#1 of 26 #1 sci-fi movie of 1985
1985 · Adventure, Sci-Fi
$385.1M worldwide · 59% of the chart's total
$214.6M US & Canada · 56% $170.5M elsewhere · 44%
Sci-Fi box office · 1985
Sci-Fi Box Office 1985: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Back to the Future (1985) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1985, with $385.1M worldwide, ahead of Cocoon (1985) at $85.3M and Weird Science (1985) at $38.9M. 26 sci-fi films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $654.3M in all, 69% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 6% on 1984, whose releases took $693.3M. By language, English leads with $545.9M across 22 sci-fi releases.
- 1985 releases with a gross
- 26
- combined worldwide
- $654.3M
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1984
- −6%
#1 of 26 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1985?
Back to the Future (1985) leads with $385.1M, 59% of the total. The top 5 together took $538.5M, 82% of what all 26 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 1985, 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 1985.
- 1 Jul 3, 1985 US and Canada: $214.6M Rest of the world: $170.5M Worldwide: $385.1M
- 2 Jun 21, 1985 US and Canada: $76.1M Rest of the world: $9.2M Worldwide: $85.3M
- 3 Aug 1, 1985 US and Canada: $23.8M Rest of the world: $15.1M Worldwide: $38.9M
- 4 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)Mar 22, 1985 US and Canada: $15M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15M
Mar 22, 1985 · English · Family, Adventure, Action $15M worldwide - 5 The Return of the Living Dead (1985)Aug 16, 1985 US and Canada: $14.2M Rest of the world: $3.4K Worldwide: $14.2M Aug 16, 1985 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $14.2M worldwide
- 6
Aug 7, 1985 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13M - 7
Dec 20, 1985 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.3M - 8
Jun 21, 1985 US and Canada: $11.6M Rest of the world: $1.6K Worldwide: $11.6M - 9
Dec 18, 1985 US and Canada: $9.9M Rest of the world: $23.5K Worldwide: $10M - 10
Jul 12, 1985 US and Canada: $9.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.9M - 11
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1985)Jun 13, 1985 US and Canada: $495.8K Rest of the world: $8.5M Worldwide: $9M
Jun 13, 1985 · Japanese · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy $9M worldwide - 12
Mar 22, 1985 US and Canada: $8.4M Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $8.4M - 13
Jun 14, 1985 US and Canada: $7.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.8M - 14
Sep 20, 1985 US and Canada: $5.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3M - 15
Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer (1985)Nov 15, 1985 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.9M Nov 15, 1985 · English · Animation, Adventure, Fantasy $4.9M worldwide - 16
Aug 9, 1985 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.1M - 17
Aug 23, 1985 US and Canada: $4.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.1M - 18
Aug 16, 1985 US and Canada: $3.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.6M - 19
Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985)May 11, 1985 US and Canada: $3.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.4M May 11, 1985 · English · Sci-Fi, Animation, Adventure $3.4M worldwide - 20
May 11, 1985 US and Canada: $2.1M Rest of the world: $427 Worldwide: $2.1M - 21
Oct 18, 1985 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: $1.6K Worldwide: $2M - 22
Aug 23, 1985 US and Canada: $1.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.9M - 23
Mar 15, 1985 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 24
The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985)Mar 1, 1985 US and Canada: $849.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $849.9K Mar 1, 1985 · English · Family, Adventure, Animation $849.9K worldwide - 25
Sep 20, 1985 US and Canada: $441.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $441.1K - 26
Aug 15, 1985 US and Canada: $7.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.7K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1985?
Of the top 10, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Back to the Future (1985) made 44% of its gross abroad. Across all 26 films, $451M (69%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Back to the Future (1985) $385.1M $214.6M US & Canada · 56% $170.5M elsewhere · 44%
- 2 Cocoon (1985) $85.3M $76.1M US & Canada · 89% $9.2M elsewhere · 11%
- 3 Weird Science (1985) $38.9M $23.8M US & Canada · 61% $15.1M elsewhere · 39%
- 4 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985) $15M $15M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 The Return of the Living Dead (1985) $14.2M $14.2M US & Canada · 100% $3.4K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Real Genius (1985) $13M $13M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Enemy Mine (1985) $12.3M $12.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Lifeforce (1985) $11.6M $11.6M US & Canada · 100% $1.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 9 Brazil (1985) $10M $9.9M US & Canada · 100% $23.5K elsewhere · <1%
- 10 Explorers (1985) $9.9M $9.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1985 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 26 films crossed $100M and took $385.1M between them, 59% of the total. 18 films, 69% of the list, earned under $10M.
59% 29% 12%
- $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, 4% of the list $385.1M · 59% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 7 films, 27% of the list $190.3M · 29% of the gross
- Under $10M 18 films, 69% of the list $78.9M · 12% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1985 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $394.9M from 2 films, led by Back to the Future (1985). October was the quietest month ($2M). 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 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985) $25.3M Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)
- April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- May May Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985) $5.5M Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985)
- June Jun Cocoon (1985) $113.8M Cocoon (1985)
- July Jul Back to the Future (1985) $394.9M Back to the Future (1985)
- August Aug Weird Science (1985) $79.9M Weird Science (1985)
- September Sep Creator (1985) $5.8M Creator (1985)
- October Oct Re-Animator (1985) $2M Re-Animator (1985)
- November Nov Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer (1985) $4.9M Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer (1985)
- December Dec Enemy Mine (1985) $22.3M Enemy Mine (1985)
Last 10 years
How Does 1985 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). 1985 took $654.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 3 films | 3 | $4.1M | – | 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 |
| 1985 26 films · −6% | 26 | $654.3M | −6% | Back to the Future (1985) $385.1M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1985?
English-language sci-fi films took $545.9M across 22 films, 83% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language sci-fi films ($13.1M).
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 1985: 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 26 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1985?
Back to the Future (1985) leads with $385.1M worldwide, $214.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Cocoon (1985) at $85.3M and Weird Science (1985) at $38.9M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1985 earn?
26 sci-fi films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $654.3M in all, or $25.2M per film on average. 1984 releases took $693.3M.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1985 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Back to the Future (1985) with $385.1M.
How is the 1985 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 1985. 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 1985 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.