#1 of 25 #1 sci-fi movie of 1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
1999 · Action, Adventure
$1B worldwide · 46% of the chart's total
$487.6M US & Canada · 47% $558.9M elsewhere · 53%
Sci-Fi box office · 1999
Sci-Fi Box Office 1999: Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Movies
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie released in 1999, with $1B worldwide, ahead of The Matrix (1999) at $467.8M and Wild Wild West (1999) at $222.1M. 25 sci-fi films released in 1999 report a worldwide gross, $2.3B in all, 50% of it from the US & Canada. 1 film crossed $1 billion and 4 crossed $100 million. That is up 18% on 1998, whose releases took $1.9B. By language, English leads with $2.1B across 18 sci-fi releases.
- 1999 releases with a gross
- 25
- combined worldwide
- $2.3B
- films crossed $100M
- 4
- vs 1998
- +18%
#1 of 25 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Sci-Fi Hits of 1999?
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) leads with $1B, 46% of the total. The top 5 together took $2B, 87% of what all 25 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $1B Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)$487.6M US & Canada · 47% $558.9M elsewhere · 53%
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 $163.6M Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999)$85.7M US & Canada · 52% $77.9M elsewhere · 48% -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Sci-Fi Release of 1999, 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 1999.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)May 19, 1999 US and Canada: $487.6M Rest of the world: $558.9M Worldwide: $1B
May 19, 1999 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $1B worldwide - 2 Mar 31, 1999 US and Canada: $172.1M Rest of the world: $295.8M Worldwide: $467.8M
- 3 Jun 30, 1999 US and Canada: $113.8M Rest of the world: $108.3M Worldwide: $222.1M
- 4 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999)Nov 10, 1999 US and Canada: $85.7M Rest of the world: $77.9M Worldwide: $163.6M
Nov 10, 1999 · Japanese · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $163.6M worldwide - 5 Dec 25, 1999 US and Canada: $71.6M Rest of the world: $19.1M Worldwide: $90.7M
- 6
Dec 17, 1999 US and Canada: $58.2M Rest of the world: $29.2M Worldwide: $87.4M - 7
Feb 12, 1999 US and Canada: $36.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $36.9M - 8
Mar 12, 1999 US and Canada: $27.3M Rest of the world: $9.2M Worldwide: $36.5M - 9
Jan 15, 1999 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: $16.6M Worldwide: $30.7M - 10
Aug 20, 1999 US and Canada: $9M Rest of the world: $15.5M Worldwide: $24.4M - 11
Jul 14, 1999 US and Canada: $16.6M Rest of the world: $5.7M Worldwide: $22.3M - 12
Aug 27, 1999 US and Canada: $10.7M Rest of the world: $8.9M Worldwide: $19.6M - 13
May 28, 1999 US and Canada: $11.9M Rest of the world: $6.6M Worldwide: $18.6M - 14
Mar 11, 1999 US and Canada: $11.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.6M - 15
Aug 20, 1999 US and Canada: $10.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.7M - 16
Apr 30, 1999 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: $293 Worldwide: $4.2M - 17
Apr 23, 1999 US and Canada: $2.9M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $2.9M - 18
Nov 5, 1999 US and Canada: $591.2K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $591.2K - 19
Nov 19, 1999 US and Canada: $411.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $411.7K - 20
Jul 4, 1999 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $207.5K - 21
Sep 11, 1999 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $110.8K - 22
Jul 2, 1999 US and Canada: $74K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $74K - 23
Jan 23, 1999 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $65.6K - 24
Oct 8, 1999 US and Canada: $21.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $21.5K - 25
Nov 5, 1999 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1999?
Of the top 10, My Favorite Martian (1999) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Alien Adventure (1999) made 63% of its gross abroad. Across all 25 films, $1.1B (50%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $1B $487.6M US & Canada · 47% $558.9M elsewhere · 53%
- 2 The Matrix (1999) $467.8M $172.1M US & Canada · 37% $295.8M elsewhere · 63%
- 3 Wild Wild West (1999) $222.1M $113.8M US & Canada · 51% $108.3M elsewhere · 49%
- 4 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999) $163.6M $85.7M US & Canada · 52% $77.9M elsewhere · 48%
- 5 Galaxy Quest (1999) $90.7M $71.6M US & Canada · 79% $19.1M elsewhere · 21%
- 6 Bicentennial Man (1999) $87.4M $58.2M US & Canada · 67% $29.2M elsewhere · 33%
- 7 My Favorite Martian (1999) $36.9M $36.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Baby Geniuses (1999) $36.5M $27.3M US & Canada · 75% $9.2M elsewhere · 25%
- 9 Virus (1999) $30.7M $14M US & Canada · 46% $16.6M elsewhere · 54%
- 10 Alien Adventure (1999) $24.4M $9M US & Canada · 37% $15.5M elsewhere · 63%
Gross bands
How Many 1999 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
4 of 25 films crossed $100M and took $1.9B between them, 83% of the total. 10 films, 40% of the list, earned under $10M.
46% 37% 17%
- $1B or more 1 film, 4% of the list $1B · 46% of the gross
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 3 films, 12% of the list $853.6M · 37% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 11 films, 44% of the list $389.2M · 17% of the gross
- Under $10M 10 films, 40% of the list $8.5M · <1% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1999 Earned the Most?
May releases took the most, $1.1B from 2 films, led by Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). October was the quietest month ($21.5K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Virus (1999) $30.7M Virus (1999)
- February Feb My Favorite Martian (1999) $36.9M My Favorite Martian (1999)
- March Mar The Matrix (1999) $515.9M The Matrix (1999)
- April Apr Idle Hands (1999) $7M Idle Hands (1999)
- May May Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $1.1B Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- June Jun Wild Wild West (1999) $222.1M Wild Wild West (1999)
- July Jul Muppets from Space (1999) $22.6M Muppets from Space (1999)
- August Aug Alien Adventure (1999) $54.7M Alien Adventure (1999)
- September Sep Cold Harvest (1999) $110.8K Cold Harvest (1999)
- October Oct New Rose Hotel (1999) $21.5K New Rose Hotel (1999)
- November Nov Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999) $164.6M Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999)
- December Dec Galaxy Quest (1999) $178.1M Galaxy Quest (1999)
Last 10 years
How Does 1999 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). 1999 took $2.3B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 21 films | 21 | $995.3M | – | 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 |
| 1999 25 films · +18% | 25 | $2.3B | +18% | Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $1B |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Sci-Fi Movies Speak in 1999?
English-language sci-fi films took $2.1B across 18 films, 90% of the total, ahead of Japanese-language sci-fi films ($163.7M) and Malayalam-language sci-fi films ($30.7M).
1999 Sci-Fi Box Office by Language
- English $2.1B18 films · #1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Japanese $163.7M2 films · #1 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back! (1999)
-
Malayalam $30.7M1 film · #1 Virus (1999) -
Italian $591.2K1 film · #1 Last Night (1999) -
German $411.7K1 film · #1 Tuvalu (1999) -
Spanish $1.4K1 film · #1 The Ugliest Woman in the World (1999)
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 1999: 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 25 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing sci-fi movie in 1999?
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) leads with $1B worldwide, $487.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Matrix (1999) at $467.8M and Wild Wild West (1999) at $222.1M.
How much did sci-fi movies released in 1999 earn?
25 sci-fi films released in 1999 report a worldwide gross, $2.3B in all, or $91.9M per film on average. 1998 releases took $1.9B.
How many sci-fi movies released in 1999 made $1 billion?
1 film crossed $1 billion worldwide: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). 4 crossed $100 million.
How is the 1999 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 1999. 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 1999 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.