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Sci-Fi box office · 1986

Sci-Fi Box Office 1986: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies

Aliens (1986) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1986, with $131.1M worldwide, ahead of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) at $109.7M and The Fly (1986) at $60.6M. 26 sci-fi films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $504.9M in all, 83% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 23% on 1985, whose releases took $654.3M. By language, English leads with $464.1M across 24 sci-fi releases.

1986 releases with a gross
26
combined worldwide
$504.9M
films crossed $100M
2
vs 1985
−23%
Aliens (1986) movie poster #1 of 26
#1 sci-fi movie of 1986

Aliens (1986)

1986 · Action, Sci-Fi

$131.1M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total

$85.2M US & Canada · 65% $45.9M elsewhere · 35%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1986?

Aliens (1986) leads with $131.1M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $381.2M, 75% of what all 26 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Aliens (1986) movie poster Number 1
    $131.1M Aliens (1986)
    $85.2M US & Canada · 65% $45.9M elsewhere · 35%
  2. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) movie poster Number 2
    $109.7M Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
    $109.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  3. The Fly (1986) movie poster Number 3
    $60.6M The Fly (1986)
    $40.5M US & Canada · 67% $20.2M elsewhere · 33%
  4. Short Circuit (1986) movie poster Number 4
    $40.7M Short Circuit (1986)
    $40.7M US & Canada · 100% $542 elsewhere · <1%
  5. Little Shop of Horrors (1986) movie poster Number 5
    $39.1M Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
    $39M US & Canada · 100% $32.3K elsewhere · <1%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Sci-Fi Release of 1986, 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 1986.

  1. 1 Aliens (1986) movie poster
    Aliens (1986) Jul 18, 1986 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller $131.1M worldwide
    Jul 18, 1986 US and Canada: $85.2M Rest of the world: $45.9M Worldwide: $131.1M
  2. 2 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) movie poster
    Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Nov 26, 1986 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy $109.7M worldwide
    Nov 26, 1986 US and Canada: $109.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $109.7M
  3. 3 The Fly (1986) movie poster
    The Fly (1986) Aug 15, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror $60.6M worldwide
    Aug 15, 1986 US and Canada: $40.5M Rest of the world: $20.2M Worldwide: $60.6M
  4. 4 Short Circuit (1986) movie poster
    Short Circuit (1986) May 9, 1986 · Sci-Fi, Comedy, Family $40.7M worldwide
    May 9, 1986 US and Canada: $40.7M Rest of the world: $542 Worldwide: $40.7M
  5. 5 Little Shop of Horrors (1986) movie poster
    Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Dec 19, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $39.1M worldwide
    Dec 19, 1986 US and Canada: $39M Rest of the world: $32.3K Worldwide: $39.1M
  6. 6 Howard the Duck (1986) movie poster
    Howard the Duck (1986) Aug 1, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $38M worldwide
    Aug 1, 1986 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: $21.7M Worldwide: $38M
  7. 7 Flight of the Navigator (1986) movie poster
    Flight of the Navigator (1986) Aug 1, 1986 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Family $18.6M worldwide
    Aug 1, 1986 US and Canada: $18.6M Rest of the world: $1.4K Worldwide: $18.6M
  8. 8 Critters (1986) movie poster
    Critters (1986) Apr 11, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $13.2M worldwide
    Apr 11, 1986 US and Canada: $13.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.2M
  9. 9 SpaceCamp (1986) movie poster
    SpaceCamp (1986) Jun 6, 1986 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Family $9.7M worldwide
    Jun 6, 1986 US and Canada: $9.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.7M
  10. 10 Deadly Friend (1986) movie poster
    Deadly Friend (1986) Oct 10, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller $9M worldwide
    Oct 10, 1986 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9M
  11. 11 Maximum Overdrive (1986) movie poster
    Maximum Overdrive (1986) Jul 25, 1986 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Horror $7.4M worldwide
    Jul 25, 1986 US and Canada: $7.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.4M
  12. 12 The Transformers: The Movie (1986) movie poster
    The Transformers: The Movie (1986) Aug 8, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $5.9M worldwide
    Aug 8, 1986 US and Canada: $5.8M Rest of the world: $12.9K Worldwide: $5.9M
  13. 13 Invaders from Mars (1986) movie poster
    Invaders from Mars (1986) Jun 6, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror $4.9M worldwide
    Jun 6, 1986 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.9M
  14. 14 Eliminators (1986) movie poster
    Eliminators (1986) Jan 31, 1986 · English · Action, Sci-Fi $4.6M worldwide
    Jan 31, 1986 US and Canada: $4.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6M
  15. 15 The Manhattan Project (1986) movie poster
    The Manhattan Project (1986) Jun 13, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Thriller $3.9M worldwide
    Jun 13, 1986 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.9M
  16. 16 The Wraith (1986) movie poster
    The Wraith (1986) Nov 21, 1986 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller $3.5M worldwide
    Nov 21, 1986 US and Canada: $3.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.5M
  17. 17 Solarbabies (1986) movie poster
    Solarbabies (1986) Nov 26, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $1.6M worldwide
    Nov 26, 1986 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M
  18. 18 GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) movie poster
    GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) Mar 21, 1986 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $1.3M worldwide
    Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M
  19. 19 From Beyond (1986) movie poster
    From Beyond (1986) Oct 24, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror $1.3M worldwide
    Oct 24, 1986 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.3M
  20. 20 Night of the Creeps (1986) movie poster
    Night of the Creeps (1986) Aug 22, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $591.8K worldwide
    Aug 22, 1986 US and Canada: $591.4K Rest of the world: $476 Worldwide: $591.8K
  21. 21 TerrorVision (1986) movie poster
    TerrorVision (1986) Feb 14, 1986 · English · Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi $320.3K worldwide
    Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $320.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $320.3K
  22. 22 Kin-dza-dza! (1986) movie poster
    Kin-dza-dza! (1986) Dec 1, 1986 · Russian · Comedy, Sci-Fi $23.9K worldwide
    Dec 1, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.9K
  23. 23 The Vindicator (1986) movie poster
    The Vindicator (1986) Feb 14, 1986 · English · Action, Horror, Sci-Fi $12K worldwide
    Feb 14, 1986 US and Canada: $12K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12K
  24. 24 When the Wind Blows (1986) movie poster
    When the Wind Blows (1986) Oct 24, 1986 · English · War, Sci-Fi, Animation $5.3K worldwide
    Oct 24, 1986 US and Canada: $5.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3K
  25. 25 Dead End Drive-In (1986) movie poster
    Dead End Drive-In (1986) Aug 13, 1986 · English · Action, Sci-Fi, Horror $1.3K worldwide
    Aug 13, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3K
  26. 26 Chopping Mall (1986) movie poster
    Chopping Mall (1986) Mar 21, 1986 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $807 worldwide
    Mar 21, 1986 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $807
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1986?

Of the top 10, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (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 26 films, $417.1M (83%) came from the US & Canada.

  1. 1 Aliens (1986) $131.1M
    $85.2M US & Canada · 65% $45.9M elsewhere · 35%
  2. 2 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) $109.7M
    $109.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  3. 3 The Fly (1986) $60.6M
    $40.5M US & Canada · 67% $20.2M elsewhere · 33%
  4. 4 Short Circuit (1986) $40.7M
    $40.7M US & Canada · 100% $542 elsewhere · <1%
  5. 5 Little Shop of Horrors (1986) $39.1M
    $39M US & Canada · 100% $32.3K elsewhere · <1%
  6. 6 Howard the Duck (1986) $38M
    $16.3M US & Canada · 43% $21.7M elsewhere · 57%
  7. 7 Flight of the Navigator (1986) $18.6M
    $18.6M US & Canada · 100% $1.4K elsewhere · <1%
  8. 8 Critters (1986) $13.2M
    $13.2M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  9. 9 SpaceCamp (1986) $9.7M
    $9.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  10. 10 Deadly Friend (1986) $9M
    $9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands

How Many 1986 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

2 of 26 films crossed $100M and took $240.8M between them, 48% of the total. 18 films, 69% of the list, earned under $10M.

  • $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, 8% of the list $240.8M · 48% of the gross
  • $10M to $100M 6 films, 23% of the list $210.1M · 42% of the gross
  • Under $10M 18 films, 69% of the list $54M · 11% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 1986 Earned the Most?

July releases took the most, $138.5M from 2 films, led by Aliens (1986). February was the quietest month ($332.3K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan Eliminators (1986) $4.6M Eliminators (1986)
  2. February Feb TerrorVision (1986) $332.3K TerrorVision (1986)
  3. March Mar GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986) $1.3M GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986)
  4. April Apr Critters (1986) $13.2M Critters (1986)
  5. May May Short Circuit (1986) $40.7M Short Circuit (1986)
  6. June Jun SpaceCamp (1986) $18.5M SpaceCamp (1986)
  7. July Jul Aliens (1986) $138.5M Aliens (1986)
  8. August Aug The Fly (1986) $123.6M The Fly (1986)
  9. September Sep No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  10. October Oct Deadly Friend (1986) $10.3M Deadly Friend (1986)
  11. November Nov Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) $114.8M Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
  12. December Dec Little Shop of Horrors (1986) $39.1M Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Last 10 years

How Does 1986 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). 1986 took $504.9M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1977 4 films 4 $1.1B – 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
1986 26 films · −23% 26 $504.9M −23% Aliens (1986) $131.1M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1986?

English-language sci-fi films took $464.1M across 24 films, 92% of the total, ahead of Russian-language sci-fi films ($23.9K).

1986 Sci-Fi Box Office by Language

  1. English $464.1M
    24 films · #1 Aliens (1986)
  2. Russian $23.9K
    1 film · #1 Kin-dza-dza! (1986)
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
2010s 10 years · $87.8B
2000s 10 years · $31B
1990s 10 years · $12.5B
1980s 10 years · $5.4B
1970s 10 years · $2B
1960s 8 years · $33.1M
1950s 9 years · $696.6K
1940s 1 year · $14.8K
1930s 3 years · $39.9K
FAQ

Sci-Fi 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 26 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1986?

Aliens (1986) leads with $131.1M worldwide, $85.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) at $109.7M and The Fly (1986) at $60.6M.

How much did sci-fi movies released in 1986 earn?

26 sci-fi films released in 1986 report a worldwide gross, $504.9M in all, or $19.4M per film on average. 1985 releases took $654.3M.

How many sci-fi movies released in 1986 made $1 billion?

None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Aliens (1986) with $131.1M.

How much of the 1986 Sci-Fi box office came from the US and Canada?

$417.1M of the $504.9M total, or 83%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 3 films of the 26 report no domestic figure.

How is the 1986 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 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 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.