#1 of 22 #1 sci-fi movie of 1984
1984 · Sci-Fi, Fantasy
$296.6M worldwide · 43% of the chart's total
$243.6M US & Canada · 82% $53M elsewhere · 18%
Sci-Fi box office · 1984
Sci-Fi Box Office 1984: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Ghostbusters (1984) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1984, with $296.6M worldwide, ahead of The Terminator (1984) at $78.4M and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) at $76.6M. 22 sci-fi films released in 1984 report a worldwide gross, $693.3M in all, 87% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 11% on 1983, whose releases took $781.3M. By language, English leads with $657.6M across 19 sci-fi releases.
- 1984 releases with a gross
- 22
- combined worldwide
- $693.3M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1983
- −11%
#1 of 22 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1984?
Ghostbusters (1984) leads with $296.6M, 43% of the total. The top 5 together took $523.5M, 76% of what all 22 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 Sci-Fi Release of 1984, 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 1984.
- 1 Jun 8, 1984 US and Canada: $243.6M Rest of the world: $53M Worldwide: $296.6M
- 2 Oct 26, 1984 US and Canada: $38.4M Rest of the world: $40M Worldwide: $78.4M
- 3 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)Jun 1, 1984 US and Canada: $76.5M Rest of the world: $80.9K Worldwide: $76.6M
Jun 1, 1984 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $76.6M worldwide - 4 Dec 6, 1984 US and Canada: $40.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $40.4M
- 5 Dec 14, 1984 US and Canada: $31.4M Rest of the world: $62.9K Worldwide: $31.5M
- 6
Dec 14, 1984 US and Canada: $28.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $28.7M - 7
Jul 13, 1984 US and Canada: $28.7M Rest of the world: $2.9K Worldwide: $28.7M - 8
May 11, 1984 US and Canada: $17.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.1M - 9
Nov 16, 1984 US and Canada: $14.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.4M - 10
Nov 21, 1984 US and Canada: $14.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.3M - 11
Mar 16, 1984 US and Canada: $14.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.3M - 12
Aug 17, 1984 US and Canada: $12.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.1M - 13
Aug 3, 1984 US and Canada: $8.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.1M - 14
Apr 13, 1984 US and Canada: $7.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.3M - 15
Dec 14, 1984 US and Canada: $6.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.8M - 16
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)Aug 10, 1984 US and Canada: $6.3M Rest of the world: $714 Worldwide: $6.3M Aug 10, 1984 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy $6.3M worldwide - 17
Aug 31, 1984 US and Canada: $4.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7M - 18
Sep 14, 1984 US and Canada: $3.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.7M - 19
Sep 28, 1984 US and Canada: $2.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.8M - 20
Apr 18, 1984 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $258.4K - 21
Oct 29, 1984 US and Canada: $220K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $220K - 22
Mar 2, 1984 US and Canada: $129K Rest of the world: $1.7K Worldwide: $130.7K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1984?
Of the top 10, 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while The Terminator (1984) made 51% of its gross abroad. Across all 22 films, $599.9M (87%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Ghostbusters (1984) $296.6M $243.6M US & Canada · 82% $53M elsewhere · 18%
- 2 The Terminator (1984) $78.4M $38.4M US & Canada · 49% $40M elsewhere · 51%
- 3 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) $76.6M $76.5M US & Canada · 100% $80.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 4 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) $40.4M $40.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Dune (1984) $31.5M $31.4M US & Canada · 100% $62.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Starman (1984) $28.7M $28.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 The Last Starfighter (1984) $28.7M $28.7M US & Canada · 100% $2.9K elsewhere · <1%
- 8 Firestarter (1984) $17.1M $17.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Night of the Comet (1984) $14.4M $14.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Supergirl (1984) $14.3M $14.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1984 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 22 films crossed $100M and took $296.6M between them, 43% of the total. 10 films, 45% of the list, earned under $10M.
43% 51%
- $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, 5% of the list $296.6M · 43% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 11 films, 50% of the list $356.5M · 51% of the gross
- Under $10M 10 films, 45% of the list $40.2M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1984 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $373.2M from 2 films, led by Ghostbusters (1984). September was the quietest month ($6.5M). 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 Ice Pirates (1984) $14.4M The Ice Pirates (1984)
- April Apr Iceman (1984) $7.6M Iceman (1984)
- May May Firestarter (1984) $17.1M Firestarter (1984)
- June Jun Ghostbusters (1984) $373.2M Ghostbusters (1984)
- July Jul The Last Starfighter (1984) $28.7M The Last Starfighter (1984)
- August Aug Dreamscape (1984) $31.2M Dreamscape (1984)
- September Sep The Brother from Another Planet (1984) $6.5M The Brother from Another Planet (1984)
- October Oct The Terminator (1984) $78.6M The Terminator (1984)
- November Nov Night of the Comet (1984) $28.7M Night of the Comet (1984)
- December Dec 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) $107.4M 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
Last 10 years
How Does 1984 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1977 earned the most: $1.1B from 4 films, led by Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). 1984 took $693.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 3 films | 3 | $3.9M | – | Bug (1975) $3.6M |
| 1976 3 films · +5% | 3 | $4.1M | +5% | Robot Taekwon V (1976) $3.9M |
| 1977 4 films · +26431% | 4 | $1.1B | +26431% | Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) $775.4M |
| 1978 5 films · −68% | 5 | $341.8M | −68% | Superman (1978) $300.5M |
| 1979 12 films · +46% | 12 | $500.5M | +46% | Moonraker (1979) $210.3M |
| 1980 9 films · +29% | 9 | $645.6M | +29% | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $550M |
| 1981 8 films · −44% | 8 | $362.6M | −44% | Superman II (1981) $216.4M |
| 1982 16 films · −35% | 16 | $234.5M | −35% | Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) $79.8M |
| 1983 17 films · +233% | 17 | $781.3M | +233% | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $482.5M |
| 1984 22 films · −11% | 22 | $693.3M | −11% | Ghostbusters (1984) $296.6M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1984?
English-language sci-fi films took $657.6M across 19 films, 95% of the total, ahead of French-language sci-fi films ($258.4K).
Archive
Sci-Fi Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1933 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2018 leads with $15.1B, led by Avengers: Infinity War (2018).
2020s 7 years · $37.1B
- 2026 so far $5.9B #1 Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
- 2025 $4.9B #1 Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)
- 2024 $6.9B #1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- 2023 $4.7B #1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- 2022 $7.5B #1 Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
- 2021 $6.2B #1 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- 2020 $912.4M #1 Tenet (2020)
2010s 10 years · $87.8B
- 2019 $10.3B #1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 2018 $15.1B #1 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 2017 $11.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
- 2016 $8.4B #1 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2015 $10.2B #1 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
- 2014 $9.7B #1 Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
- 2013 $8.6B #1 Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2012 $5.6B #1 The Avengers (2012)
- 2011 $4.8B #1 Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
- 2010 $3.9B #1 Inception (2010)
2000s 10 years · $31B
- 2009 $7.9B #1 Avatar (2009)
- 2008 $3.2B #1 Iron Man (2008)
- 2007 $2.5B #1 Transformers (2007)
- 2006 $1.6B #1 X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- 2005 $3.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 2004 $2.5B #1 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- 2003 $3.4B #1 The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
- 2002 $3B #1 Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
- 2001 $2.3B #1 The Mummy Returns (2001)
- 2000 $1.3B #1 X-Men (2000)
1990s 10 years · $12.5B
- 1999 $2.3B #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 1998 $1.9B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $2.7B #1 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
- 1996 $1.5B #1 Independence Day (1996)
- 1995 $918.9M #1 Waterworld (1995)
- 1994 $555.9M #1 Stargate (1994)
- 1993 $199.7M #1 Demolition Man (1993)
- 1992 $456.9M #1 Alien 3 (1992)
- 1991 $819.7M #1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- 1990 $995.3M #1 Total Recall (1990)
1980s 10 years · $5.4B
- 1989 $1B #1 Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- 1988 $139.1M #1 Alien Nation (1988)
- 1987 $360.5M #1 Predator (1987)
- 1986 $504.9M #1 Aliens (1986)
- 1985 $654.3M #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $693.3M #1 Ghostbusters (1984)
- 1983 $781.3M #1 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 1982 $234.5M #1 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
- 1981 $362.6M #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $645.6M #1 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1970s 10 years · $2B
- 1979 $500.5M #1 Moonraker (1979)
- 1978 $341.8M #1 Superman (1978)
- 1977 $1.1B #1 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 1976 $4.1M #1 Robot Taekwon V (1976)
- 1975 $3.9M #1 Bug (1975)
- 1974 $560.7K #1 The Terminal Man (1974)
- 1973 $27.2M #1 Sleeper (1973)
- 1972 $9.3M #1 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- 1971 $42.1M #1 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- 1970 $19M #1 Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
1960s 8 years · $33.1M
- 1969 $171 #1 Night of the Bloody Apes (1969)
- 1968 $32.6M #1 Planet of the Apes (1968)
- 1967 $240.1K #1 Night of the Big Heat (1967)
- 1966 $36.5K #1 The Face of Another (1966)
- 1965 $180.7K #1 Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965)
- 1964 $492 #1 Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
- 1961 $90 #1 Mothra (1961)
- 1960 $5.9K #1 The Time Machine (1960)
1950s 9 years · $696.6K
- 1959 $12.1K #1 On the Beach (1959)
- 1958 $16.3K #1 Hare-Way to the Stars (1958)
- 1957 $30K #1 The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
- 1956 $3.7K #1 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
- 1955 $291 #1 Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
- 1954 $594.6K #1 Godzilla (1954)
- 1953 $15K #1 Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century (1953)
- 1952 $15K #1 Water, Water Every Hare (1952)
- 1951 $9.6K #1 The Man in the White Suit (1951)
1940s 1 year · $14.8K
FAQ
Sci-Fi Box Office 1984: 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 22 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1984?
Ghostbusters (1984) leads with $296.6M worldwide, $243.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Terminator (1984) at $78.4M and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) at $76.6M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1984 earn?
22 sci-fi films released in 1984 report a worldwide gross, $693.3M in all, or $31.5M per film on average. 1983 releases took $781.3M.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1984 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Ghostbusters (1984) with $296.6M.
How is the 1984 sci-fi 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 1984. 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 1984 sci-fi 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.