#1 of 30 #1 romance movie of 1981
1981 · Action, Adventure
$216.4M worldwide · 31% of the chart's total
$108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
Romance box office · 1981
Romance Box Office 1981: Highest-Grossing Romance Movies
Superman II (1981) is the highest-grossing romance movie released in 1981, with $216.4M worldwide, ahead of Arthur (1981) at $95.5M and The Four Seasons (1981) at $50.4M. 30 romance films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $688.4M in all, 84% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 57% on 1980, whose releases took $438.9M. By language, English leads with $687.4M across 23 romance releases.
- 1981 releases with a gross
- 30
- combined worldwide
- $688.4M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1980
- +57%
#1 of 30 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Romance Hits of 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M, 31% of the total. The top 5 together took $443.4M, 64% of what all 30 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 Romance Release of 1981, 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 1981.
- 1 Jun 19, 1981 US and Canada: $108.2M Rest of the world: $108.2M Worldwide: $216.4M
- 2 Jul 17, 1981 US and Canada: $95.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $95.5M
- 3 May 22, 1981 US and Canada: $50.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $50.4M
- 4 Dec 18, 1981 US and Canada: $40.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $40.7M
- 5 Dec 25, 1981 US and Canada: $40.4M Rest of the world: $129 Worldwide: $40.4M
- 6
Apr 10, 1981 US and Canada: $35M Rest of the world: $3.7K Worldwide: $35M - 7
Jul 17, 1981 US and Canada: $31.2M Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $32.5M - 8
Oct 16, 1981 US and Canada: $26.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.9M - 9
Oct 2, 1981 US and Canada: $18.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.8M - 10
Jul 24, 1981 US and Canada: $17.6M Rest of the world: $52 Worldwide: $17.6M - 11
Apr 24, 1981 US and Canada: $17.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.6M - 12
Apr 17, 1981 US and Canada: $16M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16M - 13
Sep 18, 1981 US and Canada: $15.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.6M - 14
Apr 3, 1981 US and Canada: $12.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.7M - 15
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)Mar 20, 1981 US and Canada: $12.4M Rest of the world: $6.8K Worldwide: $12.4M
Mar 20, 1981 · English · Drama, Thriller, Romance $12.4M worldwide - 16
Mar 13, 1981 US and Canada: $11.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.8M - 17
Dec 11, 1981 US and Canada: $10.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.9M - 18
Feb 13, 1981 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M - 19
Mar 6, 1981 US and Canada: $4.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.5M - 20
Mar 13, 1981 US and Canada: $2.9M Rest of the world: $582 Worldwide: $2.9M - 21
Dec 18, 1981 US and Canada: $2.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.2M - 22
Aug 26, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $917.3K - 23
Apr 1, 1981 US and Canada: $534.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $534.7K - 24
Oct 25, 1981 US and Canada: $12K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12K - 25
Aug 20, 1981 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $1.6K Worldwide: $9.8K - 26
Jan 14, 1981 US and Canada: $8.1K Rest of the world: $264 Worldwide: $8.4K - 27
Mar 4, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $923 - 28
Sep 30, 1981 US and Canada: $509 Rest of the world: Worldwide: $509 - 29
Dec 2, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $406 - 30
Jul 31, 1981 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1981?
Of the top 10, Arthur (1981) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Superman II (1981) made 50% of its gross abroad. Across all 30 films, $578M (84%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Superman II (1981) $216.4M $108.2M US & Canada · 50% $108.2M elsewhere · 50%
- 2 Arthur (1981) $95.5M $95.5M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 The Four Seasons (1981) $50.4M $50.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 Absence of Malice (1981) $40.7M $40.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Reds (1981) $40.4M $40.4M US & Canada · 100% $129 elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Excalibur (1981) $35M $35M US & Canada · 100% $3.7K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Endless Love (1981) $32.5M $31.2M US & Canada · 96% $1.3M elsewhere · 4%
- 8 The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) $26.9M $26.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Paternity (1981) $18.8M $18.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Eye of the Needle (1981) $17.6M $17.6M US & Canada · 100% $52 elsewhere · <1%
Gross bands
How Many 1981 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 30 films crossed $100M and took $216.4M between them, 31% of the total. 13 films, 43% of the list, earned under $10M.
31% 66%
- $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 1 film, 3% of the list $216.4M · 31% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 16 films, 53% of the list $454.7M · 66% of the gross
- Under $10M 13 films, 43% of the list $17.4M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1981 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $216.4M from 1 film, led by Superman II (1981). January was the quietest month ($8.4K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Lili Marleen (1981) $8.4K Lili Marleen (1981)
- February Feb Eyewitness (1981) $6.4M Eyewitness (1981)
- March Mar The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) $31.5M The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
- April Apr Excalibur (1981) $81.8M Excalibur (1981)
- May May The Four Seasons (1981) $50.4M The Four Seasons (1981)
- June Jun Superman II (1981) $216.4M Superman II (1981)
- July Jul Arthur (1981) $145.5M Arthur (1981)
- August Aug On Trial (1981) $927.1K On Trial (1981)
- September Sep Continental Divide (1981) $15.6M Continental Divide (1981)
- October Oct The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) $45.7M The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Absence of Malice (1981) $94.1M Absence of Malice (1981)
Last 10 years
How Does 1981 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1981 earned the most: $688.4M from 30 films, led by Superman II (1981).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 11 films | 11 | $1.4M | – | Bombay to Goa (1972) $886.7K |
| 1973 6 films · +5732% | 6 | $81.3M | +5732% | The Way We Were (1973) $45M |
| 1974 9 films · +44% | 9 | $117M | +44% | Benji (1974) $39.6M |
| 1975 5 films · −87% | 5 | $15.7M | −87% | Once Is Not Enough (1975) $15.7M |
| 1976 5 films · +796% | 5 | $141M | +796% | A Star Is Born (1976) $80M |
| 1977 11 films · +201% | 11 | $424.9M | +201% | Saturday Night Fever (1977) $237.1M |
| 1978 17 films · +48% | 17 | $628.2M | +48% | Grease (1978) $396.3M |
| 1979 20 films · −46% | 20 | $342.1M | −46% | 10 (1979) $74.9M |
| 1980 32 films · +28% | 32 | $438.9M | +28% | The Blue Lagoon (1980) $58.9M |
| 1981 30 films · +57% | 30 | $688.4M | +57% | Superman II (1981) $216.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Romance Movies Speak in 1981?
English-language romance films took $687.4M across 23 films, 100% of the total, ahead of Cantonese-language romance films ($917.3K) and German-language romance films ($18.2K).
Archive
Romance Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1919 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2008 leads with $7.3B, led by Mamma Mia! (2008).
2020s 7 years · $9.1B
2010s 10 years · $33.7B
- 2019 $4B #1 Aladdin (2019)
- 2018 $2.9B #1 A Star Is Born (2018)
- 2017 $3.7B #1 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
- 2016 $3.3B #1 La La Land (2016)
- 2015 $3.1B #1 Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
- 2014 $2.9B #1 The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
- 2013 $2.3B #1 The Great Gatsby (2013)
- 2012 $4B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
- 2011 $2.9B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
- 2010 $4.6B #1 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
2000s 10 years · $45.5B
- 2009 $6.6B #1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- 2008 $7.3B #1 Mamma Mia! (2008)
- 2007 $4.1B #1 Enchanted (2007)
- 2006 $3.7B #1 Happy Feet (2006)
- 2005 $5.5B #1 King Kong (2005)
- 2004 $4.5B #1 Meet the Fockers (2004)
- 2003 $3.7B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- 2002 $3.1B #1 My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
- 2001 $3.9B #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
- 2000 $3.2B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $25.7B
- 1999 $3.1B #1 Notting Hill (1999)
- 1998 $3.6B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $4.2B #1 Titanic (1997)
- 1996 $2.3B #1 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- 1995 $2.5B #1 Pocahontas (1995)
- 1994 $2.7B #1 Forrest Gump (1994)
- 1993 $1.8B #1 Indecent Proposal (1993)
- 1992 $2B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $1.6B #1 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 1990 $1.8B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $8.3B
- 1989 $958.8M #1 Look Who's Talking (1989)
- 1988 $1.4B #1 Coming to America (1988)
- 1987 $933.1M #1 Dirty Dancing (1987)
- 1986 $1.2B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $739.4M #1 Out of Africa (1985)
- 1984 $850.6M #1 Romancing the Stone (1984)
- 1983 $551.9M #1 Terms of Endearment (1983)
- 1982 $542.5M #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $688.4M #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $438.9M #1 The Blue Lagoon (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.8B
- 1979 $342.1M #1 10 (1979)
- 1978 $628.2M #1 Grease (1978)
- 1977 $424.9M #1 Saturday Night Fever (1977)
- 1976 $141M #1 A Star Is Born (1976)
- 1975 $15.7M #1 Once Is Not Enough (1975)
- 1974 $117M #1 Benji (1974)
- 1973 $81.3M #1 The Way We Were (1973)
- 1972 $1.4M #1 Bombay to Goa (1972)
- 1971 $10.5M #1 Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
- 1970 $18.7M #1 Getting Straight (1970)
1960s 10 years · $620.8M
- 1969 $15M #1 Paint Your Wagon (1969)
- 1968 $52.3M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $109.5M #1 The Graduate (1967)
- 1966 $146.4K #1 A Man and a Woman (1966)
- 1965 $272.3M #1 The Sound of Music (1965)
- 1964 $83.8M #1 My Fair Lady (1964)
- 1963 $62.7M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $600.8K #1 Jules and Jim (1962)
- 1961 $5.7M #1 Mother and a Guest (1961)
- 1960 $18.9M #1 The Apartment (1960)
1950s 10 years · $378.8M
- 1959 $52M #1 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- 1958 $10.7M #1 Vertigo (1958)
- 1957 $4M #1 An Affair to Remember (1957)
- 1956 $63.5M #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- 1955 $94.2M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $13.8M #1 An Inspector Calls (1954)
- 1953 $3.6M #1 Dangerous When Wet (1953)
- 1952 $38.5M #1 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- 1951 $2.1M #1 The Girl on the Bridge (1951)
- 1950 $96.4M #1 Cinderella (1950)
1940s 10 years · $456.6M
- 1949 $88.8K #1 The Passionate Friends (1949)
- 1948 $191.5K #1 The Red Shoes (1948)
- 1947 $1M #1 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
- 1946 $44.9M #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- 1945 $684.7K #1 Meet Me in St. Louis (1945)
- 1944 $6 #1 The Uninvited (1944)
- 1943 $4.7M #1 Casablanca (1943)
- 1942 $1.9M #1 Reunion in France (1942)
- 1941 $25.5K #1 The Lady Eve (1941)
- 1940 $403M #1 Gone with the Wind (1940)
1930s 10 years · $188.1M
- 1939 $931.5K #1 Wuthering Heights (1939)
- 1938 $185.2M #1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
- 1937 $17.5K #1 Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
- 1936 $1.4M #1 Born to Dance (1936)
- 1935 $528.1K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $46.8K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $2.5K #1 42nd Street (1933)
- 1932 $1.2K #1 Trouble in Paradise (1932)
- 1931 $8.3K #1 Marius (1931)
- 1930 $1.2K #1 Madam Satan (1930)
1920s 7 years · $10.1M
1910s 1 year · $160
FAQ
Romance Box Office 1981: 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 30 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing romance movie in 1981?
Superman II (1981) leads with $216.4M worldwide, $108.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Arthur (1981) at $95.5M and The Four Seasons (1981) at $50.4M.
How much did romance movies released in 1981 earn?
30 romance films released in 1981 report a worldwide gross, $688.4M in all, or $22.9M per film on average. 1980 releases took $438.9M.
How many romance movies released in 1981 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Superman II (1981) with $216.4M.
How is the 1981 romance 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 1981. 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 1981 romance 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.