#1 of 19 #1 mystery movie of 1991
1991 · Biography, Drama
$205.4M worldwide · 39% of the chart's total
$70.4M US & Canada · 34% $135M elsewhere · 66%
Mystery box office · 1991
Mystery Box Office 1991: Highest-Grossing Mystery Movies
JFK (1991) is the highest-grossing mystery movie released in 1991, with $205.4M worldwide, ahead of Backdraft (1991) at $152.4M and Dead Again (1991) at $38M. 19 mystery films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $525.9M in all, 58% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 39% on 1990, whose releases took $868.2M. By language, English leads with $523.7M across 18 mystery releases.
- 1991 releases with a gross
- 19
- combined worldwide
- $525.9M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1990
- −39%
#1 of 19 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Mystery Hits of 1991?
JFK (1991) leads with $205.4M, 39% of the total. The top 5 together took $452.1M, 86% of what all 19 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 Mystery Release of 1991, 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 1991.
- 1 Dec 20, 1991 US and Canada: $70.4M Rest of the world: $135M Worldwide: $205.4M
- 2 May 24, 1991 US and Canada: $77.9M Rest of the world: $74.5M Worldwide: $152.4M
- 3 Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $38M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38M
- 4 The People Under the Stairs (1991)Nov 1, 1991 US and Canada: $24.2M Rest of the world: $7.1M Worldwide: $31.3M
Nov 1, 1991 · English · Mystery, Thriller, Horror $31.3M worldwide - 5 Aug 9, 1991 US and Canada: $22.6M Rest of the world: $2.3M Worldwide: $24.9M
- 6
Apr 19, 1991 US and Canada: $18.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.8M - 7
Apr 26, 1991 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4M - 8
Oct 11, 1991 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.5M - 9
Jul 26, 1991 US and Canada: $11.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.1M - 10
Aug 23, 1991 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M - 11
Dec 5, 1991 US and Canada: $2.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.7M - 12
Dec 27, 1991 US and Canada: $2.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.6M - 13
Nov 22, 1991 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: $176K Worldwide: $2.2M - 14
Jul 3, 1991 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 15
Nov 15, 1991 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 16
Aug 9, 1991 US and Canada: $225.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $225.7K - 17
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991)Mar 28, 1991 US and Canada: $184.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $184.9K Mar 28, 1991 · English · Mystery, Romance, Comedy $184.9K worldwide - 18
Sep 13, 1991 US and Canada: $133.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $133.6K - 19
Sep 13, 1991 US and Canada: $99.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $99.2K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1991?
Of the top 10, Dead Again (1991) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while JFK (1991) made 66% of its gross abroad. Across all 19 films, $306.8M (58%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 JFK (1991) $205.4M $70.4M US & Canada · 34% $135M elsewhere · 66%
- 2 Backdraft (1991) $152.4M $77.9M US & Canada · 51% $74.5M elsewhere · 49%
- 3 Dead Again (1991) $38M $38M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 The People Under the Stairs (1991) $31.3M $24.2M US & Canada · 77% $7.1M elsewhere · 23%
- 5 Pure Luck (1991) $24.9M $22.6M US & Canada · 91% $2.3M elsewhere · 9%
- 6 Mortal Thoughts (1991) $18.8M $18.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 A Kiss Before Dying (1991) $15.4M $15.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Shattered (1991) $11.5M $11.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 V.I. Warshawski (1991) $11.1M $11.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Defenseless (1991) $6.4M $6.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1991 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 19 films crossed $100M and took $357.8M between them, 68% of the total. 10 films, 53% of the list, earned under $10M.
68% 29%
- $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, 11% of the list $357.8M · 68% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 7 films, 37% of the list $151.2M · 29% of the gross
- Under $10M 10 films, 53% of the list $16.9M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1991 Earned the Most?
December releases took the most, $210.8M from 3 films, led by JFK (1991). March was the quietest month ($184.9K). 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 The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991) $184.9K The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991)
- April Apr Mortal Thoughts (1991) $34.2M Mortal Thoughts (1991)
- May May Backdraft (1991) $152.4M Backdraft (1991)
- June Jun No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- July Jul V.I. Warshawski (1991) $12.4M V.I. Warshawski (1991)
- August Aug Dead Again (1991) $69.6M Dead Again (1991)
- September Sep Liebestraum (1991) $232.9K Liebestraum (1991)
- October Oct Shattered (1991) $11.5M Shattered (1991)
- November Nov The People Under the Stairs (1991) $34.6M The People Under the Stairs (1991)
- December Dec JFK (1991) $210.8M JFK (1991)
Last 10 years
How Does 1991 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1990 earned the most: $868.2M from 14 films, led by Ghost (1990). 1991 took $525.9M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 12 films | 12 | $109.4M | – | The Thing (1982) $20.8M |
| 1983 12 films · −13% | 12 | $95.5M | −13% | Psycho II (1983) $34.7M |
| 1984 8 films · +10% | 8 | $104.6M | +10% | Tightrope (1984) $48.1M |
| 1985 13 films · +118% | 13 | $227.7M | +118% | Fletch (1985) $59.6M |
| 1986 9 films · −20% | 9 | $182M | −20% | The Golden Child (1986) $79.8M |
| 1987 12 films · −20% | 12 | $145.3M | −20% | No Way Out (1987) $35.5M |
| 1988 19 films · +214% | 19 | $456.1M | +214% | Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) $329.8M |
| 1989 16 films · −57% | 16 | $195.4M | −57% | The 'Burbs (1989) $49.1M |
| 1990 14 films · +344% | 14 | $868.2M | +344% | Ghost (1990) $505.7M |
| 1991 19 films · −39% | 19 | $525.9M | −39% | JFK (1991) $205.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Mystery Movies Speak in 1991?
English-language mystery films took $523.7M across 18 films, 100% of the total, ahead of French-language mystery films ($2.2M).
Archive
Mystery Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1924 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $4B, led by Fast X (2023).
2020s 7 years · $14.2B
2010s 10 years · $24.4B
- 2019 $2.9B #1 Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)
- 2018 $2.8B #1 The Nun (2018)
- 2017 $3B #1 Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
- 2016 $2.3B #1 Now You See Me 2 (2016)
- 2015 $1.2B #1 Tomorrowland (2015)
- 2014 $1.7B #1 Gone Girl (2014)
- 2013 $2.3B #1 Gravity (2013)
- 2012 $1.4B #1 The Bourne Legacy (2012)
- 2011 $3.1B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- 2010 $3.7B #1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010)
2000s 10 years · $24.3B
- 2009 $3.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- 2008 $1.8B #1 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
- 2007 $3.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- 2006 $2.7B #1 The Da Vinci Code (2006)
- 2005 $2.7B #1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- 2004 $3.3B #1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- 2003 $1.1B #1 The Haunted Mansion (2003)
- 2002 $2.2B #1 Signs (2002)
- 2001 $2.4B #1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- 2000 $1.3B #1 What Lies Beneath (2000)
1990s 10 years · $10.4B
- 1999 $3.1B #1 The Sixth Sense (1999)
- 1998 $810M #1 The X Files (1998)
- 1997 $1.2B #1 Scream 2 (1997)
- 1996 $805.2M #1 Eraser (1996)
- 1995 $974.6M #1 Seven (1995)
- 1994 $329.6M #1 The Client (1994)
- 1993 $964.2M #1 The Fugitive (1993)
- 1992 $825.1M #1 Basic Instinct (1992)
- 1991 $525.9M #1 JFK (1991)
- 1990 $868.2M #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $1.7B
- 1989 $195.4M #1 The 'Burbs (1989)
- 1988 $456.1M #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $145.3M #1 No Way Out (1987)
- 1986 $182M #1 The Golden Child (1986)
- 1985 $227.7M #1 Fletch (1985)
- 1984 $104.6M #1 Tightrope (1984)
- 1983 $95.5M #1 Psycho II (1983)
- 1982 $109.4M #1 The Thing (1982)
- 1981 $103M #1 The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
- 1980 $122.9M #1 Dressed to Kill (1980)
1970s 10 years · $524.6M
- 1979 $106.8M #1 Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
- 1978 $142.2M #1 Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
- 1977 $47.4M #1 The Deep (1977)
- 1976 $2.3M #1 The Tenant (1976)
- 1975 $74.2M #1 The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)
- 1974 $93.3M #1 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- 1973 $55.8M #1 Magnum Force (1973)
- 1972 $232.4K #1 Solaris (1972)
- 1971 $2.5M #1 THX 1138 (1971)
- 1970 $19.9K #1 The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970)
1960s 9 years · $48.7M
- 1968 $558.4K #1 Bullitt (1968)
- 1967 $38.8K #1 In the Heat of the Night (1967)
- 1966 $139.5K #1 Made in U.S.A (1966)
- 1965 $80K #1 Alphaville (1965)
- 1964 $12.4M #1 A Shot in the Dark (1964)
- 1963 $294.2K #1 Charade (1963)
- 1962 $2.9M #1 The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- 1961 $1.2K #1 The Naked Edge (1961)
- 1960 $32.3M #1 Psycho (1960)
1950s 8 years · $53.7M
1940s 10 years · $3.6M
- 1949 $1.5M #1 The Third Man (1949)
- 1948 $13.6K #1 Rope (1948)
- 1947 $43.5K #1 Great Expectations (1947)
- 1946 $109.7K #1 The Killers (1946)
- 1945 $31.1K #1 Spellbound (1945)
- 1944 $24.8K #1 Double Indemnity (1944)
- 1943 $36.1K #1 Le Corbeau (1943)
- 1942 $15.6K #1 Keeper of the Flame (1942)
- 1941 $1.8M #1 Citizen Kane (1941)
- 1940 $114.1K #1 Rebecca (1940)
1930s 6 years · $3.3M
FAQ
Mystery Box Office 1991: 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 19 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing mystery movie in 1991?
JFK (1991) leads with $205.4M worldwide, $70.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Backdraft (1991) at $152.4M and Dead Again (1991) at $38M.
How much did mystery movies released in 1991 earn?
19 mystery films released in 1991 report a worldwide gross, $525.9M in all, or $27.7M per film on average. 1990 releases took $868.2M.
How many mystery movies released in 1991 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by JFK (1991) with $205.4M.
How is the 1991 mystery 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 1991. 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 1991 mystery 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.