#1 of 24 #1 horror movie of 1989
1989 · Thriller, Horror
$57.5M worldwide · 27% of the chart's total
$57.5M US & Canada · 100% $671 elsewhere · <1%
Horror box office · 1989
Horror Box Office 1989: Highest-Grossing Horror Movies
Pet Sematary (1989) is the highest-grossing horror movie released in 1989, with $57.5M worldwide, ahead of The Fly II (1989) at $38.9M and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) at $22.2M. 24 horror films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $214.3M in all, 91% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 25% on 1988, whose releases took $284.7M. By language, English leads with $197.7M across 22 horror releases.
- 1989 releases with a gross
- 24
- combined worldwide
- $214.3M
- Pet Sematary (1989), the #1
- $57.5M
- vs 1988
- −25%
#1 of 24 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Horror Hits of 1989?
Pet Sematary (1989) leads with $57.5M, 27% of the total. The top 5 together took $150.8M, 70% of what all 24 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 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 Apr 21, 1989 US and Canada: $57.5M Rest of the world: $671 Worldwide: $57.5M
- 2 Feb 10, 1989 US and Canada: $20M Rest of the world: $18.9M Worldwide: $38.9M
- 3 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 - 4 Oct 27, 1989 US and Canada: $16.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.6M
- 5 Mar 17, 1989 US and Canada: $15.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.7M
- 6
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)Jul 28, 1989 US and Canada: $14.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.3M Jul 28, 1989 · English · Adventure, Thriller, Horror $14.3M worldwide - 7
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)Oct 13, 1989 US and Canada: $11.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.6M Oct 13, 1989 · English · Thriller, Horror $11.6M worldwide - 8
May 1, 1989 US and Canada: $9.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.1M - 9
Jan 13, 1989 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.1M - 10
Apr 7, 1989 US and Canada: $7.8M Rest of the world: $126 Worldwide: $7.8M - 11
Aug 30, 1989 US and Canada: $7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7M - 12
Nov 10, 1989 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 13
Jan 27, 1989 US and Canada: $870.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $870.5K - 14
Jan 20, 1989 US and Canada: $858.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $858.6K - 15
Jun 2, 1989 US and Canada: $725.1K Rest of the world: $2.9K Worldwide: $728K - 16
The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989)Nov 24, 1989 US and Canada: $363.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $363.6K Nov 24, 1989 · English · Sci-Fi, Action, Horror $363.6K worldwide - 17
The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)May 12, 1989 US and Canada: $192.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $192.8K May 12, 1989 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $192.8K worldwide - 18
Beverly Hills Bodysnatchers (1989)Oct 11, 1989 US and Canada: $192.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $192.6K Oct 11, 1989 · English · Comedy, Mystery, Horror $192.6K worldwide - 19
May 12, 1989 US and Canada: $166.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $166.6K - 20
Nov 3, 1989 US and Canada: $76.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $76.3K - 21
May 11, 1989 US and Canada: $50.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $50.4K - 22
May 18, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $536 - 23
Apr 7, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $205 - 24
May 13, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $118
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 The Fly II (1989) made 49% of its gross abroad. Across all 24 films, $195.4M (91%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Pet Sematary (1989) $57.5M $57.5M US & Canada · 100% $671 elsewhere · <1%
- 2 The Fly II (1989) $38.9M $20M US & Canada · 51% $18.9M elsewhere · 49%
- 3 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) $22.2M $22.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Shocker (1989) $16.6M $16.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Leviathan (1989) $15.7M $15.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) $14.3M $14.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) $11.6M $11.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Warlock (1989) $9.1M $9.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 DeepStar Six (1989) $8.1M $8.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Dead Calm (1989) $7.8M $7.8M US & Canada · 100% $126 elsewhere · <1%
Gross bands
How Many 1989 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 24 films reached $100M. 17 films, 71% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $214.3M total.
83% 17%
- $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 7 films, 29% of the list $176.8M · 83% of the gross
- Under $10M 17 films, 71% of the list $37.5M · 17% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1989 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $65.3M from 3 films, led by Pet Sematary (1989). June was the quietest month ($728K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan DeepStar Six (1989) $9.9M DeepStar Six (1989)
- February Feb The Fly II (1989) $38.9M The Fly II (1989)
- March Mar Leviathan (1989) $15.7M Leviathan (1989)
- April Apr Pet Sematary (1989) $65.3M Pet Sematary (1989)
- May May Warlock (1989) $9.5M Warlock (1989)
- June Jun Vampire's Kiss (1989) $728K Vampire's Kiss (1989)
- July Jul Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) $14.3M Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
- August Aug A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) $29.2M A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
- September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- October Oct Shocker (1989) $28.4M Shocker (1989)
- November Nov Communion (1989) $2.4M Communion (1989)
- December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years
How Does 1989 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1987 earned the most: $325.5M from 27 films, led by The Witches of Eastwick (1987). 1989 took $214.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 16 films | 16 | $175M | – | 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 |
| 1983 15 films · −16% | 15 | $243.8M | −16% | Jaws 3-D (1983) $88M |
| 1984 13 films · +24% | 13 | $303.5M | +24% | Gremlins (1984) $165.4M |
| 1985 17 films · −39% | 17 | $185.9M | −39% | A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) $30M |
| 1986 30 films · +41% | 30 | $262.9M | +41% | The Fly (1986) $60.6M |
| 1987 27 films · +24% | 27 | $325.5M | +24% | The Witches of Eastwick (1987) $63.8M |
| 1988 35 films · −13% | 35 | $284.7M | −13% | A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) $49.4M |
| 1989 24 films · −25% | 24 | $214.3M | −25% | Pet Sematary (1989) $57.5M |
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 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 24 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing horror movie in 1989?
Pet Sematary (1989) leads with $57.5M worldwide, $57.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Fly II (1989) at $38.9M and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) at $22.2M.
How much did horror movies released in 1989 earn?
24 horror films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $214.3M in all, or $8.9M per film on average. 1988 releases took $284.7M.
How many horror movies released in 1989 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Pet Sematary (1989), earned $57.5M.
How is the 1989 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 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 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.