#1 of 51 #1 romance movie of 1986
1986 · Action, Drama
$357.3M worldwide · 30% of the chart's total
$180.3M US & Canada · 50% $177M elsewhere · 50%
Romance box office · 1986
Romance Box Office 1986: Highest-Grossing Romance Movies
Top Gun (1986) is the highest-grossing romance movie released in 1986, with $357.3M worldwide, ahead of The Karate Kid Part II (1986) at $115.1M and Legal Eagles (1986) at $93.2M. 51 romance films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, 79% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 60% on 1985, whose releases took $739.4M. By language, English leads with $1.1B across 40 romance releases.
- 1986 releases with a gross
- 51
- combined worldwide
- $1.2B
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1985
- +60%
#1 of 51 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Romance Hits of 1986?
Top Gun (1986) leads with $357.3M, 30% of the total. The top 5 together took $698.2M, 59% of what all 51 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 1986, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 51. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1986.
- 1 May 16, 1986 US and Canada: $180.3M Rest of the world: $177M Worldwide: $357.3M
- 2 Jun 20, 1986 US and Canada: $115.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $115.1M
- 3 Jun 20, 1986 US and Canada: $49.9M Rest of the world: $43.3M Worldwide: $93.2M
- 4 Jun 13, 1986 US and Canada: $91.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $91.3M
- 5 Oct 10, 1986 US and Canada: $41.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.4M
- 6
Feb 28, 1986 US and Canada: $40.5M Rest of the world: $9K Worldwide: $40.5M - 7
Feb 1, 1986 US and Canada: $40.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $40.1M - 8
Jul 2, 1986 US and Canada: $38.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $38.7M - 9
Aug 1, 1986 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: $21.7M Worldwide: $38M - 10
Jul 30, 1986 US and Canada: $32.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $32.3M - 11
Oct 3, 1986 US and Canada: $31.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $31.9M - 12
Oct 10, 1986 US and Canada: $29.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $29.8M - 13
Oct 24, 1986 US and Canada: $27.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.8M - 14
Dec 25, 1986 US and Canada: $25.1M Rest of the world: $66 Worldwide: $25.1M - 15
Apr 1, 1986 US and Canada: $21M Rest of the world: $95.4K Worldwide: $21.1M - 16
Apr 18, 1986 US and Canada: $15.5M Rest of the world: $1.3M Worldwide: $16.8M - 17
Jan 31, 1986 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4M - 18
Apr 20, 1986 US and Canada: $14.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.2M - 19
Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $13.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.4M - 20
Dec 19, 1986 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.3M - 21
Jul 2, 1986 US and Canada: $10.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.1M - 22
Mar 28, 1986 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.2M - 23
Aug 15, 1986 US and Canada: $7.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.2M - 24
Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $7.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.1M - 25
Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M - 26
Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M - 27
Mar 14, 1986 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.8M - 28
Jun 13, 1986 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.8M - 29
Jun 27, 1986 US and Canada: $4.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.8M - 30
Apr 4, 1986 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 31
Nov 21, 1986 US and Canada: $3.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.5M - 32
Mar 7, 1986 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: $408 Worldwide: $2.5M - 33
Apr 4, 1986 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: $9.8K Worldwide: $2.5M - 34
Aug 29, 1986 US and Canada: $2.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.3M - 35
Nov 7, 1986 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 36
Aug 22, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 37
Jun 13, 1986 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 38
Apr 18, 1986 US and Canada: $930.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $930.2K - 39
Nov 7, 1986 US and Canada: $604.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $604.8K - 40
Nov 7, 1986 US and Canada: $563.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $563.4K - 41
Apr 22, 1986 US and Canada: $546.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $546.9K - 42
Apr 25, 1986 US and Canada: $502.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $502.2K - 43
Nov 14, 1986 US and Canada: $278.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $278.6K - 44
Feb 7, 1986 US and Canada: $277.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $277.6K - 45
1986 US and Canada: $202.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $202.4K - 46
Sep 5, 1986 US and Canada: $124.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $124.1K - 47
Aug 29, 1986 US and Canada: $43.8K Rest of the world: $21K Worldwide: $64.8K - 48
Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $3.8K Rest of the world: $26.8K Worldwide: $30.5K - 49
Jun 6, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20.2K - 50
Dec 25, 1986 US and Canada: $19.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.4K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1986?
Of the top 10, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Howard the Duck (1986) made 57% of its gross abroad. Across all 51 films, $937.8M (79%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Top Gun (1986) $357.3M $180.3M US & Canada · 50% $177M elsewhere · 50%
- 2 The Karate Kid Part II (1986) $115.1M $115.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 3 Legal Eagles (1986) $93.2M $49.9M US & Canada · 54% $43.3M elsewhere · 46%
- 4 Back to School (1986) $91.3M $91.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) $41.4M $41.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Pretty in Pink (1986) $40.5M $40.5M US & Canada · 100% $9K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) $40.1M $40.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 About Last Night... (1986) $38.7M $38.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Howard the Duck (1986) $38M $16.3M US & Canada · 43% $21.7M elsewhere · 57%
- 10 Nothing in Common (1986) $32.3M $32.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1986 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 51 films crossed $100M and took $472.4M between them, 40% of the total. 30 films, 59% of the list, earned under $10M.
40% 54%
- $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, 4% of the list $472.4M · 40% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 19 films, 37% of the list $633.4M · 54% of the gross
- Under $10M 30 films, 59% of the list $75.5M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1986 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $357.3M from 1 film, led by Top Gun (1986). September was the quietest month ($124.1K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Youngblood (1986) $15.7M Youngblood (1986)
- February Feb Pretty in Pink (1986) $80.9M Pretty in Pink (1986)
- March Mar Lucas (1986) $22.9M Lucas (1986)
- April Apr A Room with a View (1986) $61.3M A Room with a View (1986)
- May May Top Gun (1986) $357.3M Top Gun (1986)
- June Jun The Karate Kid Part II (1986) $311.3M The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
- July Jul About Last Night... (1986) $81.1M About Last Night... (1986)
- August Aug Howard the Duck (1986) $75.4M Howard the Duck (1986)
- September Sep Sherman's March (1986) $124.1K Sherman's March (1986)
- October Oct Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) $130.9M Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
- November Nov The Wraith (1986) $7M The Wraith (1986)
- December Dec The Morning After (1986) $37.5M The Morning After (1986)
Last 10 years
How Does 1986 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1986 earned the most: $1.2B from 51 films, led by Top Gun (1986).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 11 films | 11 | $424.9M | – | 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 |
| 1982 30 films · −21% | 30 | $542.5M | −21% | Tootsie (1982) $177.2M |
| 1983 34 films · +2% | 34 | $551.9M | +2% | Terms of Endearment (1983) $108.4M |
| 1984 52 films · +54% | 52 | $850.6M | +54% | Romancing the Stone (1984) $86.6M |
| 1985 36 films · −13% | 36 | $739.4M | −13% | Out of Africa (1985) $227.5M |
| 1986 51 films · +60% | 51 | $1.2B | +60% | Top Gun (1986) $357.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Romance Movies Speak in 1986?
English-language romance films took $1.1B across 40 films, 90% of the total, ahead of Norwegian-language romance films ($7.2M) and French-language romance films ($2.1M).
1986 Romance Box Office by Language
-
English $1.1B40 films · #1 Top Gun (1986) -
Norwegian $7.2M1 film · #1 The Boy Who Could Fly (1986) -
French $2.1M2 films · #1 Betty Blue (1986) -
Italian $546.9K1 film · #1 Devil in the Flesh (1986) -
Cantonese $502.2K1 film · #1 Dream Lovers (1986) -
Russian $20.2K1 film · #1 Courier (1986) -
Finnish $2981 film · #1 Shadows in Paradise (1986)
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 1986: 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 51 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing romance movie in 1986?
Top Gun (1986) leads with $357.3M worldwide, $180.3M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Karate Kid Part II (1986) at $115.1M and Legal Eagles (1986) at $93.2M.
How much did romance movies released in 1986 earn?
51 romance films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $1.2B in all, or $23.2M per film on average. 1985 releases took $739.4M.
How many romance movies released in 1986 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Top Gun (1986) with $357.3M.
How is the 1986 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 1986. 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 1986 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.