#1 of 20 #1 sci-fi movie of 1998
1998 · Action, Adventure
$553.7M worldwide · 28% of the chart's total
$201.6M US & Canada · 36% $352.1M elsewhere · 64%
Sci-Fi box office · 1998
Sci-Fi Box Office 1998: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Armageddon (1998) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1998, with $553.7M worldwide, ahead of Godzilla (1998) at $379M and Deep Impact (1998) at $349.5M. 20 sci-fi films released in 1998 report a worldwide gross, $1.9B in all, 47% of it from the US & Canada. 6 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 29% on 1997, whose releases took $2.7B. By language, English leads with $1.4B across 15 sci-fi releases.
- 1998 releases with a gross
- 20
- combined worldwide
- $1.9B
- films crossed $100M
- 6
- vs 1997
- −29%
#1 of 20 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1998?
Armageddon (1998) leads with $553.7M, 28% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.6B, 83% of what all 20 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 1998, 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 1998.
- 1 Jul 1, 1998 US and Canada: $201.6M Rest of the world: $352.1M Worldwide: $553.7M
- 2 May 19, 1998 US and Canada: $136.3M Rest of the world: $242.7M Worldwide: $379M
- 3 May 8, 1998 US and Canada: $140.5M Rest of the world: $209M Worldwide: $349.5M
- 4 Jun 19, 1998 US and Canada: $83.9M Rest of the world: $105.3M Worldwide: $189.2M
- 5 Apr 3, 1998 US and Canada: $69.1M Rest of the world: $67M Worldwide: $136.2M
- 6
Dec 11, 1998 US and Canada: $70.2M Rest of the world: $42.4M Worldwide: $112.6M - 7
Jul 10, 1998 US and Canada: $54.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $54.7M - 8
Dec 25, 1998 US and Canada: $40.3M Rest of the world: $465 Worldwide: $40.3M - 9
Feb 13, 1998 US and Canada: $37M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $37M - 10
Feb 20, 1998 US and Canada: $14.4M Rest of the world: $12.8M Worldwide: $27.2M - 11
Apr 10, 1998 US and Canada: $19.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.2M - 12
Jul 24, 1998 US and Canada: $17.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $17.5M - 13
Oct 23, 1998 US and Canada: $14.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.6M - 14
Jan 30, 1998 US and Canada: $11.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.2M - 15
Jul 10, 1998 US and Canada: $3.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.2M - 16
Oct 23, 1998 US and Canada: $602.3K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $602.3K - 17
Sep 11, 1998 US and Canada: $501.8K Rest of the world: $63.9K Worldwide: $565.7K - 18
Sep 18, 1998 US and Canada: $146.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $146.1K - 19
Sep 5, 1998 US and Canada: $25.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $25.8K - 20
May 16, 1998 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1998?
Of the top 10, Small Soldiers (1998) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Godzilla (1998) made 64% of its gross abroad. Across all 20 films, $915M (47%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Armageddon (1998) $553.7M $201.6M US & Canada · 36% $352.1M elsewhere · 64%
- 2 Godzilla (1998) $379M $136.3M US & Canada · 36% $242.7M elsewhere · 64%
- 3 Deep Impact (1998) $349.5M $140.5M US & Canada · 40% $209M elsewhere · 60%
- 4 The X Files (1998) $189.2M $83.9M US & Canada · 44% $105.3M elsewhere · 56%
- 5 Lost in Space (1998) $136.2M $69.1M US & Canada · 51% $67M elsewhere · 49%
- 6 Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) $112.6M $70.2M US & Canada · 62% $42.4M elsewhere · 38%
- 7 Small Soldiers (1998) $54.7M $54.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 The Faculty (1998) $40.3M $40.3M US & Canada · 100% $465 elsewhere · <1%
- 9 Sphere (1998) $37M $37M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Dark City (1998) $27.2M $14.4M US & Canada · 53% $12.8M elsewhere · 47%
Gross bands
How Many 1998 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
6 of 20 films crossed $100M and took $1.7B between them, 88% of the total. 6 films, 30% of the list, earned under $10M.
28% 60% 11%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 1 film, 5% of the list $553.7M · 28% of the gross
- $100M to $500M 5 films, 25% of the list $1.2B · 60% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 8 films, 40% of the list $221.7M · 11% of the gross
- Under $10M 6 films, 30% of the list $4.6M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1998 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $728.5M from 3 films, led by Godzilla (1998). September was the quietest month ($737.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Deep Rising (1998) $11.2M Deep Rising (1998)
- February Feb Sphere (1998) $64.2M Sphere (1998)
- March Mar No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- April Apr Lost in Space (1998) $155.4M Lost in Space (1998)
- May May Godzilla (1998) $728.5M Godzilla (1998)
- June Jun The X Files (1998) $189.2M The X Files (1998)
- July Jul Armageddon (1998) $629.1M Armageddon (1998)
- August Aug No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- September Sep Cube (1998) $737.7K Cube (1998)
- October Oct Soldier (1998) $15.2M Soldier (1998)
- November Nov No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- December Dec Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) $152.9M Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Last 10 years
How Does 1998 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1997 earned the most: $2.7B from 25 films, led by The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). 1998 took $1.9B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 24 films | 24 | $1B | – | Back to the Future Part II (1989) $332.9M |
| 1990 21 films · −5% | 21 | $995.3M | −5% | Total Recall (1990) $261.3M |
| 1991 18 films · −18% | 18 | $819.7M | −18% | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $517.8M |
| 1992 12 films · −44% | 12 | $456.9M | −44% | Alien 3 (1992) $159.8M |
| 1993 18 films · −56% | 18 | $199.7M | −56% | Demolition Man (1993) $58.1M |
| 1994 10 films · +178% | 10 | $555.9M | +178% | Stargate (1994) $196.6M |
| 1995 15 films · +65% | 15 | $918.9M | +65% | Waterworld (1995) $264.2M |
| 1996 17 films · +67% | 17 | $1.5B | +67% | Independence Day (1996) $817.4M |
| 1997 25 films · +79% | 25 | $2.7B | +79% | The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $618.6M |
| 1998 20 films · −29% | 20 | $1.9B | −29% | Armageddon (1998) $553.7M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1998?
English-language sci-fi films took $1.4B across 15 films, 74% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language sci-fi films ($25.8K) and Chinese-language sci-fi films ($2.5K).
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 1998: 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 20 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1998?
Armageddon (1998) leads with $553.7M worldwide, $201.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Godzilla (1998) at $379M and Deep Impact (1998) at $349.5M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1998 earn?
20 sci-fi films released in 1998 report a worldwide gross, $1.9B in all, or $97.3M per film on average. 1997 releases took $2.7B.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1998 made $1 billion?
None. 6 films crossed $100 million, led by Armageddon (1998) with $553.7M.
How is the 1998 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 1998. 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 1998 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.