#1 of 19 #1 sci-fi movie of 1988
1988 · Action, Sci-Fi
$32.2M worldwide · 23% of the chart's total
$25.2M US & Canada · 78% $6.9M elsewhere · 22%
Sci-Fi box office · 1988
Sci-Fi Box Office 1988: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Alien Nation (1988) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1988, with $32.2M worldwide, ahead of Cocoon: The Return (1988) at $25M and My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) at $13.9M. 19 sci-fi films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $139.1M in all, 91% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 61% on 1987, whose releases took $360.5M. By language, English leads with $138.9M across 16 sci-fi releases.
- 1988 releases with a gross
- 19
- combined worldwide
- $139.1M
- Alien Nation (1988), the #1
- $32.2M
- vs 1987
- −61%
#1 of 19 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1988?
Alien Nation (1988) leads with $32.2M, 23% of the total. The top 5 together took $96M, 69% of what all 19 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 1988, 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 1988.
- 1 Oct 7, 1988 US and Canada: $25.2M Rest of the world: $6.9M Worldwide: $32.2M
- 2 Nov 23, 1988 US and Canada: $18.9M Rest of the world: $6.1M Worldwide: $25M
- 3 Dec 9, 1988 US and Canada: $13.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.9M
- 4 Nov 4, 1988 US and Canada: $13.4M Rest of the world: $2.6K Worldwide: $13.5M
- 5 Dec 15, 1988 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $11.5M
- 6
Jan 15, 1988 US and Canada: $9.2M Rest of the world: $1.6K Worldwide: $9.2M - 7
Aug 5, 1988 US and Canada: $8.2M Rest of the world: $848 Worldwide: $8.2M - 8
Jul 8, 1988 US and Canada: $7.3M Rest of the world: $915 Worldwide: $7.3M - 9
Aug 12, 1988 US and Canada: $6.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.4M - 10
Jul 29, 1988 US and Canada: $5.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3M - 11
Apr 29, 1988 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.8M - 12
Sep 2, 1988 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $550 Worldwide: $1.1M - 13
Dec 2, 1988 US and Canada: $940.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $940.2K - 14
Aug 1, 1988 US and Canada: $397.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $397.9K - 15
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)Mar 12, 1988 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $150K
Mar 12, 1988 · Japanese · Action, Sci-Fi, Animation $150K worldwide - 16
May 20, 1988 US and Canada: $82.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $82.6K - 17
Mar 4, 1988 US and Canada: $40.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $40.4K - 18
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)May 27, 1988 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K
May 27, 1988 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $1.4K worldwide - 19
May 12, 1988 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $557
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1988?
Of the top 10, My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Cocoon: The Return (1988) made 24% of its gross abroad. Across all 19 films, $125.9M (91%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Alien Nation (1988) $32.2M $25.2M US & Canada · 78% $6.9M elsewhere · 22%
- 2 Cocoon: The Return (1988) $25M $18.9M US & Canada · 76% $6.1M elsewhere · 24%
- 3 My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) $13.9M $13.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 4 They Live (1988) $13.5M $13.4M US & Canada · 100% $2.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Young Einstein (1988) $11.5M $11.5M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 6 Return of the Living Dead II (1988) $9.2M $9.2M US & Canada · 100% $1.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 7 The Blob (1988) $8.2M $8.2M US & Canada · 100% $848 elsewhere · <1%
- 8 Phantasm II (1988) $7.3M $7.3M US & Canada · 100% $915 elsewhere · <1%
- 9 Mac and Me (1988) $6.4M $6.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Monkey Shines (1988) $5.3M $5.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1988 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 19 films reached $100M. 14 films, 74% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $139.1M total.
69% 31%
- $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 5 films, 26% of the list $96M · 69% of the gross
- Under $10M 14 films, 74% of the list $43.1M · 31% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1988 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $38.5M from 2 films, led by Cocoon: The Return (1988). May was the quietest month ($84.6K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Return of the Living Dead II (1988) $9.2M Return of the Living Dead II (1988)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988) $190.4K Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)
- April Apr Critters 2 (1988) $3.8M Critters 2 (1988)
- May May Hanussen (1988) $84.6K Hanussen (1988)
- June Jun No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- July Jul Phantasm II (1988) $12.6M Phantasm II (1988)
- August Aug The Blob (1988) $15.1M The Blob (1988)
- September Sep Miracle Mile (1988) $1.1M Miracle Mile (1988)
- October Oct Alien Nation (1988) $32.2M Alien Nation (1988)
- November Nov Cocoon: The Return (1988) $38.5M Cocoon: The Return (1988)
- December Dec My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) $26.3M My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)
Last 10 years
How Does 1988 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1983 earned the most: $781.3M from 17 films, led by Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). 1988 took $139.1M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 12 films | 12 | $500.5M | – | 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 |
| 1987 27 films · −29% | 27 | $360.5M | −29% | Predator (1987) $98.3M |
| 1988 19 films · −61% | 19 | $139.1M | −61% | Alien Nation (1988) $32.2M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1988?
English-language sci-fi films took $138.9M across 16 films, 100% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language sci-fi films ($150K) and Hungarian-language sci-fi films ($82.6K).
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 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 19 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1988?
Alien Nation (1988) leads with $32.2M worldwide, $25.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Cocoon: The Return (1988) at $25M and My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) at $13.9M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1988 earn?
19 sci-fi films released in 1988 report a worldwide gross, $139.1M in all, or $7.3M per film on average. 1987 releases took $360.5M.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1988 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Alien Nation (1988), earned $32.2M.
How is the 1988 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 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 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.