#1 of 21 #1 sci-fi movie of 1990
1990 · Action, Adventure
$261.3M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total
$119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
Sci-Fi box office · 1990
Sci-Fi Box Office 1990: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Total Recall (1990) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1990, with $261.3M worldwide, ahead of Back to the Future Part III (1990) at $245.1M and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) at $202.1M. 21 sci-fi films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $995.3M in all, 59% of it from the US & Canada. 3 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 5% on 1989, whose releases took $1B. By language, English leads with $977M across 17 sci-fi releases.
- 1990 releases with a gross
- 21
- combined worldwide
- $995.3M
- films crossed $100M
- 3
- vs 1989
- −5%
#1 of 21 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1990?
Total Recall (1990) leads with $261.3M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $827.1M, 83% of what all 21 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 1990, 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 1990.
- 1 Jun 1, 1990 US and Canada: $119.4M Rest of the world: $141.9M Worldwide: $261.3M
- 2 Back to the Future Part III (1990)May 25, 1990 US and Canada: $88.3M Rest of the world: $156.8M Worldwide: $245.1M
May 25, 1990 · English · Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy $245.1M worldwide - 3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)Mar 30, 1990 US and Canada: $135.4M Rest of the world: $66.7M Worldwide: $202.1M Mar 30, 1990 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $202.1M worldwide
- 4 Aug 10, 1990 US and Canada: $61.5M Rest of the world: $373 Worldwide: $61.5M
- 5 Nov 21, 1990 US and Canada: $30.7M Rest of the world: $26.5M Worldwide: $57.1M
- 6
Aug 24, 1990 US and Canada: $33.9M Rest of the world: $15M Worldwide: $48.9M - 7
Jun 22, 1990 US and Canada: $45.7M Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $45.7M - 8
Jul 6, 1990 US and Canada: $20.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.3M - 9
Jan 19, 1990 US and Canada: $16.7M Rest of the world: $4.1K Worldwide: $16.7M - 10
Apr 27, 1990 US and Canada: $15.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.4M - 11
Sep 14, 1990 US and Canada: $5.7M Rest of the world: $782 Worldwide: $5.7M - 12
Mar 9, 1990 US and Canada: $5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5M - 13
Jan 26, 1990 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 14
May 11, 1990 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2.5M - 15
Jan 19, 1990 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 16
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)Mar 10, 1990 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1M
Mar 10, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $1M worldwide - 17
Nov 2, 1990 US and Canada: $334.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $334.7K - 18
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990)Oct 17, 1990 US and Canada: $270.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $270.4K Oct 17, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $270.4K worldwide - 19
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990)Oct 17, 1990 US and Canada: $270.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $270.4K Oct 17, 1990 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Animation, Action $270.4K worldwide - 20
Jun 1, 1990 US and Canada: $205.1K Rest of the world: $3.4K Worldwide: $208.5K - 21
Oct 12, 1990 US and Canada: $52.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $52.3K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1990?
Of the top 10, Jetsons: The Movie (1990) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Back to the Future Part III (1990) made 64% of its gross abroad. Across all 21 films, $587.4M (59%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Total Recall (1990) $261.3M $119.4M US & Canada · 46% $141.9M elsewhere · 54%
- 2 Back to the Future Part III (1990) $245.1M $88.3M US & Canada · 36% $156.8M elsewhere · 64%
- 3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $202.1M $135.4M US & Canada · 67% $66.7M elsewhere · 33%
- 4 Flatliners (1990) $61.5M $61.5M US & Canada · 100% $373 elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Predator 2 (1990) $57.1M $30.7M US & Canada · 54% $26.5M elsewhere · 46%
- 6 Darkman (1990) $48.9M $33.9M US & Canada · 69% $15M elsewhere · 31%
- 7 RoboCop 2 (1990) $45.7M $45.7M US & Canada · 100% $1.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 8 Jetsons: The Movie (1990) $20.3M $20.3M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 9 Tremors (1990) $16.7M $16.7M US & Canada · 100% $4.1K elsewhere · <1%
- 10 Spaced Invaders (1990) $15.4M $15.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1990 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
3 of 21 films crossed $100M and took $708.5M between them, 71% of the total. 11 films, 52% of the list, earned under $10M.
71% 27%
- $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 3 films, 14% of the list $708.5M · 71% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 7 films, 33% of the list $265.5M · 27% of the gross
- Under $10M 11 films, 52% of the list $21.3M · 2% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1990 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $307.2M from 3 films, led by Total Recall (1990). October was the quietest month ($593K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Tremors (1990) $22.6M Tremors (1990)
- February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- March Mar Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) $208.1M Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- April Apr Spaced Invaders (1990) $15.4M Spaced Invaders (1990)
- May May Back to the Future Part III (1990) $247.5M Back to the Future Part III (1990)
- June Jun Total Recall (1990) $307.2M Total Recall (1990)
- July Jul Jetsons: The Movie (1990) $20.3M Jetsons: The Movie (1990)
- August Aug Flatliners (1990) $110.4M Flatliners (1990)
- September Sep Hardware (1990) $5.7M Hardware (1990)
- October Oct Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990) $593K Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku (1990)
- November Nov Predator 2 (1990) $57.5M Predator 2 (1990)
- December Dec No reported grosses – No reported grosses
Last 10 years
How Does 1990 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1989 earned the most: $1B from 24 films, led by Back to the Future Part II (1989). 1990 took $995.3M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 8 films | 8 | $362.6M | – | 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 |
| 1989 24 films · +650% | 24 | $1B | +650% | Back to the Future Part II (1989) $332.9M |
| 1990 21 films · −5% | 21 | $995.3M | −5% | Total Recall (1990) $261.3M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1990?
English-language sci-fi films took $977M across 17 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language sci-fi films ($1.6M).
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 1990: 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 21 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1990?
Total Recall (1990) leads with $261.3M worldwide, $119.4M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Back to the Future Part III (1990) at $245.1M and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) at $202.1M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1990 earn?
21 sci-fi films released in 1990 report a worldwide gross, $995.3M in all, or $47.4M per film on average. 1989 releases took $1B.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1990 made $1 billion?
None. 3 films crossed $100 million, led by Total Recall (1990) with $261.3M.
How is the 1990 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 1990. 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 1990 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.