Reunion (1982) $10.1M $10.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1982 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 22 films reached $100M. 12 films, 55% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $289M total.
88% 12%
- $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 10 films, 45% of the list $254.5M · 88% of the gross
- Under $10M 12 films, 55% of the list $34.5M · 12% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1982 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $98.1M from 3 films, led by Poltergeist (1982). March was the quietest month ($1.4M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Vice Squad (1982) $13.3M Vice Squad (1982)
- February Feb The Beast Within (1982) $7.7M The Beast Within (1982)
- March Mar Turkey Shoot (1982) $1.4M Turkey Shoot (1982)
- April Apr The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) $56.6M The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
- May May Visiting Hours (1982) $18.2M Visiting Hours (1982)
- June Jun Poltergeist (1982) $98.1M Poltergeist (1982)
- July Jul No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- August Aug Friday the 13th Part III (1982) $36.7M Friday the 13th Part III (1982)
- September Sep Amityville II: The Possession (1982) $12.5M Amityville II: The Possession (1982)
- October Oct Class Reunion (1982) $13.6M Class Reunion (1982)
- November Nov Creepshow (1982) $30.8M Creepshow (1982)
- December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years
How Does 1982 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1975 earned the most: $481.8M from 4 films, led by Jaws (1975). 1982 took $289M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 4 films | 4 | $431.3M | – | The Exorcist (1973) $430.9M |
| 1974 9 films · −93% | 9 | $32.1M | −93% | The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) $30.9M |
| 1975 4 films · +1400% | 4 | $481.8M | +1400% | Jaws (1975) $477.9M |
| 1976 6 films · −69% | 6 | $149.4M | −69% | The Omen (1976) $60.9M |
| 1977 7 films · −69% | 7 | $45.7M | −69% | Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) $30.7M |
| 1978 7 films · +526% | 7 | $286.6M | +526% | Jaws 2 (1978) $187.9M |
| 1979 12 films · −2% | 12 | $279.6M | −2% | Alien (1979) $109.1M |
| 1980 16 films · −37% | 16 | $175M | −37% | The Shining (1980) $48M |
| 1981 23 films · +20% | 23 | $209.9M | +20% | An American Werewolf in London (1981) $30.8M |
| 1982 22 films · +38% | 22 | $289M | +38% | Poltergeist (1982) $77.2M |
Archive
Horror Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1920 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2018 leads with $3.7B, led by Venom (2018).
2020s 7 years · $15.4B
- 2026 so far $2.5B #1 Backrooms (2026)
- 2025 $2.7B #1 The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
- 2024 $2.6B #1 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
- 2023 $2.7B #1 Meg 2: The Trench (2023)
- 2022 $2.6B #1 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- 2021 $1.6B #1 Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
- 2020 $697.4M #1 The Invisible Man (2020)
2010s 10 years · $22.6B
- 2019 $3.1B #1 It: Chapter Two (2019)
- 2018 $3.7B #1 Venom (2018)
- 2017 $3.5B #1 It (2017)
- 2016 $1.9B #1 The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- 2015 $1.6B #1 Mojin: The Lost Legend (2015)
- 2014 $1.4B #1 Annabelle (2014)
- 2013 $2.2B #1 World War Z (2013)
- 2012 $2.7B #1 Prometheus (2012)
- 2011 $1.1B #1 Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
- 2010 $1.3B #1 Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
2000s 10 years · $12.1B
- 2009 $1.4B #1 The Final Destination (2009)
- 2008 $661.8M #1 Saw V (2008)
- 2007 $1.6B #1 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
- 2006 $1.2B #1 Saw III (2006)
- 2005 $1.7B #1 Constantine (2005)
- 2004 $1.3B #1 The Grudge (2004)
- 2003 $970.4M #1 Gothika (2003)
- 2002 $1.1B #1 Signs (2002)
- 2001 $712.3M #1 The Others (2001)
- 2000 $1.3B #1 What Lies Beneath (2000)
1990s 10 years · $5.4B
- 1999 $1.3B #1 The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- 1998 $929.6M #1 Godzilla (1998)
- 1997 $720.6M #1 Scream 2 (1997)
- 1996 $357.9M #1 Scream (1996)
- 1995 $283.3M #1 Species (1995)
- 1994 $368.5M #1 Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
- 1993 $165M #1 The Good Son (1993)
- 1992 $571M #1 Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
- 1991 $285.2M #1 Cape Fear (1991)
- 1990 $450.5M #1 Flatliners (1990)
1980s 10 years · $2.5B
- 1989 $214.3M #1 Pet Sematary (1989)
- 1988 $284.7M #1 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
- 1987 $325.5M #1 The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
- 1986 $262.9M #1 The Fly (1986)
- 1985 $185.9M #1 A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)
- 1984 $303.5M #1 Gremlins (1984)
- 1983 $243.8M #1 Jaws 3-D (1983)
- 1982 $289M #1 Poltergeist (1982)
- 1981 $209.9M #1 An American Werewolf in London (1981)
- 1980 $175M #1 The Shining (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.7B
- 1979 $279.6M #1 Alien (1979)
- 1978 $286.6M #1 Jaws 2 (1978)
- 1977 $45.7M #1 Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
- 1976 $149.4M #1 The Omen (1976)
- 1975 $481.8M #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $32.1M #1 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- 1973 $431.3M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $1.6K #1 Images (1972)
- 1971 $2.7M #1 THX 1138 (1971)
- 1970 $40.6K #1 Multiple Maniacs (1970)
1960s 10 years · $33M
- 1969 $171 #1 Night of the Bloody Apes (1969)
- 1968 $242.2K #1 Night of the Living Dead (1968)
- 1967 $240.1K #1 Night of the Big Heat (1967)
- 1966 $5.6K #1 Eye of the Devil (1966)
- 1965 $34.7K #1 Repulsion (1965)
- 1964 $1.2K #1 Onibaba (1964)
- 1963 $55.4K #1 The Birds (1963)
- 1962 $4.5K #1 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
- 1961 $30.2K #1 The Innocents (1961)
- 1960 $32.4M #1 Psycho (1960)
1950s 7 years · $24.4M
1940s 5 years · $42.7K
1930s 6 years · $168.1K
FAQ
Horror Box Office 1982: 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 horror movie in 1982?
Poltergeist (1982) leads with $77.2M worldwide, $77.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) at $39.1M and Friday the 13th Part III (1982) at $36.7M.
How much did horror movies released in 1982 earn?
22 horror films released in 1982 report a worldwide gross, $289M in all, or $13.1M per film on average. 1981 releases took $209.9M.
How many horror movies released in 1982 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Poltergeist (1982), earned $77.2M.
How is the 1982 horror 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 1982. 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 1982 horror 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.