#1 of 70 #1 romance movie of 1988
1988 · Drama, Comedy
$288.8M worldwide · 21% of the chart's total
$128.2M US & Canada · 44% $160.6M elsewhere · 56%
Romance box office · 1988
Romance Box Office 1988: Highest-Grossing Romance Movies
Coming to America (1988) is the highest-grossing romance movie released in 1988, with $288.8M worldwide, ahead of Cocktail (1988) at $171.5M and Big (1988) at $151.9M. 70 romance films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $1.4B in all, 76% of it from the US & Canada. 4 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 48% on 1987, whose releases took $933.1M. By language, English leads with $990M across 56 romance releases.
- 1988 releases with a gross
- 70
- combined worldwide
- $1.4B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs 1987
- +48%
#1 of 70 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Romance Hits of 1988?
Coming to America (1988) leads with $288.8M, 21% of the total. The top 5 together took $793.9M, 58% of what all 70 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 $78.8M The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)$78.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Romance Release of 1988, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 70. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1988.
- 1 Jun 29, 1988 US and Canada: $128.2M Rest of the world: $160.6M Worldwide: $288.8M
- 2 Jul 29, 1988 US and Canada: $78.2M Rest of the world: $93.3M Worldwide: $171.5M
- 3 Jun 3, 1988 US and Canada: $115.2M Rest of the world: $36.7M Worldwide: $151.9M
- 4 Dec 23, 1988 US and Canada: $63.8M Rest of the world: $39.2M Worldwide: $103M
- 5 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)Dec 2, 1988 US and Canada: $78.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $78.8M
Dec 2, 1988 · English · Action, Comedy, Romance $78.8M worldwide - 6
May 20, 1988 US and Canada: $57.3M Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $57.3M - 7
Jun 15, 1988 US and Canada: $50.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $50.9M - 8
Dec 2, 1988 US and Canada: $41.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.3M - 9
Dec 16, 1988 US and Canada: $34.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $34.7M - 10
Dec 23, 1988 US and Canada: $32.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $32.6M - 11
Nov 23, 1988 US and Canada: $18.9M Rest of the world: $6.1M Worldwide: $25M - 12
Aug 19, 1988 US and Canada: $21.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.5M - 13
Oct 7, 1988 US and Canada: $21M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21M - 14
Jan 15, 1988 US and Canada: $17.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.5M - 15
Aug 17, 1988 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M - 16
Feb 5, 1988 US and Canada: $16M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16M - 17
Mar 11, 1988 US and Canada: $15.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.9M - 18
Jul 22, 1988 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 19
Jul 8, 1988 US and Canada: $14.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.7M - 20
Sep 29, 1988 US and Canada: $12.4M Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $13.5M - 21
Oct 14, 1988 US and Canada: $12.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.8M - 22
Nov 4, 1988 US and Canada: $12.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.6M - 23
Apr 22, 1988 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.3M - 24
Sep 9, 1988 US and Canada: $11.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.4M - 25
Feb 19, 1988 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10M - 26
Feb 5, 1988 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10M - 27
Sep 15, 1988 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10M - 28
Jul 9, 1988 US and Canada: $8.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.9M - 29
Feb 12, 1988 US and Canada: $8.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.3M - 30
Sep 23, 1988 US and Canada: $8M Rest of the world: $688 Worldwide: $8M - 31
Mar 25, 1988 US and Canada: $7.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7M - 32
Aug 26, 1988 US and Canada: $7.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.5M - 33
Feb 26, 1988 US and Canada: $6.7M Rest of the world: $8.5K Worldwide: $6.7M - 34
Nov 18, 1988 US and Canada: $6.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.6M - 35
Jul 26, 1988 US and Canada: $6.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.3M - 36
Aug 18, 1988 US and Canada: $6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6M - 37
Aug 26, 1988 US and Canada: $5.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3M - 38
Oct 25, 1988 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: $4.9K Worldwide: $4.9M - 39
Nov 4, 1988 US and Canada: $4.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.8M - 40
Sep 23, 1988 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M - 41
May 6, 1988 US and Canada: $3.3M Rest of the world: $184.6K Worldwide: $3.5M - 42
Dec 7, 1988 US and Canada: $3.3M Rest of the world: $595 Worldwide: $3.3M - 43
Sep 9, 1988 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: $12.8K Worldwide: $2.8M - 44
Sep 23, 1988 US and Canada: $2.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.4M - 45
Apr 15, 1988 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 46
Aug 5, 1988 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 47
May 14, 1988 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 48
Apr 29, 1988 US and Canada: $1.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.5M - 49
Oct 1, 1988 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M - 50
Sep 2, 1988 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $550 Worldwide: $1.1M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1988?
Of the top 10, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Coming to America (1988) made 56% of its gross abroad. Across all 70 films, $1B (76%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Coming to America (1988) $288.8M $128.2M US & Canada · 44% $160.6M elsewhere · 56%
- 2 Cocktail (1988) $171.5M $78.2M US & Canada · 46% $93.3M elsewhere · 54%
- 3 Big (1988) $151.9M $115.2M US & Canada · 76% $36.7M elsewhere · 24%
- 4 Working Girl (1988) $103M $63.8M US & Canada · 62% $39.2M elsewhere · 38%
- 5 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) $78.8M $78.8M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 6 Willow (1988) $57.3M $57.3M US & Canada · 100% $2.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 Bull Durham (1988) $50.9M $50.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Tequila Sunrise (1988) $41.3M $41.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Dangerous Liaisons (1988) $34.7M $34.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 The Accidental Tourist (1988) $32.6M $32.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1988 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 70 films crossed $100M and took $715.1M between them, 52% of the total. 44 films, 63% of the list, earned under $10M.
52% 39% 9%
- $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 4 films, 6% of the list $715.1M · 52% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 22 films, 31% of the list $541.2M · 39% of the gross
- Under $10M 44 films, 63% of the list $123.3M · 9% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1988 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $491.6M from 4 films, led by Coming to America (1988). April was the quietest month ($16.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan For Keeps? (1988) $18.1M For Keeps? (1988)
- February Feb She's Having a Baby (1988) $51.1M She's Having a Baby (1988)
- March Mar Masquerade (1988) $24.3M Masquerade (1988)
- April Apr Casual Sex? (1988) $16.3M Casual Sex? (1988)
- May May Willow (1988) $62.8M Willow (1988)
- June Jun Coming to America (1988) $491.6M Coming to America (1988)
- July Jul Cocktail (1988) $216.8M Cocktail (1988)
- August Aug Married to the Mob (1988) $58.8M Married to the Mob (1988)
- September Sep Cinema Paradiso (1988) $54.8M Cinema Paradiso (1988)
- October Oct Punchline (1988) $40.1M Punchline (1988)
- November Nov Cocoon: The Return (1988) $49.5M Cocoon: The Return (1988)
- December Dec Working Girl (1988) $295.5M Working Girl (1988)
Last 10 years
How Does 1988 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1988 earned the most: $1.4B from 70 films, led by Coming to America (1988).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 20 films | 20 | $342.1M | – | 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 |
| 1987 58 films · −21% | 58 | $933.1M | −21% | Dirty Dancing (1987) $214.6M |
| 1988 70 films · +48% | 70 | $1.4B | +48% | Coming to America (1988) $288.8M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Romance Movies Speak in 1988?
English-language romance films took $990M across 56 films, 72% of the total, ahead of Italian-language romance films ($13.5M) and French-language romance films ($4.4M).
1988 Romance Box Office by Language
- English $990M56 films · #1 Coming to America (1988)
-
Italian $13.5M1 film · #1 Cinema Paradiso (1988) -
French $4.4M2 films · #1 Camille Claudel (1988) -
German $3.5M1 film · #1 Wings of Desire (1988) -
Russian $1.3M1 film · #1 Little Vera (1988) -
Cantonese $691.2K4 films · #1 The Romancing Star II (1988) -
Chinese $108.4K1 film · #1 Red Sorghum (1988)
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 1988: 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 70 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing romance movie in 1988?
Coming to America (1988) leads with $288.8M worldwide, $128.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Cocktail (1988) at $171.5M and Big (1988) at $151.9M.
How much did romance movies released in 1988 earn?
70 romance films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $1.4B in all, or $19.7M per film on average. 1987 releases took $933.1M.
How many romance movies released in 1988 made $1 billion?
None. 4 films crossed $100 million, led by Coming to America (1988) with $288.8M.
How is the 1988 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 1988. 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 1988 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.